Alexander Montgomery (1686–1729) facts for kids

Alexander Montgomery (born in 1686 – died December 19, 1729) was an Irish soldier and politician. He was a member of the Scots Greys cavalry, a famous army unit. He lived in a place called Convoy House in Convoy, County Donegal, Ireland.

Alexander Montgomery came from an important Ulster Scots family in 1686. He was the second son of Major John Montgomery and his first wife, Catherine. His family, the Montgomerys of Convoy, were part of the larger Clan Montgomery. He became a member of parliament (MP), which means he was chosen to represent people in the government. He was an MP for Donegal Borough from 1725 to 1727. After that, he represented County Donegal from 1727 until he died in 1729. He was 43 years old when he passed away. He was buried in Dublin on December 22, 1729. Alexander was married to Elizabeth Percy, but she died before him in 1724.

Alexander Montgomery's Land and Home

Alexander Montgomery received land in Croghan, near Lifford, in East Donegal. In 1711, he bought more land in Tullydonell. By 1720, he also owned his main home in Convoy, County Donegal. Traveling from his home in Convoy to the Parliament in Dublin took more than a day. So, in 1724, he bought a large estate called Gwyllym. This estate was about 4,000 acres and cost £8,000. It was located in Ballyconnell, County Cavan, which was about halfway between Convoy and Dublin. This allowed him to stop and rest overnight during his journeys.

Who Inherited His Estate?

Alexander Montgomery did not have any children. In his will, he left the Gwyllym estate to his nephew, George Leslie. His nephew then changed his name to George Leslie Montgomery and also became an MP for Cavan. Alexander's will was written in 1727, and he added a small change to it in 1728. He stated that he wanted to be buried with his wife in Dublin if he died there. He also mentioned that his estates in Counties Cavan and Fermanagh, and his leased lands in County Donegal, would go to his nephew George Leslie. If George was under 21, the land would be held by trustees for him. The will also mentioned other relatives who would inherit if George couldn't. One of the people mentioned was his uncle, Colonel Alexander Montgomery (1667–1722). This uncle was the grandfather of a famous American Revolution war hero, Major-General Richard Montgomery.

Alexander Montgomery's Role in Politics

Until 1729, Alexander Montgomery shared control over who could represent Lifford, County Donegal, in Parliament. He shared this power with the Creighton family. In 1727, Alexander Montgomery and General David Creighton made an agreement. They decided how they would share control of Lifford and its two MP seats in the Irish House of Commons. One part of their agreement was that if Alexander Montgomery died without a son, his share of control would go to the Creighton family.

Later in 1727, Alexander Montgomery was elected as an MP for County Donegal. So, General David Creighton and his son, Abraham Creighton, became the two MPs for Lifford. When General David Creighton died in 1728, his Lifford seat was taken by Thomas Montgomery. Thomas was Alexander's first cousin and the father of Major-General Richard Montgomery. After Thomas Montgomery died in 1761, the Creighton family, led by Abraham Creighton, gained full control of the Lifford seats.

See also

• George Leslie Montgomery (MP)
• Field Marshal The 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein
• Clan Montgomery
• Moville
• Ulster Scots people