It is postulated by some that Alexander, a merchant in Edinburgh, was declared dead but that in reality he left Edinburgh for Ireland where he joined another church, married an Irish woman, and later emigrated to the Americas in 1719 where he became the paterfamilias of the Bothwells of Rutledge, MA. However, there is no evidence to support this assumption, which appears to be based on the belief that the Alexander who settled in Rutledge appears to have been born in Edinburgh in August of 1661.

Scots Peerage cites the Home Manuscript and Glencorse papers as authorities for the statement that he died unmarried sometime after 15 May 1692. It also notes that “Services of Heirs” show Alexander’s brother, John, was declared to be Alexander’s heir on July 1, 1706.