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Abraham Alexander
Abraham Alexander, Sr.
Time Line
1743-1816
By: Ill. Bro. McDonald "Don" Burbidge, 33°
Ill. Bro. Abraham Alexander, Sr., was the son of Joseph Raphael.
His mother’s name is not known. He was born in London, England
and arrived in Charleston, S.C. around 1760.
Ill. Bro. Abraham Alexander was a Scrivener and Hebrew
Scholar and for about twenty years was the Minister of the
Congregation Beth Elohim (House of God) of Charleston from 1764
to 1784 without remuneration, for which service his name is
mentioned annually in that Congregation in the seventh escaba
(prayer in memory of the dead) on Yom Kippur.
1743
Born in London
1763
Arrives in Charleston, South Carolina at the age of 21 years old
1764
The Jews of Charleston were meeting in a building located on
King Street and relocated their place of worship to a building in
Beresford near King Street. A misunderstanding having occurred
between the congregation and the Rev. Mr. De Costa at this time
resulted in his resignation and Mr. Abraham Alexander officiated
in this temporary Synagogue as Hazan.
1771
Return to London to be married, his first son is born
1780
May 12, shows Abraham Alexander served in the War as a
Lieutenant in Burns Troop, Wade Hampton’s Regiment of Light
Dragoons, Sumter’s brigade. During the Carolina campaign; and as
Lieutenant of Dragoons in Captain William McKenzie’s Troop, in
Lieutenant Colonel William Hill’s Regiment.
1784
Return to Charleston, South Carolina. His wife dies in London.
1785
Abraham Alexander remarries during this year to Mrs. Ann
Sarah Huguenin Irby.
Mr. Abraham Alexander resigned his position of Hazan of the
Jewish Synagogue.
1790
The Charleston census lists Abraham Alexander as a head of a
family in the district of St. Philip’s and St. Michael’s Parish. The
listing only shows him and his wife at the time with no mention of
his son that was born in London by his first marriage.
1798
Abraham Alexander’s first son born in London arrives on
September 4 at Charleston.
1801
Abraham Alexander is listed in the City directory as a Shop
Keeper and living at 214 King Street.
Under the direction of Count Alexandre Francois Auguste de
Grasse-Tilly, Abraham Alexander established in Charleston the
Mother Council of Scottish Rite Masonry, of which he was
Secretary-General.
1802-1811
After the Revolution, Abraham entered the services of the new
Government of the United States in the Customs House at
Charleston, where he held the office of Auditor (collector of the
Port) for Charleston.
1802
He is listed as the Fourth Officer of the Grand Council, as Grand
Secretary of the Chapter of Rose Croix and holding the same office
in the Consistory and in the Supreme Council.
Abraham Alexander is listed in the City directory as a Shop
Keeper and living at 183 King Street.
1803
Abraham Alexander is listed in the City directory as a Shop
Keeper and living at 129 King Street
1806
Abraham Alexander is listed in the City directory as a Shop
Keeper and living at 129 King Street
1816
February 21, Abraham Alexander, Sr. passes away. His widow
who had been a Protestant Huguenot by birth and converted to
the Jewish faith after her marriage to Abraham survived him.
Abraham Alexander was the fourth founder of the Supreme
Council to pass away. He is buried in the Jewish cemetery on
Coming Street.