Alexander Houstoun (governor)

Alexander Houstoun
Governor of Grenada
In office
1796 – 30 September 1797
Preceded bySamuel Mitchell (governor)
Succeeded bySir Charles Green, 1st Baronet
Personal details
Born(1752-10-04)4 October 1752
Renfrew, Scotland
Died22 March 1822(1822-03-22) (aged 69)
Clerkington, Scotland
OccupationTrader, Politician, and Governor

Alexander Houstoun Jr. (4 October 1752 – 22 March 1822) was a Scottish politician who served as the interim governor of Grenada from 1796 to 30 September 1797. He was succeeded by Sir Charles Green.


Biography

Alexander Houstoun of Clerkington was born in Renfrew, Scotland on the 4th October 1752 to Alexander Houstoun (1709–1777) and Elizabeth Rae (1709–1804). Some sources have mistakenly placed Houstoun’s birth in 1770, mixing up Alexander Houstoun Jr. with his nephew also named Alexander Houstoun (son of Col. Andrew Houstoun).

Houston's father Alexander was the founder of a Glasgow merchant firm called "Alexander Houston & Co." which traded in the West Indies starting in the 1750s, the firm owned multiple ships. In 1777, the firm was inherited by Alexander Houstoun Jr. The firm had shipping routes between Glasgow and various locations in the West Indies, even being recommended by Ninian Home. Alexander Houstoun & Co. went bankrupt in 1801, the firm owed a total of £343,945 to planters in the West Indies (which would equate to over £34 million in modern terms).

Belmont estate in 1821, owned by Houstoun at the time

Alexander Houstoun was the last interim governor during Fédon's rebellion, succeeding Samuel Mitchell. He oversaw the end of the conflict and the confiscation of properties and executions of rebels.

He served as the MP for Glasgow (Clyde Burghs), his first term was between 1802 and 1803, his second term was between 1809–1812 and his last term was 1818–1820.

He died on the 22 March 1822 in Clerkington.

References

  1. 1 2 Reports that Governor Green arrived in Grenada on 9 March 1797. Alexander Houstoun,... 1797-03-22.
  2. ↑ "EAP295: Digitising the endangered archives of Grenada" (PDF). www.eap.bl.uk. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  3. 1 2 "Alexander (of Clerkington) Houston b. 4 Oct 1752 Renfrew, Scotland d. 21 Mar 1822 Clerkington, East Lothian, Scotland: The Douglas Archives". www.douglashistory.co.uk. Retrieved 2026-02-16.
  4. 1 2 Commander: Neal Gilles. Ship: Hyndman. . Burden: 150 tons. Crew: 40. Owners: Alexander... 1758-07-17.
  5. ↑ "Essay on Scots in the Caribbean". www.manchesterhive.com. Retrieved 2026-02-16.
  6. ↑ "Summary of Individual | Legacies of British Slavery". www.ucl.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 2025-06-20. Retrieved 2026-02-16.
  7. ↑ "6. Grenada and Carriacou | The Glasgow Sugar Aristocracy: Scotland and Caribbean Slavery, 1775–1838". University of London Press. Retrieved 2026-02-16.
  8. ↑ ff 479-481 (3 pages) Opinion of Law Officers in the matter of Alexander Houstoun and... 1810.
  9. ↑ Reports arrival in Grenada; update on Fedon and military; states 'the colony has... 1796-05-03.
  10. ↑ "National archives". discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk. Retrieved 2026-02-16.
  11. ↑ Folios 137-138: [On behalf of William Ferrie] Alexander Houstoun, MP for Glasgow... 1810-04-24.