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Catharine Douglass, born in 1803
in Richmond Co, North Carolina, was the daughter of Angus Douglass and
Sarah Curry. She married John Love MacKinnon in April 1821
in North Carolina, USA. She was a descendant of Daniel Maclean who
was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1734.
Catharine Douglass and her family decided to leave the verdant mountains
of North Carolina for the sun-drenched landscapes of the Florida
Territory. Alongside her husband John(1) and their
children, they journeyed with other Gaelic-speaking families, seeking
new opportunities and adventure. They settled on Bruce Creek, west of
the Indian Fields, and named their new home Pleasant Hill. The Douglass
family quickly became friendly with the Euchee Indians living in the
valley, enjoying peaceful relations for a time.
However, as the
Euchees eventually left the valley, tensions with other Native tribes
began to rise. The aftermath of the Creek War of 1813-14, fought
fiercely by figures like Andrew Jackson, David Crockett, and Sam Dale
against the Creeks, led many Creeks to migrate west. Some, including the
notable warrior Osceola, moved south to live with the Seminoles in
Florida.
The Seminoles, harbouring a deep-seated hatred for the
white settlers, were also home to runaway slaves seeking refuge. At this
time, Florida was under Spanish rule, and in 1817, General Jackson
launched a campaign to burn every Seminole village he encountered,
eventually capturing the Spanish fort in Pensacola. This aggressive move
forced Spain to cede the Florida Territory to the United States in 1818,
under pressure from President John Quincy Adams.
Life on the
reservation imposed on the Seminoles was harsh, leading many to die,
while others grew stronger in their resentment. Osceola emerged as a
leader, and in 1832, the Treaty of Payne's Landing sought to relocate
all the Seminoles westward. Enraged, the Seminoles began to attack
settlers with renewed fervor, resulting in casualties on both sides and
widespread fear among the settlers.
The escalating conflict led
to the outbreak of the Seminole War in 1836-37. During this tumultuous
time, John took on the role of a military leader in their area, while
Catharine transformed their home into a haven for their neighbours. In a
show of compassion and bravery, John brought home two small Native boys
he found during a battle. Catharine cared for these children for several
months, providing them with safety and comfort until they could be
reunited with their people.
Thus, the Douglass family’s story is
one of courage, resilience, and humanity in the face of conflict and
change. Their journey from the mountains of North Carolina to the heart
of the Florida Territory is a testament to their pioneering spirit and
the challenges they faced in their new homeland.
Notes:
1.
In 1783, John Love MacKinnon came to North Carolina from Isle of Skye,
Scotland with his parents and siblings. They settled in Richmond Co, NC.
The frontier in West Florida was beginning to open up for new
opportunities. John MacKinnon made several trips there with cousin Neill
McLennon to look at the possibilities.
In 1826, a large group of
Gaelic-speaking Scottish families - all kin -- made the long journey to
Florida, moving themselves and belongings in wagons. They were the
McKinnons, the Douglasses, the MacIvers, the Campbells, the MacRaes, the
McLeans and others. These families settled in Euchee Valley, Knox Hill,
Euchee Anna on Bruce Creek and in Mossey Bend. in the lush beauty of the
Florida panhandle.
John Love MacKinnon built the first cotton gin
in West Florida. He raised prime cattle. He established the town of
Freeport. He traveled often to Pensacola on business. He was the first
Justice of the Peace of Walton Co, Florida. In 1835 he was elected as
representative to the Constitutional Convention at St. Joseph's Florida
when the state was admitted to the Union.
See also:
•
The Douglasses of Walton
Country
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