James Alexander, born in Belfast, Ireland, May 1, 1726, came to America prior to 1750 and settled in Philadelphia, where he was a sea captain, residing at No. 10 Spruce Street, between Front and Second Streets, from before 1761 to 1785 when he removed to Southwark. In sympathy with the American cause he was a signer of the Non-Importation Resolutions of 1765, and served in Captain Richard Barrett's Company of Guards for Southwark January 3 to February 3, 1777. On July 17, 1771, he married Rachel Craven of Gloucester County, New Jersey, by whom he had four children. An ardent Mason, he was an original member and Secretary of Lodge No. 2, and his descendants have continued this interest. William Alexander, his eldest son, member of the Philadelphia bar, was made a Master Mason in Lodge No. 3, March 21, 1797. Another son, Richard Alexander, 1780-1823, was a member of Lodge No. 2, and Junior Warden at the time of his decease. A grandson, John C. Alexander, 1821-1885, was made a Master Mason, November 1853, and Worshipful Master, 1865. William Cummings, 1806-1889, a prominent merchant of the Port of Philadelphia, who married his granddaughter, Emily Richardet Alexander, in 1831, was Worshipful Master of Lodge No. 2, 1837-39, during the Morgan excitement and prevented the Lodge from surrendering its charter. His great-great-grandson, Norris Stanley Barratt, was made a
Master Mason in 1886, and Worshipful Master in 1895, and is the present Representative of Lodge No. 2 in the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, serving as a member of the Committee on Library; is also a member of the Supreme Council of the thirty-third and last degree of freemasonry. James Barratt, a greatgreat-grandson is also a member of Lodge No. 2.