23rd Generation
204. John B. DOUGLAS
Sr.172 was born
in 1760 in Fauquier Co., Virginia.173
He was most probably born at the plantation in Leeds Manor which his father
leased from Lord Fairfax.. His birth year was set from the newspaper announcement
of his death as being "71 years old" at the time of his death. This
calculates to his birth year as being 1760. A Surveyor of the Highway Appt174 A Processioner Appt175 A Commissioner of the Tax Appt176 This position was to collect
acreage taxes for the government. A Deputy Sheriff Appt177 The office of Sheriff, or deputy, was considered a
very high office in this time. Sheriff's were often called "High Sheriff's"
He appeared in the census in 1800 in Botetourt Co., Virginia.178 He was on theTax Lists179 Johm Douglas
1 w, male 21 & over
2 horses
1 slave-16
2 slaves over 16
He appeared in the census in 1810 in Botetourt Co., Virginia.152 He owned Lots in Pattonsburg in 1812 in Botetourt
Co., Virginia.180 He owned
a considerable amount of property in Pattonsburg, on Purgatory Creek and the
Cow Pasture River, all in Botetourt County, Virginia. He also owned property
in Illinois, Ohio and Kentucky. Some of the lots in Pattonsburg had homes on
them and were leased out. Received a Deed of Gift]181 Botetourt County, Virginia Deed Book 13, page 535,
1817-1819
Deed of Gift from John Boller to John Douglas
To all to whom it may concern. Know ye that for and in consideration of the
sum of one dollar in hand paid me by John Douglas Senior, the right whereof is
hereby acknowledged and for other devine good causes me hereunto meaning I do
and have given unto him one negroe girl named Violett. In witness whereof I
have here unto set my hand and seal this 9th day of April 1813.
Bath County June Court John Boller (seal)
This Deed of Gift From John Boller Sen. to John Douglas Sen was acknowledged
in court and ordered to be certified to the county Court of Botetourt for record
teste
Charles Jamison Clk. Received a Deed of Gift]181 Botetourt County, Virginia Deed Book 13, page 535,
1817-1819
Deed of Gift from John Boller to John Douglas
To all to whom it may concern. Know ye that for and in consideration of the
sum of one dollar in hand paid me by John Douglas Senior, the right whereof is
hereby acknowledged and for other devine good causes me hereunto meaning I do
and have given unto him one negroe girl named Violett. In witness whereof I
have here unto set my hand and seal this 9th day of April 1813.
Bath County June Court John Boller (seal)
This Deed of Gift From John Boller Sen. to John Douglas Sen was acknowledged
in court and ordered to be certified to the county Court of Botetourt for record
teste
Charles Jamison Clk. He owned to John Printer Sr. on 4
Sep 1818 in Buchanan, Botetourt Co., Virginia.182 lots in the town of Buchanan which were sold to John
Printer. Lots were also sold to Pleasant Goggin. Some 78 acres, on the Cow Pasture
River, were sold to John Pitzer. Lot No. 3 was sold to William Hay of Wythe County.
