Robert Douglas(s): Rutland MA, Woburn MA, Portland ME
(Duglas Duglass Douglas Douglass Daglesh Dugless, etc.)
16 year old Robert Douglass was on Lexington Green when the British fired on April 19 1775. I've been piecing together his life. Can anyone fill me in on missing pieces? Specifically where his parents came from and where his children went?
Robert Douglass was baptized in Rutland, Mass. in 1759 as were his younger Brothers William and Barnard. All sons of a Robert Douglass. No mother's name recorded. (A Sally Douglas later appears in Rutland Records marrying an Israel Skinner.)
By 1773, the (presumed the elder) Robert Douglass became a member of Woburn Mass's Committee of Correspondence. In 1775, according to depositions taken 50 odd years later, the 16 year old R.D. was on Lexington Green. R.D. served in various companies during the Rev War, including perhaps as an Armorer aboard the Mass. Sea Service ship WINTHROP in 1782.
After the war he became a major in the Militia and married (presumed his first marriage) Patty Johnson of Woburn. His Brother Barnard married Hannah Pierce of Woburn (and in 1806, Betsey Cummings of Andover). William married Abigail Abbot of Andover.
The clan moved to Falmouth (now Portland ME) in the 1790s. The father died soon after. Census records support their staying there for decades.
In 1806 a Robert Douglass Jr. and William Douglass witness a will that benefits the children of their brother Barnard:
Sarah Thompson Douglass; Charles Rumford (there's a story there) Douglass; George Barnard Douglass; and William Douglass.
William's son John A. (Abbot) Douglass becomes a minister in Maine.
Maybe 'my' Robert Douglass raised a company for the war of 1812.
'My' Robert Douglass dies in 1833.
In 1844, Louisa E. Tukey, claiming to be the daughter of Robert Douglass, claims his Revolutionary War pension and names her other siblings: Robert Douglass; Eleanor (Ellen) Howell; Joseph Douglass; and the recently deceased Martha Douglass. Barnard Douglass writes a supporting deposition for her, in which he calls Eleanor Ellen instead.
Not many years after, Barnard Douglass dies in Conway NH after having moved into a daughter's home. Barnard's daughter Sarah T. D. Hall applies for his pension.
In 1880 (iirc), a Louisa E. Tukey shows up in Malden Mass. as a housekeeper in the William Tothill household.
So I wonder, who was his mother? Where did his parents move to Rutland from? What happened to his children? Are there living descendants?
I have kept this post uncluttered of exact dates and sources, but can obtain them when needed.
I humbly rely upon the collected knowledge of genforum.
-Chris H. of Woburn
More Replies:
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Re: Robert Douglas(s): Rutland MA, Woburn MA, Portland ME
Betsey Howes 3/06/10
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Re: Robert Douglas(s): Rutland MA, Woburn MA, Portland ME
CHRIS HURLEY 3/06/10
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Re: Robert Douglas(s): Rutland MA, Woburn MA, Portland ME
Betsey Howes 3/07/10
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Re: Robert Douglas(s): Rutland MA, Woburn MA, Portland ME
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Re: Robert Douglas(s): Rutland MA, Woburn MA, Portland ME