On October 7, 1780, the foundation that would forever change the world was established. Fewer than one thousand American Heroes, through skill, luck, and the leadership of cunning strategists, defeated Patrick Ferguson, a brilliant star of the British military might. Lieutenant Edward Douglass was one of those Heroes.
His participation in the Battle of King's Mountain was documented in his Revolutionary War Pension Statement, S3297, which was transcribed by Will Graves.
(Parenthetically, historians, genealogists, and descendants owe thanks to Will Graves for his hours spent transcribing the pension applications of American Revolution veterans. These papers were fragile and difficult to read, so this was a most difficult task, but so many people benefit from his efforts. Thank you, Will Graves.)
Southern Campaign American Revolution Pension Statements
Pension application of Edward Douglass (Dugless) S3297 fn14NC
Transcribed by Will Graves rev'd 3/14/10
[Methodology: Spelling, punctuation and/or grammar have been corrected in some instances for ease of reading and to facilitate searches of the database. Also, the handwriting of the original scribes often lends itself to varying interpretations. Users of this database are urged to view the original and to make their own decision as to how to decipher what the original scribe actually wrote. Blanks appearing in the transcripts reflect blanks in the original. Folks are free to make non-commercial use this transcript in any manner they may see fit, but please extend the courtesy of acknowledging the transcriber—besides, if it turns out the transcript contains mistakes, the resulting embarrassment will fall on the transcriber.]
State of Tennessee, Jefferson County
On this 17th day of July A.D. 1833 personally appeared in Open Court before the Honorable the Judge of the Circuit Court of Jefferson County, now sitting, Edward Douglas [sic] a resident of Jefferson County in the State of Tennessee aged 70 years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his Oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That in the year 1779, the day and month not recollected, he volunteered and entered the Service of the United States; was enrolled into a company the Captain's name not now recollected, was commanded by Colonel Joseph Williams, was marched from Surry County North Carolina to Cumberland Gap Tennessee, thence he was marched back to Surry County in the State of North Carolina where he was discharged having been in service three months.
That afterwards, to wit, in the year 1780, the day and month not recollected, he was drafted and enrolled in Captain Henderson's corps, was commanded by Colonel Brannum, rendezvoused at a place known by Old Store in Surry County North Carolina thence he was marched to Moncks Corner, thence back to the River Santee and across the River thence to George Town [sic, Georgetown], near which place he was stationed for some time and was employed in destroying the vessels on Santee River, thence he was marched to Fayetteville North Carolina on Cross Creek, where he was discharged, having been in service three months.
That afterwards, to wit: the day, month & year not recollected, he volunteered and entered the Service in Captain Lewis' company, was commanded by Colonel Cleveland [Benjamin Cleveland], rendezvoused at Wilkesboro North Carolina thence he was marched to the head of the Catawba [River], thence to Broad River, thence down the River, thence to King's Mountain where he was in an engagement with the British & Tories, killed & took the enemy as prisoners.
Thence he was marched to Wilkes County North Carolina and was kept guarding the Prisoners and also part of his time he was kept out guarding the Frontier until his term of Service, three months, expired and was discharged. Afterwards, to wit: the day, month & year not recollected, he volunteered and entered the Service of Captain Humphries' company, the Commandant's name not recollected, but recollects well that it was General Rutherford's [Griffith Rutherford's] brigade; that he rendezvoused at Surry Court House North Carolina, thence he was marched to Fayetteville North Carolina, thence he was marched to the North East River, at which place he was stationed until his time of Service of three months expired and was discharged.
And afterwards, to wit: the day, month & year not recollected, he volunteered and entered the Service of the United States, in Captain Gordon's company, rendezvoused at Salisbury North Carolina, was commanded by Major Lewis, and was then stationed & kept in Service guarding the Jail in Salisbury N. C. in which place there was a number of Prisoners confined, who had been arrested & taken as suspicious persons passing through the Country & confined there to await their trial, having Served three months he was discharged.
This Declarant states that he has no Documentary evidence and that he knows of no person, whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his Service; that he did receive several original discharges, which I have lost. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
The following Interrogatories are propounded by the Honorable Edward Scott Judge of the Second Judicial Circuit to the applicant, and the questions and answers embodied in the document.
First: Where and in what year were you born[?]
Answer: I was born in the year 1763 in Orange County North Carolina, near Hillsborough.
