Name: Edward Douglass 1
Birth: 3 OCT 1713 in Grampian Mountains, Scotland 2 1
Death: Cages Bend Area 2 FEB 1795 in Sumner County, Tennessee Territory
The birthplace of Edward is uncertain: Grampion Hills, Scotland, Farquier County, Virginia ior North Carolina. OneWorldTree lists his father's name as James Douglass
Tennessee Records: Bible Records and Marriage Bonds
Bible Records--Tombstone Inscriptions
Douglas Family Record
Seny by Mrs. George Harsh, 1902 Union Avenue, Memphis, Tenn
The Douglass family of which Elizabeth Douglass, the first wife of Majoy William Cage, was a member, was also prominent and distinguished. They also lived in Virginia, moving to North Carolina, Chatham County, and thence to that part of what is now Sullivan County, Tennessee. Elizabeth Douglas was the daughter of Col. Edward Douglass, who was born in Faquiet County, Virginia, about 1720. He married Sarah George about 1740. He served in the Revolution in North Carolina. Reference for service: North Carolina Colonial Records, Volume 22, page 204. After living in Sullivan County for a short time he took up a land grant in what is now Sumner Co., Tenn., for military service. Before Sumner County was erected he, and the other early settlers, resided in Davidson County, and he was one of the first two lawyers in the County. When Sumner County was erected his land was in that county and he became immediately a leading citizen. He was appointed a member of the first county court. He was elected to the North Carolina Convention of 1788, representing Sumner County. He was a member o the first Tennessee Constitutional Convention, 1796, representing Sumner County.
He married about the year 1740, Sarah George, of Virginia. Their seven sons and the husbands of their two daughters were in the Revolution, which is a remarkable record--ten members of one family, including himself, all in the Revolution.
Their children were:
John Douglass, killby Indians during the Revolution.
William Douglass, married Peggy Stroud.
Elizabeth Douglass, married Major William Cage, as his first wife.
Elmore Douglass, married Mary Gibson.
Ezekial Douglass, married Mary Gibson.
Sally Douglass, married Thomas Blakemore.
Edward Douglass, Jr., married Elizabeth Howard.
Reuben Douglass, married Elizabeth Edwards.
James Douglass, married Catherine Collier.
The Douglass Family
Written by Jay Guy Cisco
From Historic Sumner County, Tennessee
Retyped with some revisions for the Sumner Co. TNGenWeb page by Diane Payne
NOTE: Typed as it appears in the book Historic Sumner County
The DOUGLASS family has been prominent in Sumner County since 1785, when Edward Douglass, with all his children, settled on Station Camp Creek a few miles north from Gallatin. He was born in Farquier County, Virginia; married about 1740, Sarah George. He was a commissioned officer in the War of Independence, and a man of education, and a lawyer, though he had never practiced law. He, when called upon, gave legal advice to his friends, and neighbors without fee or reward, always counseling them not to go into the courts. He was one of the first magistrates of Sumner County, and was active in all public affairs. His home was near Salem Camp Group, on lands still in possession of his descendants.
From records of the family of Cullen Douglass beginning with Edward Douglass, Sr. "taken from family bible, & other sources on 1 September 1922. Edward Douglass Sr. was born in the Grampian Mts., Scotland October 3, 1713, moved to Fauquier County, Virginia; moved to Culpepper Co, Virginia in "Lord Fairfax Grant"; moved again to Chatham Co. NC, 1767, near Guildford Courthouse; emigrated to Station Camp Creek, with all of his children in 1785; Was married to Sarah George in 1740; died in Feb of 1795, on West Station Camp Creek, Sumner Co, Tennessee.
Will of Edward Douglass
Signed 28-Feb-1793, recorded 10-Oct-1795
Submitted by Meredith Gibson, 1998
Source: Will Book I, p. 33 (Microfilm)
In the name of God Amen. I, Edward Douglass being in perfect mind and memory do make this my last will and testament. First, I bequeath my soul to God, my body to the dust. Second, my will and desire is that my just debts and funeral expenses should be paid. 3rdly, my will and desire is that the whole of my estate both real and personal should be left to my beloved wife Sarah during her life and at her death to be willed & disposed of as she may think proper. Fourth, my will and desire is that two (of) my sons Edward and Rueben should be the executors of this my last will and testament given under my hand and seal this 28th day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety three.
