Lieutenant Alexander HarrowAge: 5617551811

Name
Lieutenant Alexander Harrow
Name prefix
Lieutenant
Given names
Alexander
Surname
Harrow
Birth 1755 26
Publication: Detroit: Detroit Library Commission, 1931. 1513 pp.
Citation details: p. 305
Text:
Alexander Harrow was born at Newburgh, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in 1755.
Baptism November 8, 1755
Publication: 1908
Citation details: p. 190
Text:
Harrow, John, lax fisher upon Dee watter in the Parish of Old Machar, and Elspit Harrow, his spouse: son Allexr. Witnesses: Dr. Allexr. Brebner; Allexr. Burnet, malster
Military
British Naval officer
between 1775 and 1776 (Age 20)
Publication: Detroit: Detroit Library Commission, 1931. 1513 pp.
Citation details: p. 305
Text:
Alexander Harrow was born at Newburgh, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in 1755. The opening of the Revolution found him in Canada where, being familiar with shipping from youth, he entered the naval department and served as lieutenant of a company of seamen in the defense of Quebec during the winter of 1775-76. In the spring of 1777 he came to the upper lakes as lieutenant in the naval service, returning to Quebec in the autumn.
Military
Lieutenant and commander, British Navy
July 7, 1779 (Age 24)
Military July 27, 1781 (Age 26)

Note: In command of the "Angelica"
Military
Commander of the "Welcome"
1783 (Age 28)
Publication: Detroit: Detroit Library Commission, 1931. 1513 pp.
Citation details: p. 305
Text:
On July 7, 1779, he was made lieutenant and commander in the naval establishment of the upper lakes, in which he served for many years, being commander for a number of years of the sloop Welcome. ... The log book of the Welcome, kept by him for several of these years, is now preserved in the Burton Hist. Coll.
Misc
ransomed Catherine or Kitty Edelmont from Indians
1786 (Age 31)
Citation details: The Algonac Courier
Date of entry in original source: August 1, 1924
Publication: Chicago: A. T. Andreas & Co., 1883.
Citation details: p. 253
Text:
Capt. Alexander Harrow, a young adventurer, located himself on the river a little below Capt. Cottrell's. He was unmarried, and, fortunately for him, there was among the Indians in the neighborhood a captive white girl, whom they had stolen from her parents in Kentucky. She was only fifteen, intelligent and handsome. Young Harrow offered the Indians a barrell of rum for their captive. The offer was accepted and she became Mrs. Harrow after the manner of wedlock in those regions at that time. After raising a family of children, they were married in the form that civilization requires. The family were quite respectable, and many of them are still living.
Religion
Church of England
1786 (Age 31)
Birth of a son
#1
John Harrow
1794 (Age 39)
Source: 1870 census
Citation details: Algonac, St. Clair County, Michigan
Text:
Harrow, John 76 Farmer Michigan Eliza 51 Ireland Elizabeth 11 Michigan
Note: 1860 census list's John's age as 64.
Event
Battle of Fallen Timbers
August 20, 1794 (Age 39)

Citation details: August 2, 1962, p. 20
Text:
In 1794 Harrow was in charge of several cannons at the Battle of Fallen Timbers, where Grant's friend Tecumseh, the Great Indian Chief fell with his dreams of an Indian Federation.
Property
American side of St. Clair River
September 1794 (Age 39)
Publication: Detroit: Detroit Library Commission, 1931. 1513 pp.
Citation details: p. 305
Text:
In August, 1794, Harrow witnessed, as an observer, the Battle of Fallen Timbers, having charge with a group of his sailors, of two cannon in the British Fort Miamis, near which the battle was fought. Shortly after this Harrow acquired an extensive tract of land on the American shore of the St. Clair River, having a frontage of two and one-half miles and a depth almost three times as great. Here he settled and proceeded to develop an estate. Although the American government subsequently refused to validate the title to much of this land, he retained a portion of it and lived on it until his death in January, 1811.
Residence
"Newburgh"
1795 (Age 40)
Address: 9780 River Rd. Algonac, Michigan
Citation details: August 2, 1962, p. 20
Text:
Harrow was awarded land on the Canadian side of the river by a grateful government but he settled around Algonac on land bought from one of the Macombs. There he enlarged and built a big house, called Newburgh, from his boyhood home, and ran a prosperous distillery. ...At his Algonac home he entertained both General Mad Anthony Wayne, the hero of the Battle of Fallen Timbers, and Colonel Hamtramck.
Military
resigned as Naval Officer
1796 (Age 41)

