A native of Argylshire, Scotland, Alexander Crawford, Prince Edward Island's first Baptist preacher, emigrated to Nova Scotia in 1809, preaching for two years in the Yarmouth area. As an independent preacher, unordained and unaffiliated with the established church, he encountered bitter opposition from the established "associated Baptists" of Nova Scotia. In 1811 he began organizing congregations on Prince Edward Island before settling permanently in 1814. He established churches in Brudenell, Crossroads, Bedeque, East Point, Tryon as well as other areas. According to a tribute written twenty years after his death "his preaching was generally argumentative and instructing. In doctrines he was what is generally termed a moderate Calvinist, as can be easily learned from his writings." Alexander Crawford died in 1828 at the age of 42.