Alexander Forsyth was born around 1746, and first appears in Chester County, PA in 1769. In 1788, he appears in Carlisle, PA with an Isaac Forsyth about the same age.

In the "Memorial of the Family of Forsyth de Fronsac" (1903) on page 29, under the heading of Forsyth of Chester County, PA. It shows an Alexander Forsyth as the son of another Alexander Forsyth and Margaret Temple of Aberdeen, Scotland. Another son listed is Andrew who at the age of 20 went to London and after to Philadelphia. There is no son Isaac listed. In this entry, Alexander is listed as the eldest child, and Andrew is listed as the 7th child. Only one daughter is listed, so it is likely that there were others left unnamed. According to Herbert C. Bell's History of Northumberland County PA (1891) [ http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/northumberland/famhist/forsyth.txt ], Andrew was born in 1743 putting his age near Alexander's. It also means that Andrew went to London around 1763 and probably arrived in America between 1765 and 1770. This is also about the time that Alexander arrived here. The "Memorial" does not say it explicitly, but the title of the section would indicate that Andrew eventually made it to Chester County, PA. If we presume that the birth order listed is inaccurate, then our Alexander could certainly be the son of Alexander Forsyth and Margaret Temple of Aberdeen Scotland.

In at least one other undocumented genealogy, there are additional children for Alexander Forsyth and Margaret Temple listed. One of these is Isach Forsyth.

At this point it is only speculation that our Alexander Forsyth is their son, however the circumstantial evidence certanily lends support to this assumption, and I have not yet found anything reasonably conclusive that would contradict this claim.

Alexander Forsyth Sr. Will Registration. Dec 26, 1829

The will books appear to be alphabetical throughout, making persons easy to find.

Baltimore Will Book 8

Pg 83-84

Dec 26, 1829

Alexander Forsyth Sr.

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-17742-102008-71?cc=1803986&wc=12215281
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-17742-101915-13?cc=1803986&wc=12215281

A search on http://findmypast.com brought up only one Alexander Forsyth born in 1747 (Scotland), however, this birth year is not certain, though probably close. A search of this same database on Family Search (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1771030) brought up 19 who were born in Scotland between 1745 and 1750. No Isaac Forsyth's appear in the database. The following is the family of the 1747 record.

Scotland Births and Baptisms 1564-1950

Father: Alexander Forsyth
Mother: Agnes White
c1. Jean Forsyth christening: 12 August 1739 , PRESTONKIRK, EAST LOTHIAN, SCOTLAND
c2. Robert Forsyth christening: 17 January 1742 , PRESTONKIRK, EAST LOTHIAN, SCOTLAND
c3. Hery Forsyth birth: 26 January 1746 , Dirleton, East Lothian, Scotland
c4. Alexander Forsyth birth: 11 October 1747 , Dirleton, East Lothian, Scotland
c5. William Forsythe birth: 2 August 1753, christening: 5 August 1753 , HADDINGTON, EAST LOTHIAN, SCOTLAND
c6. Clara Forsyth birth: 26 June 1756, christening: 27 June 1756 , HADDINGTON, EAST LOTHIAN, SCOTLAND
c7. Stewart Forsyth birth: 18 April 1759 christening: 22 April 1759 , INVERESK WITH MUSSELBURGH, MIDLOTHIAN, SCOTLAND

Indianapolis City Directories From 1867-1911
(No Forsyths found in 1865)

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/246018080/
1867 
Forsight, Elijah J. , clerk, Mrs. Wilson's, 88 e South, bds. same

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/246027999/
1868
Forsyth, Alexander, clerk, Oriental House, bds. same
(unknown relation)

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/246032144/
1870
Forsuthes, E. J. painter, r 499 s. New Jersey

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/249741193/
1872
Forsyth, Elijah J., painter, res. 408 s. East

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/249742415/
1873
Forsyth, E. J., painter, res. 408 s. East

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/249743844/
1874
Forsyth, E. J., painter, res. 464 S. East
Forsyth, John T. (E Fuller & Co,) res. 341 Ash
(This was John Thomas Forsyth son of Thomas Forsyth and Mary Ragsdale a completely unrelated family)

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/249749521/
1875
Forsyth, Elijah J, painter, res. 464 S. East

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/249629350/
1876
Forsyth, Elijah J, painter, 476 S. East, res 146 Buchanan
Forsyth, Wm, painter, res. 177 Buchanan

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/249629991/
1877
Forsyth, Elijah J, painter, n w cor East and Bicking, res 146 Buchanan
Forsyth, William, painter, res 146 Buchanan

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/249630702/
1878
Forsyth, Elijah J, painter ,476 S. East, res 77 Dougherty
Forsyth, Elijah J jr., painter, E J Forsyth, res 77 Dougherty
Forsyth, Wm J, artist, res 77 Dougherty

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/249631393/
1879
Forsyth, Elijah J, painter ,476 S. East, res 86 Greer
Forsyth, Wm, artist, res 83 Greer

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/249631973/
http://www.fold3.com/image/6/249631974/
1880
Forsyth, Elijah, painter, res 86 Greer
Forsyth, Elijah J, painter ,476 S. East, res 86 Greer
Forsyth, Wm J, artist, res 86 Greer

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/249632591/
1881
Forsyth, Elijah J, painter, res 86 Greer
Forsyth, Elijah J sr, painter, res 86 Greer
Forsyth, Wm, artist, 69 Fletcher & Sharpe's blk, res 86 Greer

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/250269815/
1882
Forsyth, Elijah J, painter, res 86 Greer
Forsyth, Elijah J jr, painter, res 86 Greer
Forsyth, Wm, artist, 67 Fletcher & Sharpe's blk, res 86 Greer

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/250273311/
1883
Forsyth, Elijah J, painter, res 51 Beatty
Forsyth, Elijah J jr, painter, res 51 Beatty
Forsyth, Lizzie F. Miss, music teacher, public school No. 8, res 86 Greer

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/250276257/
1884
Forsyth, Elijah J, painter, res 51 Beatty
Forsyth, Elijah J jr, painter, bds 51 Beatty
Forsyth, Lizzie, teacher public school No. 20, res 51 Beatty

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/250368558/
1885
Forsyth, Elijah J, painter, 47 Woodlawn Ave. res same
Forsyth, Elizabeth, teacher public school No. 22, res 47 Woodlawn Ave

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/250369373/
1886
Forsyth, Alice J., teacher public school No. 20, bds 213 Fletcher ave.
Forsyth, Elijah J, painter, res 213 Fletcher ave.
Forsyth, Elijah J jr, painter, res 213 Fletcher ave.
Forsyth, Elizabeth F, teacher public school No. 22, bds 213 Fletcher ave

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/249698924/
1887
Forsyth, Alice J., teacher public school No. 13, bds 213 Fletcher ave.
Forsyth, Elijah J, painter, res 213 Fletcher ave.
Forsyth, Elijah J jr, painter, res 213 Fletcher ave.
Forsyth, Elizabeth F, teacher public school No. 22, bds 213 Fletcher ave

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/249706680/
1888
Forsythe, Alice, teacher public school No. 5, bds 213 Fletcher ave.
Forsythe, Elijah J, painter, res 213 Fletcher ave.
Forsythe, Elijah J jr, painter, res 213 Fletcher ave.
Forsythe, Elizabeth, teacher public school No. 6, bds 213 Fletcher ave

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/244128125/
1889
Forsythe, Alice, teacher public school No. 22, b 213 Fletcher ave.
Forsythe, Elizabeth, teacher public school No. 28, b 213 Fletcher ave
Forsythe, Elijah J, painter, h 213 Fletcher ave.
Forsythe, Elijah J jr, painter, b 213 Fletcher ave.
Forsythe, Wm J, artist, b 213 Fletcher ave.

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/244130117/
1890
Forsyth, Alice, teacher public school No. 22, b 213 Fletcher ave
Forsyth, Elijah J, painter, h 213 Fletcher ave.
Forsyth, Elijah J jr, painter, b 213 Fletcher ave.
Forsyth, Elizabeth, teacher public school No. 28, b 213 Fletcher ave
Forsyth, Wm J, artist, b 213 Fletcher ave.

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/250271622/
1891
Forsyth, Alice, teacher public school No. 22, b 226 Fletcher ave
Forsyth, Elijah J, painter, h 226 Fletcher ave.
Forsyth, Elijah J jr, painter, b 226 Fletcher ave.
Forsyth, Elizabeth, teacher public school No. 28, b 226 Fletcher ave
Forsyth, Wm, artist, b 226 Fletcher ave.

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/250276044/
1892
Forsyth, Alice, teacher public school No. 22, b 132 Fletcher ave
Forsyth, Elijah J, h 132 Fletcher ave.
Forsyth, Elijah J jr, decorator, b 132 Fletcher ave.
Forsyth, Elizabeth, teacher public school No. 28, b 132 Fletcher ave
Forsyth, Wm J, artist, b 132 Fletcher ave.

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/244124167/
1893
Forsyth, Alice, teacher public school No. 20, b 132 Fletcher ave
Forsyth, Elijah J, h 132 Fletcher ave.
Forsyth, Elijah J jr, grainer, b 132 Fletcher ave.
Forsyth, Elizabeth, teacher public school No. 28, b 132 Fletcher ave
Forsyth, Wm J, artist, b 132 Fletcher ave.

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/244125162/
1894
Forsyth, Alice, teacher P S No. 20, b 132 Fletcher av
Forsyth, Elijah J, h 132 Fletcher av.
Forsyth, Elijah J jr, decorator, b 132 Fletcher av.
Forsyth, Elizabeth F, teacher P S No. 28, b 132 Fletcher av.
Forsyth, Wm J, artist 47 ½ N Illinois, h 132 Fletcher av.

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/242546493/
1895
Forsyth, Alice, teacher Public School No. 20, b 132 Fletcher av
Forsyth, Elijah J, h 132 Fletcher av.
Forsyth, Elijah J jr, decorator, b 132 Fletcher av.
Forsyth, Elizabeth F, teacher Public School No. 28, b 132 Fletcher av.
Forsyth, Wm J, artist 132 Fletcher av., h same

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/242655364/
1896
Forsyth, Alice I., teacher Public School No. 20, b 132 Fletcher av
Forsyth, Elijah J, decorator, b 132 Fletcher av.
Forsyth, Elizabeth F, teacher Public School No. 28, b 132 Fletcher av.
Forsyth, Mary M (wid Elijah J) h 132 Fletcher av
Forsyth, Wm J, artist 18 Brandon blk, h 132 Fletcher av

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/242588818/
1897
Forsyth, Alice I., teacher Public School No. 20, b 132 Fletcher av
Forsyth, Elijah J, painter, b 132 Fletcher av.
Forsyth, Elizabeth F, teacher Public School No. 28, b 132 Fletcher av.
Forsyth, Mary M (wid Elijah J) b 132 Fletcher av
Forsyth, Wm, artist 132 Fletcher av, h same

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/242682439/
1898
Forsyth, Alice I., teacher Public School No. 20, b 938 Fletcher av
Forsyth, Elijah J, painter, b 938 Fletcher av.
Forsyth, Elizabeth F, teacher Public School No. 28, b 938 Fletcher av.
Forsyth, Mary M (wid Elijah J) b 938 Fletcher av
Forsyth, Wm J, artist 938 Fletcher av, b same

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/242575949/
1899
Forsyth, Alice I., teacher Public School No. 20, b 938 Fletcher av
Forsyth, Elijah J, painter, b 938 Fletcher av.
Forsyth, Elizabeth F, teacher Public School No. 28, b 938 Fletcher av.
Forsyth, Mary M (wid Elijah J) h 938 Fletcher av
Forsyth, Wm J, artist 938 Fletcher av, b same

