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An article 'From MacDougall to Douglass: Descendants of Alexander MacDougall (later Douglass)—a Scottish Prisoner from the 1650 Battle of Dunbar—in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Connecticut, by Robert Battle'
in Volume 180 Number 717 Winter 2026 edition of The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, The Journal of American Genealogy, is a genealogical study tracing the descendants of Alexander MacDougall (later Douglass), a Scottish prisoner from the 1650 Battle of Dunbar, and addressing false family origins claims.
Genealogical Research on Scottish Prisoners explores the genealogy of Alexander MacDougall (later Douglass), a Scottish prisoner from the 1650 Battle of Dunbar, and his descendants in America, clarifying false claims and supporting the true lineage through documents and DNA analysis.
False Claims of Ancestry
False genealogical claims about the Douglass family were made in the 20th century and 18th century, often based on incorrect or fabricated origins.
- 20th-century claims: Samuel Douglass, called “Captain,” was said to be born in Scotland in 1723, with conflicting details about his parentage and birthplace.
- These claims appeared in histories of New Hampshire towns, with inconsistencies in birth dates, parentage, and Scottish noble connections.
- 18th-century claim: A 1755 deed falsely identified Samuel Douglass of Groton and Alexander Douglass of Wallingford as descendants of Alexander Douglass of Hartford, which was proven false.
- The deed was likely a mistake or a deliberate misrepresentation, as records show the actual Alexander Douglass of Hartford died in 1688, and the individuals involved had no rights to the land.
- The false claim was used to justify land rights, but records and DNA evidence later confirmed the true lineage.
The True Lineage of Alexander MacDougall
The authentic genealogy traces Alexander MacDougall, a Scottish prisoner from Dunbar, to his descendants in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Connecticut.
- Alexander MacDougall was captured at the Battle of Dunbar (1650) and shipped as an indentured servant to Massachusetts.
- He worked at Saugus Iron Works near Lynn, Massachusetts, and served as a witness and landholder in the 1650s and 1680s.
- Born around 1630 in Scotland, died between 1688 and 1695 in Lynn.
- Married Hannah Meadows in Lynn in 1659/60; she died after 1710.
- His children included James Douglass (1660–1688), John Douglass (born 1663), and Hannah Douglass (born 1666).
- His descendants spread to Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Connecticut, with DNA studies confirming close relations among family branches.
- The family’s origins are supported by land records, court documents, vital records, and DNA analysis.DNA and Historical Evidence Supporting Lineage
DNA testing and historical records corroborate the true genealogy of Alexander MacDougall’s descendants.
- Y-DNA analysis links the MacDougall family to Scottish noble lines, confirming close relations among descendants.
- Records show Alexander’s service at the iron works, land grants, and family relationships consistent with the documented lineage.
- DNA results align with the paper trail, disproving false claims and establishing the authentic family history.
Impact of Land Records and Deeds
Land transactions and deeds from the 17th and 18th centuries are crucial in verifying or refuting genealogical claims.
- The 1755 deed involving Alexander Douglass of Hartford was a false claim, as records show he died in 1688.
- Land grants in the Five Mile Tract and other properties provide evidence of true land ownership and family connections.
- The misrepresented land rights in the deed were likely attempts to claim land based on false ancestry, later disproved by official records.
Summary of the MacDougall Family in New England
The family’s migration and settlement patterns are documented through vital records and land deeds.
- Alexander MacDougall arrived in Massachusetts around 1650, working at Saugus Iron Works.
- His descendants moved to New Hampshire and Connecticut, with notable figures in Lynn, Branford, Waterbury, and Hartford.
- The family maintained landholdings, participated in local governance, and left a genealogical trail supported by records and DNA.
- The true lineage is now confirmed through a combination of documentary evidence and genetic testing, correcting earlier false claims.
Historical Records and Court Documents Overview
The text provides detailed genealogical, land, court, and vital records of families in Essex County, Massachusetts, focusing on the Duggall/Duglas and Douglass families from the late 1600s to the 1700s.Family Lineages and Birth RecordsThe document traces the descendants of Allester Dugglas and Alexander Douglass, including their children and marriages, with specific birth and death dates.
