John Douglass of Wigtonshire 1796-1832

[Glenn Wallace]

I found John Douglass buried here at Monocacy Cemetery in Beallsville, Maryland, USA. His gravestone says, "In Memory of JOHN DOUGLASS of Castlestewart, Wigtonshire, Scotland, who died here Nov. 2, 1832. Aged 36 years." http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=39316464.

I know that Castlestewart became Castle Douglas, so I'm almost certain he must somehow be related to Sir William Douglas, who is listed on the website, http://www.douglashistory.co.uk/history/williamdouglas13.html.

Any help in finding his parents would be greatly appreciated.

THANK YOU~~~

Glenn Wallace

Monocacy Cemetery Archivist

[Bob Henry]

Hi, Glenn,

Interesting find as I have also wondered who he is. It may well be that he was related to Sir William Douglas and the information you have posted may now turn something up.

I am of the opinion, in this instance, that the Castlestewart (Castle Stewart) referred to is the area which lies a little to the north of the Wigtownshire town of Newton Stewart, which Sir William purchased from the Stewart family and changed the name to Newton Douglas. When Sir William's venture failed in Newton Douglas, the name reverted to Newton Stewart and is that to this day. The town founded by Sir William is Castle Douglas, which lies to the east of Newton Stewart in Kirkcudbrightshire, and continues to prosper. 

When I have time, I will look further into John but, as you may know, there are scores of families with the Douglas name here in the two counties (and elsewhere!).  

[Glenn Wallace]

So many thanks for this information, Bob!  I really appreciate your input as it gives me hope that we may be on our way to finding John Douglass a home soon~~~!

[Bob Henry]

Glenn.

Just to let you know that I have been busy of late but now starting to look for clues on John Douglas(s).

To begin with, I have my doubts about him having been born outside the parish of Penninghame, which is in Wigtownshire and within which the Castle Stewart district is located.  At the moment, I am looking at the possibility of his parents being John Douglas and Elizabeth McCartney, in the parish of Penninghame, with son John born there on 20 November, 1794.  Now, I realise that his age at death would have him born about 1796 but it is not unusual, given the circumstances, to find a year or two difference either side of an actual birth date.  What I had been hoping for was to locate the headstone of his parents, on which inscriptions were often added for sons and daughters, etc., who died in faraway places.  No luck, so far, but will continue to search.

Out of interest, John Douglass appears in the Douglas Archives in "Early Douglas settlers in America".

Bob.

 

[Glenn Wallace]

Slightly delayed in following up on this very old request... but were you able to find any further information on our John Douglass?

[Bob Henry]

Sorry, Glenn, 'fraid not.

Bob.

[Jackie Stoddard]

william douglas link doesnt work William

[William Douglas]

link corrected