John Douglas
(ca. 1785 - 1832)
Original Documentation of John's & Phada's Marriage
Montgomery County, Georgia, 1809
John Douglas was born circa 1785 to Edward Douglas and his wife (name unknown, but possibly, Elizabeth or Temperance--see entry for Temperance Douglas) in Burke County, Georgia. The first official record naming John Douglas is marriage documentation found in the Office of the Probate Court of Montgomery County, Georgia. John married Phada Yates Jordan (1793 - 7/28/1872) in Montgomery County on February 23, 1809, as evidenced in the following document
(note: "Yates" did not appear on the marriage documentation--see below for explanation):
I do certify that John Douglas and Phada Jordan were lawfully married on the 23rd day of February, 1809, by me -- Stephen Swain, J.P.
Stephen Swain was a close friend of Edward Douglas, the namesake of Swainsboro, Georgia, and a long-serving state senator. The official authorization for marriage was actually filed after the event, as attested on the following documentation by the then Clerk of Court for Montgomery County, T. Thigpen:
To any Judge of the Inferior Court, Justice of the Peace, or Minister of the Gospel -- Greetings, and you are hereby authorized to join together in the holy Estate of matrimony according to the rite and ceremony of the Christian Church, John Douglas and Phada Jordan, both of the County and for so doing this shall be your authority and license given unto my hand as Clerk of the Court of Ordinary this 20th day of March, 1809 -- T. Thigpen, C.C.O.
T. Thigpen was Travis Hill Thigpen, an early settler of Montgomery County, and one of the first Commissioners of Emanuel County. Travis' son, Charles, would later serve in John Douglas' militia unit during the War of 1812 (see below). John's father, Edward, was a good friend of Travis', and purchased land from him in 1809 (see the biography of Edward Douglas).
Phada, short for the traditional English name, Phaeden, was born 1793 to Burrell Yates (ca. 1771 - 1840) and Sarah Cothern Yates (half Cherokee, born ca. 1775) in Burke County, Georgia. Phada was documented in later records as "Fady" and "Fader," which, although incorrect spellings, are probably phonetically accurate in terms of how the individual speaking with the census-taker pronounced her name.
Researchers know that Phada had at least three sisters -- Sally, who married Roach Alaway; Elizabeth (Betsy), who married James Taylor; and Serina Lavina, who married Jessie C. Sumner. Phada would later name her daughter, Lavina (Winey) after Serina Lavina.
In 1808, at the age of 15, Phada married a Mr. Jordan, whose first name has eluded researchers for decades due to the lack of census and marriage records from this period. However, a few key pieces of information may at least permit researchers to identify Phada's first husband's particular Jordan line.
Records indicate that members of the Yates family had migrated to Montgomery County by the late 1700s/early 1800s, thereby opening the possibility for Phada's marriage in this county, albeit unrecorded. The recording of marriages in Georgia were inconsistent throughout the early 1800s until the 1820s, thus leaving many unions undocumented. However, researchers do know that a number of Jordans were present in Montgomery County simultaneous with the Yates family. In fact, there were at least four, and potentially more Jordan men in the Montgomery County (eventually Emanuel County) area during this period.
Of these individuals, John Jordan is the most intriguing. John appears in the 1820 Emanuel County census (45 and older age category) residing next door to a son, William Jordan (26-44 age category). Both men resided next door to Eli Yates, and near William Flanders, John R. Flanders, and Jordan Flanders (John and Jordan were brothers, and sons of Francis Richard Flanders and Nancy Martha Jordan). As will be demonstrated, these relationships prove crucial in developing a viable theory regarding the identity of Phada's first husband.
The aforementioned Nancy Martha Jordan had a sister, Elizabeth Jordan, who married John Tarver of Jefferson County. Elizabeth and John were the parents of Samuel Bennett Tarver, who was the father of Andrew Eldred Tarver. Andrew Eldred Tarver married Julia Ann Daniel in Jefferson County. Interestingly, one of Phada's sons, Stephen Neal Douglas, would reside in the household of Andrew Eldred and Julia Ann Tarver in 1850, demonstrating a direct connection with this family.
