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David Arell (c. 1750 – c. 1793) was a Revolutionary War officer, politician, and judge.[1][2][3] Arell served as mayor of Alexandria in 1786 and was a longtime acquaintance and personal attorney of George Washington.[4][5]
David Arell | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Alexandria, Virginia | |
| In office April 1786 – 1786 | |
| Preceded by | James Kirk |
| Succeeded by | John Fitzgerald |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1750 Pennsylvania British America |
| Died | c. 1793 (aged 42–43) Alexandria, Virginia, U.S. |
| Spouse | Phoebe Caverly |
| Children | 2 |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  Continental Army |
| Years of service | 1775–1778 |
| Rank | Captain |
David Arell was born around 1750 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Richard Arell (a merchant).[6][7] By the early 1770s, Arell's family had moved to Alexandria.[8] He became acquainted with George Washington as early at April 1773, and is included in his diary entries.[9][10]
On May 12, 1785, Arell married Phoebe Caverly in Fairfax County, Virginia. They had two children, Richard and Christina.[8] In 1790, Arell petitioned for a divorce from his wife due to her alleged infidelity, with court documents referring to her as "practically a prostitute."[11]
During the American Revolution, Arell served as a lieutenant and later captain of Company No. 2 in the 3rd Virginia Regiment, Alexandria's "Independent Blues" militia.[12][13] He resigned from the army in February 1778 to return to his law practice.[1][8]
Arell practiced law in Alexandria.[14] He also served as justice of the Hustings Court.[15][16][17] Arell was active in real estate and had several property and land holdings in Alexandria and Fredericksburg.[8] Arell was granted 4,000 acres of land by the Virginia General Assembly.[1]
In 1780, George Washington sought Arell's advice and legal representation during a legal dispute.[5][18] In the same year, Arell was selected as one of the first trustees and council members of Alexandria.[19][20] Additionally, in the early 1780s, Arell helped to raise funds to support Washington College.[14]
Beginning in April 1786, Arell briefly served as the mayor of Alexandria following the death of incumbent mayor James Kirk.[21] He was also an active member of the Masonic lodge in Alexandria (now Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22}.[3][4][8]
Arell died around 1793.[12] He is buried at the Old Presbyterian Meeting House in Alexandria.
Arell's Alexandria home is located at 219 South Lee Street.[22] "Arell Court" is a street in Alexandria.
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