Alexander Grant

Descendants

Died 1762 in Havana, Cuba

Biography

This profile is part of the Grant Name Study.

Alexander Grant is a member of Clan Grant.

Birth and Parentage

Son of Robert Grant, of Polmaily, Glenurquart, Alexander 'the Swordsman' Grant of Inchbrene, Glen Urquhart, fought at the battle of Culloden, the final confrontation of the Jacobite rising of 1745. It is known that he was not an Alexander Grant who died in the battle^[1] since it is well recorded that he survived, despite being severely wounded. He later joined the British Army and died at the Siege of Havana in 1762. Prior to the 1745 Jacobite Rising, he had, like other Highland Gentlemen, joined one of the Highland Companies which became known as 'The Black Watch', serving for 11 years until he left, at his father's desire, to assist him in the business of his farm.^[2]

Marriage and Family

He married Margaret MacBean, daughter of Donald MacBean Tacksman of Aldourie in Strath Dores, south of Inverness.^[3] They had five children - two of whom, both daughters, died in infancy. His third child was a son, Charles (named after Bonnie Prince Charlie). Then came May, (or Margaret) (m. (4 December 1783) Rev. Roderick MacKenzie) Robert, Catherine, (d. 3 February 1783), who married (ca. 1773) William Sprott, Writer to the Signet, who lived in Edinburgh, and John, who was named 'the good uncle' by the family.^[4]

Research Notes

Killed at Culloden

Contrary to some accounts, and as referenced above, he was not killed at Culloden.

• (Dictionary of National Biography Charles Grant;)

Died in Havana

• History of Parliament: Charles Grant: '...wounded at Culloden and, unable to retrieve his affairs, eventually enlisted for military service in the Caribbean, where he died in 1762)

• Alexander joined the British army that he had fought against at Culloden. He died of fever at the siege of Havana in 1762 on the island of Cuba, whilst taking part in operations by the British to try and break the Spanish hold of the West Indies. During the seven years’ war, ultimately over a period of six months, the British won this campaign in which they lost 1000 men to enemy fire but, over the course of that time they lost an estimated 5000 men to disease and fever ^[5][6]

See also (Highlander: The History of The Legendary Highland Soldier) See also (The life of Charles Grant : sometime Member of Parliament for Inverness-shire and Director of the East India Company)

...and from (The Peerage) which cites (First Highland Regiments in America) saying that Alexander Grant was an Ensign in Montgomery’s Highlanders (77th)] and went to Cuba with the regiment.

Sources

1. ↑ Publications of the Scottish History Society Vol VIII. List of Rebels. Retrieved from Trades House Library (p.377;) Accessed 16 Mar 2022.
2. ↑ Pages 2-3: The Life of Charles Grant, Sometime Member of Parliament for Inverness-shire and Director of the East India Company - by Henry Morris, Madras Civil Service (retired). London: John Murray, Albermarle Street, W. 1904. [1] Accessed 21 Dec 2023
3. ↑ Testament Dative of Gillies MacBean (Donald's cousin the famous Major Gillies 'Mor' MacBean who died a heroic death at Culloden, Tacksman of Bunachton and Dalmagarry) November 1746 - in which Donald is recorded as Cautioner and described as: Donald McBean Tacksman of Aldaurie
4. ↑ Morris, Henry., (1904)., The Life of Charles Grant. London: John Murray. Retrieved from Electric Scotland (p.3) Accessed 17 Mar 2022.
5. ↑ Grant, Chris., The Sheuglie Grants involved in the 1745. Retrieved from (Here;) Accessed 16 Mar 2022.
6. ↑ Three generations of Highland men... Inverness Courier, Retrieved from (Here;) Accessed 16 Mar 2922.