Person:Alexander Douglas (10)

The relationship between this Alexander Douglas and Roger Douglas of Orange and Augusta County, Virginia is in question. Roger Douglas names Alexander as "my cuzen" in his will, written 2 July 1744. Alexander is also refered to as "heir-at-law of his brother, Roger Douglass" in a 1753 deed in Augusta County, and later refered to as "eldest son and heir-at-law of Roger Douglass, deceased" in a 1762 deed for the same tract of land listed in the 1753 transaction. Additional research/records are needed to establish which of these relationships is correct, although it appears likely that they were brothers.

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Early Land Acquisition in Augusta County, VA

Acquisition of Land from Chalkley's:

Alexander Douglas received land (200 acres initially and another 200 acres after the death of John Douglas) in the will of Roger Douglas in Orange County, Virginia records (listed below). These 400 acres were sold to Alexander Ritchey in the disposition listed below:

Disposition of Land from Chalkley's:

16 Oct 1746. Deed by Alexander Douglas to Andrew Duncan conveys a tract in Beverley Manor, 233 acres joining Patrick and Charlie Campbells and Brownlee's land and a tract known as Pine Run, where Francis Beatty once lived, 230 acres This land in state of litigation through 1766. [Records of Augusta Co., VA, 1745-1800, Vol 1, pp.408-409].

Page 535.--21st May, 1748. £30. Alexander Duglas, heir-at-law to Roger Duglas, late of Augusta County, deceased, to Alexander Ritchey, blacksmith, 400 acres on James River above mouth Craig's Creek. Teste: Robt. Renick, Mathew Edmiston, Wm. Syers. Acknowledged, 21st May, 1748.

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Records in Orange County, VA

Pages 40-41. Will of Roger Duglass, yeoman, of Augusta County in Virginia, being much indisposed in body, dated 2 July 1744.

Unto Elioner Hutchison wife to George Hutchinson, my sorrel mear and her colt.

Unto John Duglass my cuzen my roan mear and thirty years of ten hundred linen yard wide.

Unto Alexander Duglass my cuzen my black mare and her colt and my gray horse with two shirt cloths of linen. Also 200 acres of 400 of my land which lies on the north side of James River.

The other 200 of said land unto John Duglass during his life time and then it shall become the abovementioned Alexander Duglass.

Unto George Hutchinson £18.4.8 Pennsylvania currency which is owning to me out of which I allow myself to be decently buried, my debts paid and £2.5.- given to John Duglass and the remainder (excepting one pound which said George Hutchison is to have) and said George is to divide between his own wife and the said Alexander Duglass.

Alexander Duglass and George Hutchison executors.

(signed) Roger (X) Duglass

Wit: Felix (F) Canady, James Ker, Andrew Woods

28 Feb. 1744 [1745]. Exhibited in Court by Alexander Duglass. Proved by Felix Cannady, Andrew Woods and James Patton, Gent., his securities gave bond. [Orange County Virginia Will Book 2, Dorman, pg. 6-7].

Pages 41-42. Bond of Alexander Douglass as executor of Roger Douglass. Unto Thomas Chew, Gent., first justice. For £500 28 Feb. 1744 [1745]. Securities, Felix Cannaday, Andrew Wood and James Patton, Gent. (signed) Alexander Duglass, Felix (X) Cannady, Andrew Woods, James Patton. Wit: William Kelly. 28 Feb. 1744 [1745]. Acknowledged. [Orange County Virginia Will Book 2, Dorman, pg. 7].

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Records in Augusta County, VA

From Chalkley’s Augusta County Records:

22 Aug 1746. Alexander Douglas, jury duty. [Chalkley's Records of Augusta Co., VA, 1745-1800, Vol 1].

Page 434.--18th November, 1747. £11 current money Virginia. Benj. Borden, &c., to Moses Trimble (sold in testator's lifetime), 345-1/2 acres, part of 92,100, adjoining John Huston on the Timber Ridge; corner to Samuel Gray; corner to David Edmiston; corner to Daniel Lyle. Teste: Joseph Lapsley, Alexander Douglass, Abraham Brown. Acknowledged, 18th November, 1747.

Vol. 1 - FEBRUARY, 1749 (A). - James Patton vs. Alexander Douglass (stone mason).--Contract to build a house for plaintiff with dimensions and plans. 25th October, 1746.

Page 496.--25th August (1753). Alex. Ritchie, blacksmith, and Mary to Gabriel Jones, of Frederick County, attorney, 1753, 400 acres, James River above Craig's Creek. Purchased of Alex. Douglass, heir-at-law of his brother, Roger Douglass, to whom it was patented. Teste: James Donalson (Donelson). (Note: this record establishes Alexander Douglas as Roger's brother, not his cousin as in Roger Douglas' will, above. The term "cousin" was sometimes used loosely in describing relationships during that time period).

Page 162.--27th November, 1762. Gabriel Jones and Margaret to Samuel Lawrance, yeoman, £215, 400 acres on James River above mouth of Craig's Creek, purchased by Jones from Alexander Richey and he from Alexander Douglass, eldest son and heir-at-law of Roger Douglass, deceased, original patentee. Delivered: Samuel Lawrance, March Court, 1769. (Note: this record contradicts prior record in 1753. It is possible that the relationship between Alexander Douglas and Roger Douglas became confused or forgotten by the person recording this deed).

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