Edward (his X mark) Douglas Seal
Recorded and examined Oct 10th 1795. (Note: Edward Douglas died 3 Feb 1795.)
Col. Edward Douglass was quite a prominent man among us at an early time. He was a native of North Carolina, and was in the Revolutionary War-held a major's appointment, I believe. He was brave and patriotic, and was an energetic and prudent military officer. I have been with him in pursuit of the Indians. He was a man of fine sense, and, I believe, when young read law, though he never practiced at the bar in this country. He was one of our first magistrates, and, as such, was a leading member of the county court. As he possessed legal knowledge, he received frequent applications for advice as to lawsuits, which he freely gave without fee or reward; though he always counseled his neighbors not to go to law. He was kind-hearted and benevolent, generous and hospitable-his house as well as his heart being ever open to his friends, while as to enemies, I believe he had not one in the world. He raised a respectable family, and one of his sons, Dr. Elmore Douglass, is now living in Gallatin-the oldest physician, I suppose, in Sumner county. I have forgotten the date of Col. Douglass's death, and will only add, Peace to his memory! ~ Source: Early Times in Middle Tennessee
by John Carr, 1857
Early History of Middle Tennessee - by Edward Albright - pages 124-125
By an act of the North Carolina Legislature the county of Sumner was established in November, 1786. It was so named in honor of General Jethro Sumner, a brave officer of the North Carolin line throughout the war of the Revolution, and comprised a scope of country north of the Cumberland River. The first county court thereof was held on the second Monday in April, 1787, in the house of John Hamilton. At this time the following citizens qualified as Magistrates: Gen. Daniel Smith, Maj. David Wilson, Maj. George Winchester, Isaac Lindsey, William Hall, John Hardin and Joseph Keykendall. David Shelby was elected clerk of the court, an office which he held during the remainder of his life. John Hardin, Jr., became the first sheriff of the county and Isaac Lindsey the first ranger.
Soon after Col. Edward Douglass and Col. Isaac Bledsoe were added to the court. This first legislative body of the county was composed of men possessed of splendid character and ability, who by the old writers, are accredited with having ruled both wisely and well.
Col. Edward Douglas was a prominent figure in the affairs of the early settlement. He was a native of North Carolina and held a Major's commission in the Colonial army during the war of the Revolution. He is described as having been a prudent military officer, and in the early years of his residence in Sumner County gained great renown as an Indian fighter. In the latter years of his life he was a successful practitioner and business man. From himself and his brother are descended a long line of honored citizens of Sumner County.
Submitted by Peggy Bone Colella
email@example.com or firstname.lastname@example.orgã 1998
The Douglass family took a prominent part in the early day affairs of Sumner County. Edward Douglass, Sr. was a man of education and said to have been a lawyer, though he never practiced law. He was one of the first magistrates of Sumner County. Prior to July, 1796, the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions were held in different places, at Edward Douglass' place in 1788 and 1790, and at the Ezekial Douglass place in 1793-1796. The first term of court held under the organization of the State of Tennessee was in July, 1796, and Edward Douglass, (Jr.) and James Douglass were among those commissioned as justices by John Sevier, the first Governor of the State. Both James and Edward (Jr.) served terms as Sheriff of Sumner County. Edward (Jr.) also served a term as a State Senator. Edward Douglass, Sr. died 2 Feb. 1795, Cage's Bend, Sumner Co., TN.
History books say Edward Douglass was a Colonel during the Revolution. Some researchers, however, say he was not a Colonel but only a Private. The confusion may come from the fact that there was an Edward Douglass in Northampton Co., VA, referred to in the will of Ann Southey Harmar Littleton, in 1656, as Lt. Col. Edward Douglass. This Edward and his wife Isabella had a son Edward who is believed to be either the father or grandfather of the Edward Douglass b. 1713. There is also a conflict of information on where Edward (b.1713) was born. Most likely correct is that he was born 10 Mar. 1713 in Virginia. In a "SKETCH OF THE DOUGLASS FAMILY", written in 1839 by James Douglass, son of Edward and Sarah (George) Douglass, James says that his father had said "he had but one own brother, John Douglass" and that their father died when they were young. Nothing has been found on this John Douglass, but he is said to have had 8 sons.
