Alexander, Robert, c. 1740-1805
Biographical notes:
Robert Alexander (c. 1740 – 1805) was an American planter, lawyer, and Tory political leader during the American Revolution. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress for Maryland in 1776.
Born at Head of Elk, his family's estate in Cecil County, Maryland, about 1740, Alexander was educated to the law and admitted to the bar, and practiced in Baltimore. From 1774 to 1776, he attended the Annapolis Convention as a representative of Baltimore County. He also represented Baltimore in the state's Committee of Safety. On December 9, 1775 the Convention named Alexander one of their delegates to the Continental Congress. He attended sessions starting in January 1776, and on January 16 the Congress added him to their Secret Committee. Then in April he was added to the Marine Committee. Soon after the promulgation of the Declaration of Independence, he sailed for England with other Baltimore loyalists.
In August 1777, after British forces had landed at his family estate, he was visited at his home, first by George Washington on the 27th, and then by British General Howe three days later. When the British moved north towards Philadelphia he accompanied them, and was never to return. By the summer of 1778, when Howe abandoned the occupation of Philadelphia, Alexander fled to the Royal Navy, and made his way to London in 1782. In 1780, the State of Maryland judged Alexander guilty of high treason, and seized most of his property. His estate became the town of Elkton, Maryland. Alexander died in exile in London on November 1805.
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Subjects:
Occupations:
- Delegates, U.S. Continental Congress
- Lawyers
- Loyalists
- Militia officers
Places:
- MD, US
- ENG, GB
- MD, US