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/242662913/
http://www.fold3.com/image/6/242662918/
1900
Forsyth, Alice I., teacher P S No. 20, b 938 Fletcher av
Forsyth, Elijah J, painter, b 938 Fletcher av.
Forsyth, Elizabeth F, teacher P S No. 28, b 938 Fletcher av.
Forsyth, Mary M (wid Elijah J) h 938 Fletcher av
Forsyth, Wm J, artist 43, 120 E Market, b 938 Fletcher av

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/242604494/
1901
Forsyth, Alice I., teacher P S No. 20, b 938 Fletcher av
Forsyth, Elijah J, painter, b 938 Fletcher av.
Forsyth, Elizabeth F, teacher P S No. 28, b 938 Fletcher av.
Forsyth, Mary M (wid Elijah J) h 938 Fletcher av
Forsyth, Wm J, artist, b 938 Fletcher av

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/242563419/
http://www.fold3.com/image/6/242563428/
1902
Forsyth, Alice I., tchr, b 938 Fletcher av
Forsyth, Elijah J, painter, b 938 Fletcher av.
Forsyth, Elizabeth F, tchr, b 938 Fletcher av.
Forsyth, Mary M (wid Elijah J) h 938 Fletcher av
Forsyth, Wm J, artist 43, 120 E Market, b 938 Fletcher av

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/242575622/
1903
Forsyth, Alice I., tchr, b 938 Fletcher av
Forsyth, Elijah J, painter, b 938 Fletcher av.
Forsyth, Elizabeth F, tchr, b 938 Fletcher av.
Forsyth, Mary M (wid Elijah J) h 938 Fletcher av
Forsyth, Wm J, artist 43, 120 E Market, b 938 Fletcher av

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/242557223/
1904
Forsyth, Alice I., tchr, b 938 Fletcher av
Forsyth, Elijah J, painter, b 938 Fletcher av.
Forsyth, Elizabeth F, tchr, b 938 Fletcher av.
Forsyth, Mary M (wid Elijah J) h 938 Fletcher av
Forsyth, Wm J, artist 44 Union Trust bldg, b 938 Fletcher av

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/242570441/
1905
Forsyth, Alice I., tchr, b 938 Fletcher av
Forsyth, Elijah J, painter, b 938 Fletcher av.
Forsyth, Elizabeth F, tchr, b 938 Fletcher av.
Forsyth, Mary M (wid Elijah) b 938 Fletcher av
Forsyth, Wm J, artist 44 Union Trust bldg, b 938 Fletcher av

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/251815525/
1906
Forsyth, Alice I., tchr, b 938 Fletcher av
Forsyth, Elijah J, painter, b 938 Fletcher av.
Forsyth, Elizabeth F, tchr, b 938 Fletcher av.
Forsyth, Mary M (wid Elijah J) h 938 Fletcher av
Forsyth, Wm J, artist, b 938 Fletcher av

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/251849848/
1907
Forsyth, Alice I., tchr, b 938 Fletcher av
Forsyth, Elijah J, decordator, b 938 Fletcher av.
Forsyth, Elizabeth, tchr, b 938 Fletcher av.
Forsyth, Mary M (wid Elijah J) h 938 Fletcher av
Forsyth, Wm J, tchr, h 15 S. Emerson av

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/251809344/
http://www.fold3.com/image/6/251809394/
1908
Forsyth, Alice I., tchr, b 938 Fletcher av
Forsyth, Elijah J, painter, b 938 Fletcher av.
Forsyth, Elizabeth F, tchr, b 938 Fletcher av.
Forsyth, Mary M (wid Elijah J) h 938 Fletcher av
Forsyth, Wm J, instr Herron Art School, h 15 S. Emerson av

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/251849424/
1909
Forsyth, Alice I., tchr P S, b 946 Fletcher av
Forsyth, Elijah J, (Forsyth & Reinacker), b 946 Fletcher av.
Forsyth, Elizabeth F, tchr P S, b 946 Fletcher av.
Forsyth, Mary M (wid Elijah J) h 946 Fletcher av
Forsyth, Wm, artist, h 15 S. Emerson av
Forsyth & Reinacker (Elijah J. Forsyth, George Reinacker) contrs E Terrace av.

