The Alexanders of Paisley

The first documented records of our branch of the Alexander family, Alexander of Paisley, date from 1413 when Richard Alexander was a lawyer, and was recorded as being feu superior of Paisley Abbey.

Bro. Claud Alexander of Newton was the first Master of Lodge Paisley Kilwinning in 1750/51, 1758, 1760, 1762/63, 1768 and again in 1772 when he died. His four sons all became members of Paisley Kilwinning.

Claud of Ballochmyle

(left in portrait), joined in 1769 as the 167th member and was also a member of Lodge St Mungo No.240, Mauchline, (later to be renumbered as No.179) which was Chartered in 1791. He became its second Master in 1792 and was succeeded by Brother Gavin Hamilton in 1793.

On 25th July 1787, at a Meeting of Lodge St James (Kilwinning) Tarbolton No.135 held in Mauchline, Robert Burns made five brethren Honorary Members -Professor of Mathematics Dugald Stewart (Canongate Kilwinning No.2), Claud Alexander of Ballochmyle, Claude Neilson of Paisley Kilwinning, John Farquhar Gray of Gilmilnscroft (JP charged with performing the marriage of Burns to Jean Armour), and Dr George Grierson of Glasgow.

Bro. Claud served in the East India Company and rose to the high rank of Paymaster General of the Forces in India. On his return to Scotland in 1776, he purchased the Ballochmyle Estate from the Whiteford family. He was involved in the establishment of the Cotton Mills in Catrine along with David Dale.

Capt. (later Maj.) John was the 70th member of Paisley Kilwinning and joined the 56th RegimentofFoot(Essexregiment).Theregiment had a lodge attached to it chartered by Scotland in 1760 called King George III No.101 which was disbanded in 1809. He dies without issue.

Alexander was the 129th member in 1765 and also died unmarried the following year in Jamaica.

Boyd of Southbar,

(having sold Newton in 1772) joined in 1786 as the 237th member (right in portrait) and married the daughter of Bro Boyd Porterfield of the lodge. He was MP for the County in 1796 and Glasgow & District in 1802 and Depute Lord Lieutenant of the County. He laid the foundation stone of Inchinnan New Bridge in 1809 which was done with full masonic honours. He also died without issue in 1825.

During this time, the lodge met at The Town’ s House or Saracen’s Head Inn which was the main building for events before the new Town Hall, etc were built. See October 2021 for further details on the building.