THE WILLIAM MCCORMICK PAPERS 1784 - 1840
PART THREE
ALEXANDER McCORMICK – FUR TRADER AND PIONEER
Some references from various historical papers concerning the life and activities of Alexander McCormick, father of William McCormick and first member of the family to emigrate to America from Ireland. Also some letters written by David and John McCormick, brothers of Alexander McCormick
Produced by Mrs. William S. McCormick
FORE-WORD TO PART THREE
Alexander McCormick, father of William McCormick, left only one written document, at least as far as the present research had been able to discover. This is a letter which he wrote to Colonel George Morgan, Commander of Fort Pitt “ regarding the bringing of cattle to Detroit and the danger of being shopped by the Delaware Indians”. The letter was dated 1777 and written from Coshaghkunk, Ohio. This town was destroyed by the Whites in 1781 but was later rebuilt and is now called Coshocton. The original manuscript is on file at the Cleveland Public Library with the James Duane Doty Papers. Alexander apparently was well known in Ohio and Pennsylvania territories during the period of 1775 to 1795 as there are numerous references in various historical papers regarding his activities during this time, which give us some kind of picture of what sort of a person he was. He apparently was of large stature – three inches over six feet- according to one account. Another reference mentions that eh “was very friendly to the Moravian missionaries, on several occasions protecting them from insult and injury from the hands of the Indians” and that he “possessed of humane temperament, having rescued many captives from the Indians”
On a farm located on Potleg Road about one and one-half miles from Harrow Ontario, Canada, there are two gravestones on which are engraved the following inscriptions
In Memory of
Alexander McCormick
Who died Oct the 20th
1803 aged 75 years formerly
of the County of Down, Ireland.
Generous and warm friend.
In Memory of
Mrs. Elisabeth McCormick
Who died June the 6th
1838 in 80th year
of her age
