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The Douglas/Douglas-Willan/Willan connection
I am seeking help with the following story about the connections between the Douglas and Willan family, and would be grateful for corrections and contributions:
A few days before he died, John Willan (wife Elizabeth) of How Hatch, South Weald, (died 11 Aug 1792), changed his will, which led to a court case Willan Vs Willan which contested his mental state at the time of signing. His nephew, John Willan disputed the will as the land was being left to ‘Uncle’ John’s great nephew, William Willan (presumably not John’s (the nephew) son).
John Willan (the nephew) was, in 1745, a hostler at the Lion Inn, Barnet. Described at the time of his death as a ‘great horse-contractor, late occupier of the Bull and Mouth’, he had by then accumulated £200,000 from the acquisition of horses for the artillery at the request of the Duke of Cumberland ‘on his return from Scotland’. John died at Hatton Garden about 17 July 1822.
The Bull and Mouth Inn was a famous coaching Inn, from where stage coaches travelled to and from various towns and cities, including Brighton. Two stagecoach operators on the Brighton Road were J Willan and JJ Willan, about whom it was said in court (not the Willan Vs Willan case above) that there was ‘no connection’. I am not sure of J Willan is one and the same as John Willan (the nephew).
JJ Willan was John James Willan, ‘a Hampshire man, formerly lived at Preston Candover’.
John Willan, of the Bull and Mouth, had a son, John Henning (died 1826), one of whose sons served in the Opium Wars c 1841, Henry, who was an assistant surgeon in the Royal Navy. It is to be noted that there are several Willans who became surgeons.
William Willan (died before 22 Apr 1823), a merchant, of How Hatch, South Weald, presumably the great nephew above, had a son, John James (died 1869), and three daughters, including Frances, who married Rev CA Belli, vicar of South Weald. This John James may, or may not be the John James, stagecoach operator and ‘Hampshire man’.
John James Wilan (died 1869) married Jane, daughter of Rev. George Walton Onslow (1768–1844), himself the son of George Onslow (28 April 1731 – 12 November 1792), a British politician and army officer, the eldest son of Richard Onslow and his second wife Pooley, and the nephew of Arthur Onslow, Speaker of the House of Commons. John James Willan (born 1799 in England; died 15 September 1869 at Whitchurch, Hampshire) was an English amateur cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1819 to 1830. He was mainly associated with Hampshire and with Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), of which he was a member. He made 13 known appearances in first-class matches. He (they?) lived at Thomas Bank House, Whitchurch, Oxon (sic).
John James was father of Col Frank Willan, CMG, DSO.
Frank Willan (born 1846) was Colonel of the Oxfordshire Light Infantry, a DL, JP and Alderman for County of Hants. He was a heavily involved in rowing including captaining ‘the Oxford Four, which had beaten Harvard on the tideway’. He lived at both Burley Manor, Ringwood and Thorne Park, Bitterne, Southampton (also described as Thornhill Park, Hampshire). He married Louisa Marguerita Douglas, daughter of Captain Charles Robert George Douglas, late 32nd Bengal Light Infantry (Killed Dehli, 1847) and Louisa nee Robinson, both grandchildren of Major General Robert Douglas.
Frank and Louisa had two sons, Brigadier Frank Godfrey (1878-1957) and Brigadier Robert Hugh. There was also a daughter.
I have been unable to link Thomas Willan (died 12 may 1828, aged 78), of Marylebone Park and Twyford Abbey to the Willans detailed above, but apart from his dairy farm in Marylebone (now Regents Park), he was also a ‘London stagecoach proprietor’ operating from the Bull and Mouth. It is possible he was father or grandfather, to William Willan, and nephew or brother to the elder John Willan.
Thomas Willan had two (at least) daughters. His eldest, Isabella Maria (died 1862, aged 73) married John Kearsley Douglas, son of Lt General Robert Douglas, Royal Artillery. His youngest daughter, Jane, married, at Twyford, Captain Henry Seymour, a grandson of the 1st Marquess of Hertford.