It is noteworthy that Elizabeth Jordan also married into the Tarver family (e.g., John Tarver), further reinforcing the ties between the Jordan and Tarver families. Returning to John Jordan, census records indicate that he would have been born at least by 1775, and probably earlier. How much earlier cannot be determined, but the proximity and census records appear to place John as contemporaneous with Nancy Martha and Elizabeth Jordan. Consequently, researchers have concluded that Nancy, Elizabeth, and John were likely siblings.
John Jordan was a generation older than Phada (b. 1793), but a son of John's could fall perfectly within Phada's age range. Consequently, while researchers cannot definitively determine the name of Phada's first husband, it is highly likely that her first father-in-law was John Jordan of Emanuel County.
Phada's marriage to Mr. Jordan would last only a few months as he passed away due to an unknown cause in 1808. Phada would later wed John Douglas in Montgomery County on February 23, 1809 at the age of 16. The Douglas and Yates families migrated together from Burke County to Montgomery County, and remained close for a number of years until Phada's father, Burrell, migrated into Florida during the mid-late 1820s to participate in the Seminole Wars.
Some researchers have questioned whether Phada was originally a member of the Yates family. The evidence supporting the fact that Phada was originally a member of the Yates family is relatively strong. For example, Ms. T.H. Swinton (formerly, Ms. Sudie Coleman), granddaughter of Lavina (Winey) Douglas, and great granddaughter of John and Phada Douglas, has provided first-hand testimony that Phada's parents were in fact Burrell and Sarah Cothern Yates. Ms. Swinton was born in 1893, only twenty-one years after Phada's death--meaning the lifespan of her father, Elisha Coleman, greatly overlapped both Ms. Swinton's and Phada's (Elisha's grandmother) lives. Consequently, Ms. Swinton would certainly know the maiden name of her great grandmother, especially considering the fact that her father knew both Phada and Ms. Swinton. Finally, it is noteworthy that (as verified by the 1820 Emanuel County census) Burrell Yates resided next door to John and Phada Douglas--a regular practice of parents and children during this period. Furthermore, as previously noted, one of Burrell's other daughters was named, "Lavina." John and Phada would name their fifth surviving child, "Lavina," in obvious homage to Phada's sister. This evidence clearly supports the contention that Phada was the daughter of Burrell and Sarah Cothern Yates prior to marrying first, a Mr. Jordan, and second, John Douglas of Montgomery and Emanuel Counties.
Both John and his brother, William Douglas, served in a militia regiment during the War of 1812. The Douglas brothers, together with numerous other neighboring heads of household including Canneth Swain, Frederick Douglas, John Tanner, John Neal, James Tapley, John Jordan, Isekiah Neal, Charles Thigpen (son of Travis Hill Thigpen), Herman Neal, Isaac Lamb, Reuben Neal, Richard Taylor, and Owen Fountain, comprised the First Class, Tattnall and Montgomery Militia, 6th Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, Georgia Militia, commanded by Captain Messer (first name unknown, but likely Peter or Solomon who were both in Montgomery County during this period).
John appeared on a tax record in Montgomery County in 1812, shortly before his property was cut into newly formed Emanuel County. John held property adjacent to his father's (Edward Douglas) and brother's (William Douglas) properties on Mule Pen Creek. On July 18, 1815, John received acreage in the amount of 195 acres in Emanuel County as witnessed by Hezekiah Taylor (husband of Margaret Douglas and son of Henry Taylor, RS) and Gray Tanner (son of John E. Tanner and Mary Douglas). This parcel of land adjoined that of John's brother-in-law, Amos Riner (husband of John's sister, Elizabeth), who was not only a relative, but also a close personal friend. John and Phada would name their oldest son, Amos, after Amos Riner, their oldest daughter, Elizabeth, after John's sister (and possibly John's mother),
Elizabeth, and their second oldest daughter, Lydia, after Amos' and Elizabeth's second oldest daughter, Lydia. Amos and Elizabeth Douglas Riner would name their oldest son, John, after John Douglas, and their second oldest son, Edward, after John Douglas' father, Edward Douglas.
