Alexander Macdonell (politician)

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For other people with the same name, see Alexander Macdonell.

Alexander Macdonell (1762March 18, 1842) was a soldier and political figure in Upper Canada.

He was born in Scotland in 1762, the son of Allan McDonell. He arrived in the Mohawk Valley of New York with other members of his family, including his brother Angus Macdonell, in 1733. He served with the Royal Highland Emigrant Regiment during the American Revolution. In 1781, he came to Canada and joined Butler's Rangers until the regiment was disbanded in 1784.

He moved to York (Toronto), where he served as Sheriff for the Home District from 1792 to 1805. He was elected to the 3rd Parliament of Upper Canada representing Glengarry & Prescott, serving until 1816. He was speaker of the House from 1804 to 1808.

At the start of the War of 1812, he became a colonel in the militia. In 1813, he was taken prison at Niagara by the Americans. In 1815, on his release, he was made superintendent of the Settling Department.

He died at Toronto in 1842.

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