Property
640 acres
before July 1796 (Age 41)
Publication: Chicago: A. T. Andreas & Co., 1883.
Citation details: p. 222
Text:
Alexander Harrow claimed 640 acres, fronting on the St. Clair River, between the lands of Toussant Chovin and James Harrow, proved by Col George Cotterall to be in Harrow's possession prior to July, 1796.
Occupation
operated distillery
after 1796 (Age 41)
Citation details: Grosse Pointe News, August 2, 1962
Note: Built brick building to house distillery.
Property
320 acres
1797 (Age 42)
Publication: Chicago: A. T. Andreas & Co., 1883.
Citation details: p. 222
Text:
Alexander Harrow claimed 320 acres fronting on the St. Clair, extending back to unconceded lands, and bounded on the south by William Hill's tract. Ignace Champagne, as witness, stated that Louis Champagne was in possession previous to July 1, 1796; that in 1797 he sold to one Pratt, who sold the lands the same year to Alexander Harrow.
Birth of a daughter
#2
Catherine Harrow
1798 (Age 43)
Source: 1850 census
Citation details: Ira, St. Clair, Michigan
Text:
Catherine Dunlap, 52
Misc
owned Pawnee and Negro slaves
between 1795 and 1799 (Age 40)
Citation details: Vol. 9, No. 1 (Jan. 1924) pp. 28-33.letters from Harrow's diary seeking to buy Pawnee or Negro slavesalso letters about recovering black Sampson who had run away
Birth of a daughter
#3
Mary Harrow
April 26, 1800 (Age 45)
mortgage
took out mortgage on land
October 10, 1800 (Age 45)
Note: Mortgage of $1,086.08 was redeemed in 1851 by Arthur John Robertson of Inshes, Inverness, Scotland, who married Marianne Pattinson on 18 Mar 1824. She died 16 Sept 1836.
Religious marriageCatharine “Katy, Kitty” EdelmanView family
February 12, 1805 (Age 50)
Address: 3305 Sandwich St. Windsor, Essex, Ontario
Publication: 1909, Sandwich, Ontario
Text:
When Michigan was ceded to the United States in August 1796, many people preferring to remain loyal to the old flag, moved to the south side of the river, Sandwich became the rendezvous and known to these early settlers as South Detroit. Near the spot where the tower of St. John's Church now stands was erected a small log building... In this little building Richard Pollard as a Layman, held the services of the Church of England. in the year 1802 he was ordained.... As rector of Sandwich he was chaplain to the forces at Fort Malden, now Amherstburg.
Publication: Kent County Branch and Essex County Branch Ontario Genealogical Society, 1990
Citation details: p. 7
Text:
1805 Feb. 12 Married Harrow Edlemott Alexander Harrow, Esquire, late of the Navy Department on lake [Lake] Erie & Catherine Edlemott, spinster were m. by Lic. Feb. 12, 1805. Contr. Partn. Alex'r Harrow, her mark X Catherine Eldemott [Edlemott]. Wit. Atkin Pattinson, John McDonald, Archibald Wright.
Birth of a son
#4
George Harrow
March 20, 1805 (Age 50)
Source: 1860 census
Text:
Age 55, place of birth Michigan.
Text:
George Harrow (1805-1886)
Event
Colonel of the Detroit militia
1807 (Age 52)

Citation details: August 2, 1962, p. 20
Text:
Askin insisted that Harrow be named colonel of the Detroit militia in 1807 over Major Parent, "a most illiterate, good man who could not speak a word of English."
Death January 1811 (Age 56)
Citation details: August 2, 1962, p. 20
Text:
He died in his Algonac home in 1811 leaving his heirs besides property and and the brick distillery, eleven guns, two swords, pieces of silver and pewter, forty-one books (including the works of Swift, Burns and Sterne) and a collection of surveying and nautical instruments.
Family with parents - View family
father
mother
 
Marriage: October 16, 1746Nigg, Kincardine, Scotland
14 months
elder sister
4 years
elder brother
20 months
elder sister
2 years
elder sister
3 years
Family with Catharine “Katy, Kitty” Edelman - View family
wife
 
Marriage: February 12, 1805St. John's Anglican Church, Sandwich
-10 years
son
5 years
daughter
2 years
daughter
5 years
son
son