He appeared in the census in 1820 in Botetourt Co., Virginia.183 This 1820 census show's John B. Douglas as living
in Pattonsburg with two sons under ten, one daughter under ten, one man over
forty five and one woman between sixteen and twenty, This is his second family
and the woman is his wife Catherine Sence. He had children and lived with Catherine
for several years before marrying in 1822. He owned in 1829 in Botetourt Co.,
Virginia.184 a lot to Polly
Casey in the town of Pattonsburg. A by the Governor to collect acreage taxes
Appt185 This appointment
was considered an honor, especially from the Governor He appeared in the census
in 1830 in Botetourt Co., Virginia.186
This census was taken just before his death, it shows 1 male (John B.) 60-70,
1 female (Catherine) 30- 40, 2 males ( William B. & James J.) 10-15, 1 female
(Mary E.) 10-15, 1 female (Eveline B.), 1 female (Catherine G.) under 5. He
signed a will on 19 Jul 1830 in Botetourt Co., Virginia.187,188
Will of John B. Douglas
"In the name of God Amen, I John Douglas of the County of Botetourt and
the state of Virginia being weak and feeble in body but of sound and disposing
mind memory and understanding, Considering the certainty of death and the uncertainty
of the time thereof and being desirous to settle my worldly affairs and thereby
be better prepared to leave this world when it shall please God to call me hence
to therefore make and publish my this my last will and testament in the manner
and form following. That is to say First and principally- I commit my soul unto
the hands of Almighty God and my body to the earth to be decently buried and
after my just debts and funeral expenses are paid I desire and bequeath as follows:
Item --- I give and bequeath to my wife Katherine Douglas during her natural
life time one third of the Estate I may die possessed of and at her death to
be equally divided between the five children I have had by her namely, William
B. Douglas, James J. Douglas, Mary E. Douglas, Eveline Douglas and Katherine
Douglas. Item I give and bequeath to my son Benjamin Douglas fifteen hundred
dollars he having received fourteen hundred and ninety dollars of the same.
Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Walker one thousand and fifty
dollars including my woman Fanny, and her increase except the two oldest children
Maris and Lot she having received one thousand dollars of the above legacy. Item
I give and bequeath to my five children which I have had by my wife Katherine
Viz William B. Douglas, James J. Douglas Mary E. Douglas, Eveline Douglas, and
Katherine Douglas an equal proportions of two,thirds of my estate to be delivered
to each one of them as they may become of age or marry and an equal proposition
of the one already bequeathed to my wife Katherine to be delivered to them at
the death of her the said Katherine my further wish is that my Executors hereinafter
named do make the best disposition in their power of the two thirds of my estate,
willed to my five children above named so as to render to each their equal proposition
so soon as they become of age or marry and also of the one third willed to my
wife Katherine Douglas, Execx and Thomas Martin to be Executors of this my last
will and testament annulling and revoking all former wills by me heretofore made
ratifying and confirming this and none other to be my last will and testament--
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this nineteenth
day of July in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty.
Jno. Douglas
(Seal)
Signed sealed published and delivered by John Douglas the above named Testator
as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us, who at his request
in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names or
witnesses thereto.
Mary B. Casey
Sim Robinson
At Botetourt--August Court 1830
This instrument of writing purporting to be the last will and testament of John
Douglas deceased was Exhibited in Court and proven by the oaths of James Wallace
and Simon Robinson subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered as recorded.
Test. H.W. Bowyer BC."
A copy of this will was recorded in Warren County, Kentucky on the 31st of May
1847 by son William B. Douglas. He apparently did this to prove that the property
in Riverside belonged to his family, i.e. see John B. Douglas Jr.
He died on 31 Jul 1830 in Botetourt Co., Virginia.189 An announcement of the death of John Douglas was
made in the Sourthen Religious Telegraph, in Richmond, Virginia, on August 14
1830. This was a one line announcement stating " died near Pattonsburg 31
July 1830 John Douglas aged 71 years" His birth year has been adjusted
to account for the increased age. There is no doubt this is the announcment
of this John Douglas, there was no other John Douglas close to Pattonsberg area
at that time and July 31 was just a few days from the estimated death date taken
from legal documents.
The family cemetery , on the plantation, was discovered in 1998. The tombstones
were used for the foundation of a nearby house which is no longer standing.
An attempt will be made in the future to recover at least some of them for identification.
He had his estate probated in Aug 1830 in Botetourt Co. Virginia.190 A considerable amount of property was involved
with some contesting which went on for over fifty one years and was not settled
until the final sale of 125 acres of land in 1881. The final liquidation of the
estate resulted from a lawsuit between Evaline Obenchain and Catherine Arrington,
two of his daughters. John Douglas was a large land owner and held many
rental properties in the town of Pattonsberg (Buchanon today)
The following deposition will give some insight into the thinking and actions
of John Douglas. It also sheds light into the death of John Douglas Junior
and the relationship to the major. John Bollar family.
