Alexander was born in Quebec, Canada, but later moved to Vermont and then New York. He lived with a black woman named Caroline Queen and her two children in Burlington, Vermont, before marrying Caroline Crabtree in 1853. The couple had at least one child, a son named John, as listed on the 1860 census.
It is interesting to note that Alexander’s race was recorded as mulatto in the 1850 census, but changed to black in the 1870 census. This may reflect changes in how race was defined and recorded during that time period.
According to the 1870 census, Alexander worked as a machinist and owned real estate valued at $3000.00, with a personal estate valued at $200.00. He lived in Plattsburgh, New York, with his son, a daughter, and four other women, all of whom were listed as black. The relationships between Alexander and these women are unclear, but it is possible that they were family members or household servants.
Alexander passed away on April 3, 1888, and his birth date was recorded as August 4, 1823. This provides a glimpse into the life of Alexander, a mixed-race man living in the United States during a tumultuous period in the country’s history.
Jaqcal's Info
The working-class New Yorkans of the 18th – 20th century have impacted various cultures and their cultural contributions were both powerful and noteworthy. Therefore, it is our priority here at Jaqcal’s Info to provide in-depth stories that accurately portray the lives of various people of color who were among the working class in New York.