Alexander George Arbuthnot. A trader from Montrose born 1748. Emigrated to Florida 1803 to trade with the Seminole Indians and represent their cause to the English. He had a store near St Augustine on the Spanish/Florida border. They were illegally tried in their absence 26 April 1818 by an army court which failed to reach a conclusion. Andrew Jackson determined that Arbuthnot and Robert C Ambrister were sentenced to death. They were found guilty of aiding hostile Indians. Later they were captured, Ambrister was shot by firing squad and Arbuthnot was hanged from the masthead of his schooner 29 April 1818. Jackson was much criticised for the execution on Spanish land which caused consternation in Washington and uproar in London. Congressmen did not probe too deeply into the causes of the Seminole war, but under international pressure they did pass a resolution condemning the executions. The incident caused trouble for Jackson throughout his life. The exact location of the store is unknown and the area has been greatly developed.
Alexander married Mary Ann (maiden name unknown) and had sons John James Arbuthnot and R Arbuthnot.