LESLIE, ALEXANDER [SSNE 4947]
Text source
Born in Aberdeen, Alexander Leslie was probably a close relative of Peter Leslie, perhaps his brother. Like him a merchant, Alexander Leslie took the oath of citizenship in Narva on 23 February 1633. Probably soon after, he married a certain Maria Suborg (aka Suborch), whose origin is unknown. With her he became father of two daughters, Maria Leslie († after 1678) and Anna Leslie († 1695). In 1644, he died and was buried in the German church of Narva on 12 February 1644.
Alexander Leslie gained great respect from his fellow citizens, who appointed him in 1636 to procurator of the estate of Robert Udnie [SSNE 4238], a Scot who died in Reval in October 1635. Regarding Udnie‘s financial affairs (as well as those of a Colonel Scott), Alexander Leslie wrote a letter to Axel Oxenstierna in 1638. In 1640, Alexander Leslie was honoured with the office of city lieutenant and elected as one of the four elders of Narva‘s Great Guild.
The widow of Alexander Leslie was an eager member of the German church in Narva, being regularly accompanied by her two daughters until 1653 as is shown by frequent references in church records to „Frau Leßlische u. ihre beyde Töchter“ (Mrs. Leßlie and her two daughters). A letter which she addressed to the Swedish king after 1672, is the last sign of life of the widow Maria Leslie, née Suborg. Both her daughters married two merchant brothers in Narva, in February 1654 Maria married Berent Strahlborn († 1675/76), Anna - probably soon after - Thomas Thomasson Strahlborn († 1680). Descendants are only known of Maria.
A son of Alexander Leslie and his wife Maria née Suborg could have been William Leslie [SSNE 305].
Sources:
Rahvusarhiiv Tartus, Sünni-, abielu-, surmameetrika ja muud andmed koguduse kohta Record EAA.4380.1.1 1644-1724; Rahvusarhiiv Tartus EAA.858.2.2075 (20.02.1665); Swedish Riksarkiv, Livonica II:I vol. 210 (after 1672); Swedish Riksarkivet, Oxenstiernska samlingen E648. Alexander Leslie to Axel Oxenstierna, 5 May 1638; Erpenbeck, Dirk-Gerd, und Enn Küng. 2000. Narvaer Bürger- und Einwohnerbuch 1581 - 1704. Bd. 64. Veröffentlichungen der Forschungsstelle Ostmitteleuropa an der Universität Dortmund. Dortmund, pp. 68, 189-190; Bunz, Rainer. 2018. Von Leslie – Schottischer Adel in Deutschland und Österreich. Norderstedt: BoD – Book on Demand, pp. 142 f..
This article was revised on 18 June 2020 by Rainer Bunz.
With thanks to Hilkka Kesiö-Lairila for clarifying the difference between this man and Alexander Leslie [SSNE 7201].
Service record
- SWEDEN, NARVA
- Arrived 1633-02-23
- Departed 1644-02-12
- Capacity BURGESS, purpose CIVIC, TRADE