John Kearsley took his wife’s name, thus becoming Douglas-Willan. His death in 1833, aged 48, was preceded by a long and painful illness, the effect of a severe wound received in Holland at an early age in the service of his king and country.
Isabella and John’s son, William Moffat Douglas-Willan sold Twyford Abbey in 1890 (or 1887?). Robert D-W, their 2nd son was a captain in the Scots Fusilier Guards. He died 26 Aug 1863. Their youngest son, Captain Stanhope Leonard D-W of the Queens Regiment married at Hove, Brighton, 7 Jan 1862, Georgiana Christina, daughter of F Burnett, Esq., of Cliftonville. His youngest daughter, Isabella Maria married Robert Douglas of HM Buffs.
There is apparently a family vault at Twyford Abbey. Mrs Margaret A. Douglas-Willan is interred there.
A Col Douglas-Willan is described as still being the ‘chief landowner’ (at Twyford) in 1908, and to be ‘still living at Andover’. He was the son of JC Douglas-Willan. This would be Colonel Henry Percy Douglas-Willan, ‘who fought with Lord Chelmsford during Zulu War’. He attended Victoria College, Jersey (entrance 2nd term 1863, left 1866). He entered the army (4th Hussars). Transferred to Kings Dragoon Guards 1879. Served in Zulu and Boer Wars. Retired 1899. C.B. 1902. Asst. Director of Remounts, Sn. Command 1905, placed on half pay dated 16/6/94. Lived at Andover. Died 1912. Who was JC D-W?
Henry Percy had a son, Major John Gordon D-W, and a grandson, Major Walter Gordon D-W of the Durham Light Infantry, who was killed 24 Mar 1918 at St Quentin, France
Questions arising:
1. Who was Lt General Robert Douglas, Royal Artillery, father of John Kearsley Douglas?
2. Who was Major General Robert Douglas, grandfather of Charles Douglas and Louisa Robinson?
3. Who was William Willan’s father?
4. How does Thomas Willan link into this Willan family?
5. Was J Willan John Willan?
6. Was John James, father of Col Frank Willan the son of William Willan?
7. How does JC Douglas-Willan relate to John Kearsley?
8. Who was Robert Douglas, of HM Buffs?
A few days before he died, John Willan (wife Elizabeth) of How Hatch, South Weald, (died 11 Aug 1792), changed his will, which led to a court case Willan Vs Willan which contested his mental state at the time of signing. His nephew, John Willan disputed the will as the land was being left to ‘Uncle’ John’s great nephew, William Willan (presumably not John’s (the nephew) son).
John Willan (the nephew) was, in 1745, a hostler at the Lion Inn, Barnet. Described at the time of his death as a ‘great horse-contractor, late occupier of the Bull and Mouth’, he had by then accumulated £200,000 from the acquisition of horses for the artillery at the request of the Duke of Cumberland ‘on his return from Scotland’. John died at Hatton Garden about 17 July 1822.
The Bull and Mouth Inn was a famous coaching Inn, from where stage coaches travelled to and from various towns and cities, including Brighton. Two stagecoach operators on the Brighton Road were J Willan and JJ Willan, about whom it was said in court (not the Willan Vs Willan case above) that there was ‘no connection’. I am not sure of J Willan is one and the same as John Willan (the nephew).
JJ Willan was John James Willan, ‘a Hampshire man, formerly lived at Preston Candover’.
John Willan, of the Bull and Mouth, had a son, John Henning (died 1826), one of whose sons served in the Opium Wars c 1841, Henry, who was an assistant surgeon in the Royal Navy. It is to be noted that there are several Willans who became surgeons.
William Willan (died before 22 Apr 1823), a merchant, of How Hatch, South Weald, presumably the great nephew above, had a son, John James (died 1869), and three daughters, including Frances, who married Rev CA Belli, vicar of South Weald. This John James may, or may not be the John James, stagecoach operator and ‘Hampshire man’.