"This deposition of Miss Sally Hensby to be read as evidence in a suit now
depending in
the Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery for Botetourt County in which
Thomas
Karnes and Sabastian Hanberger administrators of Benjamin Douglas deceased. and
Rubin
Walker and Elizabeth his wife are plaintiffs and John Moore Sheriff, administrator
of
John Douglas deceased. Alphonso Finney and Catherine Douglas guardian for the
infant
children of John Douglas Deceased. are defendants. Taken conformably to notice
at the house of E. Sweetland in the town of Pattonsberg on the 29th day of August
1835 and under authority of the act of assembly in that case. Made and provided
before William A.
Watson one of the Commonwealth Justices of the Peace for the county aforesaid.
This
deponent being first duly sworn doith and sayth.
Question by defendants. Do you know of young John Douglass going to Kentucky
on
John Douglass Senr. Business.
Answer Yes
Question by same. Did you hear any conversation with either John B Douglass
and his
father and what was the propose of that conversation.
Answer. I did and it was reported that he was going to be married in Kentucky
and I was
laughing at him. The memory that he started about going so far to take this wife
(it being
a very bad memory) and his answer to me was that I was surely mistaken that he
was
going on his fathers business now that his father had engaged him to go that
he borne his
expenses and paid him something extra to go or he should not have gone at all.
Question by same. Did you ever have any conversation with Mrs. Walker the wife
Rubin
Walker and if so please state what that conversation was.
Answer. I did converse with Mrs Walker as to that subject and she told me that
John B.
Douglass her brother was going to Kentucky to collect money for her father, this
conversation took place the morning of his departure to Kentucky.
Question by same. Do you know whether this was the last trip that John B. Douglass
made to Kentucky or not and that it was the same trip on which he died
Answer. It was
Question by same. In a conversation with John Douglass previous to John B. Douglass
going to Kentucky, did he say any thing about this money and if so please state
what it
was.
Answer. He observed to me that he had a certain sum of money due him in the
West and
that if he could get it he would be able to pay all his debts or nearly so .
He further saw
that he was not able to go himself and would have to have some person to go and
he
thought his son John B. Douglass would be the most fitting person he could find.
Adjourned, by consent until Monday 31st at the usual hour.
William A. Watson
Monday morning the 31st Augt. met pursuant to adjournment from Saturday and
Miss
Sally Hensby's deposition continued..........
Question by same. was you or was you not at Mr Walkers when there was a settlement
took
place between Mr. Walker and wife and John Douglas deceased. relating to the
estate of John
B. Douglass. If so state what was the preport of that settlement.
Answer. I was and John Douglas deceased. observed that he had taken of the estate
of John B.
Douglas a child's part and the balance he had divided between Mrs. Walker and
her
brother Benjamin, he then observed that what was coming from Boller's estate
he wanted
none of it at all, what they might have it between them . He then asked Mrs
Walker if
she was satisfied and she answered yes, he then observed that what he had was
his own
and he intended it for his last wife and his last children and that he hoped
that he had
then got the business fixed so that there would be no after clap after his death.
Question by same. Did you have any conversation after this with either Mr Walker
or his
wife . If you had please state what the conversation was.
Answer. I had conversation with Mrs Walker and she said that her father had
done a
great deal better by her than she expected for he had it in his own power to
keep the
whole of it.
Question by same. Do you or do you not know the reason why John Douglas deceased.
refused
to have anything to do with Boller's estate and if you do will you please to
state that
reason.
Answer. I do he said it came by his first wife and he thought that the first
children ought
to have it.
Same witness cross examined by plaintiffs.
Question by plaintiffs. When did the settlement you spoke of between Walker
and wife
and John Douglas deceased. take place.
Answer. Up at the place you rented of Shawyer.
Question by same. Was there a written contract between us.
Answer. There was writings between you but I do not know they was.
Question by same Did John Douglass say what he thought his son's estate was
worth that
he had divided between Benjamin Douglass and Mrs. Walker.
Answer I did not.
and further this despondent saith not. Her
Sarah Ann X Hensby
Mark
Thomas Martin another witness returned in behalf of the defendants and sworn
deperith
and saith.
Question by defendants. Do you or do you not know of John B Douglass going to
Kentucky on business for John Douglass his father and if so please state what
that business was.
Answer: At my house John Douglass deceased. told me that his son was here doing
nothing and he sent him to Kentucky on business of his own to see the Hadins
who was Joint Securities with him for John Smith deceased. High Sheriff of the
county. That he furnished him money to bear his expenses and pair him will for
his trip. On John B. Douglass's return he came to my house and while there he
stated that his father furnished him with money to go to Kentucky on Lonre come
business of his and had paid him well for doing
so, and he had secured his fathers claim against the Hadins.
Questions by same Do you know if John B. Douglass had any business of his own
in Kentucky
Answer I do not.
Some witness cross examination by Plaintiffs
Question Do you or do you not know that John Douglass deceased. had any business
in Kentucky the last time John B. Douglass went there.
Answer I should suppose he had for John B. Douglass told me that he had secured
his fathers debt against the Hadins.
Question by same Do you or do you not know which John Douglas deceased. secured
that money from John Smith estate
Answer I believe he secured the whole sum from John Smiths estate and Major
Masons
estate who was one of the Joint Securities for John Smith deceased. with the
Hades among
others near thirteen hundred dollars collected from James Boyds Extor who was
extor for
John Smith deceased.
Question by defendants Was this money from Mason and Boyds extor paid prior
to John
B. Douglass doing to Kentucky or not.
Answer I cannot say but I should suppose it was since.
and further this deponent saith not
Thomas Martin
Simeon Robinson another witness introduced and sworn on behalf of the defendants.
Question Was you present when John Douglass and his son John B. Douglass was
making arraignments for his , John B. Douglas, going to Kentucky and if so please
state what conversation, if any, took place between them.
Answer I was there shortly after the agreement was made between them. John Douglass
deceased. told me in presence of his son , John B. Douglass that he John B. Douglas
wished to see the Warren County and he, John Douglass had claims to a considerable
amount on different persons in the state of Kentucky. he therefore had concluded
to give his son Jno. a commission for collecting these claims and he further
stated that it would enable him ,Jno.B. Douglass to see the Western Country and
be making something for himself .
and for this deponent saith not
Simeon Robinson
The foregoing deposition was sworn and subscribed before me William A. Watson
a Justice of Peace this 31st of August 1835
William A. Watson J.P. (seal)
The following Depositions were found in loose records in the chancery section
in the Botetourt County Records. The cover page is as follows:
The Clerk of the Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery for Botetourt
County
Also on the cover page is a decision by the Judge.
"To much of the witness depositions as relate to the conversations and declarations
of Mrs. Walker and of John Douglass deceased are accepted to as evidence the
declarations
are not admissible evidence."
A. Eskindge
A summons was also attached:
John Douglas was so wealthy that his estate was not settled until June of 1882,
over fifty years after his death due to various law suits brought about mostly
by his daughters to obtain as much of his estate as possible. The last of his
estate was liquidated by the the public sale of the last 125 acres of land with
a suit by his two daughters Evaline and Catherine."
