Alexander was born on the 1st November 1824 at Tirfuir on Lismore Island. Another Alexander was born to Dugald and Janet on 2nd December 1816 at Balnagowan a mile or so further south from Tirefuir . Usually the birth of two children with the same name means that the first child died before the second was born - but I haven't found any gravestones or other evidence to support  this yet.

In 1851 he was living with his parents at Tirfuir  along  with his wife and children,  Mary and Janet. At this time he was working as a servant but by 1861 he had taken over the running of the 24 acre farm from his deceased father, Dugald. Another ten years later, in 1871, the family were at Achuaran - a mile further north - where   he was back to  working as a general servant.