CollinsFactor · Eastern Shore Genealogy
Douglas Family Dorchester County, Maryland
Anne McEldin Douglass Dillon commissioned a family history by the noted Maryland genealogist Harry Wright Newman. That work is titled A Branch of the Douglas Family with its Maryland and Virginia Connections (Doubleday, 1967). Mr. Newman authored the book in 1966 after conducting research in Scotland and the United States. Originally only 200 copies were printed; the book was reprinted in 1973.
Son of Anne McEldin Douglass Dillon. Served in the Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson administrations as Ambassador to France, Under Secretary of State, and Secretary of the Treasury.
A notable Douglas descendant, the subject of a detailed article by Kenneth P. Woodington.
Created much of the framework for the Douglas family tree in the United States. Her handwritten notes, thought to date from the 1950s, form the basis of the tree displayed here.
Mr. Newman's book is an exceptional work. The hard work he put into it is evidenced by the large number of records and the level of detail found on every page. As with any genealogical work — especially earlier works — there is room for skepticism and reinterpretation. Before presenting his data, Mr. Newman concludes that John Douglas of Charles County, Maryland is the same John Douglas, firstborn son of Sir Robert Douglas of Blackerstoun. Unfortunately, little evidence exists for or against this. With so little to go on, Mr. Newman fills the gaps by mixing expanded stories about known facts with romanticized tales of life in Scotland. To see an example, view the excerpt from page 29 of the book — the chapter on Colonel John Douglas.
One must carefully examine the evidence Mr. Newman offers and draw their own conclusion. Below is that evidence, separated from the Scottish narratives.
The Documentary Evidence
"According to the History of Glasgow by Renwick and Lindsay, Sir Robert acquired through his father-in-law Gorbals and Brigend on the south banks of the Firth of Clyde which were free portions of the free barony of Blythswood erected by a precept of chancery for Sir George Elphinstone. The lands of Blythswood were on the west side, now in Glasgow proper."
"On June 20, 1649, Sir Robert Douglas of Blackcaster (sic) Knight, apprenticed his son John Douglas, to John Hamilton, Merchant, to learn the art and science of merchandising."
This is the only record showing that Sir Robert Douglas of Blackerstoun had a son named John. John is not mentioned in any will, deed, court record, correspondence, or other Scottish document. Although misspellings were common and this record likely refers to Sir Robert Douglas of Blackerstoun, it is possible that "Sir Robert Douglas of Blackcaster Knight" is a different person entirely.
"He (John Douglas) honored his father by naming his second son, Robert."
John Douglas named his second son Robert, but there is no evidence of the namesake's identity. John's first son was named John; he also had sons Joseph and Charles. Naming a son Robert makes the connection more plausible, but it is not conclusive.
"According to his own deposition, he was born about 1636 and arrived in America before June 3, 1654, at which time he was no more than 18 years of age."
If this is the same John Douglas who was apprenticed in 1649, he would have been approximately 13 years old — possible, but worth noting.
"The first land grant of John Douglas was surveyed on May 10, 1667, by Benjamin Rozer for 100 acres, on the north side of the Potomac River 'nigh Pickawaxon' which borders on one side of the land of John Jenkins. He named the plantation 'Blythswood'…"
Mr. Newman placed considerable faith in the fact that John Douglas named his 100 acres "Blythswood" — the same name as the free barony associated with Sir Robert Douglas of Blackerstoun in Scotland. It is suggestive, but certainly not conclusive.
"In 1674 he witnessed the power of attorney of Peter Small, of London, Chirurgeon, and John Harrison, of Hull, Merchant to Henry Bonner, of the Province of Maryland, Gent."
It is far more likely that the men were in Maryland when the power of attorney was signed. Regardless, there is no serious dispute that John Douglas likely came from England or Scotland, as most immigrants of the period did.
A 1678 record from Charles County, Maryland reveals that shortly before his death John Douglas gave 100 acres called "St. Edmond" to John Hamilton of Charles County — for "love and affection." John Hamilton had been in Maryland only four years, suggesting a family connection or other close tie in Scotland. This record is significant given the 1649 apprenticeship of a John Douglas to a John Hamilton in Edinburgh.
