William Alexander (b. Abt. 1567, d. February 21, 1639/40)
William Alexander14 was born Abt. 1567 in Menstrie, Parish of Logie, Clakmannshire, Sterling Scotland15, 16, and died February 21, 1639/40 in Covenant Garden, London, England16. He married Janet Erskine on January 03, 1600/01 in Scotland16.
Notes for William Alexander: [alexander sorrels.FTW]
From Lee Clayton Parker:
Sir William Alexander, the Earl of Stirling was the only son of Alexander Alexander and his w ife Marion. He was born about 1567 in Menstrie, Parish of Logie, Clackmannshire, Scotland. Wh en Alexander Alexander died in 1581, William and two sisters were left in the charge of his g randuncle, James Alexander, a Burgess of Stirling. It is fairly certain that he attended Glas gow University and probably Leyden as well. As a young man he was chosen to accompany the se venth Earl of Argyle on the customary Grand Tour, which took him through France, Italy and Sp ain. As a result of this service he was later given the entire barony of Menstrie.
Shortly after returning from this trip he met and wooed the young musically talented and ari stocratic Janet Erskine, whose family had been keepers of Stirling Castle and protectors of p rinces of the realm. They were married in 1601 and as far as is known their relationship wa s both happy and fruitful, Janet gave him seven sons and three daughters and outlived him aft er 40 years of married life.
His kinship to the Argyles also gave him access to the Scottish court and an introduction t o King James VI. KIng James appointed Sir William to the position of tutor to Prince Henry, t he Kingus eldest son and heir to the throne.
Sir Williamus eldest son William led Sir Williamus first expendion to Nova Scotia in 1627 a t which time he had already graduated from Glasgow University. His second son was Anthony wh o also studied at Glasgow University and became an architect. Anthony eventually became the K ingus Master of Works and Head of all Masons. Anthony died in Sept of 1637.
William Jr. died a few months later. Sir William died in London, impoverished and hounded b y creditors in Sept. of 1640. His wife Janet had to apply for and live upon a Crown pension i n her remaining years.
There was involvement of at least two of Sir William Alexander's sons with Scottish Freemason ry early in the 17th C. William Alexander was likely born in 1567 or soon afterwards, the onl y son of Alexander Alexander and his wife Marion. Birth records of the parish of Logie, of wh ich Menstrie was part have been lost. Little or nothing is known of his earliest years spen t in Menstrie Castle. When his father died in 1581 he and his two sisters were left in charg e of his grand uncle, James Alexander , a well-placed Burgess of Sterling.
According to the Gazeteer for Scotland, University of Edinburgh, and other publications, Will iam, 1st Earl of Stirling, was b. 1567 at Menstrie Castle in the village of Menstrie, Clackma nnanshire. He was reared in nearby Stirling, educated at the universities of Glasgow and Leid en and d. 1640 in London, England. In addition to a series of Stragedies,T he was author of t he extensive Doomesday. He served in the court of King James VI (b. 1566 & d. 1625, s/o Mar y of Scots, crowned James I of England in 1604), from whom he received a grant of lands in Ca nada in 1621, which he named Nova Scotia (New Scotland). His illustrious career also include d being knighted in 1609; named Secretary of State for Scotland from 1626 to his death; creat ed a Viscount in 1633; and, awarded the title Earl of Stirling in 1639. He suffered bankruptc y in his later years and d. in poverty.
More About William Alexander: Date born 2: Abt. 1567 Burial: April 12, 1640, Bowie's Aisle, Stirling Church, Stirling, Scotland.16 Record Change: May 28, 200116
More About William Alexander and Janet Erskine: Marriage: January 03, 1600/01, Scotland.16
Children of William Alexander and Janet Erskine are:
+John Alexander, b. 1590, Menstrie, Parish of Logie, Clakmannshire, Sterling Scotland Scotland, d. 164116.
William Alexander (b. Abt. 1567, d. February 21, 1639/40)
Notes for William Alexander: