Robert Alexander (1633-1704) helped his father establish a colonial era plantation in the Chesapeake Bay area of Virginia, around 1659. At the time, the government required all of the large plantations to have a name. His father named the family plantation Caledon, in October of 1659. Robert Alexander inherited the plantation in 1677, after his father passed away.
Robert Alexander also inherited the upper part of the Howson Patent tract from his father. His brother named Philip Alexander, inherited the lower part of the Howson Patent tract. Over the years, the land from the Howson Patent tract was passed down in the family. Around July of 1749, two Alexanders donated some land, in order to help found the city of Alexandria. Captain John Alexander (1711-1763) donated land from the upper Howson Patent, and his cousin Captain Philip Alexander (1704-1753) donated land from the lower Howson Patent.
***
PLANTATION HISTORY
Looking to the north, the Caledon Plantation house had a beautiful view of the Potomac River. This was an excellent site for a colonial era plantation, because there was access to the river for sailing ships, but also protection from storms coming in off the Atlantic Ocean, such as hurricanes and nor'easters. The outline of the foundation of the original plantation house remains within view of the family cemetery. The cemetery might have existed as early as 1657.
The plantation was created under the name of Caledon Plantation. Caledonia was the Latin word used by the Roman Empire to describe the Scottish Highlands, and its people were called Caledonii or Picts. Around 1700, Robert Alexander renamed the Caledon Plantation, and called it the Salisbury Plantation, or Salisbury.
The county name changed several times, over the years. The plantation site was originally located in Westmoreland County, of the Virginia Colony. In 1664 the same area became part of Stafford County. By 1777 the plantation was part of King George County. The plantation fell within the boundaries of St. Paul's Parish, of the Episcopalian Church.
The river was originally called the Patowmeck River, but now it is called the Potomac River. The plantation was protected by a small promontory of land jutting out into the river. The site is located on the southern shore of the Potomac River, close to the modern day city of Berthaville, VA.
***
CEMETERY HISTORY
The Alexander Cemetery is located at one of the earliest settlements for any Alexander family in America. Three cemetery surveys for it are listed below.
1) CEMETERY SURVEY OF 1937
A cemetery survey conducted in 1937 listed only three gravestones.
http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/kinggeorge/
cemeteries/alexander01.txt
2) MAGAZINE ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN 1903
The WPA survey mentioned above, refers to an earlier magazine article, found on pages 315 and 316 in Volume 10 of "The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography" of 1903.
http://books.google.com/books?id=jlc_AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA315&lpg=PA315&dq=Here+lies+
the+body+of+Sarah+Alexander&source=bl&ots=VPJiQh
j7S9&sig=MgFX7zdrkwqAgZZIDtRx9SaXroQ&hl=en&sa=X
&ei=VtqYU5H8BtKVyATCyYGAAQ&ved=0CCIQ6AEwAQ#v=one
page&q=Here%20lies%20the%20body%20of%20Sarah%20Alexander&f=false
3) CEMETERY LISTING FROM 1962
A book mentioned a manuscript from 1962, which described the cemetery. Here is a direct quote from the book.
"ALEXANDER FAMILY CEMETERY AT SALISBURY. DIRECTIONS: This cemetery was reported in a manuscript written in 1962 by Hugh Roy Stuart. He noted that there were five generations buried here after 1657. ALEXANDER, Catherine Graham wife of John no dates. John husb of Catherine no dates."
Source: "Tombstone Inscriptions of King George County, Virginia" by Dave Klein, Margaret C. Klein, page 28. An ebook is available from this web site, and it includes other cemeteries in King George County:
http://books.google.com/books?id=YhzuS2LXxvsC&pg=PA61&dq=hugh+roy+stuart&hl=en
&sa=X&ei=k7t_U9_mFJOGqgbd54CQDg&ved=0CDUQ6AEwAg#
v=onepage&q=hugh%20roy%20stuart&f=false
***
PUBLICATIONS
1) A DAR BIOGRAPHY FROM 2010 FOR ROBERT ALEXANDER'S FATHER
A short one page biography for Robert Alexander's father, named John Alexander, provides some information about the Howson Patent tract, and the founding of Alexandria, VA.
http://www.JohnAlexanderNSDAR.org/bio.html
An SAR application from 1955, stated that John Alexander (1625-1677) of Scotland, married Catherine (Graham) Alexander of Gratmore, Scotland.
2) A WELL RESEARCHED BOOK FROM 1990 ABOUT ROBERT ALEXANDER'S FATHER
"John Alexander a Northern Neck proprietor : his family, friends, and kin" by Wesley E. Pippenger. Published 1990 by Gateway Press, W.E. Pippenger [distributor] in Baltimore, MD, Alexandria, Va. (6437 Richmond Highway, #302, Alexandria 22306) . (This book might be available from a public library via an interlibrary loan. Sometimes a used copy of this book is available for sale online.)
3) A LYRICAL BOOKLET IN THE STYLE OF 1914
"Alexander family records : an account of the first American settlers and colonial families of the name of Alexander, and other genealogical and historical data, mostly new and original material, including early wills and marriages heretofore unpublished." 1914. See page 5.
https://archive.org/details/alexanderfamilyr00clem/page/4
4) ARTICLE ABOUT ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandria%2C_Virginia
5) ARTICLE ABOUT THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AREA OF VIRGINIA
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesapeake_Bay
6) MAP OF CHESAPEAKE BAY AND ENVIRONS
This map was published in 1673, by Augustin Herman and Thomas Withinbrook. See the credits at the bottom left corner of the map. The top of this map faces west, not north. This was a map that was published when Robert Alexander was about 40 years old, so he probably looked at it more than once. A high resolution version of the attached map image, is available at the link below. There are some entertaining map illustrations, like the one of a 7 man Indian canoe, and some informative map captions, like the one that warns of dangerous tygers and bears. Click to expand the map or use Ctrl + or Ctrl - to resize it from Windows, and then use the arrow keys to navigate around the map.
http://www.tomitronics.com/the%20gene%20pool/sewell/images/1670VIRGINIA.jpg
***
A SPECIAL THANK YOU GOES TO...
A special thank you goes to Richard Parker, for adding this cemetery to FindAGrave.com.
A word of appreciation is also due to J. Benjamin Chrismond for traveling to the cemetery, taking photos, and documenting its status.
***
CURRENT STATUS OF THE CEMETERY AND PLANTATION
The Salisbury Plantation was sold outside of the Alexander family, after all of the family members who lived there had either passed on, or moved away. The sale of the property occurred many years before the Civil War began in 1861. Eventually the colonial era house fell into a state of disrepair, and was abandoned entirely.
As early as 1903, only three grave markers were visible in this cemetery. These three markers were for Captain Philip Alexander (1704-1753), his wife named Sarah (Hooe) Alexander, and their young son named Philip Alexander.
If there ever were any other colonial era markers in this cemetery, they appear to be gone now. Many early grave sites in America were left unmarked, or they were marked with simple field stones. Generally, if the field stones were inscribed, they were only identified by a person's initials, and perhaps the year of death. The simple lettering on many colonial era markers in America, has now faded and worn away. Nothing of value is in this pioneer cemetery on the Potomac River anymore, aside from the historical value of the site, as a colonial era family graveyard.
In 1974, a large portion of the land of the Salisbury Plantation was graciously donated to the state of Virginia, by a widow in memory of her late husband, in order that the land could become part of Caledon State Park. The public land now provides sanctuary and habitat for bald eagles.
The Alexander Cemetery is not part of Caledon State Park. The small cemetery remains on privately owned land. There is a locked gate on the road which leads to the cemetery. No visitors to the cemetery are allowed on the property. Further details and photos, are available on the cemetery description page for the Alexander Cemetery on FindAGrave.
***
Updated on September 1, 2019
Robert Alexander also inherited the upper part of the Howson Patent tract from his father. His brother named Philip Alexander, inherited the lower part of the Howson Patent tract. Over the years, the land from the Howson Patent tract was passed down in the family. Around July of 1749, two Alexanders donated some land, in order to help found the city of Alexandria. Captain John Alexander (1711-1763) donated land from the upper Howson Patent, and his cousin Captain Philip Alexander (1704-1753) donated land from the lower Howson Patent.
***
PLANTATION HISTORY
Looking to the north, the Caledon Plantation house had a beautiful view of the Potomac River. This was an excellent site for a colonial era plantation, because there was access to the river for sailing ships, but also protection from storms coming in off the Atlantic Ocean, such as hurricanes and nor'easters. The outline of the foundation of the original plantation house remains within view of the family cemetery. The cemetery might have existed as early as 1657.
The plantation was created under the name of Caledon Plantation. Caledonia was the Latin word used by the Roman Empire to describe the Scottish Highlands, and its people were called Caledonii or Picts. Around 1700, Robert Alexander renamed the Caledon Plantation, and called it the Salisbury Plantation, or Salisbury.
The county name changed several times, over the years. The plantation site was originally located in Westmoreland County, of the Virginia Colony. In 1664 the same area became part of Stafford County. By 1777 the plantation was part of King George County. The plantation fell within the boundaries of St. Paul's Parish, of the Episcopalian Church.
The river was originally called the Patowmeck River, but now it is called the Potomac River. The plantation was protected by a small promontory of land jutting out into the river. The site is located on the southern shore of the Potomac River, close to the modern day city of Berthaville, VA.
***
CEMETERY HISTORY
The Alexander Cemetery is located at one of the earliest settlements for any Alexander family in America. Three cemetery surveys for it are listed below.
1) CEMETERY SURVEY OF 1937
A cemetery survey conducted in 1937 listed only three gravestones.
http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/kinggeorge/
cemeteries/alexander01.txt
2) MAGAZINE ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN 1903
The WPA survey mentioned above, refers to an earlier magazine article, found on pages 315 and 316 in Volume 10 of "The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography" of 1903.
http://books.google.com/books?id=jlc_AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA315&lpg=PA315&dq=Here+lies+
the+body+of+Sarah+Alexander&source=bl&ots=VPJiQh
j7S9&sig=MgFX7zdrkwqAgZZIDtRx9SaXroQ&hl=en&sa=X
&ei=VtqYU5H8BtKVyATCyYGAAQ&ved=0CCIQ6AEwAQ#v=one
page&q=Here%20lies%20the%20body%20of%20Sarah%20Alexander&f=false
3) CEMETERY LISTING FROM 1962
A book mentioned a manuscript from 1962, which described the cemetery. Here is a direct quote from the book.
"ALEXANDER FAMILY CEMETERY AT SALISBURY. DIRECTIONS: This cemetery was reported in a manuscript written in 1962 by Hugh Roy Stuart. He noted that there were five generations buried here after 1657. ALEXANDER, Catherine Graham wife of John no dates. John husb of Catherine no dates."
Source: "Tombstone Inscriptions of King George County, Virginia" by Dave Klein, Margaret C. Klein, page 28. An ebook is available from this web site, and it includes other cemeteries in King George County:
http://books.google.com/books?id=YhzuS2LXxvsC&pg=PA61&dq=hugh+roy+stuart&hl=en
&sa=X&ei=k7t_U9_mFJOGqgbd54CQDg&ved=0CDUQ6AEwAg#
v=onepage&q=hugh%20roy%20stuart&f=false
***
PUBLICATIONS
1) A DAR BIOGRAPHY FROM 2010 FOR ROBERT ALEXANDER'S FATHER
A short one page biography for Robert Alexander's father, named John Alexander, provides some information about the Howson Patent tract, and the founding of Alexandria, VA.
http://www.JohnAlexanderNSDAR.org/bio.html
An SAR application from 1955, stated that John Alexander (1625-1677) of Scotland, married Catherine (Graham) Alexander of Gratmore, Scotland.
2) A WELL RESEARCHED BOOK FROM 1990 ABOUT ROBERT ALEXANDER'S FATHER
"John Alexander a Northern Neck proprietor : his family, friends, and kin" by Wesley E. Pippenger. Published 1990 by Gateway Press, W.E. Pippenger [distributor] in Baltimore, MD, Alexandria, Va. (6437 Richmond Highway, #302, Alexandria 22306) . (This book might be available from a public library via an interlibrary loan. Sometimes a used copy of this book is available for sale online.)
3) A LYRICAL BOOKLET IN THE STYLE OF 1914
"Alexander family records : an account of the first American settlers and colonial families of the name of Alexander, and other genealogical and historical data, mostly new and original material, including early wills and marriages heretofore unpublished." 1914. See page 5.
https://archive.org/details/alexanderfamilyr00clem/page/4
4) ARTICLE ABOUT ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandria%2C_Virginia
5) ARTICLE ABOUT THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AREA OF VIRGINIA
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesapeake_Bay
6) MAP OF CHESAPEAKE BAY AND ENVIRONS
This map was published in 1673, by Augustin Herman and Thomas Withinbrook. See the credits at the bottom left corner of the map. The top of this map faces west, not north. This was a map that was published when Robert Alexander was about 40 years old, so he probably looked at it more than once. A high resolution version of the attached map image, is available at the link below. There are some entertaining map illustrations, like the one of a 7 man Indian canoe, and some informative map captions, like the one that warns of dangerous tygers and bears. Click to expand the map or use Ctrl + or Ctrl - to resize it from Windows, and then use the arrow keys to navigate around the map.
http://www.tomitronics.com/the%20gene%20pool/sewell/images/1670VIRGINIA.jpg
***
A SPECIAL THANK YOU GOES TO...
A special thank you goes to Richard Parker, for adding this cemetery to FindAGrave.com.
A word of appreciation is also due to J. Benjamin Chrismond for traveling to the cemetery, taking photos, and documenting its status.
***
CURRENT STATUS OF THE CEMETERY AND PLANTATION
The Salisbury Plantation was sold outside of the Alexander family, after all of the family members who lived there had either passed on, or moved away. The sale of the property occurred many years before the Civil War began in 1861. Eventually the colonial era house fell into a state of disrepair, and was abandoned entirely.
As early as 1903, only three grave markers were visible in this cemetery. These three markers were for Captain Philip Alexander (1704-1753), his wife named Sarah (Hooe) Alexander, and their young son named Philip Alexander.
If there ever were any other colonial era markers in this cemetery, they appear to be gone now. Many early grave sites in America were left unmarked, or they were marked with simple field stones. Generally, if the field stones were inscribed, they were only identified by a person's initials, and perhaps the year of death. The simple lettering on many colonial era markers in America, has now faded and worn away. Nothing of value is in this pioneer cemetery on the Potomac River anymore, aside from the historical value of the site, as a colonial era family graveyard.
In 1974, a large portion of the land of the Salisbury Plantation was graciously donated to the state of Virginia, by a widow in memory of her late husband, in order that the land could become part of Caledon State Park. The public land now provides sanctuary and habitat for bald eagles.
The Alexander Cemetery is not part of Caledon State Park. The small cemetery remains on privately owned land. There is a locked gate on the road which leads to the cemetery. No visitors to the cemetery are allowed on the property. Further details and photos, are available on the cemetery description page for the Alexander Cemetery on FindAGrave.
***
Updated on September 1, 2019
Robert Alexander (1633-1704) helped his father establish a colonial era plantation in the Chesapeake Bay area of Virginia, around 1659. At the time, the government required all of the large plantations to have a name. His father named the family plantation Caledon, in October of 1659. Robert Alexander inherited the plantation in 1677, after his father passed away.
Robert Alexander also inherited the upper part of the Howson Patent tract from his father. His brother named Philip Alexander, inherited the lower part of the Howson Patent tract. Over the years, the land from the Howson Patent tract was passed down in the family. Around July of 1749, two Alexanders donated some land, in order to help found the city of Alexandria. Captain John Alexander (1711-1763) donated land from the upper Howson Patent, and his cousin Captain Philip Alexander (1704-1753) donated land from the lower Howson Patent.
***
PLANTATION HISTORY
Looking to the north, the Caledon Plantation house had a beautiful view of the Potomac River. This was an excellent site for a colonial era plantation, because there was access to the river for sailing ships, but also protection from storms coming in off the Atlantic Ocean, such as hurricanes and nor'easters. The outline of the foundation of the original plantation house remains within view of the family cemetery. The cemetery might have existed as early as 1657.
The plantation was created under the name of Caledon Plantation. Caledonia was the Latin word used by the Roman Empire to describe the Scottish Highlands, and its people were called Caledonii or Picts. Around 1700, Robert Alexander renamed the Caledon Plantation, and called it the Salisbury Plantation, or Salisbury.
The county name changed several times, over the years. The plantation site was originally located in Westmoreland County, of the Virginia Colony. In 1664 the same area became part of Stafford County. By 1777 the plantation was part of King George County. The plantation fell within the boundaries of St. Paul's Parish, of the Episcopalian Church.
The river was originally called the Patowmeck River, but now it is called the Potomac River. The plantation was protected by a small promontory of land jutting out into the river. The site is located on the southern shore of the Potomac River, close to the modern day city of Berthaville, VA.
***
CEMETERY HISTORY
The Alexander Cemetery is located at one of the earliest settlements for any Alexander family in America. Three cemetery surveys for it are listed below.
1) CEMETERY SURVEY OF 1937
A cemetery survey conducted in 1937 listed only three gravestones.
http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/kinggeorge/
cemeteries/alexander01.txt
2) MAGAZINE ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN 1903
The WPA survey mentioned above, refers to an earlier magazine article, found on pages 315 and 316 in Volume 10 of "The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography" of 1903.
http://books.google.com/books?id=jlc_AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA315&lpg=PA315&dq=Here+lies+
the+body+of+Sarah+Alexander&source=bl&ots=VPJiQh
j7S9&sig=MgFX7zdrkwqAgZZIDtRx9SaXroQ&hl=en&sa=X
&ei=VtqYU5H8BtKVyATCyYGAAQ&ved=0CCIQ6AEwAQ#v=one
page&q=Here%20lies%20the%20body%20of%20Sarah%20Alexander&f=false
3) CEMETERY LISTING FROM 1962
A book mentioned a manuscript from 1962, which described the cemetery. Here is a direct quote from the book.
"ALEXANDER FAMILY CEMETERY AT SALISBURY. DIRECTIONS: This cemetery was reported in a manuscript written in 1962 by Hugh Roy Stuart. He noted that there were five generations buried here after 1657. ALEXANDER, Catherine Graham wife of John no dates. John husb of Catherine no dates."
Source: "Tombstone Inscriptions of King George County, Virginia" by Dave Klein, Margaret C. Klein, page 28. An ebook is available from this web site, and it includes other cemeteries in King George County:
http://books.google.com/books?id=YhzuS2LXxvsC&pg=PA61&dq=hugh+roy+stuart&hl=en
&sa=X&ei=k7t_U9_mFJOGqgbd54CQDg&ved=0CDUQ6AEwAg#
v=onepage&q=hugh%20roy%20stuart&f=false
***
PUBLICATIONS
1) A DAR BIOGRAPHY FROM 2010 FOR ROBERT ALEXANDER'S FATHER
A short one page biography for Robert Alexander's father, named John Alexander, provides some information about the Howson Patent tract, and the founding of Alexandria, VA.
http://www.JohnAlexanderNSDAR.org/bio.html
An SAR application from 1955, stated that John Alexander (1625-1677) of Scotland, married Catherine (Graham) Alexander of Gratmore, Scotland.
2) A WELL RESEARCHED BOOK FROM 1990 ABOUT ROBERT ALEXANDER'S FATHER
"John Alexander a Northern Neck proprietor : his family, friends, and kin" by Wesley E. Pippenger. Published 1990 by Gateway Press, W.E. Pippenger [distributor] in Baltimore, MD, Alexandria, Va. (6437 Richmond Highway, #302, Alexandria 22306) . (This book might be available from a public library via an interlibrary loan. Sometimes a used copy of this book is available for sale online.)
3) A LYRICAL BOOKLET IN THE STYLE OF 1914
"Alexander family records : an account of the first American settlers and colonial families of the name of Alexander, and other genealogical and historical data, mostly new and original material, including early wills and marriages heretofore unpublished." 1914. See page 5.
https://archive.org/details/alexanderfamilyr00clem/page/4
4) ARTICLE ABOUT ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandria%2C_Virginia
5) ARTICLE ABOUT THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AREA OF VIRGINIA
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesapeake_Bay
6) MAP OF CHESAPEAKE BAY AND ENVIRONS
This map was published in 1673, by Augustin Herman and Thomas Withinbrook. See the credits at the bottom left corner of the map. The top of this map faces west, not north. This was a map that was published when Robert Alexander was about 40 years old, so he probably looked at it more than once. A high resolution version of the attached map image, is available at the link below. There are some entertaining map illustrations, like the one of a 7 man Indian canoe, and some informative map captions, like the one that warns of dangerous tygers and bears. Click to expand the map or use Ctrl + or Ctrl - to resize it from Windows, and then use the arrow keys to navigate around the map.
http://www.tomitronics.com/the%20gene%20pool/sewell/images/1670VIRGINIA.jpg
***
A SPECIAL THANK YOU GOES TO...
A special thank you goes to Richard Parker, for adding this cemetery to FindAGrave.com.
A word of appreciation is also due to J. Benjamin Chrismond for traveling to the cemetery, taking photos, and documenting its status.
***
CURRENT STATUS OF THE CEMETERY AND PLANTATION
The Salisbury Plantation was sold outside of the Alexander family, after all of the family members who lived there had either passed on, or moved away. The sale of the property occurred many years before the Civil War began in 1861. Eventually the colonial era house fell into a state of disrepair, and was abandoned entirely.
As early as 1903, only three grave markers were visible in this cemetery. These three markers were for Captain Philip Alexander (1704-1753), his wife named Sarah (Hooe) Alexander, and their young son named Philip Alexander.
If there ever were any other colonial era markers in this cemetery, they appear to be gone now. Many early grave sites in America were left unmarked, or they were marked with simple field stones. Generally, if the field stones were inscribed, they were only identified by a person's initials, and perhaps the year of death. The simple lettering on many colonial era markers in America, has now faded and worn away. Nothing of value is in this pioneer cemetery on the Potomac River anymore, aside from the historical value of the site, as a colonial era family graveyard.
In 1974, a large portion of the land of the Salisbury Plantation was graciously donated to the state of Virginia, by a widow in memory of her late husband, in order that the land could become part of Caledon State Park. The public land now provides sanctuary and habitat for bald eagles.
The Alexander Cemetery is not part of Caledon State Park. The small cemetery remains on privately owned land. There is a locked gate on the road which leads to the cemetery. No visitors to the cemetery are allowed on the property. Further details and photos, are available on the cemetery description page for the Alexander Cemetery on FindAGrave.
***
Updated on September 1, 2019
Robert Alexander also inherited the upper part of the Howson Patent tract from his father. His brother named Philip Alexander, inherited the lower part of the Howson Patent tract. Over the years, the land from the Howson Patent tract was passed down in the family. Around July of 1749, two Alexanders donated some land, in order to help found the city of Alexandria. Captain John Alexander (1711-1763) donated land from the upper Howson Patent, and his cousin Captain Philip Alexander (1704-1753) donated land from the lower Howson Patent.
***
PLANTATION HISTORY
Looking to the north, the Caledon Plantation house had a beautiful view of the Potomac River. This was an excellent site for a colonial era plantation, because there was access to the river for sailing ships, but also protection from storms coming in off the Atlantic Ocean, such as hurricanes and nor'easters. The outline of the foundation of the original plantation house remains within view of the family cemetery. The cemetery might have existed as early as 1657.
The plantation was created under the name of Caledon Plantation. Caledonia was the Latin word used by the Roman Empire to describe the Scottish Highlands, and its people were called Caledonii or Picts. Around 1700, Robert Alexander renamed the Caledon Plantation, and called it the Salisbury Plantation, or Salisbury.
The county name changed several times, over the years. The plantation site was originally located in Westmoreland County, of the Virginia Colony. In 1664 the same area became part of Stafford County. By 1777 the plantation was part of King George County. The plantation fell within the boundaries of St. Paul's Parish, of the Episcopalian Church.
The river was originally called the Patowmeck River, but now it is called the Potomac River. The plantation was protected by a small promontory of land jutting out into the river. The site is located on the southern shore of the Potomac River, close to the modern day city of Berthaville, VA.
***
CEMETERY HISTORY
The Alexander Cemetery is located at one of the earliest settlements for any Alexander family in America. Three cemetery surveys for it are listed below.
1) CEMETERY SURVEY OF 1937
A cemetery survey conducted in 1937 listed only three gravestones.
http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/kinggeorge/
cemeteries/alexander01.txt
2) MAGAZINE ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN 1903
The WPA survey mentioned above, refers to an earlier magazine article, found on pages 315 and 316 in Volume 10 of "The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography" of 1903.
http://books.google.com/books?id=jlc_AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA315&lpg=PA315&dq=Here+lies+
the+body+of+Sarah+Alexander&source=bl&ots=VPJiQh
j7S9&sig=MgFX7zdrkwqAgZZIDtRx9SaXroQ&hl=en&sa=X
&ei=VtqYU5H8BtKVyATCyYGAAQ&ved=0CCIQ6AEwAQ#v=one
page&q=Here%20lies%20the%20body%20of%20Sarah%20Alexander&f=false
3) CEMETERY LISTING FROM 1962
A book mentioned a manuscript from 1962, which described the cemetery. Here is a direct quote from the book.
"ALEXANDER FAMILY CEMETERY AT SALISBURY. DIRECTIONS: This cemetery was reported in a manuscript written in 1962 by Hugh Roy Stuart. He noted that there were five generations buried here after 1657. ALEXANDER, Catherine Graham wife of John no dates. John husb of Catherine no dates."
Source: "Tombstone Inscriptions of King George County, Virginia" by Dave Klein, Margaret C. Klein, page 28. An ebook is available from this web site, and it includes other cemeteries in King George County:
http://books.google.com/books?id=YhzuS2LXxvsC&pg=PA61&dq=hugh+roy+stuart&hl=en
&sa=X&ei=k7t_U9_mFJOGqgbd54CQDg&ved=0CDUQ6AEwAg#
v=onepage&q=hugh%20roy%20stuart&f=false
***
PUBLICATIONS
1) A DAR BIOGRAPHY FROM 2010 FOR ROBERT ALEXANDER'S FATHER
A short one page biography for Robert Alexander's father, named John Alexander, provides some information about the Howson Patent tract, and the founding of Alexandria, VA.
http://www.JohnAlexanderNSDAR.org/bio.html
An SAR application from 1955, stated that John Alexander (1625-1677) of Scotland, married Catherine (Graham) Alexander of Gratmore, Scotland.
2) A WELL RESEARCHED BOOK FROM 1990 ABOUT ROBERT ALEXANDER'S FATHER
"John Alexander a Northern Neck proprietor : his family, friends, and kin" by Wesley E. Pippenger. Published 1990 by Gateway Press, W.E. Pippenger [distributor] in Baltimore, MD, Alexandria, Va. (6437 Richmond Highway, #302, Alexandria 22306) . (This book might be available from a public library via an interlibrary loan. Sometimes a used copy of this book is available for sale online.)
3) A LYRICAL BOOKLET IN THE STYLE OF 1914
"Alexander family records : an account of the first American settlers and colonial families of the name of Alexander, and other genealogical and historical data, mostly new and original material, including early wills and marriages heretofore unpublished." 1914. See page 5.
https://archive.org/details/alexanderfamilyr00clem/page/4
4) ARTICLE ABOUT ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandria%2C_Virginia
5) ARTICLE ABOUT THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AREA OF VIRGINIA
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesapeake_Bay
6) MAP OF CHESAPEAKE BAY AND ENVIRONS
This map was published in 1673, by Augustin Herman and Thomas Withinbrook. See the credits at the bottom left corner of the map. The top of this map faces west, not north. This was a map that was published when Robert Alexander was about 40 years old, so he probably looked at it more than once. A high resolution version of the attached map image, is available at the link below. There are some entertaining map illustrations, like the one of a 7 man Indian canoe, and some informative map captions, like the one that warns of dangerous tygers and bears. Click to expand the map or use Ctrl + or Ctrl - to resize it from Windows, and then use the arrow keys to navigate around the map.
http://www.tomitronics.com/the%20gene%20pool/sewell/images/1670VIRGINIA.jpg
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A SPECIAL THANK YOU GOES TO...
A special thank you goes to Richard Parker, for adding this cemetery to FindAGrave.com.
A word of appreciation is also due to J. Benjamin Chrismond for traveling to the cemetery, taking photos, and documenting its status.
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CURRENT STATUS OF THE CEMETERY AND PLANTATION
The Salisbury Plantation was sold outside of the Alexander family, after all of the family members who lived there had either passed on, or moved away. The sale of the property occurred many years before the Civil War began in 1861. Eventually the colonial era house fell into a state of disrepair, and was abandoned entirely.
As early as 1903, only three grave markers were visible in this cemetery. These three markers were for Captain Philip Alexander (1704-1753), his wife named Sarah (Hooe) Alexander, and their young son named Philip Alexander.
If there ever were any other colonial era markers in this cemetery, they appear to be gone now. Many early grave sites in America were left unmarked, or they were marked with simple field stones. Generally, if the field stones were inscribed, they were only identified by a person's initials, and perhaps the year of death. The simple lettering on many colonial era markers in America, has now faded and worn away. Nothing of value is in this pioneer cemetery on the Potomac River anymore, aside from the historical value of the site, as a colonial era family graveyard.
In 1974, a large portion of the land of the Salisbury Plantation was graciously donated to the state of Virginia, by a widow in memory of her late husband, in order that the land could become part of Caledon State Park. The public land now provides sanctuary and habitat for bald eagles.
The Alexander Cemetery is not part of Caledon State Park. The small cemetery remains on privately owned land. There is a locked gate on the road which leads to the cemetery. No visitors to the cemetery are allowed on the property. Further details and photos, are available on the cemetery description page for the Alexander Cemetery on FindAGrave.
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Updated on September 1, 2019
Gravesite Details
No visible headstone.
