22nd Generation

167. Benjamin Thomas DOUGLAS Sr.^137,138 was born about 1732 in Charles Co. Maryland.^139,140 Received a Deed of Gift]¹⁴¹ "15 November 1764, Deed of Gift from William Douglass and Sarah, his wife, to the said William Douglass (sic).....for natural affection and fatherly love which we have for our well beloved son Benjamin Douglass of Prince William County......to said Benjamin.....Negroe man called Hanly.

signed William Douglass, Sarah Douglass. Witness Mary Berryman, John Tenniel, Robert Berryman. Recorded 22 November 1764, provision by order of Robert Berryman and John Tenniel."

This deed of gift proves that Benjamin T. Douglas was one of the sons of William and Sarah Douglas. Hereceived a: Land Grant]¹⁴² Lease:

"1 November 1771. Lease between Thomas ,Lord Fairfax and Benjamin Douglass.....in Manor of Leeds.....large rock in bank of Hedgeman's River...in the line of Richard Crawley.....130 A...for his natural life and lives of Charity, his wife and James, his son...yearly rent of 26s. sterling... signed, witness of record as above".

signed: Lord Fairfax, witnessed James Scott, John (X) Pepper, John Chilton, rec: 25 November 1771 He owned acreage on 10 Mar 1777 in Bromfield Parish, Culpeper Co., Virginia.¹⁴³ He served in the military in 1778 in Botetourt Co., Virginia.¹³⁸ DAR Patroit record number, A134133
SERV: VA REV PUBLICK CLAIMS VOL 1, P.275 - DAR LIB
Reidence at time of service...bromfield parish, Culpepper Co., Virginia

Benjamin was the supply officer for the Culpeper Minute Men. He owned Lands of Capt Joseph Douglas on 22 Apr 1789 in Charles Co. , Maryland.¹⁴⁴ This was a quitclaim on any property due him from his grandfather, Capt Joseph Douglas. He Purchased¹⁴⁵ He was on theTax Lists¹⁴⁶ Benjamin Douglas Sr.

1 white male 21 & over
4 horses
2 slaves 16 years old
3 slaves 16 and over He owned land on Jackson's River on 5 Nov 1800 in Botetourt Co. Virginia.¹⁴⁷ This was for 35 acres so he could have entrance, to his property, from either side of Jackson's River. He owned 84 acres on the north side of Jackson River in 1801 in Botetourt Co. Virginia. this was some 85 acres bought from William Murry for $600 He owned 848 acres on Cow Pasture River on 17 Dec 1804 in Botetourt Co., Virginia.¹⁴⁸ He bought this property from his son John B. Douglas Sr. He signed a will on 1 Jan 1816 in Botetourt Co., Virginia.¹⁴⁹ Will of Benjamin T. Douglas


"In the name of God Amen. I Benjamin Douglas, Senior, of the county of Botetourt and Commonwealth of Virginia, being of sound mind and memory and knowing that it is appointed for all men to die, do make and ordain this last will and testament in manner and form following, viz:
It is my will and desire that all my just debts be paid as soon as my executors can make it convenient to do so, to wit:
I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife ,Charity Douglas, the use of the plantation whereon we now live during her natural life, also the use of the following slaves, viz: James, Winney, Agnes, Fanny, and Nelson, also two good feather beds and furniture, two choice horse beasts, all my kitchen furniture and farming utensils and one third part of my cattle, hogs and sheep during her natural life.

Secondly I give unto my son, James Douglas two hundred and twenty eight pounds which he has already received in three likely negros and other property.

Thirdly, I give unto my son, John Douglas 228 pounds, of which he has received 206 pounds in two negros, specie and other property.

Fourthly, I give unto my son William Douglas 228 pounds of which he has received 228 pounds in three negros and other property.

Fifthly, I give unto my son Francis Douglas 228 pounds of which he has received 110 pounds in a negro and other property.

Sixthly, I give unto my daughter Elizabeth Saint Clair, 228 pounds of which she has received 148 pounds in one negro, specie and other property.

Seventhly, I give unto my daughter Behethelon Morrison, 228 pounds of which she has received 210 pounds in two negros, specie and other property.

Eightly, I give unto my son Benjamin T. Douglas, 228 pounds which he has received already in one negro, specie and other property.

Ninethly, I give unto my son Gilson Douglas two hundred and twenty pounds of which he has received 210 pounds in two negros and other property.

Tenthly, I give unto my daughter, Mary Anderson 228 pounds which she has received already in two negros and other property.

