Alexander Livingston
August 25th 1854 – July 23rd 1929
Early Life
Alexander and his wife, Mary Frances
Alexander Livingston was born on August 25th, 1854 to William and Hannah Livingston. He grew up and spent most of his life in Montgomery County, North Carolina and was the youngest of 8 siblings. On January 5th, 1890, he married Mary Frances Singleton. They had seven children together: Fannie Mae Livingston (born 1893), William Harrison Livingston (born 1895), Carson Livingston (born 1898), Betty Livingston (born 1903), Lemuel Sears Livingston (1907), Lillie Jane Livingston (born 1910), and James Thomas Livingston (born 1913).
​
Alexander was a farmer and lived at Capelsie in Troy with his family up until 1927, when they moved to Norwood, North Carolina. Alexander was Scottish, as his grandfather was born in Scotland.
Father: William Livingston
Mother: Hannah Robinson
_______________________
Wife: Mary Frances Singleton
Children: Fannie Mae Livingston, William Harrison Livingston, Carson Livingston, Betty Livingston, Lemuel Sears Livingston, Lillie Jane Livingston, James Thomas Livingston
About Alexander
In an interview I found in 2025, Fannie Mae Livingston (Alexander's daughter) talked about Alexander. She said that he only drank black coffee and often quoted "When I make coffee, I make coffee. I don't want to be fooled. I don't want 9 grains to the gallon." Alexander said that's the way people make their coffee; 9 grains of coffee to the gallon. The interview is attached below.
​
​
​
​Alexander and his family were very poor. The entire family of 7-12 people all lived in a four-room house that was never painted, had no attic, and was warmed by a wood stove. Their laundry was done in the yard using a big tub, and their home was lit by oil lamps. The children shared a 12x14 room with three beds and minimal furniture. The family often traveled by horse and buggy and they did take a train from Troy to Norwood, NC. The family owned at least 121 acres in Montgomery County. When they decided to move to Norwood, Alexander sold 10 acres to his son, William, for 100 dollars. When Alexander died in 1929, the family split the money and sold the rest to W. J. Morton for 342 dollars.
L to R: Annie, Lillie Mae, Fannie Mae (holding baby Erion), George Richardson, James Thomas, Betty (holding baby Frances), Nancy Jane Morton (Neighbor), Mary Frances Singleton, Abbie Gale Singleton, Alexander Livingston
Montgomery County Land Deed (Sold land to son, William Livingston)
Death
The Livingston Mongtgomery County house in 2025.
Coordinates: 35.31288° N, 79.85472° W
On July 23rd, 1929, Alexander was walking down the streets of Norwood when he had a heart attack while carrying an axe on his back. Alexander passed away at the age of 74. He is buried at Norwood Cemetery with his wife, Mary Frances.
Alexander's headstone at Norwood Cemetery
Death Certificate