The ancestors of Sir Robert Douglas of Blackerstone are available on various internet sites. Some of these mention a Scottish record indicating that Sir Robert Douglas's sole heir was his daughter Susannah — the only person named in his will.
Milton Rubincam, in his book Pitfalls in Genealogical Research, refers to concerns raised by Dr. Neil D. Thompson, who published his analysis in April 1977 in an article entitled The Douglass Family of Charles County, Maryland: Some Further Observations.
"Mr. Newman did much good work as an expert on Maryland records, but he was also prone to attach families to illustrious ancestors from whom they were not descended."
Dr. Thompson concluded: "On the same evidence, adding nothing at all, Mr. Newman has asserted this connection as fact. It may be correct or it may not be. But genealogy has suffered so much already from speculation and wishful thinking on the subject of royal and noble ancestry for colonial immigrants that it seems a pity to publish yet another example of such pedigree-mongering."
"If the reader is descended from a family whose British ancestry has been traced by him, the lines should be tested very carefully before being accepted… a lady once commissioned me to investigate the Scottish origin of her Maryland ancestor which he had compiled to admit her cousin to a pre-colonial society. The pedigree proved to be false."
From a discussion with researcher, Judith Taylor, whose family has researched the Douglas connection since the early 1900s. We do know that Sir Robert Douglas did have a son John because of the apprentice record. We know that he never shows up in Scottish records as an adult which we would expect if he went to America as a young man. Young men who were apprenticed were most often apprenticed to a relative. Hamiltons and Douglas' intermarried a lot through Scottish history. John Hamilton, merchant, was possibly a relative. The close connection shown by the relationship between John Douglas and John Hamilton in Charles County further supports this idea. As Newman states and the genealogist concurred, there is no Blakcaster, as it was transcribed in the Scottish apprentice document. Only Blackstone with Blackstoun as an alternate name. John Douglas had "gent" after his name. Originally, gentleman was the lowest rank of the landed gentry of England, ranking below an esquire and above a yeoman; by definition, the rank of gentleman comprised the younger sons of the younger sons of peers, and the younger sons of a baronet, a knight, and an esquire, in perpetual succession. The book "Register of Apprentices of the City of Edinburgh 1583-1666" has the name John Douglas listed sixteen times. One of the sixteen is listed as the son of Sir Robert Douglas of Blackcaster. Directly below this entry is a James Douglas, son of Sir Robert Douglas of Blaikerstoun. This leads more credence to the Blackerstone being misspelled in multiple entries.
The Charles County, Maryland records are below:" Charles County Circuit Court Liber H, Page 1 13 Aug 1678; Deed of Gift from Col. John Douglas, Gent., to John Hamilton, Gent., a parcel of land called St. Edmonds which Douglas bought of Edmond Lyndsey, decd; lying on the east sided a main fresh of Portobacco Creek; bounded by land of John Heard; containing 100 acres; /s/ John Duglas; wit. Philip Lines, Henry Hawkins"
"Charles County Maryland Land Record Liber X#2, 1743-1744; Page 128. At the request of Danl of St Thos Jenifer of CC, the following deed was recorded on Jul 9, 1744. Jul 6, 1744 from Robert Wade of Prince Georges County, planter, and Elizabeth, his wife, to Daniel of St Thos Jenifer of CC, scrivener, for 2000 lbs tobacco and 10 £of paper currency, and for divers other good causes, all that parcel of land, being part of a tract of land called St Edmonds, lying in CC, the same being first granted to Edmond Lyndsey of CC, by patent dated Mar 10, 1670, and by sd Lyndsey, by his deed dated Sep 16, 1672, conveyed to John of CC, Gent:, and by the said Douglass, by his deed of gift dated Aug 13, 1678, conveyed to Jno Hamilton, and by sd Hamilton's will, devised to Elizabeth Hamilton, daughter of sd John Hamilton and wife of the said Robert Wade, party to these presents, bounded by a parcel of land formerly laid out for William Heard, lying on the east side of the Main fresh Run which runs into Portobacco Cr, the line of William Heard's land, containing about 100 acres. Signed - Robt Wade Jr, Elie (Elizb her mark) Wade_ Wit - Robt Hanson. Walter Hanson."
Hopefully more evidence can be found to firmly conclude that our John Douglas in Charles County, Maryland is indeed the son of Sir Robert Douglas of Blackerstoun.