James McAlpin (August 6, 1761 – July 20, 1847) was a Philadelphia businessman and merchant[1] who served as George Washington's tailor during his presidency and in his later life.[2][3][4][5]
James McAlpin | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 6, 1761 Glasgow, Scotland |
| Died | July 20, 1847 (aged 85) |
| Occupation | Merchant |
| Known for | Tailor to George Washington |
| Board member of | Franklin Institute, Saint Andrew's Society, Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company |
| Spouse | Ann (d. 1821) |
| Children | Alexander |
Early life and family
editMcAlpin was born on August 6, 1761, in Glasgow, Scotland, the seventh of nine children, and emigrated to British America with his family prior to the American Revolution. He moved to Philadelphia by the 1780s.[6]
Career
editMcAlpin and his wife Ann lived at 3 South Fourth Street in the district of Southwark, Philadelphia, in an area now known as Fabric Row. They had one son.[7]
He began serving as President Washington's personal tailor beginning in the 1790s.[8][9][10] City directories list McAlpin as a merchant tailor until approximately 1817, and from 1818 onward he is listed as a gentleman.[11]
McAplin had various business and philanthropic interests in Philadelphia.[12] He was a founding board member of the Franklin Institute in the 1820s, also serving on the committee overseeing the construction of the building.[13] McAlpin was a trustee of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company, established in February 1822. He was also a longtime member of the Saint Andrew's Society of Philadelphia (including serving as president from 1831 to 1838).[14][15]
Death and legacy
editMcAlpin died on July 20, 1847, aged 85.[14] He is buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery.[16] His estate was settled in April 1849.[17]
His business and personal correspondence with Washington is well-documented in the Papers of George Washington and the George Washington Presidential Library.[18][19][20][21]
Personal affects belonging to McAplin and his family are in the permanent collection of the Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library.[11]
References
edit- ^ Henriques, Peter R. (2020-09-15). First and Always: A New Portrait of George Washington. University of Virginia Press. ISBN 978-0-8139-4481-4.
- ^ "Founders Online: From George Washington to James McAlpin, 7 May 1797". founders.archives.gov. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
- ^ "Founders Online: From George Washington to James McAlpin, 3 July 1797". founders.archives.gov. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
- ^ Horn, Jonathan (2021-02-09). Washington's End: The Final Years and Forgotten Struggle. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-1-5011-5424-9.
- ^ Gas Logic. 1917.
- ^ Russell, Doris McAlpin (1990). McAlpin(e) Genealogies, 1730-1990: Alexander McAlpin of South Carolina and Georgia and His Descendants, Plus Other McAlpin(e) Families of North America. Gateway Press.
- ^ Ferling, John (2010-05-16). The Ascent of George Washington: The Hidden Political Genius of an American Icon. Bloomsbury Publishing USA. ISBN 978-1-60819-095-9.
- ^ "Founders Online: From George Washington to James McAlpin, 10 February 1799". founders.archives.gov. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
- ^ "Letter, to James McAlpin, 1799 February 10 | The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon ArchivesSpace". archives.mountvernon.org. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
- ^ Manca, Joseph (2012). George Washington's Eye: Landscape, Architecture, and Design at Mount Vernon. JHU Press. ISBN 978-1-4214-0432-5.
- ^ a b "Biblical References & Prayers". Uncorked. 2012-01-31. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
- ^ Mrs. A. S. Colvin's Weekly Messenger. 1827.
- ^ Year Book - Franklin Institute, Philadelphia. Franklin Institute (Philadelphia). 1922.
- ^ a b Philadelphia, St Andrew's Society of (1907). An Historical Catalogue of the St. Andrew's Society of Philadelphia with Biographical Sketches of Deceased Members, 1749-1913. Society.
- ^ Philadelphia, St Andrew's Society of (1907). Historical Catalogue ... with Biographical Sketches of Deceased Members, 1749-1907. society.
- ^ Public Ledger (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), Friday, July 23, 1847, p. 2.
- ^ Wallace, Henry Edward (1856). Philadelphia Reports. J. M. P. Wallace.
- ^ "Founders Online: To George Washington from James McAlpin, 15 May 1797". founders.archives.gov. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
- ^ "Founders Online: To George Washington from James McAlpin, 27 June 1799". founders.archives.gov. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
- ^ "Founders Online: From George Washington to James McHenry, 7 June 1799". founders.archives.gov. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
- ^ C, Fitzpatrick, John (1939-01-01). The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources 1745-1799 Volume 37 November 1, 1798-December 13, 1799. Best Books on. ISBN 978-1-62376-447-0.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)