John B. DOUGLAS Sr. and Ann MORRIS had the following
children:
John
B. DOUGLAS Sr. and Nancy BOLLAR were married in 1789 in Bath Co., Virginia.191,192
Bath County, Va Deed Book no. 5 p-422 names Nancy Bollar as wife of John
Douglas Nancy BOLLAR (daughter of John BOLLAR
and Margaret THORNTON) was born on 9 Sep 1768 in Agusta Co., Virginia.193 Nancy's birth date is recorded
in the family bible currently located at the Virginia state library She
died about 1805 in Botetourt Co. Virginia. The last deed with
Nancy's name on it was recorded in 1804. It is concluded that she died close
to that date. Nancy was the daughter of the famous Revolutionary War
soldier Maj. John Bollar. She mnarried John Douglas in Bath county, Virginaia
but early marriage records are scarace , for that county,and the marriage bond
has not been found. The grave of the first child, Elizabeth has been found and
she was born 30 November 1789 therefore the marriage must of taken place on or
before February 1 1789. John B. DOUGLAS Sr. and Nancy BOLLAR had the following
children:
+281 | i. | Elizabeth
DOUGLAS. | +282 | ii. | Benjamin M. DOUGLAS. | 283 | iii. | John B. DOUGLAS
Jr. was born about 1793 in Botetourt Co., Virginia. A Power of
Attorney Appt194 On 1 April
1818 John B. Douglas Jr. was appointed, by his father, to collect debts owed
to him by John Smith former sheriff of Botetourt county, Virginia. He was also
directed to collect debts owed to him in the states of Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee.
A Power of Attorney Appt194
On 1 April 1818 John B. Douglas Jr. was appointed, by his father, to collect
debts owed to him by John Smith former sheriff of Botetourt county, Virginia.
He was also directed to collect debts owed to him in the states of Kentucky,
Ohio and Tennessee. He Purchased195
Deed book 10, p316-317, Warren County Kentucky
This indenture made and entered into this 29th day of July 1822 between Samuel
Cherry of the County of Warren and state of Kentucky of the one part and john
B. Douglas of the state of Virginia of the other part whereassath that the said
Samuel Cherry for and in consideration of the sum of four hundred dollars to
him in hand paid the receipt whereof he doth hereby acknowledged hath this given
, granted, bargained and sold unto the said John B. Douglas two certain tracts
or parcels of land in the County of Warren and state of Kentucky of the following
description to wit one tract containing one hundred acres by survey, bearing
date the 5th day of June 1816 lying in the county aforesaid. and bounded as followeth,
towit, Beginning at a Poplar and white oak , running due east 118 poles to a
hickory and back on a military line thence with said military line S33E40 poles
to an ash and back...a corner of said military survey thence with another of
said military lines due East 26 poles to a large Beech thence S 476'52 poles
to a sweet gum thence L20W56 poles to a black cherry and poplar, thence due west
168 poles to a stake thence N 196 135 poles to the beginning. the other tract
containing one hundred acres by survey, bearing date the 6th day of February
1819 lying in the county aforesaid on the waters of of Green River and bounded
as followeth, towit , beginning at a white oak,red oak and chestnut running thence
N.9E'156 poles to three white oaks thence N. 81E.65 poles to a poplar and white
oak corner to said Cherry's survey, whereon he now lives thence with a line of
the same S.19W135 poles to a stake and two hickories corner to the same , thence
with another line of the same E 90 poles to a stake. thence South 100 poles to
a hickory and double white oak, thence West 90 poles to two white oaks thence
N28.W82 poles to the beginning with their said appurtenances. To have and to
hold the said two tracts of land with their appurtenances to the said John B.