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/252331329/
1910
Forsyth, Alice I., tchr P S No. 20, b 948 Fletcher av
Forsyth, Elijah J, (Forsyth & Reinacker), b 948 Fletcher av.
Forsyth, Elizabeth F, tchr P S No. 28, b 948 Fletcher av.
Forsyth, Mary M (wid Elijah J) h 948 Fletcher av
Forsyth, Wm, artist, h 15 S. Emerson av
Forsyth & Reinacker (Elijah J. Forsyth, George Reinacker) painters 306 E Terrace av.

http://www.fold3.com/image/6/252344516/
1911
Forsyth, Alice I., tchr P S No. 20, b 948 Fletcher av
Forsyth, Elijah J, painter, b 948 Fletcher av.
Forsyth, Elizabeth, tchr P S No. 28, b 948 Fletcher av.
Forsyth, Wm, artist, h 15 S. Emerson av

Early Forsyth`s of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Marriage Licenses, 1769-1776
The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography
Vol. 41, No. 4 (1917), pp. 489-501
Published by: The Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/20086322
Page 495: ( http://www.jstor.org/stable/20086322?seq=7 )
George Forsyth married Chloe Elliot in Pennsylvania on October 10, 1775. Alexander Forsyth arrived in Philadelphia we presume about 1767. The first record of Alexander Forsyth is in Charles town in 1768.

Pennsylvania Marriage Licenses, 1769-1776
The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography
Vol. 41, No. 2 (1917), pp. 224-246
Published by: The Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/20086303
Page 237: ( http://www.jstor.org/stable/20086303?seq=14 )
Isaac Forsyth married Susan Williams on Nov, 10, 1770. This Isaac Forsyth remained in Philadelphia his entire life and is not the same as the Isaac Forsyth who was living near Alexander Forsyth in Carlisle in 1778.

A List of the Ffreeholders for the City and County of Burlington and in Each Respective Township Taken This 15th Day of April 1745
Thomas Hunloke
The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography
Vol. 29, No. 4 (1905), pp. 421-426
Published by: The Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/20085308
Page 423: ( http://www.jstor.org/stable/20085308?seq=3)
The Township of Chesterfield
John Forsyth

Town Dockets of Chesterfield Township, Burlington County, New Jersey, December 15, 1692 to December 2, 1712
Carlos E. Godfrey
The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography
Vol. 35, No. 2 (1911), pp. 211-222
Published by: The Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/20085547
Page 219: ( http://www.jstor.org/stable/20085547?seq=9 )
Matthew Forsyth did not attend the town meeting on the 5th of the 12 month 1708.

http://www.chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/5407
Chester County Archives and Record Services, West Chester, PA 19380

Forsyth John London Britain 1747/48 County C-17 p 27
Forsyth John London Britain 1749/50 County C-18 p 33
Forsyth John London Britain 1751 County C-19 p 32
Forsyth John London Britain 1753 County C-20 p 28
Forsyth John London Britain 1754 County C-21 p 44
Forsyth John New London 1756 County C-22 p 1

Forsythe William East Nottingham 1753 Freeman County C-20 p 46 (http://www.chester.pa-roots.com/taxlists/1753taxlists/east_nottingham_1753.htm)
Forsythe William East Nottingham 1756 Inmate County C-22 p 41
Forsyth William East Nottingham 1758 County C-23 p 7
Forsythe William East Caln 1758 Freeman County C-23 p 24
Forsythe William East Nottingham 1763 Provincial P-6b p 28
Forsyth William East Nottingham 1764 Provincial P-7a p 100

http://www.chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/3923
Chester County Land Executions and Inquisitions 1700-1800
Forsyth Andrew Adm February 1774 Eyre v. Forsyth Defendant Executions (Land)

http://www.chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/4138
Provincial Tax Minutes Index 1756-1758
Forsythe William East Fallowfield Discounts Gone, Dead, Married or Poor 1774 p 255

http://www.chester.pa-roots.com/taxlists/index.html
1729, 1730, 1735, 1753 and 1774 tax lists for Charlestown neither Forsyth or Lindsey

