Alexander McNutt (colonist)

Alexander McNutt (c. 1725 – 1775) was a land speculator and promoter of immigration to Nova Scotia, Canada, in the 18th century. He was born in County Donegal, Ireland, and initially served as a merchant in Londonderry.

McNutt became involved in promoting settlement in Nova Scotia following the British conquest of the territory from France. He acted as an agent for land grants and recruited Ulster Scots (Scotch-Irish) settlers to emigrate and establish communities in the region, particularly in the area around Truro and Onslow. He promised them land and support in exchange for their undertaking to cultivate the land and defend the territory.

McNutt’s efforts were instrumental in encouraging significant immigration to Nova Scotia, helping to establish a Protestant population to counterbalance the existing Acadian French inhabitants. He received substantial land grants himself as a reward for his services, though he often faced difficulties in managing and profiting from these holdings.

McNutt's methods and promises were sometimes controversial. He faced accusations of exaggerating the opportunities in Nova Scotia and of failing to adequately provide for the settlers he recruited. He also encountered bureaucratic obstacles from the Nova Scotia government. Despite these challenges, his role in the early settlement of Nova Scotia is historically significant. He later became involved in attempts to settle lands in other parts of North America, including areas that would become part of the United States. He died in London in 1775.