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Col. James M. Alexander |
"...who died the present year (1858), married a daughter of Capt. Foster, and lived the greater part of his life on [the] French Broad [river], below Asheville, where he accumulated a large fortune, raised and educated a highly respectable family. He was a member of the Methodist Church, and a liberal supporter of the same; and extensively known as a most worthy and hospitable landlord, as well as a liberal public-spirited man and most worthy citizen." (1858. Bennett, D. K. Chronology of North Carolina, p. 103.) |
| "He was born on Bee Tree creek, Buncombe county, May 22, 1793. His father, James,...fought on the American side at Kings Mountain, and Cornwallis's camp chest, captured by him, was in Buncombe in 1898 when 'Asheville's Centenary' was written by F. A. Sondley, Esq. On Sept. 8, 1814 James M. married Nancy Foster, oldest child of [Capt.] Thomas Foster. In 1816 he removed to Asheville and bought and improved the Hilliard property on South Main street. He was a saddler, and at this house he lived till 1828, carrying on his trade and keeping a hotel. In 1818, upon the completion of the Buncombe turnpike, he bought and improved the place on the right bank of the French Broad [river], ten miles from Asheville, afterwards famous as Alexander's hotel, also carrying on a mercantile business there. In the latter part of his life he turned over this business to his son...and one of his sons-in-law...and improved the place three miles nearer Asheville called Montrealla, where he died June 11, 1858. [Nancy Foster Alexander] died January 14, 1862." (1914. Arthur, John. Western North Carolina: A History..., pp.152, 153.) |
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Bibliography Arthur, John Preson. Western North Carolina: A History 1730-1913. Raleigh, NC: Edwards & Broughton Printing Co., 1914 Bennet, Daniel K. The Chronology of North Carolina New York: J. M. Edney, 1858.
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