John James Wilan (died 1869) married Jane, daughter of Rev. George Walton Onslow (1768–1844), himself the son of George Onslow (28 April 1731 – 12 November 1792), a British politician and army officer, the eldest son of Richard Onslow and his second wife Pooley, and the nephew of Arthur Onslow, Speaker of the House of Commons. John James Willan (born 1799 in England; died 15 September 1869 at Whitchurch, Hampshire) was an English amateur cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1819 to 1830. He was mainly associated with Hampshire and with Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), of which he was a member. He made 13 known appearances in first-class matches. He (they?) lived at Thomas Bank House, Whitchurch, Oxon (sic).
John James was father of Col Frank Willan, CMG, DSO.
Frank Willan (born 1846) was Colonel of the Oxfordshire Light Infantry, a DL, JP and Alderman for County of Hants. He was a heavily involved in rowing including captaining ‘the Oxford Four, which had beaten Harvard on the tideway’. He lived at both Burley Manor, Ringwood and Thorne Park, Bitterne, Southampton (also described as Thornhill Park, Hampshire). He married Louisa Marguerita Douglas, daughter of Captain Charles Robert George Douglas, late 32nd Bengal Light Infantry (Killed Dehli, 1847) and Louisa nee Robinson, both grandchildren of Major General Robert Douglas.
Frank and Louisa had two sons, Brigadier Frank Godfrey (1878-1957) and Brigadier Robert Hugh. There was also a daughter.
I have been unable to link Thomas Willan (died 12 may 1828, aged 78), of Marylebone Park and Twyford Abbey to the Willans detailed above, but apart from his dairy farm in Marylebone (now Regents Park), he was also a ‘London stagecoach proprietor’ operating from the Bull and Mouth. It is possible he was father or grandfather, to William Willan, and nephew or brother to the elder John Willan.
Thomas Willan had two (at least) daughters. His eldest, Isabella Maria (died 1862, aged 73) married John Kearsley Douglas, son of Lt General Robert Douglas, Royal Artillery. His youngest daughter, Jane, married, at Twyford, Captain Henry Seymour, a grandson of the 1st Marquess of Hertford.
John Kearsley took his wife’s name, thus becoming Douglas-Willan. His death in 1833, aged 48, was preceded by a long and painful illness, the effect of a severe wound received in Holland at an early age in the service of his king and country.
Isabella and John’s son, William Moffat Douglas-Willan sold Twyford Abbey in 1890 (or 1887?). Robert D-W, their 2nd son was a captain in the Scots Fusilier Guards. He died 26 Aug 1863. Their youngest son, Captain Stanhope Leonard D-W of the Queens Regiment married at Hove, Brighton, 7 Jan 1862, Georgiana Christina, daughter of F Burnett, Esq., of Cliftonville. His youngest daughter, Isabella Maria married Robert Douglas of HM Buffs.
There is apparently a family vault at Twyford Abbey. Mrs Margaret A. Douglas-Willan is interred there.
A Col Douglas-Willan is described as still being the ‘chief landowner’ (at Twyford) in 1908, and to be ‘still living at Andover’. He was the son of JC Douglas-Willan. This would be Colonel Henry Percy Douglas-Willan, ‘who fought with Lord Chelmsford during Zulu War’. He attended Victoria College, Jersey (entrance 2nd term 1863, left 1866). He entered the army (4th Hussars). Transferred to Kings Dragoon Guards 1879. Served in Zulu and Boer Wars. Retired 1899. C.B. 1902. Asst. Director of Remounts, Sn. Command 1905, placed on half pay dated 16/6/94. Lived at Andover. Died 1912. Who was JC D-W?
