James McAlpin explained

James McAlpin
Birth Date:	6 August 1761
Birth Place:	Glasgow, Scotland
Occupation:	Merchant
Known For:	Tailor to George Washington
Boards:	Franklin Institute, Saint Andrew's Society, Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company
Spouse:	Ann (d. 1821)
Children:	Alexander

James McAlpin (August 6, 1761 – July 20, 1847) was a Philadelphia businessman and merchant^[1] who served as George Washington's tailor during his presidency and in his later life.^{[2] [3] [4] [5]}

Early life and family

McAlpin was born on August 6, 1761, in Glasgow, Scotland, the seventh of nine children, and emigrated to British America with his family prior to the American Revolution. He moved to Philadelphia by the 1780s.^[6]

Career

McAlpin and his wife Ann lived at 3 South Fourth Street in the district of Southwark, Philadelphia, in an area now known as Fabric Row. They had one son.^[7]

He began serving as President Washington's personal tailor beginning in the 1790s.^{[8] [9] [10]} City directories list McAlpin as a merchant tailor until approximately 1817, and from 1818 onward he is listed as a gentleman.^[11]

McAplin had various business and philanthropic interests in Philadelphia.^[12] He was a founding board member of the Franklin Institute in the 1820s, also serving on the committee overseeing the construction of the building.^[13] McAlpin was a trustee of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company, established in February 1822. He was also a longtime member of the Saint Andrew's Society of Philadelphia (including serving as president from 1831 to 1838).^{[14] [15]}

Death and legacy

McAlpin died on July 20, 1847, aged 85. He is buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery.^[16] His estate was settled in April 1849.^[17]

His business and personal correspondence with Washington is well-documented in the Papers of George Washington and the George Washington Presidential Library.^{[18] [19] [20] [21]}

Personal affects belonging to McAplin and his family are in the permanent collection of the Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library.

Notes and References

1. Book: Henriques, Peter R. . First and Always: A New Portrait of George Washington . 2020-09-15 . University of Virginia Press . 978-0-8139-4481-4 . en.
2. Web site: Founders Online: From George Washington to James McAlpin, 7 May 1797 . 2023-08-12 . founders.archives.gov . en.
3. Web site: Founders Online: From George Washington to James McAlpin, 3 July 1797 . 2023-08-12 . founders.archives.gov . en.
4. Book: Horn, Jonathan . Washington's End: The Final Years and Forgotten Struggle . 2021-02-09 . Simon and Schuster . 978-1-5011-5424-9 . en.
5. Book: Gas Logic . 1917 . en.
6. Book: Russell, Doris McAlpin . McAlpin(e) Genealogies, 1730-1990: Alexander McAlpin of South Carolina and Georgia and His Descendants, Plus Other McAlpin(e) Families of North America . 1990 . Gateway Press . en.
7. Book: Ferling, John . The Ascent of George Washington: The Hidden Political Genius of an American Icon . 2010-05-16 . Bloomsbury Publishing USA . 978-1-60819-095-9 . en.
8. Web site: Founders Online: From George Washington to James McAlpin, 10 February 1799 . 2023-08-12 . founders.archives.gov . en.
9. Web site: Letter, to James McAlpin, 1799 February 10 The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon ArchivesSpace . 2023-08-12 . archives.mountvernon.org.
10. Book: Manca, Joseph . George Washington's Eye: Landscape, Architecture, and Design at Mount Vernon . 2012 . JHU Press . 978-1-4214-0432-5 . en.
11. Web site: 2012-01-31 . Biblical References & Prayers . 2023-08-12 . Uncorked . en-US.
12. Book: Mrs. A. S. Colvin's Weekly Messenger . 1827 . en.
13. Book: Year Book - Franklin Institute, Philadelphia . 1922 . Franklin Institute (Philadelphia) . en.
14. Book: Philadelphia, St Andrew's Society of . An Historical Catalogue of the St. Andrew's Society of Philadelphia with Biographical Sketches of Deceased Members, 1749-1913 . 1907 . Society . en.
15. Book: Philadelphia, St Andrew's Society of . Historical Catalogue ... with Biographical Sketches of Deceased Members, 1749-1907 . 1907 . society . en.
16. Public Ledger (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), Friday, July 23, 1847, p. 2.
17. Book: Wallace, Henry Edward . Philadelphia Reports . 1856 . J. M. P. Wallace . en.
18. Web site: Founders Online: To George Washington from James McAlpin, 15 May 1797 . 2023-08-12 . founders.archives.gov . en.
19. Web site: Founders Online: To George Washington from James McAlpin, 27 June 1799 . 2023-08-12 . founders.archives.gov . en.
20. Web site: Founders Online: From George Washington to James McHenry, 7 June 1799 . 2023-08-12 . founders.archives.gov . en.
21. Book: C, Fitzpatrick, John . The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources 1745-1799 Volume 37 November 1, 1798-December 13, 1799 . 1939-01-01 . Best Books on . 978-1-62376-447-0 . en.