Alexander Forsyth: Wigtown, Scotland

Forsyths from Old Luce, Wigtownshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland

Name Alexander Forsyth
Gender Male
Christening Date 06 Dec 1746
Christening Place , OLD LUCE, WIGTOWN, SCOTLAND
Father's Name William Forsyth
Mother's Name Jean Shennan

Source Citation: "Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XY93-QZH : 2 January 2015); citing Old Luce, Wigtownshire, Scotland, reference 2:18GGDN5; FHL microfilm 1,068,039.

https://archive.org/stream/parishlistsofwig72scot#page/10/mode/2up/search/forsyth
"Parish lists of Wigtownshire and Minnigaff, 1684"
Page 10 Ane Exact Roll containing the names of the parishoners of Glenluce (Wigtownshire, Scotland)
[Glenluce contained the parishes of Old Luce and New Luce]
Lairdshipe - Alexr. Forsyth
Garss - Christ. Forsyth

http://theses.gla.ac.uk/2786/1/2009KerrMPhil.pdf
Wigtown Shire Hearth money, 1695
Alexander Forsythe in Miekle Dragouls
Thomas Forsyth in Balmenoch
John and William Forsythes in Aries
Gilbert Forsyth there
Williem Forsyth
John Forsyth there
John Forsythe there a kiln

