Macomb, Alexander, 1748-1831

Son of John Gordon and Jane (Gordon) Macomb, born in, July 27, 1748, at Dunturky, Atrium County, Ireland. He spent his youth in Albany, New York., and came to Detroit about 1765 with his brother, William (1751-1796), where they became leading merchants and were fiscal agents fr the British government. In July, 1776, they obtained Grosse Ile from the Native Americans. On May 4, 1773, he married Mary Catherine, daughter of Robert Navarre and Marie Louise (Lootman dit Barrois); they had eleven children, and she died in childbirth, November 17, 1789. He then married Jane (Marshall) Rucker, widow of John Peter Rucker of New York. At the close of the Revolution he move to New York City, where his home in 1790 served as official residence of President Washington. At one time he held over 3,500,000 acres of land in New York State, this "Macomb Purchase" being the greatest land transaction in the history of the State. During Napoleonic wars disaster overtook him, and he died poor, on January 19, 1831, at Georgetown, Washington, DC. (from Macomb. Macomb Family records) (blue index cards)

From the description of Alexander Macomb papers, 1788-1825-1831 (Detroit Public Library). WorldCat record id: 401305005

Alexander Macomb (1748-1831) was a fur merchant in Detroit and later in moved to New York City, where he engaged in shipping and land speculation. He was the father of General Alexander Macomb (1782-1841).

From the description of Alexander Macomb (1748-1831) collection, 1787-1794. (New-York Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 713567380