Arrival in America.

James Alexander was born in the village of Muthill in Pertshire, Scotland, the son of David Alexander, sixth Earl of Stirling. (After his father's death he never claimed the title of seventh earl.) He studied science and mathematics at Edinburgh. Alexander's family was politically active and sided with the Jacobites in the rebellion against the British Crown in 1715. Alexander served as an engineering officer with the Scottish forces, and following their defeat he fled to America.

Government Positions.

Alexander's connections and talents landed him an appointment as surveyor-general of New Jersey. He began studying law in 1718 and the next year surveyed the boundary between New Jersey and New York. During the 1720s he served on the governor's council and as the attorney general for both colonies. (Until 1738 New Jersey and New York shared the same governor and administrative offices...