William Alexander (1726 - 1783) [Section 49 Lot 12 Church-grounds]
Major General in the Revolutionary War, One of Washington’s most trusted generals.
William Alexander was born on December 27, 1725 to James Alexander, the Attorney General of New Jersey and Maria Alexander. His father had the distinction of being the 6th Earl of Sterling. Throughout his life he claimed the title (7th) Earl of Sterling, or “Lord Sterling” as it was commonly expressed.
In childhood, Alexander was an educated, intelligent and ambitious student demonstrating proficiency in mathematics and astronomy. Already employed with his mother in a provisioning business, he married in 1747 to Sarah Livingston, the daughter of Philip Livingston, and sister of New Jersey’s Governor William Livingston. The couple had two daughters and one son.
Having inherited a large fortune from his father, William was a socially prominent and wealthy man. He followed a lifestyle appropriate of a Scottish Lord puttering in the trades of mining and agriculture. He built his grand estate in Bernards Township, New Jersey George Washington was a guest on several occasions during the revolution and gave away Stirling's daughter at her wedding. In 1767, the Royal Society of Arts recognized Lord Stirling for establish viticulture and winemaking in the North American colonies, cultivating 2,100 grape vines on his New Jersey estate.
At the onset of the American Revolution, Stirling was awarded the rank of Colonel in the New Jersey militia. At his own expense he outfitted the troops under his command and was always prepared to expend his own money to support the cause. His early military career was distinguished when he led a group of volunteers to capture an armed British transport.
Appointed brigadier general in the Continental Army by Congress in March 1776 he led the 1st Maryland Regiment during the Battle of Long Island, forming repeated attacks against a superior British force, taking heavy casualties. Outnumbered, he repelled the British forces long enough to allow the main body of troops to escape to defensive positions at Brooklyn Heights, before his brigade was overwhelmed, with Stirling was taken prisoner. Released in a prisoner exchange William was promoted to Major General, and becoming one of Washington’s most able and trusted generals. Throughout much of the Revolution he was considered to be 3rd or 4th in rank behind Washington. He was present in many battles including Trenton, Germantown and Monmouth, fortifying his reputation for bravery and sound tactical judgment.
In 1781, when Washington took his army south, Stirling was appointed commander of the Northern army. He was in poor health suffering from gout, rheumatism and heavy drinking. He died in Albany on 15 January 1783 months before the official end of the war. He was buried at Trinity Churchyard, New York City, eventually reinterred in the Albany Rural Cemeteries Churchgrounds ( Section 49).