John Douglas established himself as an able planter and cattle farmer
John Douglas Official Land Plat
195 Acres Adjoining Amos Riner, 1815
boasting a sizeable farm with significant livestock holdings. Planters in Emanuel County lived in small, but functional cabins constructed of virgin pines harvested from the forests surrounding their farms. Most of these cabins consisted of two large rooms (i.e., a kitchen/living area and a bedroom for adults), with a loft for the children's beds. Some cabins were larger, but the necessity of practical, immediate housing generally made large cabins the exception rather than the rule.
In addition to cattle and multi-crop farming, John was in business with another local resident, Henry Taylor, Jr. (son of Henry Taylor, RS) appraising horses, cattle, and possibly other livestock. Following in his father's footsteps, John would also serve the 56th District of Emanuel County as Justice of the Peace for a lengthy term (1826-1831). On March 13, 1826, John received a land grant for which he had been a fortunate drawer in the Upson County land lottery. He likely sold this holding as neither he nor his descendants ever resided in the Upson County area.
Malissa Ann Douglas & Family
circa 1900
John and Phada were blessed with a very large family consisting of 10 known children as follows:
a) Elizabeth (1810 - ca. 1845); married William Beasley (ca. 1804 - 3/6/1837).
b) Lydia (7/26/1813 - 7/30/1882); married Riley Watts (b. ca. 1810 - after 1840).
c) Amos (1/27/1815 - 11/24/1864); married Susannah "Susan" Meeks (1813-1880).
d) Nancy (1817 - 12/4/1900); married John Chesnut Sumner, Jr. (1812-1870).
e) Lavina {Winey} (1820 - 5/12/1898); married Elisha Coleman (1815 - 6/29/1896).
f) Stephen N. (1821 - ca. 1855); never married.
g) James Brown (1829 - 12/10/1861); never married.
h) Rebecca (2/2/1827 - 3/6/1910); married Griffin Smith {later, Sampson Gibbs} (1839-1865).
i) Malissa Ann (1830 - 1/25/1905); married Lawson Smith (1832-1912).
j) David Daniel (2/1831 - 3/10/1864); married Nancy Mozelle Kea (11/12/1838 - 10/16/1903).
Due to substantial losses resulting from a series of fires, innumerable courthouse records related to the family of John Douglas were destroyed. One estate sale record, however, dated February 20, 1828, did survive and indicates that John purchased a plow valued at $2.50. This sale was widely attended by many notable citizens including Francis Eugene Flanders (brother of John Rushin and Jordan Flanders), Stephen Swain (close friend to both John and John's father, Edward Douglas), Richard Taylor, William B. Daniel (related to the Jefferson County Daniel family), John Rushin Flanders (husband of Nancy Sarah Sumner, brother of Francis Eugene and Jordan Flanders, and grandfather of
David Daniel Douglas' wife, Nancy Mozelle Kea), Jordan Flanders (brother of Francis Eugene and John Rushin Flanders), William Flanders (husband of Ruth Sumner), and James Taylor (husband of Elizabeth Yates, daughter of Burrell Yates).
John and Phada appear in the 1830 Emanuel County census. John was documented in the 40-50 age category, while Phada was listed in the 30-40 age category. These categorizations are accurate as John was approximately 45, and Phada 37 at this time.
While researchers remain uncertain regarding John's and Phada's religious affiliation, certain conclusions may be drawn based upon other members of their family. It is known that the vast majority of Douglases during this period were members of the Primitive Baptist Church. It is also known that a vibrant Primitive Baptist community was active in Emanuel County during John's lifetime. Thus, it may be concluded that John and Phada were likely affiliated with this denomination.
The exact cause of John's death has remained a mystery among researchers for many years. No reliable records presently exist to corroborate any one theory. It is known, however, that John died at a relatively young age (around 47 years old) during the summer of 1832. Researchers know that John died during the summer as his death was posted in a newspaper piece in August (see below). It has been suggested that an episode of fever may have plagued the Douglas family as at least one other Douglas (i.e., Amaris Douglas -- possibly a cousin) also died during this period -- it is known that a national epidemic of Asiatic cholera was recorded during the years 1831 and 1832. Both estates were settled on September 3, 1832 in Emanuel County.
