James Alexander
James Alexander was a veteran who served in the 127th United States Colored Infantry with Company I. It is not confirmed whether this individual's name was strictly "James Alexander" or "James H. Alexander"; census records and archival material use either name. He was born around 1843 in Franklin County, Pennsylvania to parents, Cale and Amelia (unconfirmed) Alexander.1 The "U.S. Find A Grave Index, 1600s to Current for James Henry Alexander" claims his mother, Amelia, was born in Virginia, and his father was born in Maryland.2
Right before his enlistment, James was 23 years old and worked as a "cooper" - an ancient occupation in which an individual maintained casks of gunpowder, tobacco, liquids (everything from wine to milk), and shipping barrels.3 The cooper profession required ample manual strength and finesse. Many coopers worked on plantations to make tobacco for shipping from Virginia to Great Britain; other coopers were trained on large plantations and worked aboard military ships.4 It is not known whether his father also was a cooper, but the tradition was handed down through generations. Alexander stood five-foot, four-and-a-half inches, and had dark-colored features.5 He served in the 127th U.S. Colored Troops (Union Army) for one year as a private.6 The service was stationed in Chambersburg and Captain Eyster enlisted him. He discharged from military service on October 20, 1865, at Brazos, Texas with the rank title of a musician.7 At this time, James owed lost coat straps ($.36), a cap pouch/bayonet scabbard ($.56), and a waist belt/plate ($.46).8
When James was 37 years old, he was living on Chapel Alley in Carlisle, Pennsylvania -- house number 3235, dwelling 107.9 His "1880 United States Federal Census Record" stated that he was sick and unemployed for eight months.10 He was a laborer and was married to Elenora Alexander. They were living with the following three household members: William Mathews (20 years old, stepson); Annie Humphries (18 years old, step daughter); and William Andrews (3 years old, grandson).11 His stepson, William Mathews, was also sick and unemployed for eight months.12 At about 73 years old (~1870), James was living in Antrim Township, Franklin County; in 1890, he moved to Carlisle, Pennsylvania.13 It is not known whether he was literate or could write before this point, but his memorial page states that he was able to write his signature.14 Currently, his date of death is not stated in archives, but his name resides in Lincoln Cemetery with other renowned U.S. Colored Troops.15
1. U.S. Find A Grave Index, 1600s to Current for James Henry Alexander, 2012.
2. U.S. Find A Grave Index, 1600s to Current for James Henry Alexander, 2012.
3. "Cooper", The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. https://www.history.org/almanack/life/trades/tradecoo.cfm.
4. "Cooper", The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. https://www.history.org/almanack/life/trades/tradecoo.cfm.
5. Military Service Record of James H Alexander, United States Colored Troops: 127th US Colored Infantry, 1947.
6. Military Service Record of James H Alexander, United States Colored Troops: 127th US Colored Infantry, 1947.
7. Military Service Record of James H Alexander, United States Colored Troops: 127th US Colored Infantry, 1947.
8. U.S. Find A Grave Index, 1600s to Current for James Henry Alexander, 2012.
9. 1880 United States Federal Census for James Alexander, 229C.
10. U.S. Find A Grave Index, 1600s to Current for James Henry Alexander, 2012.
11. 1880 United States Federal Census for James Alexander, 229C.
12. 1880 United States Federal Census for James Alexander, 229C.
13. U.S. Find A Grave Index, 1600s to Current for James Henry Alexander, 2012.
14. U.S. Find A Grave Index, 1600s to Current for James Henry Alexander, 2012.
15. U.S. Find A Grave Index, 1600s to Current for James Henry Alexander, 2012.
Bibliography:
"Cooper". The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation: Virginia, n.d. Accessed May 17, 2019, https://www.history.org/almanack/life/trades/tradecoo.cfm.
1880 United States Federal Census for James Alexander. Ancestry.com. 229C. NARA: Washington, n.d. ancestrylibrary.com/interactive/6742/4244330.
Military Service Record of James H Alexander, United States Colored Troops: 127th US Colored Infantry. Records Showing Military Service of Soldiers Who Fought in Volunteer Organizations During the American Civil War, 1890-2012, Record Group 94. National Archives at Washington, D.C. (ARC identifier 107523623) at www.archives.gov; May 30. https://catalog.archives.gov/id/107523623
U.S. Find A Grave Index, 1600s to Current for James Henry Alexander. Ancestry.com. Find A Grave: USA, 2012. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/130192762/james-henry-alexander.