Alexander McCormick Commemorative Plaque
Colchester South Township, Essex County, Ontario
Commemorative stones and plaque were placed for Alexander McCormick – a trader and Indian agent for the Indian Department – and his wife Elizabeth Turner at the McCormick Cemetery on Lot 7, The Gore off Dunn Road in Colchester South Township. The dedication ceremony at the McCormick Cemetery was held on Monday, October 20, 2003. The McCormick Cemetery has the oldest standing gravestone in Essex County in its original location.
The inscription of the plaque reads as follows:
Alexander McCormick UE
Alexander McCormick was born of Scottish descent in 1728 in County Down Ireland. He immigrated to Pennsylvania and worked there as a trader-Indian agent. He married Elizabeth Turner, a captive of the Indians, born in Pennsylvania in 1758. Alexander stole her away from the Indians hiding her in a boatload of furs. They were married at Detroit. Alexander McCormick established an Indian trading post at Toledo Ohio. As conditions became unsettled, the McCormicks left the Ohio Valley and joined the colony of U.E. Loyalists settling on Lake Erie. In 1795 the McCormicks settled in Essex County in Colchester Township. Their remains lay buried here in Lot #7 The Gore, Colchester.
Alexander McCormick was born of Scottish descent in 1728 in County Down, in Ireland. He immigrated to Pennsylvania and worked there as a trader/Indian agent.
In May 1783, Alexander married Elizabeth Turner, a captive of the Indians, born in Pennsylvania in 1758. Alexander stole her away from the Indians and hiding her in a boatload of furs, brought her to Detroit where they married. This is the same Elizabeth Turner who testified on behalf of Simon Girty, Indian agent. Their first son William was born in Pennsylvania and in later years became a member of Canadian parliament. In all, the McCormicks raised a family of eight children.
Alexander McCormick established an Indian Trading Station at Toledo, Ohio. As conditions in Ohio became unsettled the McCormicks left the Ohio Valley and joined the colony of U.E. Loyalists settling on Lake Erie.
In 1795 the McCormicks settled in Essex County in Colchester South Township on Government land, Lots 77 and 78, Conc. 1. Alexander died at the age of seventy-five, 20 October 1803. At that time he owned 900 to 1000 acres of land in Colchester South Township. He was buried on his son Matthew’s farm.
Alexander McCormick’s name was added to the U.E.L. Executive Mark of Honour Roll, O.C. 9 May 1818, by petition of his son William McCormick.