Emanuel County intestate records note that all of the "orphans" of John Douglas are to remain in the custody of their mother, Phada Douglas, and that John's brother, William Douglas, would act in a guardianship capacity. Alexander C. Sumner and Eldred Swain also appeared on the document. The Federal Union, a popular newspaper printed in Milledgeville, Georgia, ran the following notice on August 2, 1832:
Whereas Phada Douglas and John C. Sumner (John Chestnut Sumner, Sr. -- a close Douglas family friend and future father-in-law to John and Phada's daughter, Nancy) apply for letter of administration on the estate of John Douglas, late of said county (i.e., Emanuel), deceased:
These are thereby to cite and admonish all and singular the kindred and creditors of said deceased, to be and appear at my office within the time prescribed by law, to show cause, if any they have, why said letters should not be granted. Given under my hand this 15th July 1832. -Edward Lane, C.C.O.
Rebecca Douglas
circa 1887
John's estate was appraised by Eldred Swain on October 20, 1832, and valued at the time of his death at $812.00 (a modern valuation of approximately $21,112.00)--sizable holdings for the time and location. This figure represented thirty head of beef cattle steers, valued at $280.00, and one-hundred and thirty-three head of other cattle valued at $532.00. Noted on John's estate record were Stephen Swain, Richard Sumner, James Taylor (husband of Elizabeth Yates, sister of Phada Douglas, and daughter of Burrell Yates), and Charles Meeks. Tradition holds that John was buried in a now unmarked grave in the Old Douglas/Riner Cemetery near Meeks, Georgia in Johnson County.
Phada remained unmarried for a number of years following John's death, during which time she occupied herself with raising her children and seeing to their respective educations (verified by Emanuel County "common" or "poor" school records). Phada is named in a document dated February of 1849 wherein it is noted that she owned land adjoining the property of Henry Walker on Mulepen Creek in Emanuel County.
Jonathan Smith passed away in July of 1870 in Wilcox County, Georgia. Phada passed away
An interesting side note regarding Johnathan Smith is the fact that he was present during the
Union capture of Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America, in Irwinville, Georgia, on May 10, 1865. Davis was attempting to head west in an effort to join General Kirby Smith's troops and, in Davis' words, "carry on the war forever." Jonathan witnessed the event and spread the word among the citizenry of Irwinville.
The 1850 Emanuel County census lists Phada (the census taker listed her name as "Fady") as head of household, not yet remarried, with five dependents -- the youngest of which, David Daniel, was born only one year prior to his father's death. David's older brothers and uncle, William Douglas, would serve as the primary male role models in his life.
On the 1850 census, Phada's age was listed as 56, and her birthplace, Georgia. Earlier land grant records demonstrate that Phada's father, Burrell Yates, was in Burke County, Georgia, during the time of Phada's birth -- and the 1860 census confirms her year of birth -- so it may be reasonably concluded that she was born in Burke County in 1793.
By 1860, Phada had married Jonathan Smith (ca. 1795 - ca. 1875), a farmer from Wilcox County, Georgia (born in North Carolina). Phada's daughters, Rebecca and Malissa Ann, also married into the Smith family. Rebecca married Griffin Smith, who was the biological son of William Gibbs and Mary Smith, daughter of Jonathan Smith (Griffin later changed his name to Sampson Gibbs). Malissa Ann married Jonathan Smith's son, the Reverend Lawson Smith. Jonathan had previously resided in Emanuel County, and appeared on the 1820 Emanuel County census.
Jonathan was a widower -- previously married to Nancy Flanders. The Flanders family had been close to the Douglas family for many years (note the significant presence of the Flanders family
at John's estate sale above), so it is likely that Phada had known Jonathan for quite some time prior to their marriage. In fact, John and Phada's youngest son, David Daniel Douglas, would marry Nancy Mozelle Kea, daughter
Jonathan, Lawson, & Hiram Smith
circa 1870
of Elizabeth Flanders Kea, who was the daughter of John Rushin Flanders and Nancy Sarah Sumner.
The Capture of Jefferson Davis
May 10, 1865
on July 28, 1872 in Wilcox County, Georgia. The burial locations of Phada and Jonathan are presently unknown.