William Douglas
(1/22/1580 - 5/21/1659)
Westminster Abbey
London, England
According to records housed in St. Mary the Virgin Church in Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire, England, William Douglas was born on January 22, 1580. A son of Jacobi (James) Douglas and Ann Tulio, William would later settle in the Saint Margaret area of Westminster, London, England. This migration was reasonable as the River Thames connects Oxfordshire and London, and provides a viable means of commerce between the two geographic areas.
Westminster is located west of the River Thames, and developed around Westminster Abbey. Saint Margaret's was constructed on the grounds of Westminster Abbey, and was attended by many of the servants employed at Westminster Palace. Researchers remain uncertain as to whether or not William was in any way associated with the palace, but he may have settled in the area as various opportunities were readily available in Westminster during this period. As noted below, William was likely a member of the gentry (i.e., a landowner), which would have granted him and his family a degree of prominence within the city.
Several pieces of evidence support William's migration from Oxfordshire to London. Primarily, church records demonstrating the presence of a William Douglas of consistent age first in Oxfordshire, and then later in London. Secondly, the known commercial exchange between Oxfordshire and London via the River Thames. Additionally, records suggest that one of William's sisters, Margaret, and a sister-in-law, Christian, also made the journey to London from Oxfordshire. The presence of Christian Douglas (wife of William's brother, John) in both places is highly significant as her name was fairly unusual for a female during this period -- the more common "Christina" or "Chrisitaina" being generally preferred. Furthermore, "Christian Douglas" does not appear in any other known records of the period or region.
Unfortunately, very few records detailing the life of William have survived. However, church records have preserved the name of William's wife, his date of marriage, and the names of his children. William married Marie Parker (b. 1592) on July 25, 1611, at Saint Margaret's Church, Westminster, London, England. It is noteworthy that there were many members of the Parker family, like the Douglases, in residence in Oxfordshire at a very early date. It is likely that the families were well acquainted even prior to their migration to London.
Researchers have discovered that Marie's father was Nicholas Parker of the northeastern district of London. Nicholas was married to Grace Huysche (daughter of Roger Huysche and sister of William Huysche). Grace's brother, William, died in 1611 in Somersetshire (modern-day Somerset), England -- a couple of hours west of London. As the Parker and Huysche families were members of the English gentry (i.e., landholders), it is reasonable to conclude that William Douglas was also a member of the gentry as it was customary during this period to marry within common social strata.
The records of St. Lawrence Jewry Church (erected in the year 1136) reveal that Marie was baptized there on March 5, 1592. Her birth would have occurred shortly before this date.
William and Marie appear to have been heavily involved in Saint Margaret's Church (affiliated with the Church of England) as the baptismal records of their children are all fully enumerated in extant church documents. Together, they had issue:
a) Thomas (7/25/1612 - before 1621) - died young, Christian name reused (see below)
b) Richard (b. 5/29/1614); married Elizabeth Laughton (Lawton) 11/13/1643 in Saint Margaret, Westminster, London, England
c) James (6/7/1616 - circa 1619) - died young, Christian name reused (see below)
d) William (b. 12/18/1618)
e) James (9/16/1620 - 11/1/1669)
f) Thomas (3/11/1621 - 4/19/1622)
It is noteworthy that William and Marie had two sets of children with the same Christian names (i.e., Thomas and James). During this period, when a child died young, it was not uncommon to name a succeeding child in the deceased child's honor. This practice also served to preserve a well-established family name. The reader will note that the same practice was used by William's son, James Douglas, who also lost a child at a very young age.
William Douglas died on May 12, 1659, in Westminster, London, England. In all likelihood, he was buried in the church cemetery at Saint Margaret's.