Douglases in Cockpen - 18th century and before

by Jenny Blain

Aug 24, 2012

Here's some of what I have on the Cockpen Duglass/Douglas people. At William's suggestion I'm putting this in a 'discussion' as there may be pieces that people want to follow up - I've seen several posts exploring this line.

William Duglass and Janet Witherspoon had ten recorded children born between 1695 and 1713. I have the baptism records for several, which show the parents in Dalhousie, in Cockpen parish, with the baptisms mostly recorded in Cockpen, one in Lasswade. Witnesses to baptisms, where I've seen the full record, include a John Witherspoon and one includes a William Duglass, one a George Duglass. In the Cockpen Kirk Session minutes for the 1690s and 1700s, William Duglass is the name of a Session elder, and from 1702 John Witherspoon is also named a session elder. There are various other Douglas and Witherspoon people about, including Margaret Duglass who married William Keddie and had several children - born in Dalhousie, and with baptism witnesses generally including William Duglass and John Witherspoon, two baptisms being in Cockpen, one at Newbattle and the earliest in Carrington.

My speculation is that the witness William Duglass is either father or uncle of both William (married to Janet Witherspoon) and Margaret (married to William Keddie) - possibly more likely an uncle of William, as the name 'William' occurs quite far down William and Janet's children, though there could be other reasons for that. (Sorry about the plethora of Williams in that sentence!) There is a George Duglass in Wester Melwill (Wester Melville in Lasswade) who appears also as a witness in at least one other Cockpen record (a child of John Thomson) and who may be a brother, uncle or cousin of the William marrying Janet W.

Of William and Janet's children, one, James born in 1697, became a tailor in Dalhousie and married May (or Mary) Marjorie Lindsay: my current thinking is that I'm descended from their son Robert (b 1736, Cockpen).

I know that there has been a suggestion that William's father was another William (presumably in that case the session elder) but haven't seen anything to make this more than a speculation.

Thoughts, queries, speculations, additions? I'll quickly add that I've only skimmed part of the Cockpen Kirk Session minutes, having only a short time at NAS in Edinburgh last time I was there. Would love to spend much longer with these.
I'll post some details of the births, from OPR, later.

Jenny

Load Previous Replies
  • up

    Chris Mallouhi

    I am looking for any mention of two Douglas Xgrandmothers in this area. Sorry I do not have any other information except their names appearing on their childrens' birth certificates.

    OPR for Cockpen, Ref 676/1 

    1. Ann lawful Daughter to John Reid and Jean Douglas his spouse was born at

    Dalhousie the 13th and baptised the 19th of March 1775 in presence of the

    Congregation.

    AND Agnes Douglas married Joseph Torrance b1736 in Borthwick and their son Richard was born 1771 Dalhousie. OPR for Cockpen, Ref 676/1
    1771. Richard lawful son to Joseph Torrance and Agnes Douglas his spouse was born at
    Dalhousie the 21st and baptised the 28th of April 1771 in the face of the congregation.
    I assume his father Joseph was the witness for the birth of Richard’s son George in 1793, but it
    may have been a brother of Richard’s with the same name.
    There is no sign of Joseph Torrance and Agnes Douglas’ marriage but their first child,
    Margaret, was born in 1757 in Borthwick. Joseph Torrance’s parents were probably William Torrance and Margaret Brakenridge. OPR for Borthwick, Ref 674/1
    1736. Febry 20. Joseph natural son to William Torrance and Margaret Brakenridge was
    baptised. Witnesses John Laing and William Brunton.

    So I speculate that these Douglas women were connected.  We cannot find marriage or birth certificates for them. Other connecting names:Mc Laren, Wilson, Ferguson

    If anyone comes across these connections please get back to me.

    Oct 13, 2019

    • up

      Diane Louise CRENGLE

      hi Jenny

      I'm a descendent of Charles, grandson of David Douglas and Marion Ronaldson, from which I have confirming DNA Matches. Charles migrated to NZ with his wife Catherine Kent in 1860 and I live there. David Douglas appears to be the grandson of James Douglas and May/Marjorie Lindsay, through their son Robert Douglas, married to Mary Carse (of the irregular marriage). I think you have James as the second son of William Duglass and his wife Janet Witherspoon. I wanted to let you know I have really appreciated the work you did, a decade ago, as it has helped me establish the social class and occupations of my proven Douglas ancestors. Were there more resolutions about who William Duglass's father might be? Are there more certainties about class and relationships to the earls? 

      4

      May 25, 2023

      Load Previous Replies
      • up

        Don McArthur

        Hi, I am interested in Janet b 1724 dau of John DOUGLAS & Bethia DINNES.  I am pretty sure she married William BROUN and they had kids baptised in Glencorse & Penicuik from 1752 to 65.  Inter alia Bethea in 1754 & Rosina in 1762.  Rose appears twice in the sisters of Bethea DINNES.  When I get back to the FHL I can look up OPRs and sasine registers.

        Regards, Don

        Dec 26, 2025