Lord Sterling: The Bravest American
William Alexander was an educated man who came from a decent family, had ambitions and was proficient in math and the sciences. He was a successful businessman who was due the title of Earl of Sterling being the male heir. Scottish courts overruled and denied him the title of Earl, granting him the title of “Lord” instead.
The story goes that he petitioned the House of Lords to claim his title, which he should have just claimed on his own in the first place. Because he was a Scottish heir, in the eyes of the law, it would have been legal for him to claim his land and titles owed by those rights. The trouble is that William was encouraged by “sponsors” close to him to petition for this title. Their fear was that William would be committing a crime by simply claiming his title. So the Scottish courts over-ruled him and named him Lord Sterling. He lived the life of a Scottish nobleman until it put him in debt.
Fortunately, Lord Sterling had the foresight to build property in New Jersey and New York. He would eventually settle in New Jersey, where he would grow grapes for wine making until the American Revolution. This is when Lord Sterling truly proved his worth.
During the Battle of Brooklyn Heights, Sterling led the 1st Maryland Regiment. Though his men fought well, they took heavy casualties when the British made a wide flank that put them in a 25-1 advantage over Sterling. He ordered a retreat of his men, but held the position long enough for the main body of George Washington’s troops to escape and live to fight another day.
Sterling was taken captive, although he was later released. Today, a commemorative monument to Lord Sterling still stands near Prospect Park in Maryland.
About the Author: Samuel Phineas Upham is an investor at a family office/ hedgefund, where he focuses on special situation illiquid investing. Before this position, Phin Upham was working at Morgan Stanley in the Media and Telecom group. You may contact Phin on his Samuel Phineas Upham website or Twitter.
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