William Douglass of Virginia

[William Douglas]

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 most of his teeth, and has something of a frown on his countenance, sensible and fond of liquor. As he has a great variety of good cloaths it is altogether uncertain what may be his dress, there is some reason to believe he may be gone towards Fredericksburg where he formerly lived, and I think will endeavour to pass for a freeman. The above reward will be paid if taken up at the distance of 50 miles and delivered to the subscriber, or 5 l. for apprehending and committing to prison, or in proportion for a smaller distance. WILLIAM DOUGLASS. Providence Forge, November 14, 1786.

Jerdone appointed his nephew William Douglas to manage his Providence Forge property. Francis Jerdone died in 1771, shortly after purchasing the plantation, and his New Kent and Charles City County lands passed to his son, Francis Jerdone 11. The younger Jerdone resided in what had been his father's house in Louisa County, while William Douglas remained at Providence Forge. In letters to Jerdone in 1783, Douglas mentioned "building and repairing upon the hill" and framing the kitchen, and reminded Jerdone of his promise to send hands from Louisa to help make bricks. This correspondence may concern the construction of the original plantation and dependencies on the hill where Mount Stirling now stands.

MARSHALL’S SALE OF VALUABLE LANDS in the county of New Kent – By virtue of a decree of the Superior Court of Chancery, for the Richmond district, in a cause therein depending between William Browne and others, on behalf of themselves and other creditors of William Douglass, deceased, Plaintiffs – against John H. and Jones R. Christian, Executors of the said William Douglass, the widow and heirs, Defendants – I shall proceed to sell, for cash, before the Court-House door of New Kent, on the 14th day of July 1831, that valuable estate lying on the Chickahominy river, the late residence of William Douglass, deceased, called Kaimes – and also the tract of 300 acres, belonging to the estate, and lying in the same county.
CHAS L WINGFIELD
June 17, 1831 - Enquirer

Despite the above, it appears that the Douglas family remained in possession of Kaimes as in 1930, it burnt down, and William Douglass apparently then made a residence out of an office by adding several rooms.

He had previously been the owner of Windsor Shades, which he and his wife sold to Joshua and Seaton W. Crump.

A William Douglass was instrumental in opening up the Chickahominy river to navigation.

Finally, for now, anyway: 

Thomas Caverhill Jerdon, zoologist, (12 October 1811 - 12 June 1872) was the eldest son of Archibald Jerdon of Bonjedward. Thomas Caverhill was the nephew of Andrew Caverhill of Jedburgh. He married, secondly, Jane Douglas, and by her had several daughters; she died in 1797, aged 38 years. Bonjedward had been a Douglas property since 1320. could this be the link?

[William Douglas]

I have found three references to William Douglas (or Douglass) 'of Virginia'

The first has him as the husband (married 1805) of Elizabeth Christian, daughter of Col Robert Christian and Mary Eaton Browne, and a sister to Letitia Christian, who married John Tyler, later president of the USA.  This source states that William is the father of William RC Douglas, and Beverly Brown Douglas, a Virginian politician.

But my second source has him marrying Mary Christian, daughter of William Christian and his 2nd wife Susan Browne. This source states he is the nephew of Francis Jerdone. Here too, he is said to be father of Beverly.

The third version is that William Christian, of Charles City County, and Susan Browne's daughter, Mary Christian married William Douglass. Their son, William, married Elizabeth Christian, daughter of Robert Christian of Cedar Grove. She is Letitia's sister.  William and Elizabeth had three sons, John Jerdone, William Robert Christian and Beverly Browne Douglass.

I am going with No: 3.