Alexander Forsyth is said to have been born in one of the counties of Antrim or Tyrone in Ireland. According to his obituary, "Alexander Forsyth, Sr., for 40 years of Baltimore, died at his residence in Pennsylvania Avenue 23 April, 1829 in his 83rd year" (Baltimore American). He would therefore have been born in 1746 or 1747. He was buried in Lot 71 of Glendy Cemetery, Second (Old Faith) Presbyterian Church. The graveyard was vandalized in the 1970-1980s, and the city moved all the graves to an unmarked burial ground in an unnamed cemetery. He was referred to as Alexander Louis Forsyth in the Maryland Genealogical Society Bulletin query in the 1960s by a descendant's wife. It is not known how accurate this is. His had a grandson named Alexander Louis Hitzelberger. He is listed as an inmate (married) in the 1769 tax lists for Charlestown, Chester County Pennsylvania. He is not listed in the 1768 tax list. This indicates that he was not yet married, had not yet reached the age of 21 or was not living in the area. Since his oldest son seems to have been before 1766 if we can believe the early census records, he was therefore probably already married and living there, but not old enough to be listed in the tax lists. His wife was Rachel Lindsay, the daughter of David Lindsay of Carlisle. She also has been said to be born in one of the counties of Antrim or Tyrone in Ireland. Her obituary states she "died on the 2nd [May, 1840] inst, Rachel Forsyth, in the 90th year of her age" (Baltimore Sun, 5 May, 1840). She must have therefore been born in 1750 or 1751 and married arounf age 15. She died at her home on Pennsylvania Ave., in Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, and was buried alongside her husband.
    Alexander first appears in the 1769 tax list for Charles Town, Chester County, Pennsylvania as 'Alexander Forsight'. He is found along with David Lindsey, his father-in-law, and James Spotswood undoubtedly the father of his brother-in-law, William Spotswood. In 1770 they are all still found in the tax lists, Alexander is listed then as Forsythe. Alexander next appears on October 23, 1777, as Pvt. Alexander Forsythe of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania and is fined for being delinquent from Capt. Andrew McKee's 2nd Battalion, 4th Company. We know this is the same Alexander Forsyth, because Capt. Andrew Mckee's company was taken from Carlisle where Alexander Forsyth was taxed in 1778 along with Isaac Forsyth. His father-in-law first purchased land in Carlisle in 1771. The Isaac Forsyth found in Carlisle is not the son of Alexander who would have been 8 to 12 years old at the time. More than likely he is either Alexander's father, or perhaps his brother. An Isaac Forsyth took the Oath of Allegience in Cumberland County on October 20, 1777 [See "Pennsylvania in the War of the Revolution, Volume II, p 460, http://www.archive.org/details/pennsylvaniaarch05penn/ ] and is not seen thereafter. The Isaac Forsyth found in Carlisle in 1778 is not the Isaac Forsyth from Philadelphia who fought in the Revolution as that Isaac appears to have lived in Philadelphia from 1769 to 1786 [See "Pennsylvania Archives, Second Series, Vol. VIII.371; Third Series, Vols. XIV.173,236,480,756; XV.258,778,788; XVI.333,396,751; Sixth Series Vols. I.323,325,326,328,467; III.1183] and possibly as late as 1816 [See ibid. Ninth Series, Vol. V.3369,3732]. Another Isaac Forsyth was granted land in Luzerne County in 1792 [See ibid. Third Series, Vol. XXIV.217], but it is not known who this is. There is also a John Forsyth who is found in the 1779, 1780, 1782, and 1785 tax lists for the nearby township of West Pennsbro'. It is not known if he is related. In 1777, 1778 and 1780, there are also a Thomas, James and William Forsythe serving in the 4th battalion. An Isabel Forsyth married in Carlisle on August 6, 1788 at the First Presbyterian Church, but it is unknown her relationship to any of the aforementioned Forsythes. By 1788, Alexander had already lived in York County for 10 years, and moved to Baltimore where he had been for about 2 years.
    Alexander next appears in the tax lists for Heidelberg Township, York County, Pennsylvania from 1779 through 1785. In 1783 he was taxed for 9 inhabitants and 2 slaves. He also applied for tavern licenses in Hanover, Heidelberg Township, York County, Pennsylvania every year from July 1779 thorugh July 1785. During this period he leased The Sign of the Horse Tavern from Casper Reinecker. He was drafted into military service on January 30, 1781. No record of him serving at this time has been found. On October 26, 1783, Thomas Jefferson stayed overnight at his tavern and in the morning paid him 29 shillings for food and lodging. Casper Reinecker returned in 1787 to his tavern. Alexander is found in Baltimore, Maryland in 1787 running a tavern in Old Congress Hall. He appears in the records being taxed for a tavern license in 1789. In the 1790 census for Baltimore he appears to be living on N. Howard St. in the vicinity of the 30 to 70 blocks. On March 23, 1792, he filed for relief from a fine imposed on him for not renewing his tavern license in October of 1791. His claim was that he intended to leave the county that winter, but was unable, do to severe weather. On August 16, 1794 he leased land for a home at 104 N. Howard St. (between Mulberry and Franklin on the east side of Howard st. This is now the 400 block) from John E. Howard. In 1795 he was granted a tavern license, and by 1796 was proprietor of the Golden Horse tavern on the Norrthwest corner of Franklin and Howard streets (91 Franklin). I presume he began running this tavern in 1794 when he moved nearby. On February 7, 1797 he subleased his land at 104. N. Howard st. to Caleb Hewitt, but apparently sublet it back from him because he is found still living there in 1799. In 1798, he paid $256.67 (half of the yearly total) for 1/2 acre. He is missing from the 1800 Census as is everyone in the Western Precincts near where he lived. The census taker was prosecuted for being drunk and skipping districts. In 1800 he moved to a home on Pennsylvania Ave where he remained until his death. His wife remained there after until her death in 1840. He appears in the 1810 census. In 1816 he is no longer the proprietor of the Golden Horse Tavern as it is now in the hands of Jacob Merkle. He appears in the 1819 tax list and in the Baltimore Directory as proprietor of the the Indian King Tavern (presumably on Pennsylvania Ave.) and the Eastern Shore Hotel at 2 Water St. This last address in 1816 was the location of the Cheapside Hotel and in 1822 is no longer in the hands of Alexander, and its orginal name had been restored. Again I assume when he moved to Penn. Ave. he left the Golden Horse Tavern and took up propriety of the Indian King Tavern.
    Alexander wrote his will on December 20, 1828. He died April 23, 1829. His will was probated on May 18, 1829 in Baltimore. On December 19, 1829, Rachel renounces her position as executor. It is not clear why. On January 12, 1830, his estate was inventoried, and the account of sales was drawn up on November 25, 1830.
    Rachel wrote her will on August 23, 1836, but did not die for almost 4 years. During that time, on November 16, 1837 their was an administrative inventory of Alexander's property, 3 days after, the 1st administrative account was issued. The 2nd administrative account was issued on March 31, 1838. Rachel died on March 2, 1840, and her will was probated on June 14, 1840. A third administrative account of Alexander's property was not filed until January 15, 1841. On December 10 of the same year, there was an account of sales for Rachel's property filed.

