James Douglas
(9/16/1620 - 11/1/1669)
Among the many ancestors in this Douglas line, researchers presently know the least about James Douglas of London, England. Fortunately, some records have survived that allow us to chronicle a few key parts of James' life for the historical record.
James Douglas was born September 16, 1620, in Westminster, London, England. His parents were William Douglas and Marie Parker. James Douglas married Welzebertus Brown on May 8, 1642, at Saint Margaret, Westminster, London, England. Their children were as follows:
a) Anne (b. 12/28/1642)
b) Lucy, a twin (10/25/1646 - 5/1/1648)
c) John, a twin (10/25/1646 - 5/15/1648) - died young, Christian name reused (see below)
d) Katherine (b. 1/7/1649)
e) John (5/13/1651 - 1712) - died in Prince George County, VA
f) Wilsefered (Welzebertus) (b. 1/6/1653)
g) Emm (b. 12/28/1654)
h) James (b. 8/4/1656)
i) Joseph (11/1/1657 - 9/17/1658)
j) Mary (b. 7/29/1659)
It remains noteworthy that James and Welzebertus lost quite a number of children at very early ages. As the plague was common during this period, researchers cannot rule out its possible impact upon this family. As an example, James and Welzebertus were the parents of twins, Lucy and John (see above), who died days apart. This is highly suggestive of some form of fever or other serious malady.
James lived during a tumultuous time in English history. A series of civil wars plagued England from 1642 through 1651, which significantly disrupted the British monarchy. During this period, England would complete its conquests of Scotland and Ireland, but at a terrible cost. Contemporary estimates place the number of casualties resulting from the English civil wars in the range of 200,000 from war injuries or disease.
Researchers do not know whether or not James participated in these wars, but he was able to survive them. It has been theorized that due to the constant unrest and loss associated with this time in history, James may have lost any viable means to support his remaining children. This may have been his motivation for encouraging his son, John, to seek his fortunes in the colonies, thereby escaping the difficulties of life all too common in England during this period.
James Douglas died on November 1, 1669, in Westminster, London, England, at the age of 49. He was buried in a now unmarked grave in St. Margaret Church Cemetery, Westminster, London, England.