Edward Douglass married Sarah George, probably in 1740 or 1741. There is another conflict here. That Sarah was a George appears definite since the sketch by her son James, says she was a George, that she was born in 1711 and that he believed she had 2 brothers and 2 sisters. Researchers have had that she was the daughter of John George, b. 1704 VA d. 1784 VA, and his wife Mary/Millicent Jordan. This is definitely not correct for a couple of reasons, the main one being John could not have had a child at the age of 7 years. Also John George's family is well documented and he had 5 daughters and 3 sons. It is possible Sarah was the daughter of an earlier John George, but which one?!. (I'm working on this and would appreciate any input.)
Thomas Claybourne Douglass, a grandson of Edward, relates in his biography of the Douglass family that, "Shortly after my papa and mother moved, Grandpa Douglass and Grandma, with all their children, followed ... and settled the place that we all knew as the Uncle Reuben Douglass place on West Station Camp Creek." The same biography says, "that father (James Douglass) and mother moved to Tennessee in the year 1788 or '89." Thus, we see that, at least the sons Reuben and James preceded their father and mother to Sumner County, which was then a part of the territory of North Carolina, later to become the county of the State of Tennessee.
William Blount was Territorial Governor of the United States of America south of the River Ohio. He called a Constitutional Convention to be held in Knoxville, Tennessee, on 11 Jan. 1796. It is recorded that among other delegates present, there was Andrew Jackson from Davidson Co. and Edward Douglass, Jr. and W. Douglass from Sumner Co.
From - EARLY HISTORY OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE by Edward Albright, 1909
The old house out on Big Station Camp Creek was originally a Fort built sometime early in 1783 by Elmore Douglass, James Franklin, Charles Carter, James M. Cain and others, as protection from bands of Indians who were harassing and killing these pioneers.
By an act of the North Carolina legislature, Sumner County was established in 1786, named for General Jethro Sumner, a brave officer in the War of the Revolution. It is said the first court held in Sumner County was in the barnyard of this Fort, home of Col. Edward Douglass of the War of the Revolution. Col. Douglass was a prominent figure in the affairs of the early settlement. He came from Scotland to Farquhar Co., Virginia. In 1740, he married Sarah Gorge (George). He gained great renown as an Indian fighter. From himself and his sons are descended a long line of honored citizens of Sumner County. Two of his sons, James and Edward, having participated in the writing of the Constitution of Tennessee.
This old house, believed the oldest in Tennessee, is kept in good condition and is a home. It was an Inn for a time, and finally came to some members of the Douglass family. After some repairs, the old fort became the home of William Fulton Sanders Clark and Emma Douglass Clark where was reared a large family. Their four sons, Reuben, Charles, David and Ned (Edward) were in the Confederate Army. Only Charles came back. The Clark Chapter of the Daughters of the Confederacy, Gallatin, is named for these four men.
Added by tricia1956 on 19 Oct 2007
Edward Douglass was a Scottish immigrant to America. The story goes that three Douglass brothers came to America shortly before 1740. It is unknown what happened to the others.
Edward and Sarah moved their family from Virginia to Chatham Co., NC in 1767, and settled near Guilford Court House. Edward and his sons took part in the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783) under Gen. George Washington. There are references in the family history to Colonel Edward Douglass, though no detail is furnished.
After the war, the family moved to the western territory of NC, which later became Tennessee, settling in Gallatin, Sumner Co. The Douglass family became influential leaders in early Tennessee affairs, though much is attributable to Edward's children, one of whom was Edward, Jr. and is often confused in the history with Edward Sr.
Sarah Elizabeth George b: 1724 in Caroline County, Virginia Colony
in Virginia Colony 3
- John Douglass b: 1741 in Virginia Colony
- William Douglass b: 31 JUL 1742 in Virginia Colony
- Edward Douglass Jr. b: 1745 in Virginia Colony
- Elmore Douglass b: 16 JAN 1753 in Culpepper County, Virginia Colony
- Elizabeth Douglass b: AUG 1754 in Fauquier County, Virginia Colony
- Ezekiel Douglass b: 1755 in Virginia Colony
- Sally Douglass b: 1759 in Virginia Colony
- James Douglass b: 15 MAR 1762 in Virginia Colony
- Reuben Douglass b: 6 JUN 1763 in Chatham County, North Carolina Colony
- Title: Marriage Record
Text: Missouri Marriage Records
- Title: Histories
Text: ~Early Times in Middle Tennessee - Chapter 6 - By John Carr, 1857
- Title: Marriage Record
Text: U.S. and International Marriage Records