Douglas and his heirs forever. And the said Samuel Cherry hereby covenant and
agree to warrant ..and defend the title of said bargained and sold land and premises
from himself and his heirs and from the claim of every person or persons claiming
under through or by him or them and from all other claim or claims whatsoever....In
testimony of all which the said Samuel Cherry hath hereunto set his hand and
and affixed his seal the date first herein written
Samuel Cherry seal
her
Mary Ann x Cherry seal
mark
Warren....County CT
I Johathan Hobson clerk clerk of the county
court for said county certify that this day this deed from Samuel Cherry and
his wife to Jophn B. Douglas was acknowledged before me in my office by the said
Samuel Cherry and Mary Ann Cherry his wife to be their act and deed....the said
Mary Ann being again examined by separate and apart from her husband declared
that she relinquished her dower to the land and premises is said deed conveyed
freely willingly and voluntarily without persuasions or threats and was willing
it should be recorded and that I have recorded with said deed with this certificate
as required by law, witness my hand this 29th day of July 1822
Jon Hobson He Purchased195
Deed book 10, p316-317, Warren County Kentucky
This indenture made and entered into this 29th day of July 1822 between Samuel
Cherry of the County of Warren and state of Kentucky of the one part and john
B. Douglas of the state of Virginia of the other part whereassath that the said
Samuel Cherry for and in consideration of the sum of four hundred dollars to
him in hand paid the receipt whereof he doth hereby acknowledged hath this given
, granted, bargained and sold unto the said John B. Douglas two certain tracts
or parcels of land in the County of Warren and state of Kentucky of the following
description to wit one tract containing one hundred acres by survey, bearing
date the 5th day of June 1816 lying in the county aforesaid. and bounded as followeth,
towit, Beginning at a Poplar and white oak , running due east 118 poles to a
hickory and back on a military line thence with said military line S33E40 poles
to an ash and back...a corner of said military survey thence with another of
said military lines due East 26 poles to a large Beech thence S 476'52 poles
to a sweet gum thence L20W56 poles to a black cherry and poplar, thence due west
168 poles to a stake thence N 196 135 poles to the beginning. the other tract
containing one hundred acres by survey, bearing date the 6th day of February
1819 lying in the county aforesaid on the waters of of Green River and bounded
as followeth, towit , beginning at a white oak,red oak and chestnut running thence
N.9E'156 poles to three white oaks thence N. 81E.65 poles to a poplar and white
oak corner to said Cherry's survey, whereon he now lives thence with a line of
the same S.19W135 poles to a stake and two hickories corner to the same , thence
with another line of the same E 90 poles to a stake. thence South 100 poles to
a hickory and double white oak, thence West 90 poles to two white oaks thence
N28.W82 poles to the beginning with their said appurtenances. To have and to
hold the said two tracts of land with their appurtenances to the said John B.
Douglas and his heirs forever. And the said Samuel Cherry hereby covenant and
agree to warrant ..and defend the title of said bargained and sold land and premises
from himself and his heirs and from the claim of every person or persons claiming
under through or by him or them and from all other claim or claims whatsoever....In
testimony of all which the said Samuel Cherry hath hereunto set his hand and
and affixed his seal the date first herein written
Samuel Cherry seal
her
Mary Ann x Cherry seal
mark
Warren....County CT
I Johathan Hobson clerk clerk of the county
court for said county certify that this day this deed from Samuel Cherry and
his wife to Jophn B. Douglas was acknowledged before me in my office by the said
Samuel Cherry and Mary Ann Cherry his wife to be their act and deed....the said
Mary Ann being again examined by separate and apart from her husband declared
that she relinquished her dower to the land and premises is said deed conveyed
freely willingly and voluntarily without persuasions or threats and was willing
it should be recorded and that I have recorded with said deed with this certificate
as required by law, witness my hand this 29th day of July 1822
Jon Hobson He died late 1822 in The Wilderness Road to route
to Kentucky.196 This deposition
of Miss Sally Hensby to be read as evidence in a suit now depending in the Circuit
Superior Court of Law and Chancery for Botetourt County in which Thomas Karnes
and Sabastian Hanberger administrators of Benjamin Douglas Deceased. and Rubin
Walker and Elizabeth his wife are plaintiffs and John Moore Sheriff, administrator
of John Douglas Deceased. Alphonso Finney and Catherine Douglas guardian for
the infant children of John Douglas Deceased. are defendants. Taken conformably
to notice at the house of E. Sweetland in the town of Pattonsberg on the 29th
day of August 1835 and under authority of the act of assembly in that case.
Made and provided before William A. Watson one of the Commonwealth Justices of
the Peace for the county aforesaid. This depoment being first duly sworn doith
and sayth.
Question by defendants. Do you know of young John Douglass going to Kentucky
on John Douglass Senr. Business.
Answer Yes
Question by same. Did you hear any conversation with either John B Douglass
and his father and what was the propose of that conversation.