Second: Have you any record of your age and if so where is it?
Answer: I have the record of my age it is in my Bible at home taken from the record kept by my parents.
Third: Where were you living, when called into Service where have you lived since the Revolutionary war. Answer: I was living in Surry County North Carolina thence I removed to Knox County Tennessee thence to Jefferson County Tennessee where he now lives.
Fourth: How were you called into Service were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a Substitute, and if a Substitute for whom?
Answer: I served as a volunteer also I was drafted.
Fifth: State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops where you served, such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the General Circumstances of your Service. Answer: I served under the following named captains, to wit: Henderson, Lewis, Humphreys & Gordon. Major Lewis – Colonel Joseph Williams – Colonel Brannum. Colonel Cleveland, General Rutherford. The Regiments he does not recollect but thinks one was called the Third Regiment.
Sixth: Did you ever receive a discharge from the Service and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it?
Answer: I did receive several discharges which have been lost.
Seventh: State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity and good behavior, your services as a Soldier of the Revolution.
Answer: as to my character for veracity and good behavior John Caldwell, James A. Thornton & Reverend A Gass and as to my revolutionary services I know of no person who can testify to my actual Service. Sworn to & subscribed in Open Court the 17th day of July A.D1833.
S/ Edward Dugless Test: S/ N. B. Bradford, Clerk
[Andrew Gass, a clergyman, and John Caldwell and James A. Thornton gave the standard supporting affidavit.]
The Daughters of the American Revolution honored his service. The organization designated Lieutenant Edward Douglass, Jr. "DAR Ancestor Number A033708."
Edward Douglass was the son of his namesake, Colonel Edward Douglass, DAR Ancestor #A033694, and Sarah Elizabeth George. Edward Douglass, Sr. was a skilled Indian fighter and prominent member of the Sumner County, Tennessee Community.
The children of the Colonel Edward and Sarah George Douglass were:
1.James Douglass, married Catherine Collier.
2.John Douglass, killed by Indians while on a mission organized by Colonel Anthony Bledsoe
3.William Douglass, married Peggy Stroud.
4.Elizabeth Douglass, married William Cage.
5.Elmore Douglass, married Betsey Blakemore.
6.Ezekiel Douglass, married May Gibson.
7.Sally Douglass, married Thomas Blakemore.
8.Reuben Douglass, married Elizabeth Edwards.
9.Edward Douglass, Jr., married Elizabeth Howard and they had the following children:
a.William Howard Douglass married Sarah Edwards
b.Harvey Lightfoot Douglass marriedd Priscilla Shelby and Jane Crabb
c.Elmore Douglass married Eliza Fulton
d.Norval Douglas married Priscilla Cage
e.Eliza G Douglass married Charles Grandison Saunders
f.Martha Patsy Douglass married John Hall
g.Delia Douglass married Edward Douglass
The actual burial site for Lt. Douglass has been lost to history. We have placed a Memorial Stone honoring him in the Cantrell Gilliand Memorial Garden. May this memorial serve as an expression of the gratitude we owe Lt. Douglass for risking his life and braving the unknown to help build a new country: our America.
From "The History of Middle Tennessee- recollections of John Car in 1847:
""Col. Edward Douglass was quite a prominent man among us at an early time. He was a native of North Carolina, and was in the Revolutionary War-held a major's appointment, I believe. He was brave and patriotic, and was an energetic and prudent military officer. I have been with him in pursuit of the Indians. He was a man of fine sense, and, I believe, when young read law, though he never practiced at the bar in this country. He was one of our first magistrates, and, as such, was a leading member of the county court. As he possessed legal knowledge, he received frequent applications for advice as to lawsuits, which he freely gave without fee or reward; though he always counseled his neighbors not to go to law. He was kind-hearted and benevolent, generous and hospitable-his house as well as his heart being ever open to his friends, while as to enemies, I believe he had not one in the world. He raised a respectable family, and one of his sons, Dr. Elmore Douglass, is now living in Gallatin-the oldest physician, I suppose, in Sumner county. I have forgotten the date of Col. Douglass's death, and will only add, Peace to his memory!"
Thank you, Jean Irwin, for valuable additions to this memorial.
His participation in the Battle of King's Mountain was documented in his Revolutionary War Pension Statement, S3297, which was transcribed by Will Graves.
