ALEXANDER ANDERSON was born in New York, April 21st, 1775, in an humble abode near Beekman’s Slip.  His father, a Scotchman, was thoroughly imbued with republican principles, which be expressed so boldly in a paper published by himself, entitled "The Constitutional Gazette," that he soon became famous as "John Anderson, the rebel printer." His fearless utterances were highly obnoxious to the reigning power, and, as the strife grew more bitter, be decided that discretion was the better part of valor, and made preparations for flight.
He succeeded in reaching Fort Washington (now Washington Heights), with all his household