From a newspaper cutting of 1878, Sunderland Times, the late Martin
Douglas was directly descendant from Sir John Douglas of Dalkeith, brother
to the Laird of Liddesdale it goes on to say that his great grandfather
was killed at the Battle of Culloden. His son
John Douglas aged 10 escaped
in the company of Thomas Drummond son of the Duke of Perth, and settled in
Sunderland.
The Duke of Perth was a Drummond. His regiment originally consisted of two
battalions, though one may have disbanded in Stirling. One of the
companies was, I think, under the command of Major James Stewart, and a
James Douglas served in this company. James Douglas does appear to
have survived, but I know nothing more of him.
The problem with the above story is that James, 3rd Duke of Perth was
unmarried, and I have found no trace of any illegitimate children, so who
Thomas Drummond was, I am unsure. There was a Lt Col James Drummond,
Master of Strathallan, at Culloden (captured and pardoned). Numerous other
Drummonds served in the regiment, but none appears to be a Thomas.
However, there is a nice twist to this tale, in that it is reputed that
the duke did not in fact die on the ship on which he was escaping to
France, but disembarked in the small village of South Biddick, on the
banks of the River Wear outside of Sunderland, where he subsequently
married. It is great story and can be read here:
http://www.kredhead.plus.com/James%20Drummond%20After%20Culloden.htm or
as a pdf.
No mention of any Douglases, though.
Martin Douglas, pictured left, wearing the normal gear of a Sunderland
keelman, was famous for his rescues of people shipwrecked off the coast.
But was Martin's father, John Douglas, a victim of the press gang?
This is the story handed down through generations and researcher Douglas
Smith believes this may be true – but he is looking for hard evidence.
Can anyone help?
If he was a pressed man, John Douglas was unfortunate indeed, for he had
already had one miraculous escape.
He was a Jacobite who survived the Battle of Culloden, where the last
charge of swordsmen from the clans in Scottish history was broken by
cannon loaded with grape-shot and by volleys from a long red line of
English soldiers, three deep.
John Douglas escaped and made his way to Sunderland in 1745(6), reputedly
with the lad who was the "real" Duke of Perth, whose claims we have
reported before.
Can anyone help?
Unknown Douglas - killed at Culloden, 1746
His son, John Douglas - escaped to Sunderland after Culloden, aged 10.
Later pressed into the navy?
His son, Martin Douglas - a Sunderland keelman
His son, also Martin - great grand son on 'Unknown'???
In 1815, Martin Douglas may have instigated the riots that led to the
destruction of a railway bridge carrying coals in an attempt to preserve
the jobs of keelmen and his own, a 'running fitter'.
William Hyton and Martin Douglas, coal fitters, were declared bankrupt
on 24 August 1822
On 28 April 1829, Martin Douglas, coal fitter, received great praise
for his part in saving the crew on the sloop Bee of Blyth.
It is claimed that there is a line of descent from John Douglas
through:
Vera and Bill Stanners
to
Donald and Carolyn Stanners
to
Rachel Stanners
Source
Sources used in the compilation of this article include:
• The life
and adventures, of Martin Douglas, Sunderland keelman and celebrated life
saver – 1 Jan 1848 (Keelman and celebrated lifesaver)
Notes:
• A coal fitter is the middle man between the coal mine
owners and the coal merchants, usually the owner of the keels used for
moving the coal.
• Current research indicates that the unknown Douglas could not have
been the father of John Douglas, apparently aged 10 in 1746. John appears
to have been born in 1756.
Help wanted!
We would welcome biographical details for this person.
Click to contribute
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