19 Facts About Alexander Martin

Alexander Martin was a Founding Father of the United States, framer of the US Constitution, fourth and seventh Governor of North Carolina, and an infantry officer in the American Revolutionary War.

In private life, Martin was a lawyer, merchant, planter, and slave owner.

Alexander Martin held bachelor's and master's degrees from the College of New Jersey, making him one of the most erudite delegates to the Constitutional Convention.

Alexander Martin was promoted to colonel over the 2nd North Carolina Regiment when Colonel Howe was promoted to Brigadier General.

In 1778, Alexander Martin was elected to the North Carolina Senate while still recuperating from his military service.

Alexander Martin resisted popular pressure to confiscate and redistribute this property, instead advocating its return to all except for North Carolina's more infamous Tories.

Alexander Martin played little public role in the debates there and was not appointed to any of the convention's committees.

Alexander Martin seconded several minor motions, none of which profoundly affected the course of the convention.

In 1788, Alexander Martin sought election to the Hillsborough Constitutional Convention, where North Carolina would consider ratifying the Constitution.

Delegates were selected county by county, and Alexander Martin, who lived in the predominantly Anti-Federalist Guilford County, ran at a disadvantage.

Alexander Martin was the only delegate to the Federal Convention who sought election to a state convention and lost.

At some point in the early 1780s, Alexander Martin began a life-long affair with Elizabeth Strong, the widow of Thomas Strong of Virginia.

Alexander Martin became the mistress of Governor Martin sometime after.

In 1797, Alexander Martin was elected as a member of the American Philosophical Society.

Alexander Martin was again elected governor in 1789 and held office until 1792, when he reached the term limit.

Immediately after Alexander Martin left the governor's seat, he joined the US Senate.

Alexander Martin's convictions appear to have become more Federalist amid the XYZ Affair, and he voted for all of the Alien and Sedition Acts.

In 1799, Alexander Martin, having lost the support of North Carolina Federalists, was voted out of the Senate.

Alexander Martin returned to the North Carolina General Assembly in 1804, and in 1805 again became Speaker of the North Carolina Senate.