Henry Percy had a son, Major John Gordon D-W, and a grandson, Major Walter Gordon D-W of the Durham Light Infantry, who was killed 24 Mar 1918 at St Quentin, France
Questions arising:
1. Who was Lt General Robert Douglas, Royal Artillery, father of John Kearsley Douglas?
2. Who was Major General Robert Douglas, grandfather of Charles Douglas and Louisa Robinson?
3. Who was William Willan’s father?
4. How does Thomas Willan link into this Willan family?
5. Was J Willan John Willan?
6. Was John James, father of Col Frank Willan the son of William Willan?
7. How does JC Douglas-Willan relate to John Kearsley?
8. Who was Robert Douglas, of HM Buffs?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by wilfried dierick on
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Re: Question 2. For you, William, no news that... Major General Robert Douglas was HUSBAND of Elizabeth Robinson (d. of John Robinson and Margaret Leslie); FATHER of *Louisa Douglas (wife of Sir George Best Robinson), *Harriet D, *Elizabeth Ann D., *Frances D., *Charles D., *Robert Sholto D. (the father of Captain Charles Robert George Douglas), *Anna Maria D., *Isabella D. and *John D.
Isn't it strange that about a military man of such rank nothing more seems to be found in military lists etc.?
Same about his son MAJOR Robert Sholto Douglas...(who died in (why do you say "possibly") of decline in 1831.
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Permalink Reply by William Douglas on
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The following response was contibuted:
Lt. Gen and Senior Colonel Commandant, Robert Douglas, R.A. b. Abt. 1745, d. 4 Apr 1827, He married Mary Kearsley dau of Dr. John Kearsley ("The Tory Doctor') 22 Oct 1777. Their progeny:
1.General Robert Douglas, R.A. b. 1827 one daughter Margaret
2. John Kearsley Douglas (Willan) b. 23 Sept 1784 had some thirteen children
3. Lt. Gen. William Douglas, Royal Engineers. Commandant of Curragh Camp in Ireland.
4. Maria Douglas
The 5th son of John Kearsley Douglas Willan was James Sholto C. Douglas Willan b. 3 Aug 1818 d. Jun 1833. his first son was Col Henry Percy Douglas Willan b. 26 Jun 1833. I trace through James and, subject to confirmation, seem to recall that the C. stood for Charles.
From his will (difficult to read and endless) I am pretty sure that Thomas Willan b. bef. 1809 d. bef 16 Apr. 1828 (married to Christiana) only had two daughters: Isabella Maria who married John Kearsley Douglas [subsequently Douglas-Willan] 13 Oct. 1808; and, Jane.
I would remind you that William's site has another General Robert Douglas born, as I recall about a generation before "mine." I posted names of his wife and children and internet site cemetery information as a reply there about two years ago and their offspring may be of interest in your searches.
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wilfried dierick said:Re: Question 2. MAJOR Robert Sholto Douglas...(who died in (why do you say "possibly") of decline in 1831.
Thankx, Wilfried. It was 'possibly' when I wrote it. Evidence seen since appears to confirm it.
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Permalink Reply by Justine Swaving- Doorenbos on
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I have a copy of a Douglas pedigree by the late Percy Douglas. All the septs of the Douglas family are described extensively. But I can't find a link with a family by the name of Willan.
My great grandfather 's greatgrandfather was lt. General Robert Douglas who married Elisabeth de Brauw, a Dutch lady of rank. Robert was the 5th son of George Douglas of Friarshaw and Elisabeth Scott of Ancrum.
George Douglas of Friarshaw lived in Kelso, Scotland ( 18th century.)
Robert Douglas was witness to the baptism of Lidie Mary Anne,( Amsterdam 1769) daughter of Charles Douglas and Uranie Lidie Marteilhe from a Hugenote family. This Charles Douglas was not a brother of Robert, but must have been some other member of the family. Who can throw some light on this ?
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There are 14 General Douglases in the Douglas Archives database - and this is not one of them! But he should be included - and will be soon.
However, he is not the one we are looking for in the Douglas/Willan connection.
I am, however, looking for more information on 'your' General Douglas - there is just a brief entry for him on the website.
