Robert Douglas
(ca. 1712 - 1742)
Robert Douglas was born circa 1712 in or around Prince George County, Virginia, on land that would later become Brunswick County. Brunswick County was created from land formerly in Prince George, Surry, and Isle of Wight Counties. Robert was a son of William Douglas, Sr. and Rebecca (MNU).
The Douglas family was well known in Brunswick County--well known enough to have a geographical region named after them. "Douglasses Run" (also known as "Douglas Run") occupied a somewhat vast stretch of land near a water feature known as Fountain Creek.
While researchers are presently uncertain regarding the maiden name of Robert's wife, it is known from later records that her first name was Mary. It may be deduced from the historical record that Robert and Mary wed sometime around 1730. Together, the couple had issue:
a) Robert, Sr. (ca. 1732 - ca. 1805)
b) Thomas (born ca. 1733)
c) James (1) (ca. 1734 - ca. 1800)
d) William (ca. 1735 - 1761)
e) John (3) (ca. 1737 - 1809)
f) Mary (born ca. 1739)
g) Elizabeth (5) (born ca. 1741)
Robert first appears in the historical record on a document authorizing the clearing of a road in Brunswick County, Virginia, with his father, William Douglas, Sr., on October 4, 1733. A gentleman by the name of Matthew Parham was appointed to coordinate the road clearing project located near the property of Nathaniel Perry intersecting with Henry Cooks Road. The project was located near the plantation of Michael Walls (occupied by a "Widow Trap"). Robert and William, Sr. were to receive payment for assisting with this project, along with a number of other men including Charles Jenkins, Thomas Hewit, William Smith, Sr., William Smith, Jr., Batte Petterson, Mr. Battles Quarter (Gentleman), Thomas Reaves (Reeves), Sr., James Lunday, Nathaniel Perry, Timothy Reaves (Reeves), William Cate, Burwell Brown, Edmond M. Carty, Thomas Carther, Thomas Reaves (Reeves), Jr., Jeremiah Brown, Foster Reaves (Reeves), and Robert Hicks.
Robert next appears on an estate account document referencing William Hogin, deceased, in 1735. Alongside Robert is his father, William Douglas, Sr., and an uncle or brother, John Douglas. During this period, Samuel Clerk proved a deed for Robert's father, William Douglas, Sr., which Robert witnessed with Burwell Brown. Burwell Brown also worked with Robert during the aforementioned road clearing project.
On May 9th and 10th, 1738, Robert witnessed a land deed transaction in Brunswick County, Virginia, between John Peterson of Prince George County, Virginia, and Thomas Rives (Reeves) of Brunswick County, Virginia. On August, 9, 1738, Robert was paid 405 pounds of tobacco for his services as a witness on behalf of Edward Birchett (Burchett), Jr. Robert would make two trips (a distance of 55 miles one-way) to Bristol Parish, Prince George County, Virginia, over a 3-day period to perform this service.
Robert died young (at the approximate age of 40) of unknown causes in Brunswick County, Virginia--1742. On April 1, 1742, Robert's father,William Douglas, Sr., and Michael Wall submitted security in the court of Brunswick County on behalf of Mary Douglas, widow of Robert, in order to enable her to serve as the administrator of Robert's estate. Robert's sons, Robert Douglas, Sr., and Thomas Douglas were named as heirs to portions of Robert's estate. As Robert's other children were very young at this time, they were not named as heirs in the settlement of his property. Also mentioned in the will were Peter Martin, Henry Ive, Charles Stewart, William Richardson, Thomas Rives (Reeves), and Joseph Rives (Reeves). An Asa Douglas also appears on Robert'estate record, but researchers remain uncertain regarding his exact relationship to this Douglas line.
A final estate document dated September 2, 1742, was filed in Brunswick County formally naming Mary Douglas as administrator of Robert's estate. The document was signed by James Turner, Timothy Reeves, and James Lunday, Sr.
Researchers remain uncertain regarding whatever became of Mary once Robert's estate was settled. As she was young, it is possible that she remarried. Or, as was also the case during this period, she remained in the household of one of her children. Robert was likely buried in a now unmarked grave in Brunswick County.