William Kennedy McAlpine

b. 9 December 1822, d. 4 June 1901
  • William Kennedy McAlpine was born on 9 December 1822 in Rockingham County, North Carolina.
  • He married Sarah Jane Perry, daughter of Ducalion Aldridge Perry and Jane Gates, on 12 April 1853.
  • William Kennedy McAlpine and Sarah Jane Perry appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1860 in Washington PO, Washington County, Texas. Other members of the household included Fanny McAlpine, Harriet McAlpine, W. K. McAlpine and Ducalion Aldridge Perry Jr. It is an educated guess that D. A. Perry, age 22, is actually Sarah's brother Ducalion Aldridge Perry Jr., who would have been age 16.
  • He was a farmer, according to the 1860 census.
  • In Washington County, Texas, W. K. McAlpin joined for duty on 25 March 1862, as a 5th sergeant, Capt. Claudius Buster's Company, Elmore's Texas Infantry Regiment (subsequently Company C, 20th Texas Infantry Regiment, CSA). He appeared on the company muster roll dated 28 April 1862 at Camp Travis in Hempstead, and according to the muster rolls beginning November 1862 was a clerk in the adjutant's office. In March 1863, he was appointed Sergeant Major of Elmore's Regiment, and in January 1864 became Adjutant of the 20th Texas Infantry Regiment, in the City of Galveston, where he remained.
  • William Kennedy McAlpine and Sarah Jane Perry appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Galveston, Texas. Other members of the household included Fanny McAlpine, Harriet McAlpine, Carrie McAlpine, Betsy McAlpine and Willie McAlpine.
  • He was a commission merchant, according to the 1870 census.
  • The following appeared on 5 June 1874 in the Galveston News: (Houston) The Grand Lodge of Masons convened this morning, Grand Master Miller in the chair. The following grand officers were elected by the Royal Arch Chapter: William K. McAlpine, Galveston, most eminent grand high priest. . .
  • The following appeared on 26 October 1875 in the Galveston News: (Austin) The Governor is engaged in the appointment of delegates to the national railroad convention that is to meet in St. Louis Nov. 22. The Galveston delegates are Col. A. M. Hobby, W. K. McAlpine, Gen. Bragg, James Sorley and Col. H. B. Andrews.
  • William Kennedy McAlpine and Sarah Jane Perry appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in Galveston, Texas, at Post Office Street. Other members of the household included Carrie McAlpine, Betsy McAlpine and Willie McAlpine.
  • He was a cotton merchant, according to the 1880 census.
  • William Kennedy McAlpine became a widower at the 17 April 1885 death of his wife Sarah Jane Perry.
  • The following appeared on 15 November 1885 in The Dallas Morning News: (Galveston, Nov. 14) The great fire of Friday morning is still the all-absorbing theme in every quarter of society. . . .
         The following is a partial list of the burned out from the starting point of the fire on Sixteenth street to Broadway, covering twenty-eight blocks: . . . Block 436 -- Capt. John Chubb, W. K. McAlpine, P. Goldstein, Hamilton Stewart, Mrs. F. A. Foster, Mrs. Hawley, Mrs. Dr. Peete, Mrs. Lapert, Mrs Kate Cherry, occupants of a cottage, names unknown. . . .
  • William Kennedy McAlpine appeared in the '1888-1891 Galveston, Texas, City Directory at NE corner West Avenue Q 1/2, 31st Street, with his office at 127 East Strand between 22nd & 23rd, listed as William K. McAlpine..
  • William Kennedy McAlpine appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Galveston, Texas, at 3027 Q 1/2. Other members of the household included Carrie McAlpine, William J. Hughes, William K. Hughes, Stewart G. Hughes, Irby Bennet Hughes and Mattie Hughes.
  • William Kennedy McAlpine died on 4 June 1901 at age 78 in Calvert, Robertson County, Texas.
  • The following appeared on 25 May 1949 in The Dallas Morning News: (Palestine, May 24) Mrs. Carrie McAlpine Hughes, 88, wife of W. J. Hughes, widely known Galveston commission merchant, died here Monday after a lengthy illness.
         Funeral services were held here Tuesday, with burial in the Calvary Cemetery, Robertson County.
         Mrs. Hughes was born in 1860 at Independence, Washington County. She was the daughter of the late Col. W. K. McAlpine and Sarah Jane Perry McAlpine of Galveston.
         She was married April 12, 1882.
         An ardent church worker, Mrs. Hughes was also known widely as an artist and a poet. She was active in the Daughters of the American Revolution and Daughters of the Republic of Texas. Her church membership for the past few years had been with First Baptist Church of Dallas.
         Survivors include two sons, W. K. Hughes, Galveston; Irby B. Hughes, Palestine; one daughter, Mrs. Bert Anderson, Dallas; five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
  • William K. "Mack" McAlpine (1843-1918) born in North Carolina and long-time resident of Grimes County, is in various ways sometimes associated/confused with William Kennedy McAlpine (1822-1901), and both may have been nephews of various degrees of Dougald McAlpine (1795-1876). Further research is required to discover more details.
  • Last Edited: 2 Jan 2012

Family: Sarah Jane Perry b. 26 August 1837