Individual Details

According to a biography of his son Robert Jefferson Alexander - both James and his father served in the American Revolution.

Story from Ancestry tree:
James Alexander was one of the three judges of Belmont County for eighteen years. He was also a Senator in the Ohio Legistlature. In religion he was a strict coventer, as were most of the old stock. On his monument in the Alexander Graveyard is carved an open book; on the first page are the words, "Time How Short;" on the second page, "Eternity How Long" then the following: "James Alexander, born in Scotland 1757, came to America 1766, died May 11, 1852, aged 95 years. 'North of me lies my wife and daughters three.'" The three daughters were Agnes, Jane Wilson, and Isabella Ross. The inscription on his wife's monument is "Isabella, wife of James Alexander, born in Scotland 1767. EArly in life she embraced the religion of Christ, and for about half a century she was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. With vigorous and well informed mind of great decision and energy of character in various respects. She was a most useful member of society and discharged well the dutries of a wife and mother, and, having filled the remainder of her days, died March 30, 1845, in the 78th year of her age, rejoicing in the Hope of Everlasting Life." -Brief Genealogy of the Scotch Ridge Alexanders

Ancestry.com, "Early Land Ownership & Township Plats, 1785-1898.
Township No V, Range No. III, Ohio River Survey
Surveyed 9 Apr 1805; certified 22 Oct 1805 - but the names written in are much later dates.
James Alexander, March 8, 1822 - East half of the NE Qtr, Section 21

1820 Census. Belmont Co, Ohio, Pease Twp.
James Alexander: 1m under 10, 1m 10-16, 3m 16-26, 1m over age 45 [James]
1f 10-16, 2f 16-26, 1f 26-45 [Isabella]
Son Peter would have been about age 16.

1830 Census. Peas Twp, Belmont Co, Ohio
James Alexander: 1m 15-20, 2m 20-30 [one was Peter still unmarried], 1m age 50-60 [James]
1f age 10-15, 1f age 40-50 [Isabella]
The ages of James & Isabella appear to be way off in this census, but he is the only James in Pease Township.


1840 Census. Pease Twp, Belmont Co, Ohio
James Alexander: 1m age 10-15, 1m 80-90. 1f 15-20, 1f 70-80

1850 Census. Pease Twp, Belmont Co, OH, Hh 1195
James Alexander, 94, b. Scotland
John Willson, 35, Farmer, b. OH
Catherine Wilson, 27, b. OH
Livenah Ellis, 8, b. OH
Thomas Duff, 22, Farmer, b. OH
Jas. Alexander is also on the Agricultural Census for 1850 - apparently the young men living with him work working his farm:
He had 70 acres of improved land; 70 acres unimproved. His farm was worth $5000; and he had $200 worth of farm implements. 3 horses, 3 milch cows, 20 swine. Livestock worth $215. 500 bushels wheat; 800 bushels Indian corn 50 bushels of oats.

Probate Court. Belmont Co, Ohio Case #2930
James Alexander of Pease Twp, BelmontCo, Ohio made out his last will and testament. To beloved wife Isabella the tract of land herinafter devised to my son Robert J. Alexander to have during the term of her natural life, in case she survive me; also the right to claim her dower right or the one third part of the Profits of the proceeds of the two tracts of land hereinafter given and devised to sons John Alexander & Peter Alexander, during her natural life. I also bequeath to my wife $2000 and all my household property & all faming utensils & stock on the farm of every description with full right & power to hold, us & dispose of as she may think proper.
To son John Alexander the tract of land in Pease Twp, Section #32, in Twp #4, Range #2, & a part of section lying east of the aforesaid - total of 170 acres, subject only to the aforesaid devisee to my wife.
To son Peter Alexander a tract which begins SW corner of the aforesaid east half of Section 32; meanders of Deep Run to land formerly owned by James Eagleson - 95 acres - subject only to the aforesaid devised to my wife.
To my son Robert J. Alexander, the tract beginning NW corner of said east half of Section 32; along son John's west line, the Deep Run. 130 acres, subject only to the aforesaid devise to my wife & as hereinafter mentioned to my brother Andrew Alexander & wife.
I devise the three tracts to my said sons John, Peter & Robert J. on the condition that neither they, nor their heirs, or devises shall ever sell the same to any other than their children as long as they may be willing to buy and pay for same. [follows long and complicated instructions then says "as long as said devises shall stand as valid"]
To brother Andrew Alexander & his wife or the survivor, during the term of their natural lives, the right & possession of the house & lot thereto attached and under fence which they now occupy on the tract of land devised to my son Robert J. Alexander and with the right to get such fallen or other timber which will do the least damage for fuel.
To daughter Jennette Mitchell who married George Mitchell, $1000.00
To Jemima, wife of my son James, $500.00
To James, son of my son James, $500.00
To brother Andrew $50 per annum during the term of his life to be paid semi-annually.
To my sons James, John, Peter, & Robert J., share & share alike, all my estate both real & personal not hereinbefore bequeathed.
I direct my executors to pay the cash legacies as soon as the same can be collected out of debts due me at the time of my decease and not otherwise nor sooner. I have otherwise made provision for my other children & grown children not herein mentions.
I appoint my sons, James, John, Peter & Robert J. my executors.
18 Dec 1844 Signed: James Alexander
Witness: J. M. Mitchell, David L. Jennings, R. H. Urshart, William C. Kicker

