Francois Alexandre
Francois Alexandre
Francois Alexandre's ships operated between New York and
South America via Vera Cruz in Mexico in the mid 19th century
Jerseyman Francois Alexandre went to sea at an early age, settled in New York and became a successful merchant and shipowner.
This article was written in 2019 for Jerripedia by Guy Dixon
Francois Alexandre (1809-1889), merchant and shipowner, was born in Jersey on 5 August 1809 and died in New York City on 8 June 1889. He was the youngest son of Josué Alexandre of Longueville, St Saviour, [1] a farmer who had bought in 1798 the Fief de la Carrière in Grouville. His mother was Elizabeth Fauvel, whose family had held the fief since 1618, so the purchase is likely to have been a family arrangement.
With an inclination to a sailor's life, he went to sea at an early age. He is said to have acquired an education by attending school during his stay in various ports and devoting his spare time onboard the ship to reading. However, Jerseymen of his generation were able to receive a good schooling within the Island, and there is no reason to believe that Alexandre was an exception to the rule.
At the age of twenty-one he took command of a vessel, which he directed for years, renouncing in favour of his sisters the estate which he had inherited from his father. When about 28 years old, the young captain settled in New York City, establishing a small commission house in South Street, paying at first an annual rent of $25.
Shipping line
In 1842 he established what became a substantial line of sailing vessels trading between New York and Honduras, and subsequently between New York, Vera Cruz and South America. In this enterprise he succeeded so well that, in 1867, he sold the sailing vessels, substituted steamers, and for 19 years carried mails, freights and passengers between New York, Havana and Mexico.
Many remarkable ships were built for this line in subsequent years, including the City of Mexico, City of New York, City of Havana, City of Alexandria, City of Washington, City of Vera Cruz, and City of Pueblo. The business transacted was large and profitable. In 1888 the firm sold its vessels and Francois Alexandre retired from business.
In 1838 he married Mary Civilise Cipriaut of New York, [2] who died on 13 February 1882. Three sons, John, Joseph, and Henry survived him. They had been successively taken into partnership as they came of age, the great house taking the name of F Alexandre and Sons.
The secret to his success is said to have lain in his industry, integrity, exactness and justice of method, and natural business ability. He enjoyed a high reputation among those with whom he was associated. His sons have since attained prominence in the social life of the city.
Family tree
Notes and references
- ↑ Francois was born at the property now known as Peirson House, St Saviour
- ↑ Mary Alexandre, as she became on marriage, was of French extraction. This may account for the mystifying statement in the online history 'blog', Daytonian in Manhattan (Friday August 2, 2019), which states that Francois Alexandre "was born in New York of French parents". The article, tracing the history of Alexandre's former home, 29, West 27th Street, which still survives, also described him as "Frederick Francois Alexandre, who went only by his middle name". The actual reason for his going by the name of Francois is that it was his correct name. Furthermore, his own family, in their online genealogies, give his place and date of birth, as Jersey in 1809, albeit with the wrong parish, St Brelade. Another common mistake found in articles is to describe Jerseymen and their families as Huguenots. This can now be found in Jersey, itself.
