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Douglass Brick Wall
I am searching for information on Robert Douglass, born abt. 1776-1779 in Ireland (we think) and died in 1861 in Stanbridge, Quebec. He was married to Jane (aka Nancy) Hunter (b. abt. 1786 in Ireland or England, d. in Que.). Their first child, Alexander Douglass, was born in Ireland on 12/25/1817. (Interestingly, according to census returns in later years, two daughters indicated that Alexander was born at sea, presumably en route to North America.) They emigrated in abt. 1818 or 1819.
I have learned that they Robert and Jane may have traveled to North America with David Hunter (Jane’s brother) and his wife Lydia Douglas (presumably Robert’s sister). There’s a story that they traveled on the ship Camperdown, landed in New York and went to northern Vermont (which is where several more children were born). By the 1830’s they had moved across the border to Stanbridge, Missisquoi Co., Quebec where they spent the rest of their lives. Both died and are buried in Stanbridge, Que.
Robert Douglass was my 4G-grandfather. I have information on his descendants, but nothing on his ancestors. DNA testing has confirmed descent from the “Earls of Morton” line of Douglases. We’d really like to find out where he came from and who his parents were, but we’ve reached a brick wall and could really use a break. Thank you!
I have learned that they Robert and Jane may have traveled to North America with David Hunter (Jane’s brother) and his wife Lydia Douglas (presumably Robert’s sister). There’s a story that they traveled on the ship Camperdown, landed in New York and went to northern Vermont (which is where several more children were born). By the 1830’s they had moved across the border to Stanbridge, Missisquoi Co., Quebec where they spent the rest of their lives. Both died and are buried in Stanbridge, Que.
Robert Douglass was my 4G-grandfather. I have information on his descendants, but nothing on his ancestors. DNA testing has confirmed descent from the “Earls of Morton” line of Douglases. We’d really like to find out where he came from and who his parents were, but we’ve reached a brick wall and could really use a break. Thank you!
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jody Parker on
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Thank you for your replies. Yes, that Rootsweb post was mine (I'm Jody14171 on that board). I've posted several times there and also on the RootsChat and GenForum boards. I also belong to the Douglas DNA Project and convinced a cousin to do the testing.
Robert Douglass and Jane Hunter had 9 children, but only 3 of them had issue: my GGG-grandfather Alexander Douglass and two siblings Elizabeth and William. I have connected with descendants of the other two and we have all shared info. We haven't been able to go back any further than Robert.
I have read portions of the Bruce Elliott book about the 1819 Camperdown voyage. Unfortunately my Douglasses are not on the partial list of passengers that boarded the New Swiftsure to Montreal. And according to the story I've been told -- by a descendant of David Hunter -- they landed in New York and went first to Vermont where they lived for several years. (We believe that to be true as several children were born in Vt. before they moved to Quebec.)
Thank you again for your suggestions. I'll try to post a family group sheet soon. I keep hoping someone will come along and recognize these folks!
Jody Parker -
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Yes, I do believe that is my Robt. Douglass listed in the 1820 census for Highgate, Vt. This tells me that they did indeed arrive in Vermont before this date and adds credence to the story that they came with David Hunter and family (listed on the previous page, as you thought). Here’s how I interpret the census listing for the Robert Douglass household:
1 male age 27-45 (Robert, he would have been abt. 44)
1 male under age 10 (this would be my Alexander, born in Ireland or at sea)
1 female age 17-26 (assume this is Jane, although I would think she was older)
2 females under age 10 (not sure about these, but could be Elizabeth and another daughter)
It indicates that 4 of these folks were foreigners, which makes sense if they came with two children (my Alexander and one of the daughters) and another was born in Vt. by this time (the other young daughter). It also says one person was involved in agriculture (Robert was listed as a farmer in later census reports.)
On my to-do list is to visit the Highgate (Vt.) Town Clerk to search for birth records of the children who were born there. Once they moved to Quebec I have found some baptism and burial records, but nothing which indicates where Robert came from or the name of his parents.
Thank you for your thoughtful suggestions. Keep ‘em coming!!
Jody Parker -
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Hello Gene:
I’ve noticed the jumpy box as well. Very annoying! I’ve found that typing my response in Word and pasting it into the box works better for me.
I’ve found a very good source for church records in the Missisquoi Co. area of Quebec and she has provided me with some useful information, but again, nothing to indicate where Robert came from or who his parents were. I do have quite a bit of info on his descendants, but nothing on his ancestors.
Regarding John Douglass: His sister Elizabeth and her family settled in Nebraska in 1879, and John was there by the time of the 1880 census. He died there in 1905. Two other sisters (Jane and Lydia) later went to Nebraska and lived with John.
I was very interested to hear about the newspaper project and the collection at the Vt. State Law Library. That library is not far from my office and I’ve never been there, so I guess it’s time to pay a visit. I will try to track down the Diana Hibbert Bailey book as well.
I will try to post the family group sheet now. Thank you again for your attention to this!
Jody - Attachments:
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