Sir John Douglas

- 1814

• Name	John Douglas
  Prefix	Sir
  Birth	Jean Fields, Dalkeith, Scotland
  Gender	Male
  Death	4 Mar 1814	Maze Hill
  Burial	11 Mar 1814	Charlton church
  Person ID	I194262	My Genealogy
  Last Modified	26 Jun 2024

  
  

  Father	Lewis (of Garvald) Douglas   d. Abt Dec 1783
  Mother	Janet Hunter
  Family ID	F30933	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Charlotte Hopkinson,   b. Bef 1776   d. Yes, date unknown
  Marriage	17 Jun 1797	Gloucester, England
  Children	1. Charlotte Sidney Douglas,   b. 1801   d. Yes, date unknown   2. Caroline Sidney Douglas,   b. 1802   d. Yes, date unknown
  Family ID	F80024	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	26 Jun 2024

  
  

• Notes

  [The Gentleman's Magazine, Volume 85, Part 1; Volume 117 F. Jefferies, 1815] ' Sir John Douglas was born at Jean Fields Dalkeith near Edinburgh his father Louis Douglas esq his mother a Miss Hunter and his grandfather was a Lord of Sessions As a younger son at the age of 11 years he was sent to Russia it being intended that he should be educated in the diplomatic line That country disagreeing with his constitution he returned home where he soon shewed an ardent desire of enterprize that aspiration to run the career of glory in which he afterwards so highly distinguished himself In consequence of eliciting this military spirit the late Duke of Athol procured him when only 13 years of age a commission in the Marine Corps and our young hero happy in the profession he had chosen made his first debut in arms under Lord Rodney with whom be served in the West Indies and America seven years His next expedition was with Lord Keith in the Monarch destimed to Madras in proceeding to which place they took the Cape of Good Hope and upon their return captured the Dutch flee t in Saldanha Bay To finish the climax he sailed in the Tigre with the brave Sir Sidney Smith After stopping at Gibraltar and having delivered the presents sent to the Dey of Algiers the Tigre proceeded to Constantinople and from thence sat down before St Jean d Acre The Marines under Lieut Col Douglas were landed and their active exertions and usefulness were elicited during a siege which lasted 62 days Of the happy result we need not speak nor amplify upon the merits of the heroes that did indeed before the walls of Acre cover themselves with glory This object obtained Lieut col D who was made a Colonel to enable him to take the command of the British and Ottoman forces under the orders of the Grand Vizier proceeded to sit down before the fort of Fl Arish then occupied by the French Within its walls are inclosed the wells and it is denominated the Key of the Desert After a short siege it surrendered March 25 1798 to Col Douglas who after mounting the walls received the sword of the French Commander Monsieur Cazalet which ofttimes graced his side at the British Court lo 1799 Col Douglas sailed in the Tigre to Constantinople from whence he returned to England charged with the dispatches that contained the account of the capture of El Arish The courage skill aud military talents of Col Douglas were so well appreciated by the Grand Vizier that he wrote a letter himself to his Majesty recountnending him to his attention and favour This epistle was written in Arabic upon vellum and being translated the original was in the Foreign office On our Sovereign's perusing what did so justice to the character of Col Douglas he offered him Knighthood which gratefully accepted as a reward for services and a marked approval of conduct It having been represented the King that this enviable distinction been bestowed upon a soldier of fortune who had only his pay to support his rank having had the misfortune to lose value of 2000l in property by the up of the Queen Charlotte at Syracuse in which he had embarked the savings of a life spent in warfare his Majesty most bestowed upon him a pension as a for his losses and services and mark his approval of the Grand recommendation The military of Sir John Douglas his unshrinking valour amid contending armies his high sense of honour in the station which he filled gained him the esteem of all those Officers who were subordinate to his command in his public character Among his private friends he was kiud affectionate chearful hospitable and benevolent The high wrought blood of a Douglas flowed in his veins and animated his actions to all that was just praise worthy and honourable.