- Allester Dugglas's children: James (born 1635), Elizabeth (1676), Allen (1679–1681), Samuel (1682), Joseph (1668), Mercy (1671), Alexander (1673), Elizabeth (1676), Allen (1679–1681), Samuel (1682).
- Alexander Douglass's children: Nathaniel (1730), Abigail (1740), Sarah (1742), Alexander (1744), Rebecca (1744), and others.
- Marriages include Alexander Douglass to Sarah Ballard (1700) and Alexander to Sarah Hotchkiss (1729).
- Notable death dates: Alexander (probably before 1710), Alexander (Wallingford, 1762), Samuel (possibly buried in Lyman, NH, over 100 years old).
Land Transactions and Property Ownership
Multiple land deals, sales, and mortgages are documented, showing movement and ownership in Lynn, Salem, Malden, Dunstable, Pepperell, and other towns.
- Alexander Douglass's estate inventory in 1710 included tools and books, indicating literacy.
- Land purchases ranged from 4 acres to 400 acres, with values from £2 to £300.
- Notable transactions: Alexander sold property in Lynn (1700s), moved to Wallingford, CT, around 1730s.
- Samuel Douglass engaged in land dealings in Essex, Middlesex, Worcester, and New Hampshire, with some transactions possibly involving his son.
- Land in Pepperell, Groton, and Uxbridge, with values from £2 to £150.
- Samuel's last land purchase was in Lyman, NH, in 1793; he also owned property in Pepperell and Slip Town.
Court Records and Legal Disputes
Numerous court cases, lawsuits, and legal actions involving debts, assaults, and fraudulent transactions are recorded, highlighting disputes and court appearances.
- Samuel Douglass faced multiple debt lawsuits from 1731 to 1754, with amounts from £6 to £300.
- Court cases include assault, kidnapping, and fraudulent land deeds.
- Samuel was involved in lawsuits for unpaid debts, with some cases settled or dismissed.
- Court records show Samuel's fluctuating reputation, sometimes respectable, sometimes not.
- Samuel was a witness in land deeds and court cases, indicating active land and legal involvement.
Vital Records and Marriages
Vital records document births, marriages, and deaths, confirming family relationships and dates.
- Marriages: Alexander Douglass to Abigail Sharp (1700), Samuel Douglass to Sarah Chilson (1727), Solomon Parker to Hepzibah (1752).
- Births: Children of families born between 1635 and 1764, with specific dates and locations.
- Deaths: Notable deaths include Alexander (Wallingford, 1762), Hepzibah Parker (1820), and others.
- Some records indicate movement between towns like Lynn, Wallingford, and New Hampshire.
Notable Family Members and Their Movements
Key individuals include Alexander Douglass, Samuel Douglass, and their descendants, with movements from Massachusetts to Connecticut and New Hampshire.
- Alexander moved from Lynn to Wallingford around 1730s.
- Samuel likely moved from Essex to Middlesex and later to New Hampshire.
- Family members married into other prominent families, such as the Hotchkiss and Parker families.
- Some descendants served in military campaigns, e.g., French and Indian War.
Miscellaneous and Ancillary Data
Additional details include signatures by mark, witness lists, and references to family genealogies and historical sketches.
- Signatures on documents often signed by mark, indicating literacy levels.
- Witnesses in land deeds include William Merriam, John Farrar, and others.
- Family histories and genealogies cited from various sources, including the Barbour Collection and Essex genealogical records.
- Burial sites and tombstones are identified, with some family members buried in Parker Hill Cemetery and others possibly in unmarked graves.
Summary
The records collectively depict a detailed genealogical and land history of Essex County families, highlighting land transactions, court disputes, vital events, and family movements from the 1600s through the 1700s.
Notes:
•
Alexander Dugles, or Alexander MacDougall (later Douglass), is thought
to have arrived on the Unity.
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