(Parenthetically, historians, genealogists, and descendants owe thanks to Will Graves for his hours spent transcribing the pension applications of American Revolution veterans. These papers were fragile and difficult to read, so this was a most difficult task, but so many people benefit from his efforts. Thank you, Will Graves.)
Southern Campaign American Revolution Pension Statements
Pension application of Edward Douglass (Dugless) S3297 fn14NC
Transcribed by Will Graves rev'd 3/14/10
[Methodology: Spelling, punctuation and/or grammar have been corrected in some instances for ease of reading and to facilitate searches of the database. Also, the handwriting of the original scribes often lends itself to varying interpretations. Users of this database are urged to view the original and to make their own decision as to how to decipher what the original scribe actually wrote. Blanks appearing in the transcripts reflect blanks in the original. Folks are free to make non-commercial use this transcript in any manner they may see fit, but please extend the courtesy of acknowledging the transcriber—besides, if it turns out the transcript contains mistakes, the resulting embarrassment will fall on the transcriber.]
State of Tennessee, Jefferson County
On this 17th day of July A.D. 1833 personally appeared in Open Court before the Honorable the Judge of the Circuit Court of Jefferson County, now sitting, Edward Douglas [sic] a resident of Jefferson County in the State of Tennessee aged 70 years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his Oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That in the year 1779, the day and month not recollected, he volunteered and entered the Service of the United States; was enrolled into a company the Captain's name not now recollected, was commanded by Colonel Joseph Williams, was marched from Surry County North Carolina to Cumberland Gap Tennessee, thence he was marched back to Surry County in the State of North Carolina where he was discharged having been in service three months.
That afterwards, to wit, in the year 1780, the day and month not recollected, he was drafted and enrolled in Captain Henderson's corps, was commanded by Colonel Brannum, rendezvoused at a place known by Old Store in Surry County North Carolina thence he was marched to Moncks Corner, thence back to the River Santee and across the River thence to George Town [sic, Georgetown], near which place he was stationed for some time and was employed in destroying the vessels on Santee River, thence he was marched to Fayetteville North Carolina on Cross Creek, where he was discharged, having been in service three months.
That afterwards, to wit: the day, month & year not recollected, he volunteered and entered the Service in Captain Lewis' company, was commanded by Colonel Cleveland [Benjamin Cleveland], rendezvoused at Wilkesboro North Carolina thence he was marched to the head of the Catawba [River], thence to Broad River, thence down the River, thence to King's Mountain where he was in an engagement with the British & Tories, killed & took the enemy as prisoners.
Thence he was marched to Wilkes County North Carolina and was kept guarding the Prisoners and also part of his time he was kept out guarding the Frontier until his term of Service, three months, expired and was discharged. Afterwards, to wit: the day, month & year not recollected, he volunteered and entered the Service of Captain Humphries' company, the Commandant's name not recollected, but recollects well that it was General Rutherford's [Griffith Rutherford's] brigade; that he rendezvoused at Surry Court House North Carolina, thence he was marched to Fayetteville North Carolina, thence he was marched to the North East River, at which place he was stationed until his time of Service of three months expired and was discharged.
And afterwards, to wit: the day, month & year not recollected, he volunteered and entered the Service of the United States, in Captain Gordon's company, rendezvoused at Salisbury North Carolina, was commanded by Major Lewis, and was then stationed & kept in Service guarding the Jail in Salisbury N. C. in which place there was a number of Prisoners confined, who had been arrested & taken as suspicious persons passing through the Country & confined there to await their trial, having Served three months he was discharged.
This Declarant states that he has no Documentary evidence and that he knows of no person, whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his Service; that he did receive several original discharges, which I have lost. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
The following Interrogatories are propounded by the Honorable Edward Scott Judge of the Second Judicial Circuit to the applicant, and the questions and answers embodied in the document.
First: Where and in what year were you born[?]
Answer: I was born in the year 1763 in Orange County North Carolina, near Hillsborough.
Second: Have you any record of your age and if so where is it?
Answer: I have the record of my age it is in my Bible at home taken from the record kept by my parents.
Third: Where were you living, when called into Service where have you lived since the Revolutionary war. Answer: I was living in Surry County North Carolina thence I removed to Knox County Tennessee thence to Jefferson County Tennessee where he now lives.
