Alexander Grant (1796 - bef. 1857)

Born 22 Jan 1796 in Urquhart, Inverness-shire, Scotland

Husband of Mary Fraser — married 20 Oct 1826 in Scotland, United Kingdom

Descendants

Died before 1857 before age 60 in Scotland, United Kingdom

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Biography

This profile is part of the Grant Name Study.

Alexander Grant is a member of Clan Grant.

Alexander Grant was born 22 January 1796 in Urquhart Inverness, Scotland, to parents William Grant and Mary Munro.

Occupied as Sheriff [a judicial officer of a county]. Following family members also hold that position.

Two of Alexander's issue came to Victoria Australia, a son named Archibald and a daughter named Jane. She married in Victoria, Australia to Duncan Grant, a likely relative; also from Grantown, Inverness; where, he had been a farmer.

In Victoria, he joined the police force and they had a daughter; mother and daughter died and both are buried in Geelong Cemetery, Victoria, Australia. Unfortunately there is no headstone or even grave site.

Duncan, was a son of John Grant and Ann McQueen; his records after the death of his wife cannot be found

The other two confirmed siblings of Alexander are his son Alexander who remained in Grantown and George McPherson Grant who joined the army in India; on retiring he returned to Grantown.

The need to know all about Grantown and the early settlers of the town was necessary to begin research on my Grants who lived there; they were early settlers and distance made research difficult.

Through many history books and hours of reading I located one item that revealed Sir James Grant, in 1760, was responsible for creating Grantown, when not many people were literate.

It appears that the Grounds man of that era was one William Grant husband of Mary Munro and they are buried in Grantown alongside Alexander; his wife Mary Fraser; their son Alexander and his wife Mary Fraser.

ROD INOCH is the name found on a clothing label in Brisbane Queensland Australia in the 1980's [note the following could be copyright]. He wrote- "Grant, the Speyside Clan Grant claims descent from King Kenneth McAlpine. As Sheriff's of Inverness in the 13th Century, they were strong supporters of Wallace. Later in the Battle of the Haughs of Cromdale, they supported William of Orange and in the rising of '45 the main clan fought with the Honoverians, The exception shone brightly in the Grants of Glenmoriston, ardent followers of the Stuarts throughout the whole sad campaign. Sir Ludovic Grant, 20th Chief married into Seafields and his grandson because the fifth Earl in 1811. Since then the Chief's of the clan have born the name Ogilvie Grant, Badge-Pine"

The 1841 Census Cromdale Scotland shows the Grant family at Main Street, Grantown; Alexander was 45 years; a Sheriffs Officer born in Scotland. Mary Grant 45 not born in the same county; the children were Alexander Grant 15 years born Scotland; Jean 9 years born Scotland; George born Scotland 7 years; [Archibald 5 years born Scotland; [my great Grandfather]; Margaret Grant 2 years.

Alexander was not listed on 1851 Census so it is assumed; he died 1841-1851 and before 1857; when his son Alexander [junior] married.

Alexander married on 20 October 1826; to Mary Fraser in Scotland; they have four certain children out of ten as possible issue. The four certain have been named above and are named again here to show order of births of ten. All were born in Scotland, they were named:- Isabella Grant born 10 December 1816, baptised 15 December 1816; John Grant born 1 November 1818, baptised 8 November 1818; Mary William Grant born 1 June 1820, baptised 11 June 1920; Alexander Grant born 1 or 7 January 1825, baptised 9 January 1825; Frances William Grant born 13 February 1827, baptised 25 February 1827; Charles Grant born 9 August 1829, baptised 10 August 1829; Jane Grant born 29 December 1831, baptised 3 January 1832; George McPherson Grant born 30 January 1834, baptised 17 February 1834; [Archibald Grant, my Great Grandfather] born 9 July 1836; baptised 10 November 1836 Margaret Grant born 7 May 1839, baptised 7 May 1839.

INVERALLAN OLD CEMETERY Grantown on Spey; is expected to be the old name for Alexander and Mary's burial site. Although their names are not shown on any grave sites or cemetery records; it is ascertained by Christine my relative in England; that they very likely are in plot 682.

The Present day location for the expected grave sites of Alexander and Mary is now known as Grantown- Kingassi, Scotland.

Both plots 682 and plot 681 were owned by Capt. Grant, of "Dilkusha", [spelt this way].

The names of those buried in plot 861 are William Grant and Mary Munro, they are the parents of Alexander Grant [senior]; the husband of Mary Fraser. That is confirmed on a record stating that they were the landholder's parents.

The plot alongside is assumed to be the site of Alexander Grant and Mary Fraser, it is just bare lawn; bearing no reference to ownership.

Captain Grant the owner of the plots; is George McPherson Grant; he is a brother of Alexander and is buried in a grave behind Alexander and his wife Mary,

Their grandfather is very likely to be John Grant and Catherine Cummings; whose children were born from about 1743 in Grantown [my source Christine and IGI].

All sounds very unusual and needs a lot of concentration.

Sources

• Grant- Son's d. cert. Victoria, Australia

• Grant- Geelong cemetery Ref. Register 113088 Type B.

• Personal collection of events witnessed by Joan Lewis

• Grant-Cemetery records courtesy of Christine for pages from Pre 1855 Speyside Mon. Inscription Booklet by Allison Mitchell ISBN 0 901061 37 9

• Grant-Christine Dundas researched the various sites in Grantown for she is a family member.