Answer. I did and it was reported that he was going to be married in Kentucky
and I was laughing at him. The memory that he started about going so far to take
this wife (it being a very bad memory) and his answer to me was that I was surely
mistaken that he was going on his fathers business now that his father had engaged
him to go that he borne his expenses and paid him something extra to go or he
should not have gone at all.
Question by same. Did you ever have any conversation with Mrs. Walker the wife
Rubin Walker and if so please state what that conversation was.
Answer. I did converse with Mrs Walker as to that subject and she told me that
John B. Douglass her brother was going to Kentucky to collect money for her father,
this conversation took place the morning of his departure to Kentucky.
Question by same. Do you know whether this was the last trip that John B. Douglass
made to Kentucky or not and that it was the same trip on which he died
Answer. It was
Question by same. In a conversation with John Douglass previous to John B. Douglass
going to Kentucky, did he say any thing about this money and if so please state
what it was.
Answer. He observed to me that he had a certain sum of money due him in the
West and that if he could get it he would be able to pay all his debts or nearly
so . He further saw that he was not able to go himself and would have to have
some person to go and he thought his son John B. Douglass would be the most fitting
person he could find.
Adjourned, by consent until Monday 31st at the usual hour.
William A. Watson He died late 1822 in The Wilderness Road to route to Kentucky.196 This deposition of Miss Sally
Hensby to be read as evidence in a suit now depending in the Circuit Superior
Court of Law and Chancery for Botetourt County in which Thomas Karnes and Sabastian
Hanberger administrators of Benjamin Douglas Deceased. and Rubin Walker and Elizabeth
his wife are plaintiffs and John Moore Sheriff, administrator of John Douglas
Deceased. Alphonso Finney and Catherine Douglas guardian for the infant children
of John Douglas Deceased. are defendants. Taken conformably to notice at the
house of E. Sweetland in the town of Pattonsberg on the 29th day of August 1835
and under authority of the act of assembly in that case. Made and provided before
William A. Watson one of the Commonwealth Justices of the Peace for the county
aforesaid. This depoment being first duly sworn doith and sayth.
Question by defendants. Do you know of young John Douglass going to Kentucky
on John Douglass Senr. Business.
Answer Yes
Question by same. Did you hear any conversation with either John B Douglass
and his father and what was the propose of that conversation.
Answer. I did and it was reported that he was going to be married in Kentucky
and I was laughing at him. The memory that he started about going so far to take
this wife (it being a very bad memory) and his answer to me was that I was surely
mistaken that he was going on his fathers business now that his father had engaged
him to go that he borne his expenses and paid him something extra to go or he
should not have gone at all.
Question by same. Did you ever have any conversation with Mrs. Walker the wife
Rubin Walker and if so please state what that conversation was.
Answer. I did converse with Mrs Walker as to that subject and she told me that
John B. Douglass her brother was going to Kentucky to collect money for her father,
this conversation took place the morning of his departure to Kentucky.
Question by same. Do you know whether this was the last trip that John B. Douglass
made to Kentucky or not and that it was the same trip on which he died
Answer. It was
Question by same. In a conversation with John Douglass previous to John B. Douglass
going to Kentucky, did he say any thing about this money and if so please state
what it was.
Answer. He observed to me that he had a certain sum of money due him in the
West and that if he could get it he would be able to pay all his debts or nearly
so . He further saw that he was not able to go himself and would have to have
some person to go and he thought his son John B. Douglass would be the most fitting
person he could find.
Adjourned, by consent until Monday 31st at the usual hour.
William A. Watson John Douglas Jr. was on his way to Warren County, Kentucky
to get married when he died. He had purchased and traded for a farm of 200 acres,
from Samuel Cherry just a month before. This farm was later occupied by his
half brother, William B. Douglas when he moved to Kentucky in 1846.