Fourth: How were you called into Service were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a Substitute, and if a Substitute for whom?
Answer: I served as a volunteer also I was drafted.
Fifth: State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops where you served, such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the General Circumstances of your Service. Answer: I served under the following named captains, to wit: Henderson, Lewis, Humphreys & Gordon. Major Lewis – Colonel Joseph Williams – Colonel Brannum. Colonel Cleveland, General Rutherford. The Regiments he does not recollect but thinks one was called the Third Regiment.
Sixth: Did you ever receive a discharge from the Service and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it?
Answer: I did receive several discharges which have been lost.
Seventh: State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity and good behavior, your services as a Soldier of the Revolution.
Answer: as to my character for veracity and good behavior John Caldwell, James A. Thornton & Reverend A Gass and as to my revolutionary services I know of no person who can testify to my actual Service. Sworn to & subscribed in Open Court the 17th day of July A.D1833.
S/ Edward Dugless Test: S/ N. B. Bradford, Clerk
[Andrew Gass, a clergyman, and John Caldwell and James A. Thornton gave the standard supporting affidavit.]
The Daughters of the American Revolution honored his service. The organization designated Lieutenant Edward Douglass, Jr. "DAR Ancestor Number A033708."
Edward Douglass was the son of his namesake, Colonel Edward Douglass, DAR Ancestor #A033694, and Sarah Elizabeth George. Edward Douglass, Sr. was a skilled Indian fighter and prominent member of the Sumner County, Tennessee Community.
The children of the Colonel Edward and Sarah George Douglass were:
1.James Douglass, married Catherine Collier.
2.John Douglass, killed by Indians while on a mission organized by Colonel Anthony Bledsoe
3.William Douglass, married Peggy Stroud.
4.Elizabeth Douglass, married William Cage.
5.Elmore Douglass, married Betsey Blakemore.
6.Ezekiel Douglass, married May Gibson.
7.Sally Douglass, married Thomas Blakemore.
8.Reuben Douglass, married Elizabeth Edwards.
9.Edward Douglass, Jr., married Elizabeth Howard and they had the following children:
a.William Howard Douglass married Sarah Edwards
b.Harvey Lightfoot Douglass marriedd Priscilla Shelby and Jane Crabb
c.Elmore Douglass married Eliza Fulton
d.Norval Douglas married Priscilla Cage
e.Eliza G Douglass married Charles Grandison Saunders
f.Martha Patsy Douglass married John Hall
g.Delia Douglass married Edward Douglass
The actual burial site for Lt. Douglass has been lost to history. We have placed a Memorial Stone honoring him in the Cantrell Gilliand Memorial Garden. May this memorial serve as an expression of the gratitude we owe Lt. Douglass for risking his life and braving the unknown to help build a new country: our America.
From "The History of Middle Tennessee- recollections of John Car in 1847:
""Col. Edward Douglass was quite a prominent man among us at an early time. He was a native of North Carolina, and was in the Revolutionary War-held a major's appointment, I believe. He was brave and patriotic, and was an energetic and prudent military officer. I have been with him in pursuit of the Indians. He was a man of fine sense, and, I believe, when young read law, though he never practiced at the bar in this country. He was one of our first magistrates, and, as such, was a leading member of the county court. As he possessed legal knowledge, he received frequent applications for advice as to lawsuits, which he freely gave without fee or reward; though he always counseled his neighbors not to go to law. He was kind-hearted and benevolent, generous and hospitable-his house as well as his heart being ever open to his friends, while as to enemies, I believe he had not one in the world. He raised a respectable family, and one of his sons, Dr. Elmore Douglass, is now living in Gallatin-the oldest physician, I suppose, in Sumner county. I have forgotten the date of Col. Douglass's death, and will only add, Peace to his memory!"
Thank you, Jean Irwin, for valuable additions to this memorial.
On October 7, 1780, the foundation that would forever change the world was established. Fewer than one thousand American Heroes, through skill, luck, and the leadership of cunning strategists, defeated Patrick Ferguson, a brilliant star of the British military might. Lieutenant Edward Douglass was one of those Heroes.
His participation in the Battle of King's Mountain was documented in his Revolutionary War Pension Statement, S3297, which was transcribed by Will Graves.
