General Alexander Macomb, Jr.

Major General Alexander Macomb Jr., 1782-1841, Senior Officer and Commanding General of the U.S. Army from 1828 to 1841, lived in Belleville, New Jersey, while attending military school in Newark.

He became most famous as the Commanding Officer of a series of stunning U.S. victories during the war of 1812.

The Macomb House at 125 Main Street in Belleville was erected circa 1784-1797, and a frame addition to south end and all windows replaced  about 1870. See a photo at First Baptist Church of Bloomfield, taken 1935. The house was demolished in 1940.

This was originally the home of Sarah Macomb, a widow who lived here with her young daughter.

Around 1799 she took in her 17 year old nephew, Alexander Macomb, (1782-1841) who lived with her while he attended Newark Academy.

In 1803 he married his cousin Catharine and they continued to live here while he pursued his military career.

He later remarried:

Married: Maj. Gen. Alexander Macomb of the U.S. Army and Mrs. Harriet B. Wilson Balch, daughter of the Rev. Dr. Balch, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Georgetown, May 2, 1826, by the Rev. Mr. McCormick.

Additional research by Mike Perrone, Belleville Historical Society:

100 years since Belleville general’s homecoming

Township's role remembered during War of 1812 bicentennial

The 'other' Star-Spangled Banner

General Macomb's grave

Sources include:

First Baptist Church of Bloomfield Historical Photographs

M Lloyd

Belleville Historical Society, Michael Perrone

M. Lloyd Photo album

Congressional Cemetery

PICTORIAL FIELD-BOOK OF THE WAR OF 1812 - BY BENSON J. LOSSING - Chapter 37

Wikipedia

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