Beloved wife Isabell and son James Alexander and brother Andrew Alexander have all departed this life, the legacies devised to them are hereby revoked. I have made & delivered deeds to son John, Peter, and Robert J. for the lands mentioned, therefore, I add the following codicil.
Every part of the will except the legacies to Isabell, James & Andrew to remain in full force.
My sons John Peter & Robert J. and their heirs are to faithfully observe the conditions upon which any of them might sell the real estate.
I bequeath to Nancy Alexander, widow of my brother Andrew, dec'd, the sum of $50 per annum during her natural life, to be paid semi-annually.
I appoint co-executors with my sons John, Peter & Robert J., Alexander, my sons-in-law, George Mitchell & Smily H. Johnston and my grandson Thomas M. Alexander
1 Dec 1846 Signed: James Alexander
Wit: Wm. Faris, J. E. Grove
2nd Codicil
My son John has died and the legacies to him are void and revoked. I revoke the legacy given my daughter Jenny Mitchell as I have given to her money & property to her and her children $2000.
Otherwise, my will to stane. 30 Nov. 1849. Signed: James Alexander
Wit: Mary Alexander, John Wilson, Catherine Wilson

22 May 1852 William Faris & Jacob E. Grove swore to the above first codicil. Mary Alexander, John Wilson and Catherine Wilson swore to the second codicil.
Joseph M. Mitchell and David L. Jennings swore to the original will.
All before David, Harris, Probate Judge
Peter Alexander, Robert J. Alexander, James P. Jordan and David L. Jennings, signed bond in the amount of $3000.00 on 19 June 1852. On the 22nd of May 1852, the last will and testament with two codicils of James Alexander, Senr, late of Belmont County, Ohio, dec'd. was admitted to probate. Letters testamentary were granted to Peter Alexander and Robert J. Alexander. They are to pay all just debts and legacies according to law. Signed by all four before David Harris, Probate Judge.

Birth	23 Aug 1762	Campbeltown, Argyllshire, Scotland
Christen	25 Aug 1762	Campbeltown, Argyllshire, Scotland
Marriage	Ca 1786	York County, Pennsylvania - Isabella Ross
Death	11 May 1852	Belmont County, Ohio

Spouse	Isabella Ross (1767 - 1845)
Child	Margaret Alexander (1787 - 1866)
Child	James Alexander (1789 - 1846)
Child	Agnes Alexander (1792 - 1823)
Child	Jane Wilson Alexander (1794 - 1823)
Child	Isabella Ross Alexander (1797 - 1815)
Child	John Alexander (1798 - 1849)
Child	Jennetta Alexander (1801 - )
Child	Peter Alexander (1804 - 1862)
Child	Robert Jefferson Alexander (1806 - 1863)
Child	Lavina Alexander (1808 - 1888)

Father	James Alexander (1733 - 1817)
Mother	Margaret Wilson ( - 1767)
Sibling	Andrew Alexander ( - 1846)