Bath County, Virginia Deed Book 5, page 481-482
THIS INDENTURE made this nth day of March in this year 1819 Between John
Douglas of this county of Botetourt and commonwealth of Virginia of the one part
and
John Boller of the county of Bath and commonwealth of Virginia of the other part,
witness this that the said John Douglas for and in consideration of the sum of
twelve hundred dollars current money of Virginia to have in hand said paid on
or before these
and delivery of these presents this receipt whereof he doth hereby acknowledge
hath
granted, bargained and sold and by these presents doth grant bargain sell and
convey unto
the said John Boller his heirs and assigns all his right title interest and claims
and this
title interest and claim of his sister Elizabeth Walker Douglas which interest
& John
Douglases heirs purchased in and to all the undecided lands belonging to the
estate of
John Boller the elder deceased by whatsoever title held or claimed which in turn
hereby
conveyed ; thus said John Douglas and Elizabeth Walker Douglas held as two of
the
children, and heirs of Nancy Douglas one of the children and heirs of the said
John
Boller, deceased. Together with and heirs appertaining to the said lands belonging
or in
anywise appertaining to have and to hold the said interest property and claim
of the said
John Douglas in and to all the lands and appenstances aforesaid with this said
John
Boller his heirs and assigned save this said John Douglas for himself his heirs,
executors
and administrators, all the said interest and claims in the land aforesaid unto
the said John
Boller his heirs and assigns against this claim of him the said John Douglas
his heirs,
executors and administrators and against the claim of said Elizabeth Walker Douglas
and
all and every other person or persons whatsoever will forever warrant and defend
in
witness whereof the said John Douglas hath hereunto set his hand and seal the
day and
year first written.
John B. Douglas (seal)
Bath County Clerks Office March the nth 1819
This Indenture of bargain and sale from John Douglas to John Boller was acknowledged
to and admitted to record.
Teste
Chs. L. Fransosco Clk.
This document shows that Elizabeth and John Jr sold their claims against the
Bollar estate to John Bollar Jr for $1200.00 a considerable ammount of money
in those days. Since Benjamin is not named it is assumed that he did not settle
his claim against the Bollar estate. |
John B. DOUGLAS
Sr. and Catherine CENTZ were married on 8 Dec 1822 in Bedford Co., Virginia.197 . Catherine
CENTZ (daughter of Jacob SENCE (CENTS) and Christina) was born in 1797 in
State of Virginia, probably Bedford Co..198
Catherine Douglas was 53 on the 1850 Botetourt County census. This would
have made her birth year 1797. There is little doubt she was much younger than
John Shewas the Guardian]199
This was for the three girlas Mary, Evaline and Catherine She died in 1856
in Botetourt Co., Virginia?. Legal documents strongly indicate that
Catherine Douglas died in 1856. This means that a Death Certificate should be
able to be obtained, however she apparently died in another county other than
Botetourt. She appeared in the census 1850 Census in 076 8th Dist. Botetourt
Co., Virginia.200 The
1850 census show's Catherine Douglas living with her mother Christiana Sence,
in Botetourt Co., Virginia. She was also living very close to her daughter Evaline
who was married to Anthony Obinchain
She appeared in the census 1840 Census in Botetourt Co., Virginia.201 The 1840 census show's Catherine
living alone in Botetourt Co., Virginia Shereceived a: Land Grant]202 This was a land grant from Governor John Floyd for
125 acres on the waters of Rennicks Run. John Douglas probably applied for this
grant before his death as the granted property adjoined his plantation properly.
Copy of original Grant is on file. This spelling for her maiden name was taken
from the 1850 Botetourt County census. The spelling on the marriage bond was
Centz. I believe this is is a pronunciation difference.
Catherine Douglas was appointed as guardian of her three youngest children on
12 September 1831 following the death of her husband, John B. Douglas Sr. The
three children were Mary E., Eveline B. and Catherine G. Douglas.
This spelling for her maiden name was taken from the 1850 Botetourt County census.
The spelling on the marriage bond was Centz. I believe this is is a pronunciation
difference.
Catherine Douglas was appointed as guardian of her three youngest children on
12 September 1831 following the death of her husband, John B. Douglas Sr. The
three children were Mary E., Eveline B. and Catherine G. Douglas. John B. DOUGLAS
Sr. and Catherine CENTZ had the following children:
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