I am aware of a number of researchers from Holland working on their Douglas ancestors. I wonder if it would be worthwhile setting up a Group?
Yours aye,
William
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Thomas Willan had two (at least) daughters. His eldest, Isabella Maria (died 1862, aged 73) married John Kearsley Douglas, son of Lt General Robert Douglas, Royal Artillery. His youngest daughter, Jane, married, at Twyford, Captain Henry Seymour, a grandson of the 1st Marquess of Hertford.
William, do you know who Thomas Willan's wife, the mother of Isabella and Jane, was? Unfortuantely the Willan name in our family tree starts with Thomas Willan and goes forward. I have no previous info. Not much help, I know. How are Willam Willan and John Willan related to him?
Any info is greatly appreciated when you have time.
Regards,
Claudine.
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Claudine:
You appear to be related to Lt. General Robert Douglas in which case we would be cousins. I would really appreciate any source information in addition to that you have already provided (son of Robert son of James son of John). His father's will indicates that his wife resided at Rochester, Kent. If you know which church they were married in (and/or their children were baptized) I could order microfilms of the church registers and look for relevant entries. I have further information about Mary Kearsley's father and her mother's genealogy and a whole lot more about the Douglas-Willan's.
William:
Now I have registered, I pursue our dialogue.....
1. I was wrong, you were correct, "Thomas Willan filled in the moat and built a Gothic seat which he called Twyford Abbey."
2. Th
Claudine Douglas said:Thomas Willan had two (at least) daughters. His eldest, Isabella Maria (died 1862, aged 73) married John Kearsley Douglas, son of Lt General Robert Douglas, Royal Artillery. His youngest daughter, Jane, married, at Twyford, Captain Henry Seymour, a grandson of the 1st Marquess of Hertford.
William, do you know who Thomas Willan's wife, the mother of Isabella and Jane, was? Unfortuantely the Willan name in our family tree starts with Thomas Willan and goes forward. I have no previous info. Not much help, I know. How are Willam Willan and John Willan related to him?
Any info is greatly appreciated when you have time.
Regards,
Claudine.
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2. Two hours of deciphering two pages of some 20 of his will yields that Thomas Willan had a brother Leonard and a sister Eleanor. This does not immediately help establish his parentage!
David A.L. Baynham said:Claudine:
You appear to be related to Lt. General Robert Douglas in which case we would be cousins. I would really appreciate any source information in addition to that you have already provided (son of Robert son of James son of John). His father's will indicates that his wife resided at Rochester, Kent. If you know which church they were married in (and/or their children were baptized) I could order microfilms of the church registers and look for relevant entries. I have further information about Mary Kearsley's father and her mother's genealogy and a whole lot more about the Douglas-Willan's.
William:
Now I have registered, I pursue our dialogue.....
1. I was wrong, you were correct, "Thomas Willan filled in the moat and built a Gothic seat which he called Twyford Abbey."
2. Th
Claudine Douglas said:Thomas Willan had two (at least) daughters. His eldest, Isabella Maria (died 1862, aged 73) married John Kearsley Douglas, son of Lt General Robert Douglas, Royal Artillery. His youngest daughter, Jane, married, at Twyford, Captain Henry Seymour, a grandson of the 1st Marquess of Hertford.
William, do you know who Thomas Willan's wife, the mother of Isabella and Jane, was? Unfortuantely the Willan name in our family tree starts with Thomas Willan and goes forward. I have no previous info. Not much help, I know. How are Willam Willan and John Willan related to him?
Any info is greatly appreciated when you have time.
Regards,
Claudine.
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William:
After several more hours....
DALB note: Thomas' will goes on for some 17 pages and is very hard to read, I have had to guess the spelling in some cases highlights follow:
Originally written 8 th. July, 1824
He initially appoints inter alia his dear wife Christiana Willan, Robert Douglas of Woolwich Warren a Lieutenant General in his Majesty's Regiment of Royal Artillery, John Bisset a Commissary General in His Majesty's service, Peter Owen Ourry and George Law of Lincoln's Inn as Executors.
