The Douglas Archives

A collection of historical and genalogical records

All Blog Posts Tagged 'slave' (8)

Douglas slave traders

I'm trying to track down Douglases who were slave traders. I've met a Jamaican whose mother's maiden name was Douglas, and the family story is that she was descended from a union between a slave and a Douglas slave trader in the 1700s. 

My own Douglas history makes it possible that this man and I are related. Four brothers - George, Samuel, William and James came to the U.S. around 1784 with a 'Captain Stevenson' and James Shaw. Shaw was a teenager at the time, and was later Sir James…

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Added by Daniel Stewart Robinson on March 3, 2022 at 2:11 — 2 Comments

The white child slaves from Aberdeen

Among the more harrowing tales in the Douglas Archives are the references to indentured servants, often children.

Image used for illustration - it is not being suggested that these children were slaves.



The main money-making crops in colonial Georgia were tobacco, indigo and rice, all of which required intensive manual labour. Indentured servitude…

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Added by William Douglas on August 27, 2020 at 10:58 — 2 Comments

Robbie Burns and the Douglas connections

Robert Burns, also known as Rabbie Burns, the Bard of Ayrshire and various other names and epithets, was a Scottish poet and lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland and is celebrated worldwide. Many Douglases have already posted photographs of themselves on social media attending dinners.

Robert Burns bought a ticket in 1786 to travel to Jamaica to work as a slave driver.

Burns in 1786 was faced with many challenges including penury…

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Added by William Douglas on January 25, 2016 at 12:35 — 1 Comment

Runaway servants

Julie has contributed this: "Genealogical abstracts from the American Weekly Mercury, 1719-1746" compiled by Kenneth Scott (c) 1974 1720 Pg 02 DOUGLASS, Archabald, Scotch servant, age c. 25 – runaway from James Pemberton, of Queen Ann Co., Maryland; if runaway is captured, notice to be given to Israel Pemberton of Phila. (7/21) 

Description: Reward Offered For Three Runaway Servant Men Named James GRIGG, Archabald DOUGLASS and William WILLSON.

Date: July 21…

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Added by William Douglas on June 26, 2015 at 11:59 — No Comments

William Douglass of Virginia

I am attempting to identify William Douglass.  He is described as a Scotchman, and the nephew of Francis Jerdone, He married Mary, daughter of William Christian and Susan Browne.

Virginia Gazette and Weekly Advertiser (Nicolson),

Richmond, January 11, 1787.

Ten Guineas Reward. RUNAWAY from Providence Forge in New Kent county JIM or JAMES, a light coloured mulatto, a blacksmith by trade, about 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high, bow legged, a likely well made fellow, has lost…

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Added by William Douglas on April 22, 2015 at 23:30 — 4 Comments

Did James Douglas's wife have a slave half-brother and -sister?

following receipt of two envelopes, I am currently, amongst other areas of research, looking at the Douglas families of Prince Edward Island, and have come across the following entry:

"Later that year, in Nov 1802, another private sale was recorded that indicates the market value of a young mixed race slave. The conveyance was from "Thomas Hassard Esq.…

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Added by William Douglas on April 19, 2013 at 12:30 — No Comments

New York Memorial to Frederick Douglass Dedicated

A statue has been erected in Central Park, New York, to commemorate the life of  Frederick Douglass,  the famous African-American abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman. 



Frederick Douglass (1818–1895) escaped to New York as a young man from a slave owner and dedicated his whole life to the struggle against slavery. Though born a slave, Douglass learned to…

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Added by William Douglas on September 21, 2011 at 21:00 — No Comments

Robert Burns and the Douglas Connection

Robert Burns

Burns Night, when Scots go daft over their national bard (no, I am not a fan!) is fast approaching, and it seemed appropriate to review the family links with Robert, or Rabbie, Burns.



Robert Burns had everything needed to become an icon in his native Scotland. He was working class and had to overcome grinding poverty before finding success. He was also, to put it mildly, a bit of a lad - part incorrigible womaniser, part dashing romantic -… Continue

Added by William Douglas on January 16, 2010 at 18:30 — No Comments

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Making conections

The more information you can give about the people you mention, the more chance there is of someone else connecting with your family.

Dates and places of births, deaths and marriages all help to place families.

Professions also help.

'My great-grandmother mother was a Douglas from Montrose' does not give many clues to follow up! But a bit of flesh on the bones makes further research possible. But if we are told who she married, what his profession was and where the children were baptised, then we can get to work.

Maybe it is time to update the information in your profile?


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