William Alexander , Lord Stirling William Alexander ( " aka Lord Stirling " ) ( 1726 New York City – 15 January 1783 ) , who claimed the disputed title of Earl of Stirling , was an American major - general during the American Revolutionary War . Life . Alexander was an educated , ambitious and bright young man and was proficient in mathematics and astronomy . He joined his mother in a successful provisioning business and , in 1747 , married Sarah Livingston , the daughter of Philip Livingston ( 1686 - 1749 ) and sister of Governor William Livingston . The couple had two daughters and one son William . One of his daughters , Mary Alexander , would marry wealthy merchant , Robert Watts of New York . Stirling was a socially prominent and wealthy man , having inherited a large fortune from his father . He dabbled in mining and agriculture and lived a life filled with the trappings befitting a Scottish Lord . This was an expensive lifestyle and he eventually went into debt to finance it . He began building his grand estate in the Basking Ridge section of Bernards Township , New Jersey and upon its completion , sold his home in New York and moved there . George Washington was a guest there on several occasions during the revolution and gave away Stirling ' s daughter at her wedding . In 1767 , the Royal Society of Arts awarded Lord Stirling a gold medal for accepting the society ' s challenge to establish viticulture and winemaking in the North American colonies by cultivating 2 , 100 grape ( " V . vinifera " ) vines on his New Jersey estate . American Revolution . When the American Revolutionary War began , Stirling was made a colonel in the New Jersey militia . He outfitted the militia at his own expense and was always willing to spend his own money in support of the cause . He distinguished himself early by leading a group of volunteers in the capture of an armed British transport . Congress appointed him brigadier general in the Continental Army in March 1776 . At the Battle of Long Island , in August of that year , Stirling led the 1st Maryland Regiment in repeated attacks against a superior British force at the Old Stone House near what is today named the Gowanus Canal and took heavy casualties . Outnumbered 25 - 1 , his brigade was eventually overwhelmed and Stirling was taken prisoner , but not before repelling the British forces long enough to allow the main body of troops to escape to defensive positions at Brooklyn Heights . Because of his actions at Long Island , one newspaper called him " the bravest man in America " and he was praised by both Washington and the British for his bravery and audacity . He was released in a prisoner exchange ( in return for governor Montfort Browne ) , promoted to major general , and became one of Washington ’ s most able and trusted generals . Washington held him in such high regard that he placed Stirling in command of the entire Continental Army for nearly two months , while he was away on personal business and throughout most of the war he was considered to be 3rd or 4th in rank behind Washington . Though he cast his lot with the Patriot cause during the American Revolution , officers ( including Washington ) and men alike often referred to him as Lord Stirling . At Trenton he received the surrender of a Hessian regiment . On 26 June 1777 , at Matouchin ( now called Metuchen ) , he awaited an attack , contrary to Washington ' s orders . His position was turned and his division defeated , losing two guns and 150 men in the Battle of Short Hills . Subsequent battles at Brandywine , Germantown and Monmouth cemented his reputation for bravery and sound tactical judgment . At the battles of Brandywine and Germantown he acted with bravery and discretion . At the battle of Monmouth he displayed tactical judgment in posting his batteries , and repelled with heavy loss an attempt to turn his flank . During the encampment at Valley Forge in late - 1777 and early - 1778 , his headquarters was at the Maj . Gen . Lord Stirling Quarters . In January 1780 , he led an ineffective raid against Staten Island . Lord Stirling also played a part in exposing the Conway Cabal , a conspiracy of disaffected officers looking to remove Washington as Commander - in Chief and replace him with General Horatio Gates . When Washington took his army south in 1781 , he appointed Stirling commander of the northern army and he was sent to Albany . Stirling , always a heavy drinker , was in poor health by this time , suffering from severe gout and rheumatism . He died in Albany on 15 January 1783 . His untimely death just months before the official end of the war is the probable reason that he is not as well known today as many of the other generals . Still , his significant contributions made him one of the most important figures of the American Revolution . He was buried at Trinity Churchyard , New York City .