Transcribed by Janette West Grimes

December 24, 1953
* CAL’S COLUMN *

This Article Appeared In The Times But Was Not Actually Titled Cal’s Column (Macon Co Times, Macon Co., TN)

Information on Alexander Family

Below is a copy of a letter we have just written to W. O. Alexander, vice-president of the First National Bank, of Eldorado, Texas. Since it concerns a family that is quite numerous here in Middle Tennessee, we are publishing it for the information therein contained. The reply to Mr. Alexander follows:

Lafayette, Tenn.,
Dec. 15, 1953

Mr. W. O. Alexander,
Eldorado, Texas

Dear Sir:
Your letter of December 12th is at hand and contents have been read with much interest. Yes, we know Horace M. Alexander, of Gallatin, quite well. In fact his wife is a second cousin of ours.

As to your branch of the numerous Alexander family, we have what we believe to be a little information that will probably be of interest to you. Since you do not know the name of the father of your great-grandfather, Samuel B. Alexander, but do know that he was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, it may be of interest to you to know that the Horace M. Alexander, to whom you have written at Gallatin, Tenn., is a direct descendant of another Mecklenburg County family, if not the very same family. Horace M. Alexander is the son of Dr. Matthew N. Alexander, commonly known as Dr. Bud Alexander. Dr. Alexander was the son of Hon. M. N. Alexander, an attorney of Lafayette, Tenn., in the years long gone by. He was born April 11, 1819, in Allen County, Ky. Hon. M. N. Alexander's father was Mayben Alexander, and his mother was the former Miss Margaret Wygal. Mayben Alexander was a native of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, where he was born in 1788. His father was Andrew Alexander, who served in the American Revolution under Col. Mayben, in Gen. Lincoln's command. Andrew was captured at the surrender of Charleston. After the Revolution, he removed to Allen County, Ky., which joins Macon County, Tenn., on the North. He died in that county in the early part of the 19th century. Mayben, named for the Colonel under whom his father served, was married in Allen County in 1811. He died in 1848. We have some additional data of a later time concerning the family. If you desire it, let me know and I shall be glad to furnish same.

Since Mayben Alexander was born in 1788, and your great-grandfather, Samuel B. Alexander, was born in 1794, and both were born in the same county, it is to be assumed that they were most probably related and could have been brothers. Since Andrew served in the Revolutionary War, and soldiers of that struggle were later pensioned, and since such soldiers listed their children when applying for such pension, and since such applications are still on file in Washington, I would suggest that you write to the custodian of such records at Washington and secure a copy of such application; provided, of course, that it was made.

I am taking the liberty of placing you on our mailing list for a few weeks.

If I can be of any further service to you, please feel free to call on me.

With the season's best wishes, I am

Fraternally yours,
Calvin Gregory