Many people are aware that the town of Sterling, originally written as Stirling, was named for William Alexander (Earl of Stirling). Many people believe that William Alexander, commonly referred to as Lord Stirling, was a British officer during the Revolutionary War and if so, they ask, why was Sterling named for him. This belief, as well as the ridiculous belief that Sterling could have been named for the English sterling pound, are unfounded.
William Alexander's parents were James of the Alexander clan of Stirling and Perthshire Scotland, who had in 1716 emigrated to America and in 1721 married Mary Sprat Provost, a wealthy widow of New York. William Alexander born on Dec. 27, 1725/6, as recorded in records of the Daughters of the American Revolution, was educated by private tutors and his parents. His father taught him science, surveying, military engineering and law, and his mother taught him about the merchantile business that she had inherited from her first husband. In 1748, William married Sarah Livingston, daughter of Phillip Livingston and sister of the future governor of New Jersey, William Livingston. A daughter Kitty was born of this union.
At the start of the French and Indian War, William Alexander served on the military staff of Massachusetts Gov. Shirley, and in 1756, accompanied him to England. While in England, William spent considerable time and money in an attempt to claim the title of Sixth Earl of Stirling based on his decent from an uncle who died childless in 1739. His petition was approved in Scotland. The title also included claims to land and money owned by the British Crown. Although the British denied his claim, William used the title “Lord Stirling” as a proud symbol of his Scottish heritage.
At the start of the Revolutionary War, he was commissioned as a brigadier-general in the Continental Army with chief command of the New York City Militia. He directed the building of several forts, including Fort Stirling in Brooklyn Heights named in his honor. On Feb. 19, 1777, Continental Congress voted to promote him to major-general. He fought in many battles during the Revolutionary War. At Mommouth N.J., the last great battle in the north, he lead forces with Washington and others against the British. His junior aide was Major James Monroe, who in later years because the fifth president of the United States. In the winter of 1779, Washington's army was at Valley Forge. Washington was called to appear before Congress, in his absence Lord Stirling was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the American forces.
After the war, William Alexander returned to his estate in Basking Ridge, N.J., where he died on Jan. 15, 1783 at the age of 57 from pneumonia. He was buried in the Livingston vault, his wife's ancestors, in the old Dutch church in Albany. In 1868, his remains were moved to the Albany Rural Cemetery.
“Lord Stirling” had at one time commanded every brigade in the Continental Army except those from South Carolina and Georgia. He was a noted mathematician and astronomer and was first governor of King's, now Columbia College. His portrait hangs in Independence Hall in Philadelphia. An act of Congress passed on Jan. 28, 1783 resolved “that the president signify to the commander-in-chief in a mater most respectful to the memory of the late Major General, the Earl of Stirling, the sense Songress entertain of the early and meritorious exertions of that general in the common cause, and of bravery, perseverance and military talents he possessed; which, having fixed their esteem for his character, while living, induce a proportionate regret for the loss of an office who was rendered such constant and important service to his country.”
The people of the town of Sterling (Stirling) should be proud that our town carries the name of a man that did so much for his country. Named for the Stirling pound, “hogwash.” I would like to note that there were six men with the name William Alexander that served as officers during the Revolutionary War: William Alexander of Maryland; William Alexander (Lord Stirling); William Alexander, North Carolina; William Alexander, Pennsylvania and William Lee Allexander of North Carolina (Historical Register of Officers of the Continental Army).
Hallie Sweeting is the historian for the town of Sterling
At the start of the French and Indian War, William Alexander served on the military staff of Massachusetts Gov. Shirley, and in 1756, accompanied him to England. While in England, William spent considerable time and money in an attempt to claim the title of Sixth Earl of Stirling based on his decent from an uncle who died childless in 1739. His petition was approved in Scotland. The title also included claims to land and money owned by the British Crown. Although the British denied his claim, William used the title “Lord Stirling” as a proud symbol of his Scottish heritage.
At the start of the Revolutionary War, he was commissioned as a brigadier-general in the Continental Army with chief command of the New York City Militia. He directed the building of several forts, including Fort Stirling in Brooklyn Heights named in his honor. On Feb. 19, 1777, Continental Congress voted to promote him to major-general. He fought in many battles during the Revolutionary War. At Mommouth N.J., the last great battle in the north, he lead forces with Washington and others against the British. His junior aide was Major James Monroe, who in later years because the fifth president of the United States. In the winter of 1779, Washington's army was at Valley Forge. Washington was called to appear before Congress, in his absence Lord Stirling was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the American forces.
After the war, William Alexander returned to his estate in Basking Ridge, N.J., where he died on Jan. 15, 1783 at the age of 57 from pneumonia. He was buried in the Livingston vault, his wife's ancestors, in the old Dutch church in Albany. In 1868, his remains were moved to the Albany Rural Cemetery.
“Lord Stirling” had at one time commanded every brigade in the Continental Army except those from South Carolina and Georgia. He was a noted mathematician and astronomer and was first governor of King's, now Columbia College. His portrait hangs in Independence Hall in Philadelphia. An act of Congress passed on Jan. 28, 1783 resolved “that the president signify to the commander-in-chief in a mater most respectful to the memory of the late Major General, the Earl of Stirling, the sense Songress entertain of the early and meritorious exertions of that general in the common cause, and of bravery, perseverance and military talents he possessed; which, having fixed their esteem for his character, while living, induce a proportionate regret for the loss of an office who was rendered such constant and important service to his country.”
The people of the town of Sterling (Stirling) should be proud that our town carries the name of a man that did so much for his country. Named for the Stirling pound, “hogwash.” I would like to note that there were six men with the name William Alexander that served as officers during the Revolutionary War: William Alexander of Maryland; William Alexander (Lord Stirling); William Alexander, North Carolina; William Alexander, Pennsylvania and William Lee Allexander of North Carolina (Historical Register of Officers of the Continental Army).
Hallie Sweeting is the historian for the town of Sterling
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