   |
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
|
Col John Douglas
The following article, by Harry Wright Newman, is thought to be largely speculative. Doubt has been cast as to whether he was the son of Robert Douglas of Blackerston. John Douglas, Esq., (1636-1678) of Glasgow and Edinburgh, Scotland, and Blythswood and Cold Spring Manor, Province of Maryland, was born in or about the year 1636. He was the first-born of Sir Robert Douglas of Blackerstoun and his second wife, Lady Susan, whose marriage took place in September 1635. In 1649, a time when his father had a large, growing family to support and was feeling great economic discomfort caused by the City of Glasgow not meeting its payments, John was apprenticed to John Hamilton, of Glasgow, to learn the art and science of merchandising. It can be assumed that he pursued and completed his apprenticeship with diligence. At the age of seventeen, with his father on the verge of financial ruin, and realizing that he had to create a place for himself in the economic world, the prospects of fresh opportunities in America appealed to him. He financed his own passage. It was either paid for by his father, as the parental patrimony, or it was the bonus he received at the termination of his apprenticeship. The master, by law, was responsible for furnishing the apprentices with lodgings, food and raiment, but little or no money. At the conclusion of the period of service, certain provisions established by law were made either in currency or kind. Scotsmen have always possessed keen business ability in the mercantile trade, and John Douglas, after his settlement in Maryland, pursued the art which was partly responsible for his affluence in America. The ship on which he sailed is not known. It is extremely difficult to name the ships which brought the adventurers to Maryland or to any of the American colonies, owing to a fire in London early in the nineteenth century which destroyed nearly all of the early ships' lists. After his settlement in Maryland, the great distance between "Blythswood," his plantation, and Edinburgh precluded frequent correspondence with his parents. If any occurred, it has not come down to posterity. It is evident that his father had no landed estate to leave him at his death, and perhaps very little personalty. His father predeceased his mother back in Scotland, who apparently had very little at her death. Further-, the fact that she died intestate prevented additional knowledge of any possible legacies or heirs. It often happened in those times, that an emigrating son would receive his patrimony when he sailed to distant America, and therefore be omitted from his parent's will. Upon his arrival in Maryland, (?in 1654) a new life began for young John Douglas, and his early days in Old Scotland became only a cherished memory. He honored his father by naming his second son Robert. The foregoing chronicles of several branches of the Douglas family in Blythswood Parish, Lanarkshire, and the early days of John Douglas, the Maryland emigrant, show that economic conditions rather than religious or political issues were his incentive for leaving his native Scotland and seeking a new life in the Province of Maryland, where heretofore very few of his compatriots had settled. It is probable that he heard tales about the advantages and opportunities of Lord Baltimore's Province or he read the several pieces of literature which had been written under the direction of Lord Baltimore to attract worthy settlers to his colonial domain. There is certainly no evidence that he was exiled to the Colonies for political activities. Described as a 'gentleman, he was a planter. His biography describes him as" literate with no title upon arrival in this country, he obtained wealth in his lifetime owning over 2000 acres of property at his death." The growing of tobacco was the main industry in Charles County in the sixteen hundreds. There is some indication that Col. Douglas was exporting his crops to Europe. Tobacco was also legal tender at that time. Col. Douglas was actively involved with the Charles county militia and with politics through his entire life in Maryland and was serving as a Burgess in the Maryland lower house at the time of his death Due to Col. Douglas's service any female descendant is eligible for membership in the National Association of Colonial Dames of the Seventeenth Century, The Daughters of Colonial Wars, The National Society of the American Colonist, and many more. Children of Colonel John Douglas and Sarah Bonner: John Douglas Robert Douglas Sarah Douglas, who married 1st Henry Gifford and 2ndly Matthew Barnes Elizabeth Douglas. She married 3 times Joseph Douglas, who inherited part of Cold Spring Manor when he was 21 years old Charles Douglas Amongst his descendants is George Douglas, 1790-1869
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The content of this website is a collection of materials gathered from a variety of sources, some of it unedited. The webmaster does not intend to claim authorship, but gives credit to the originators for their work. As work progresses, some of the content may be re-written and presented in a unique format, to which we would then be able to claim ownership. Discussion and contributions from those more knowledgeable is welcome. Last modified: Friday, 02 August 2024 |