It is my will and desire that as soon after my death as may be convenient, that my executors do sell at public sale at 6 month credit, the residue of my estate that is not bequeathed and the money arising from such sale to be equally divided amongst all my children agreeable to what appears to be due them from my estate by my executor and further, it is my will and desire that after the death of my wife, that the lands and slaves, with their increase, the stock of horses, cattle, hogs and sheep, bonds, household furniture and farming utensils devised for her use, be sold by my executors on a credit of 6 months and the legatees fully paid up, if there is a sufficiency and the balance, if any. be equally divided between my children above mentioned, and it is further my will and desire that in case of any of my children dieing without lawful issue of their body, that whatever ii have given, do return to the rest of my children, and be equally divided between them or their or their representatives, and I do hereby constitute and appoint my beloved wife, Charity Douglas, and my trusty friend John Pitzer, Jr. and Wm. Douglas executors of this my last will and testament. I do hereby revoke and disannul all other former wills or testaments by me heretofore made.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 1st day of Jan., one thousand eight hundred and sixteen (1816)


Benjamin Douglas, Senr. (Seal)"


Signed, sealed, published and declared as and for the last will and testament of the above named Benjamin Douglas, Senr. in presence of us.


John J. Otto
Jacob Karnes
Wm. Haynes
Henry Boggess

At Botetourt June Court 1816.


This last will and testament of Benjamin Douglas Sr., deceased was exhibited in court and proven by the oaths of Wm. Haynes and Jacob Karnes, two of the subscribing witnesses thereto and thereupon ordered to be recorded, and on motion of Wm. Douglas and John Pitzner un. the executors therein named, certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate thereof in due form, they have first made an oath and with security entered into and acknowledged bond in the penalty of $8, 000.00 with condition as the law directs.



H. Bowyer, C.B.C.

Original on file at the Botetourt County Virginia Court House, Will Book C, p-55 He died in May 1816 in Botetourt Co., Virginia.¹⁵⁰ He had his estate probated in Jun 1816 in Botetourt Co., Virginia.¹⁵¹ His will was probated in the June Court Session, Botetourt County. He owned Jackson River Plantation 485 acres in 1821 in Botetourt Co. Virginia. this was 450 acres bought from James Breckinridge. To date there has been no deed found showing that Benjamin T. Douglas sold any of his total of 1300 plus acres. The Deed was not recorded until 1821, however it was purchased much earlier. He appeared in the census 1810 Census in Botetourt Co., Virginia.¹⁵² He appeared in the census 1800 Census in Botetourt Co., Virginia.¹⁵³ It is clear that Benjamin T. Douglas was a man of substantial means when all is considered. Hereceived a: Land Grant]¹⁵⁴ This 35 acre tract of land adjoined his current property and was granted by Governor Alaxander Mc/Rae. Benjamin T. Douglas leased a plantation in an area called Leed's Manor. This plantation was leased from Thomas,Lord Fairax. Leeds Manor was near the Blue Ridge Mountains in western Virginia, this area today is in the Shenandoah Valley. Leeds Manor was in Prince William Co., he later moved to Fauquier then Culpeper and finally (ca 1793) Botetourt Co.

At his death Benjamin owned over eight hundred acres of land in Bath and, what is today, Alleganey counties. He grew hemp which was in demand for the making of rope for sailing ships and was a major cash crop in that area of Virginia at that time. He was also involved in mining operations.

Benjamin Thomas DOUGLAS Sr. and Charity TENNILL(E) were married about 1761 in Prince William Co., Virginia. Prince William County was the residence of the bride, Charity Tennell when their marriage took place. Her father was a wealthy planter in the county, which probably insured a fine, old fashion, plantation wedding. This county is also a burned record county which accounts for the loss of the marriage record
Charity TENNILL(E) (daughter of Francis TENNILL(E) and Margaret SINCLAIR) was born in Jun 1742 in Prince William Co., Virginia.¹⁵⁵ This date was calculated from tombstone information. She died in Jul 1832 in Montgomery Co. Virginia.¹⁵⁶ Charity Douglas was apparently living with her daughter, Mary Wade, when she died . She was buried in Jul 1832 in Craig Cemetery, Montgomery Co., Virginia.¹⁵⁶ Charity Douglas was buried in the Craig Cemetery in Christianburg, Montgomery County, Virginia. She died in Jul 1832 in Montgomery Co. Virginia.¹⁵⁶ Charity Douglas was apparently living with her daughter, Mary Wade, when she died . She was buried in Jul 1832 in Craig Cemetery, Montgomery Co., Virginia.¹⁵⁶ Charity Douglas was buried in the Craig Cemetery in Christianburg, Montgomery County, Virginia. Her Estate Settle]¹⁵⁷ Hamilton Wade was Charity Douglas's son-in-law. The Tennell family descends from French Hugenauts from Picardy, France. These people migrated to America in the early 1700's. Many of this family migrated to southern Georiga were there is a county named after them today. Benjamin Thomas DOUGLAS Sr. and Charity TENNILL(E) had the following children:

+204	i.	John B. DOUGLAS Sr..
+205	ii.	Capt. James DOUGLAS Esq..
+206	iii.	William DOUGLAS.
+207	iv.	Francis DOUGLAS.
+208	v.	Elizabeth DOUGLAS.
+209	vi.	Behethland DOUGLAS.
+210	vii.	Benjamin Thomas DOUGLAS Jr..
+211	viii.	Gilson Berryman DOUGLAS.
+212	ix.	Mary (Polly) DOUGLAS.