Individual Details

Alexander Kirkpatrick was born in 1685 in Watties Neach, Dumfriesshire, Scotland. He removed with his family to Belfast, Ireland, after the birth of his son David, in the latter part of the reign of George I. Probably about the year 1725, that he might enjoy greater liberty of conscience and additional religious advantages. In the spring of 1736 he embarked at Belfast for America. It is believed that along with his immediate family that his four brothers travelled with him on this journey, as they all appear in America at about the same time and in the same general area. After a stormy passage of thirteen weeks landed at New Castle, Delaware. The passengers and crew were almost starved owing to the unexpected length of the passage. David, who was then twelve years old, speaking of this to a grandson in after years said: " The first thing I got to eat after we got on shore was corn, in the state which we call roasting ears, and without roasting or boiling I ate it till the milk of the corn ran down both sides of my mouth, and I have never eaten anything since that tasted sweeter." The narrative by the grandson; "They crossed the Delaware at Philadelphia, and wandered up through the State of New Jersey (which was partially settled) till they reached Boundbrook, and from that they went over the mountain. This incident he (the grandfather) used to tell me, and smile at -- they were all on foot -- there was no road other than the Indian path. In the path before them they saw a land tortoise, speckled, sticking up his head; and as they had heard of 'rattlesnakes', they thought that 'monster' must be 'one'; so they turned out in the woods and went away round leaving his 'torkleship' in full possession of the path. When they came to a spring of water at the side of what has since been called "Mine Brook," there they settled down, built a log house and went to work."

Gravestone shows birth year as 1697, per Find-A-Grave.

The spot was well chosen, about two miles west from the present site of Baskingridge in Somerset County, New Jersey. It embraced the southern slope of Round Mountain in a well-timbered region, with unfailing springs of pure water, the rich meadow-land through which Mine Brook runs with sufficient fall of water for a mill-seat, and with these material advantages, a charming picturesque view of the adjacent region. The spring of water is still there, marking the site of the original log house, and until within a few years could be seen the remains of the apple trees planted by Alexander Kirkpatrick and his sons. This improvement many of the early propriety leases required. In a lease of one hundred and thirty seven acres, (which it may be remarked with a minor portion of what the family eventually obtained by title in fee simple) granted November 23, 1747, to Alexander Kirkpatrick, he agrees "to plant an orchard of at least one apple tree for every six acres, all regular in one orchard, and to keep up the number planted and to keep the orchard in good fence."

Alexander Kirkpatrick died at Mine Brook, June 3, 1758, mentioning in his will, which was executed "in articulo mortis," his wife Elizabeth, his sons Andrew, David, and Alexander, his son-in-law Duncan McEowen, his youngest daughter Mary, and his grandson Alexander.

It is worthy of notice that when he came to America with his family he was accompanied by his brother Andrew. This brother Andrew had two sons, John and David, and two daughters, Martha, wife of Joseph Linn, and Elizabeth, wife of Stephen Roy, all of whom removed to Sussex County, and there remained.

Birth	1697	Wallaces House, Dumfriesshire, Scotland
Death	8 Jun 1758	Mine Brook, Somerset Co., New Jersey
Burial		Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Basking Ridge, Somerset Co., New Jersey

Spouse	Elizabeth ???-AK ( - )
Child	Andrew Kirkpatrick (1720 - 1790)
Child	David Kirkpatrick (1723 - 1814)
Child	Alexander Kirkpatrick (1726 - )
Child	Jennett Kirkpatrick (1728 - )
Child	Mary Kirkpatrick (1729 - )

Father	Alexander Kirkpatrick (1650 - )
Sibling	Andrew Kirkpatrick (1687 - )
Sibling	Isabella Kirkpatrick (1711 - )
Sibling	John Kirkpatrick (1712 - 1743)
Sibling	James "The Immigrant" Kirkpatrick (1715 - 1786)
Sibling	Thomas Kirkpatrick (1716 - )