Alexander and Rachel had the following children:

Isaac (bef 1766 - bet 20 Dec 1828 and 2 Oct 1831) m1. 22 Dec 1792, Francis Brown, m2. 19 Jun 1803, Nancy Anne Letton
Rachel (1771/84 - bef 1840) m. 17 May 1800, Joseph Goldsmith
Jane (abt 1772 - bu. 26 May 1834, age 62) m. 19 Nov 1795, Josiah Erastus Thompson
John (est 1774 - ) m. 22 Jun 1796, Catherine Swyman/Suyman
William (abt 1779 - 14 Apr 1839, age 60) m. 10 Jun 1802, Lydia Everson/Emmerson ( - aft 1855)
Alexander (abt 1780 - bet 1870 and 1880) m. 3 Jun 1809, Hetty Zell (abt 1791 - 22 Nov 1874, age 83)
Elijah John (bef 1784 - bet 20 Dec 1828 and 1829) m. 5 Apr 1810, Mary Ann Zell ( - bet 1829 and 1831)
Elizabeth "Eliza" (est 1784 - bet 1860 and 1870) m. 23 Sep 1809, Arthur Rider (abt 1782 - 15 Apr 1839, age 57)
Mary Magdalene (17 Nov 1785 - 2 Apr 1853) m. abt 1804, John Joseph Hitzelberger (7 Feb 1783 - Apr 1865)

    Descendant accounts say that Rachel's hatred of Catholics was so bad that she disinherited her sons Elijah and Alexander because they married the Catholic Zell cousins, whom she treated with contempt. When Elijah drowned and his wife died a few years later of a cholera epidemic, there was a fight between the Zell's and Rachel Forsyth over the orphans. It is said that Rachel ended up with the sons, and because she was a strong and domineering woman they hated her, and as soon as the they were old enough, they left and never saw her again. It is difficult to say how true accurate these stories are. Alexander and Rachel lived on the Pennsylvania Ave. in Baltimore backing up to St. Mary's a Catholic Church. Some of Rachel's daughters, and grandchildren became Catholics, including several nuns and a priest.
    Alexander’s grandson Elijah is said to have remembered him as "a disabled old man as he went about his home". He also remembered his grandmother as having "a real Irish wit, alert, and quick in thought and action". Alexander appears to have been an active tavern keeper up to about 10 years before he died and did not write his will until just a few months prior to his death at age 75, so it is difficult to say how disabled he may have been.
    The descendants of Rachel (Forsyth) Goldsmith have a photograph of an elderly woman which they had claimed was that of Rachel (Lindsay) Forsyth. The photograph was not labelled until many generations after. In the photograph the woman looks to be about 60 years old, which means the photograph would have to have been taken around 1810, which is almost certainly not possible. Photography was not available to less than well-to-do citizens until many years later. Rachel (Forsyth) Goldsmith had additional descendants that were named Rachel as well. I suspect that the photograph is of one of these ladies, and somewhere through the passing of time, its identity was misapplied. I have informed three members of the family who were kind enough for me forwarded me the photograph. They were also kind enough to forward me Rachel Tompkins notes which helped in tracking down a positive identification of Rachel Lindsay as Alexander Forsyth's wife. It is unfortunate when the identity of old photographs become suspect to the degree that they can no longer be relied upon. Everyone should consider labelling their photographs, but ONLY when certain beyond any doubt who the persons in the photographs are.