He additionally mentions:
Nephew William Willan
Nephew James Willan son, and nieces Margaret and Jane daughters, of his late brother Leonard Willan,
Sister Eleanor wife of James Owen Suras [possibly Lura]
Maria Suras oldest daughter and Mary Ann Suras other daughter of William Suras,
Grandaughter Christiana Isabella Douglas Willan
Grandson Thomas Willan Douglas [SIC] eldest son of John Kearsley Douglas and his wife Isabella
Other sons of Isabella: Robert Douglas, John Douglas, William Moffat Douglas, James Sholto Douglas, Charles Bisset Douglas, Archibald Ray Croft Douglas, Octavius George Eustace Douglas and every other son and sons of my daughter Isabella Maria Douglas wife of John Kearsley Douglas, Esquire who shall be born....
Jane [daughter but apparently not explicitly mentioned as such].
Beneficiaries not named Willan are required to take measures, within one year, for themselves and their children. to adopt the name of Willan and quarter the arms of Willan to their own family arms.
The first codicil indicates that Lieutenant General Robert Douglas had deceased and appointed, inter alia, John Kearsley Douglas and nephew William Willan of [P or S?ow] Hatch in the County of Middlesex as replacements.
Proved, with two codicils, 16th. April, 1828.
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Well done, David! This takes us forward on a number of fronts. I can guess how hard the transcription must be from the copy of the will that you forwarded to me.
Lt General Robert Douglas, Royal Artillery, father of John Kearsley Douglas (Thomas' son-in-law), and an exector, died in 1827, hence the need to replace him.
Charles Bisset Douglas, Thomas's grandson, may be a clue to Christiana's maiden name; John Bisset could possibly be her brother. It is something for us to work on... Charles was Vicar of Pembroke.
Thomas's nephew, William Willan of How Hatch is mentioned above, in my opening preamble..
I have the following listed as children of John Kearsley Douglas-Willan:
Thomas, Robert, John, Henry, Charles, James, William, Percy, Stanhope, Christiana and Isabella. I have a 2nd Robert also listed, so whether this is a duplicate, or a wrong name, I am not sure. Eight of the sons were in the army, one in the navy. There were 14 children in all, so it looks as though two of the names I am missing were Archibald and Octavious.
The Douglas-Willans, through Isabella, inherited Twyford Abbey. Thomas' daughter, Jane, inherited the Farmington estate. I would be interested to learn what happened to the stagecoach business, and to his farm in Marylebone. Was he also an owner of the Bull and Mouth Inn?
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Major Robert Douglas of the Chatham Division of the Marines served on board HMS Inflexible (a 64 gun warship) when he wrote his will in 1780. Inflexible was at the Battle of Cuddalore (the last battle of the American Revolutionary War) in June 1783. His will was proven on 12 August 1783. Is this a coincidence - or did he die in the battle? (No ships were seriously damaged, though casualties were high with both sides losing about 100 men dead and 400 wounded.)
I have not yet seen evidence that he was Gen Robert's father, but his wife, Mary, being 'of Rochester, Kent' gives some weight to that.
Note: There were three divisions of Marines in the HM Marine Forces, based at Chatham, Plymouth and Portsmouth.
David A.L. Baynham said:Claudine:
I would really appreciate any source information in addition to that you have already provided (son of Robert son of James son of John). His father's will indicates that his wife resided at Rochester, Kent. If you know which church they were married in (and/or their children were baptized) I could order microfilms of the church registers and look for relevant entries.
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I have just come across a map of London, dated 1831, which shows Regents Park, laid out as a park, with no sign of 'Willans Farm', indicating it was no longer in the family. Whether it was sold at, or before, Thomas' death, I do not know.
London map
Incidently, this is from the website London Ancetors, which may be of interest.
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