Col John Douglas

• General Notes
  • Photo Col John DOUGLAS Gentleman50,51  was born in 1636 in Gorbals, Glasglow, Scotland.52,53,54 the year of birth was set by his own deposition Was Appreniced]43,55  His apprenticeship was to learn the "Art and Science of Merchandising" which he finished in about five years. He immigrated before May 1655 to New Port ,Charles County, Maryland.2  The first recorded document in America. It is obvious he was here for probably a year before this date. About 1659 he was a Planter in Charles Co. , Maryland.56 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.
    
    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." He served in the military between 1665 and 1678 in Charles Co. , Maryland.57,58 He rose to the rank of Col. before his death. He was paid 10,520 pounds of tobacco for his part in the expedition against the Susquehannah Indians in 1675. He owned "Beach Neck" on 22 Sep 1665 in Charles Co. , Maryland.59 "Beach Neck" Manor of Zachiah, as a plantation of some 1000 acres in Charles County. He owned "Douglas Adventure" on 26 Mar 1667 in Charles Co. , Maryland.60,61 Douglas Adventure was a plantation of some 100 acres. It was purchased in 1667. He owned "Blythswood Manor" on 10 May 1667 in Charles Co. , Maryland.62 Blythswood was a plantation of some 100 acres on the north side of the Potomac River in the Pickawaxon area. Blythswood was the name of the family manor house in Scotland. He owned "Douglas's Delight" in 1667 in Charles Co. , Maryland.63,64,65 Douglas Delight was a small plantation of four acres. Although the property was bought in 1667 it was not recorded until 22 April 1680. A Commissoiner of Peace Appt58 He owned "St. Edmonds" on 16 Sep 1672 in Charles Co. , Maryland.66 Bought for 11,000 pounds of tobacco from Edumond Lyndsey who patented it on 10 Mar 1670. A Gentleman of the Quorum Appt67 He was elected as Burgesses, Lower House, from Charles Co. about 30 May 1676 in Charles Co. , Maryland.68,69 The Proprietary Assembly of 1676-1682
    
    Charles Calvert, 3rd Lord Baltimore, proprietor
    Cecilius Calvert, Govenor
    
    Col Douglas was one of the seven members representing Charles County. The first session: May 15-June 15, 1676, second session October 20-November 14, 1678, third session August 16-September 17, 1681, fourth session April 25-May 13 1682. It can be seen that he only attended the first two sessions before his death.
    
    This was the Lower House of the General Assembly of Maryland. A Justice of the Peace Appt70 He owned "Cool Spring Manor" Plantation on 10 May 1677 in Calvert Co., Maryland.71 Purchased from Jonias Fendall, with all rights of "Lord of the Manor", for 22,000 pounds of tobacco. This plantation consisted of a home on 1050 acres on the Potomac River.
    
    He died on 14 Dec 1678 in Picawaxon, Charles Co., Maryland.72  He signed a will on 14 Dec 1678 in Charles Co. Maryland.73  Will of Col. John Douglas
    
    "Douglas, John, Chas. Co.., 14th Deceased., 1678, 27 Jan., 1678
    
    To wife Sarah, execx., and hrs., 450 A., dwelling place of testator at Pickiawaxen.
    " son John and hrs., 550 A., part of "Cold Spring Manor" at 21 yrs. of age
    " son Robert and hrs., "Blithwood" at 21 yrs., of age.
    " sons Charles and Joseph and hrs., 500 A., residue of "Cool Spring Manor" at 21 yrs.,
    of age
    Testator provides that should sd. son John die without issue, son Robert afsd. is to
    receive 1/2 of his portion, and sd. sons Charles and Joseph 1/2.
    Test: Henry Bonner, Francis Pollard, Jno. Robynson. 9, 97." He had his estate probated on 3 Jan 1679 in Charles Co. , Maryland.74,75 "Henry Bonner request permission to prove the will of John Douglas, husband to his sister Sarah" John Douglas arrived in Charles county in 1654 at the age of eighteen after an approximate three month voyage. When he left Scotland his father, Sir Robert Douglas, had lost all of his lands his home had been burned and looted and he was bankrupt due to his loyality to King Charles I. This was due to an edict from Oliver Cromwell, the "Protector". of Scotland and the default of the city of Glasgow on a considerable amount of money owed to him for the sale of the Gorbals barony to the city.
    
    So John had lost his inheritance his birth right and his father was in disgrace so it is easy to see why he would look for a new start in life. There was no reason for him to stay in Scotland as he was educated and had been trained in a "Business" profession after a five year apprenticeship with Mr John Hamiltron in Edinburgh.
    
    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.
    
    Col John DOUGLAS Gentleman and Sarah BONNER BOWLS were married about 17 Aug 1663 in Charles Co. , Maryland.76  Sarah Bonner was the relic of Henry Bowls (Bouls) Sarah BONNER BOWLS was born about 1636 in Charles Co. Maryland.77  She owned Bowls Plantation about 6 Jun 1663 in Charles Co. , Maryland. Bowles, sometimes called "Bowlesley", was inherited from her first husband William Bowls.
    It was a plantation of 200 acres on the Potomac River near Pickawaxon Creek. This plantation was patented by Edward Bowls and willed to his son William. She signed a will on 8 Jul 1718 in Charles Co. Maryland.78 Sarah Bonner was married to William Herbart at the time of her death. He had preceded her , in death, by two months.