Sir Alexander Cuninghame, 2nd Baronet
Sir Alexander Cuninghame, 2nd Baronet was a Scottish landowner and aristocrat.
Early life
Cuninghame was born at Corsehill Castle in Ayrshire, Scotland. He was the only son of Sir Alexander Cuninghame, 1st Baronet and Mary Stewart.His paternal grandparents were Alexander Cuninghame and Anne Cuninghame. Through his paternal line, he was a descendant of the 4th Earl of Glencairn through the Earl's second son, Hon. Andrew Cunningham. His maternal grandparents were John Stewart and Mary Stirling. Among his maternal family were uncles, James Stewart of Lumlock and Sir Archibald Stewart, 1st Baronet, of Blackhall.
Career
Upon the death of his father on 25 March 1685, he succeeded as the 2nd Baronet Cuninghame of Corsehill in the Baronetage of Nova Scotia. As he was only a minor when his father died, and "was, ill-advisedly, served heir general to his father, 25 March 1685, and heir special in the Barony of Robertland. By this service not only his estate but what of his wife was given up to his father's creditors, and he had to subsist 'by the effects of his industry.'" His father had been ruined by guaranteeing the credit of his spendthrift cousin, [Fairlie-Cuninghame baronets|Sir Sir David Cuninghame, 3rd Baronet|David Cuninghame, 4th Baronet] of Robertland.Personal life
In 1686 Cuninghame was married to Margaret Boyle, a daughter of John Boyle of Kelburn, MP for Bute, and Marion Steuart. She was sister to David Boyle, 1st Earl of Glasgow. Together, they were the parents of:- Sir David Cuninghame, 3rd Baronet, who married Penelope Montgomery, daughter of Margaret Montgomery and Alexander Montgomery of Assloss, Ayrshire; she was the niece and heiress of Sir Walter Montgomery, Baronet, of Kirktonholm.
- Jean Boyle Cuninghame, who married William Newall, a son of Adam Newall and Elizabeth Chalmers.