BirthJohn Askin papers
Publication: Detroit: Detroit Library Commission, 1931. 1513 pp.
Citation details: p. 305
Text:
Alexander Harrow was born at Newburgh, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in 1755.
BaptismMiscellany of the New Spalding Club
Publication: 1908
Citation details: p. 190
Text:
Harrow, John, lax fisher upon Dee watter in the Parish of Old Machar, and Elspit Harrow, his spouse: son Allexr. Witnesses: Dr. Allexr. Brebner; Allexr. Burnet, malster
MilitaryJohn Askin papers
Publication: Detroit: Detroit Library Commission, 1931. 1513 pp.
Citation details: p. 305
Text:
Alexander Harrow was born at Newburgh, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in 1755. The opening of the Revolution found him in Canada where, being familiar with shipping from youth, he entered the naval department and served as lieutenant of a company of seamen in the defense of Quebec during the winter of 1775-76. In the spring of 1777 he came to the upper lakes as lieutenant in the naval service, returning to Quebec in the autumn.
MilitaryJohn Askin papers
Publication: Detroit: Detroit Library Commission, 1931. 1513 pp.
Citation details: p. 305
Text:
On July 7, 1779, he was made lieutenant and commander in the naval establishment of the upper lakes, in which he served for many years, being commander for a number of years of the sloop Welcome. ... The log book of the Welcome, kept by him for several of these years, is now preserved in the Burton Hist. Coll.
MiscThe Algonac Courier, Algonac, St. Clair County, Michigan
Citation details: The Algonac Courier
Date of entry in original source: August 1, 1924
EventGrosse Pointe News, Grosse Pointe, Michigan
Citation details: August 2, 1962, p. 20
Text:
In 1794 Harrow was in charge of several cannons at the Battle of Fallen Timbers, where Grant's friend Tecumseh, the Great Indian Chief fell with his dreams of an Indian Federation.
PropertyJohn Askin papers
Publication: Detroit: Detroit Library Commission, 1931. 1513 pp.
Citation details: p. 305
Text:
In August, 1794, Harrow witnessed, as an observer, the Battle of Fallen Timbers, having charge with a group of his sailors, of two cannon in the British Fort Miamis, near which the battle was fought. Shortly after this Harrow acquired an extensive tract of land on the American shore of the St. Clair River, having a frontage of two and one-half miles and a depth almost three times as great. Here he settled and proceeded to develop an estate. Although the American government subsequently refused to validate the title to much of this land, he retained a portion of it and lived on it until his death in January, 1811.
ResidenceGrosse Pointe News, Grosse Pointe, Michigan
Citation details: August 2, 1962, p. 20
Text:
Harrow was awarded land on the Canadian side of the river by a grateful government but he settled around Algonac on land bought from one of the Macombs. There he enlarged and built a big house, called Newburgh, from his boyhood home, and ran a prosperous distillery. ...At his Algonac home he entertained both General Mad Anthony Wayne, the hero of the Battle of Fallen Timbers, and Colonel Hamtramck.
PropertyHistory of St. Clair County, Michigan
Publication: Chicago: A. T. Andreas & Co., 1883.
Citation details: p. 222
Text:
Alexander Harrow claimed 640 acres, fronting on the St. Clair River, between the lands of Toussant Chovin and James Harrow, proved by Col George Cotterall to be in Harrow's possession prior to July, 1796.
OccupationGrosse Pointe News, Grosse Pointe, Michigan
Citation details: Grosse Pointe News, August 2, 1962
PropertyHistory of St. Clair County, Michigan
Publication: Chicago: A. T. Andreas & Co., 1883.
Citation details: p. 222
Text:
Alexander Harrow claimed 320 acres fronting on the St. Clair, extending back to unconceded lands, and bounded on the south by William Hill's tract. Ignace Champagne, as witness, stated that Louis Champagne was in possession previous to July 1, 1796; that in 1797 he sold to one Pratt, who sold the lands the same year to Alexander Harrow.
MiscJournal of Negro History
Citation details: Vol. 9, No. 1 (Jan. 1924) pp. 28-33.letters from Harrow's diary seeking to buy Pawnee or Negro slavesalso letters about recovering black Sampson who had run away
mortgageFamilySearch.org
MarriageThe Township of Sandwich, Past and Present
Publication: 1909, Sandwich, Ontario
Text:
When Michigan was ceded to the United States in August 1796, many people preferring to remain loyal to the old flag, moved to the south side of the river, Sandwich became the rendezvous and known to these early settlers as South Detroit. Near the spot where the tower of St. John's Church now stands was erected a small log building... In this little building Richard Pollard as a Layman, held the services of the Church of England. in the year 1802 he was ordained.... As rector of Sandwich he was chaplain to the forces at Fort Malden, now Amherstburg.
MarriageRegister of St. John's Church of England at Sandwich, 1802-1827
Publication: Kent County Branch and Essex County Branch Ontario Genealogical Society, 1990
Citation details: p. 7
Text:
1805 Feb. 12 Married Harrow Edlemott Alexander Harrow, Esquire, late of the Navy Department on lake [Lake] Erie & Catherine Edlemott, spinster were m. by Lic. Feb. 12, 1805. Contr. Partn. Alex'r Harrow, her mark X Catherine Eldemott [Edlemott]. Wit. Atkin Pattinson, John McDonald, Archibald Wright.
EventGrosse Pointe News, Grosse Pointe, Michigan
Citation details: August 2, 1962, p. 20
Text:
Askin insisted that Harrow be named colonel of the Detroit militia in 1807 over Major Parent, "a most illiterate, good man who could not speak a word of English."
DeathGrosse Pointe News, Grosse Pointe, Michigan
Citation details: August 2, 1962, p. 20
Text:
He died in his Algonac home in 1811 leaving his heirs besides property and and the brick distillery, eleven guns, two swords, pieces of silver and pewter, forty-one books (including the works of Swift, Burns and Sterne) and a collection of surveying and nautical instruments.
Military
In command of the "Angelica"
Occupation
Built brick building to house distillery.
mortgage
Mortgage of $1,086.08 was redeemed in 1851 by Arthur John Robertson of Inshes, Inverness, Scotland, who married Marianne Pattinson on 18 Mar 1824. She died 16 Sept 1836.