Robert Douglas, Sr.
(ca. 1732 - ca. 1805)
Robert Douglas, Sr. was born circa 1732 in Brunswick County, Virginia, to Robert Douglas and Mary (last name unknown). Records reveal that Robert, along with his brother, Thomas, inherited their father's estate in 1742. Robert's mother, Mary, was the administrator of her deceased husband's estate. As Robert Douglas, Sr.'s other siblings (i.e., James, William, John, Elizabeth, and Mary) were very young at the time his father's will was executed, they were not mentioned in the document.
Robert was part of a large number of settlers of Scottish descent who migrated to and resided in and around the Halifax, North Carolina, area during the late 1600s and early 1700s. These settlers founded the towns of Scotland Neck and Halifax, which still exist today. One of these early settlers was Robert's grandfather, William Douglas, Sr. William Douglas, Sr. was in the Edgecombe County (later Halifax County) region at least as early as the 1740s.
Robert had also arrived in the Halifax County region during this period as evidenced by a land transaction dated May 1, 1747. In the transaction, Robert purchased acreage from Peter Hill for "12 pounds current money of Virginia" in Edgecombe County (later Halifax County). The parcel consisted of 94 acres in the "fork between Jacket and Breeches branch." The property is located east of interstate highway 95, and adjacent to highways 1210 and 1002. The Douglas family would remain in this area for a number of years.
Robert married Olive Reeves (ca. 1732 - ca. 1819) circa 1749 in Edgecombe County (Halifax County would later be created from Edgecombe County), North Carolina. A land record naming both Robert and his wife,
"Olive," confirms Olive's first name. Researchers have strong reason to believe that Olive was the daughter of William Reeves, Sr. (ca. 1680 - ca. 1751) and his second wife, Margaret Burgess (ca. 1678 - ca. 1755). Olive is mentioned in the will of William Reeves, Sr., and the Reeves family was closely intertwined with the Douglas family for many decades (e.g., James Douglas owned land adjacent to William Reeves in Brunswick County, Virginia, and William Douglas, Sr. owned land adjacent to Thomas Reeves in Brunswick County, Virginia--among numerous other examples). Researchers are still working to confirm the children of Robert and Olive, but the following issue is known:
a) Edward (ca. 1750 - ca. 1832)
b) Thomas (1) (ca. 1753 - ca. 1812)
c) Robert, Jr. (ca. 1755 - 1808)
d) Angelina Laney (1758-1828)
e) Rachel (1760-1837)
On August 21, 1753, Robert sold the aforementioned tract of land to his brother, William Douglas. Two other brothers, Thomas Douglas and John Douglas, witnessed the transaction. Robert would later appear in William's will dated June of 1761. It is important to note here that William was known as William Douglas, Jr., despite the fact that his father's name was Robert. In fact, William was designated a "junior" to distinguish him from his grandfather, William Douglas, Sr. This was a common practice during the period, differing greatly from later practices of only using the term, "junior," to distinguish fathers and sons with the same name.
As noted in William Douglas, Jr.'s will, Robert was to receive 225 acres of land from his brother's estate. Robert, in addition to another brother, John, served as administrators of William's will. According to Halifax County court records some unknown dispute arose between Robert and his brother, Thomas, concerning this property. The matter was settled peacefully, however, as evidenced by a statement provided by Thomas to the court on May 3, 1762, "...in consideration of the natural love and affection...I have and do bear unto my brother, Robert Douglis...the southside of Jacket Swamp containing 225 acres of land."
The January 1, 1764, will of Robert's grandfather, William Douglas, Sr., lists Robert as father of Edward Douglas, who was to receive 50 acres of land as part of an inheritance. The following year, on June 24, 1765, Robert and his wife, Olive, sold 150 acres of land to Benajah Saxon on the south side of Jacket Swamp in Halifax County. The document was witnessed by James Daniel, Thomas Douglas, and Michael Wallis. This sale was likely in preparation for Robert's migration to Georgia sometime between 1765 and 1769.
Robert Douglas, Sr. and Robert, Jr. migrated to Georgia to seek new land opportunities then becoming available in St. George's Parish (present-day Burke County). Robert first appears in Georgia in 1770 as evidenced on a land grand request in St. George's parish. The property in question was a 100 acre tract located next to John Sharp. The property was granted on October 6, 1772. Notably, Robert's sister, Elizabeth Douglas Ward, also resided near this property.
By 1774, hostilities with England were reaching a fever pitch and citizens were beginning to choose sides in the rapidly developing conflict between the American colonies and Great Britain. On August 10, 1774, Robert Douglas, Sr. and Robert Douglas, Jr. made public their support for the Tory cause by signing a petition in St. George's parish wherein they affirmed their disagreement with a "paper we think reflects improperly upon our King and Parliament and may have bad consequences to this Provence..."
Robert's loyalties appear to have remained with England during the Revolution as evidenced by a post-war document noting that his land had been confiscated by the new government due to Tory leanings (circa 1783). The document, actually a petition from Robert, requests a deferment of the sale of his property seized due to his support of the Tory cause. He would eventually attain a 300 acre land grant in Burke County in 1788.
Following the war, Robert Douglas, Sr. and Robert Douglas, Jr. were joined by Edward Douglas, son of Robert, Sr., and brother of Robert, Jr. in Burke County, Georgia. Edward had remained in North Carolina during the Revolution, and later migrated to Georgia to be with his family. Together, both Roberts and Edward migrated to Montgomery County, Georgia, where Robert Douglas, Sr. and Edward signed a petition to Georgia Governor Jerrid Arwen in 1797, as follows:
To his Excellency Jerrid Arwen, Esqr.,
We your humble petitions send praying that whereas the afforesaid County of Montgomery is destitute of a Receiver of Tax Returns for the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety seven, your petitioners pray that Shered Swain be appointed to fill and perform the said office of Receiver of Tax Returns for the said County of Montgomery for the said year one thousand seven hundred and ninety seven, and your petitioners as in Duty bound will every pray.
Robert appeared on the tax rolls in Montgomery County, 1797/1798 with his sons, Edward Douglas and Robert Douglas, Jr. Robert served on the Grand Jury in Montgomery County in 1798. In 1805, Robert participated in the Georgia Land Lottery in Montgomery County with his sons, Edward and Robert, Jr.
No further records presently exist naming Robert Douglas, Sr., nor his wife, Olive. Robert's son, Edward, remained in Montgomery County until his land was later cut into Emanuel County. Robert Douglas, Jr. migrated into Laurens County, where he would die in 1808. Researchers have concluded that Robert, Jr. likely elected to leave Montgomery County due to Robert, Sr.'s death as prior to 1805, the two were inseparable. Thus, it may be reasonably concluded that Robert died circa 1805 in Montgomery County shortly after participating in the land lottery. Researchers now believe that Robert was one of the earliest individuals buried in the old Douglas/Riner Cemetery located in Meeks, Johnson County, Georgia. It is reasonable to conclude that Robert's wife, Olive, is likely buried there as well. Neither grave marker has survived the ravages of time.
THE BIOGRAPHY OF EDWARD DOUGLAS