David Arell
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(aged 42–43)
David Arell | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Alexandria, Virginia | |
| In office April 1786 – 1786 | |
| Preceded by | James Kirk |
| Succeeded by | John Fitzgerald |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1750 |
| 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 (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 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]
American Revolutionary War
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]