Colonel John Douglass, d 1678 Maryland

[Patti Oldham Pinkley]

In researching my family, I began rechecking old sources. In the Genealogy of William and Dorcas Fallas of Boston (available on Ancestry.com), I reviewed a reference to Colonel John Douglass. In his will probated 1/27/1679 he leaves Blythewood @ 21 to his sons, Charles and Joseph. Somewhere else I have read that the name was from the family's home in Scotland. Looking at Blythewood in the places section, I came across the name of Jean Douglas, daughter of Captain Andrew Douglas. 

My ancestor's will (Conrad Rutter) dated 4/19/1734 was witnessed by James, Jean and Andrew Douglas. Conrad's wife was a Douglas. The Douglas family connection breaks down there. It has been assumed but never proven that Conrad's Douglas wife was the sister of Andrew and James. It is more likely that she was their father's sister, most often styled as Lord Archibald Douglass.

Captain Andrew Douglas and his daughter Jean are mentioned in connection with the Douglas of Mains family. Is this possibly a tie to my Andrew and Jean?

On his headstone, Andrew is styled Esq., son of Lord Douglass, d 1/20/1742, age 40. His wife's headstone is styled Jane Douglass, daughter of Lord Ross, d 1/24/1742, age 38. Andrew's will 1/21/1741 lists decendants Andrew, Mary d 2/14/1807 and George b 3/25/1726  d 3/10/1799.

Andrew Sr, Jane, Mary and George were all buried in the graveyard of St Johns Episcopal Church, Chester County PA USA. Andrew and his brothers Archibald and James all owned land abutting Conrad Rutter's in Lancaster County PA which was formed from Chester County in 1729. 

James children were named Edward, the eldest, Agnes, b 1720+/-; John, who in 1767 owned Douglass Mill in 1767 shown on period map as being in Salisbury Township, Lancaster County PA; George of Carlisle, Cumberland County PA; Jean (married Hugh Kilgore); James and William.

Could they be a part of the Douglas of Means family?

[William Douglas]

As it happens, I am actively involved in negotiations with the Blythswood Trust, which owns the Douglas Support estate in Lanarkshire. (Not Blythewood) (Mains, not Means, and yes, there are strong links)

See here for links to the family>>>

[Marion Douglas]

I'm trying not to get too excited but the family you describe in your last paragraph, James Douglass and children (James), I think maybe my husbands family.  His family descends from Capt James Douglass b circa 1744 from Cumberland County who died in Rockbridge VA in 1811. Would love to talk more to you about this family.

[Marion Douglas]

I've done some digging on the Lancaster County PA Douglass family. I came across a great site that answered a lot of my questions. Unfortunatey I don't see a connection as yet to my Cumberland County PA family but maybe this will help someone else.

http://saundersfamilyhistory.com/images/Chapter%207%20-%20The%20Dou...