(Parenthetically, historians, genealogists, and descendants owe thanks to Will Graves for his hours spent transcribing the pension applications of American Revolution veterans. These papers were fragile and difficult to read, so this was a most difficult task, but so many people benefit from his efforts. Thank you, Will Graves.)
Southern Campaign American Revolution Pension Statements
Pension application of Edward Douglass (Dugless) S3297 fn14NC
Transcribed by Will Graves rev'd 3/14/10
[Methodology: Spelling, punctuation and/or grammar have been corrected in some instances for ease of reading and to facilitate searches of the database. Also, the handwriting of the original scribes often lends itself to varying interpretations. Users of this database are urged to view the original and to make their own decision as to how to decipher what the original scribe actually wrote. Blanks appearing in the transcripts reflect blanks in the original. Folks are free to make non-commercial use this transcript in any manner they may see fit, but please extend the courtesy of acknowledging the transcriber—besides, if it turns out the transcript contains mistakes, the resulting embarrassment will fall on the transcriber.]
State of Tennessee, Jefferson County
On this 17th day of July A.D. 1833 personally appeared in Open Court before the Honorable the Judge of the Circuit Court of Jefferson County, now sitting, Edward Douglas [sic] a resident of Jefferson County in the State of Tennessee aged 70 years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his Oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That in the year 1779, the day and month not recollected, he volunteered and entered the Service of the United States; was enrolled into a company the Captain's name not now recollected, was commanded by Colonel Joseph Williams, was marched from Surry County North Carolina to Cumberland Gap Tennessee, thence he was marched back to Surry County in the State of North Carolina where he was discharged having been in service three months.
That afterwards, to wit, in the year 1780, the day and month not recollected, he was drafted and enrolled in Captain Henderson's corps, was commanded by Colonel Brannum, rendezvoused at a place known by Old Store in Surry County North Carolina thence he was marched to Moncks Corner, thence back to the River Santee and across the River thence to George Town [sic, Georgetown], near which place he was stationed for some time and was employed in destroying the vessels on Santee River, thence he was marched to Fayetteville North Carolina on Cross Creek, where he was discharged, having been in service three months.
That afterwards, to wit: the day, month & year not recollected, he volunteered and entered the Service in Captain Lewis' company, was commanded by Colonel Cleveland [Benjamin Cleveland], rendezvoused at Wilkesboro North Carolina thence he was marched to the head of the Catawba [River], thence to Broad River, thence down the River, thence to King's Mountain where he was in an engagement with the British & Tories, killed & took the enemy as prisoners.
Thence he was marched to Wilkes County North Carolina and was kept guarding the Prisoners and also part of his time he was kept out guarding the Frontier until his term of Service, three months, expired and was discharged. Afterwards, to wit: the day, month & year not recollected, he volunteered and entered the Service of Captain Humphries' company, the Commandant's name not recollected, but recollects well that it was General Rutherford's [Griffith Rutherford's] brigade; that he rendezvoused at Surry Court House North Carolina, thence he was marched to Fayetteville North Carolina, thence he was marched to the North East River, at which place he was stationed until his time of Service of three months expired and was discharged.
And afterwards, to wit: the day, month & year not recollected, he volunteered and entered the Service of the United States, in Captain Gordon's company, rendezvoused at Salisbury North Carolina, was commanded by Major Lewis, and was then stationed & kept in Service guarding the Jail in Salisbury N. C. in which place there was a number of Prisoners confined, who had been arrested & taken as suspicious persons passing through the Country & confined there to await their trial, having Served three months he was discharged.
This Declarant states that he has no Documentary evidence and that he knows of no person, whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his Service; that he did receive several original discharges, which I have lost. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
The following Interrogatories are propounded by the Honorable Edward Scott Judge of the Second Judicial Circuit to the applicant, and the questions and answers embodied in the document.
First: Where and in what year were you born[?]
Answer: I was born in the year 1763 in Orange County North Carolina, near Hillsborough.
Second: Have you any record of your age and if so where is it?
Answer: I have the record of my age it is in my Bible at home taken from the record kept by my parents.
Third: Where were you living, when called into Service where have you lived since the Revolutionary war. Answer: I was living in Surry County North Carolina thence I removed to Knox County Tennessee thence to Jefferson County Tennessee where he now lives.
Fourth: How were you called into Service were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a Substitute, and if a Substitute for whom?
Answer: I served as a volunteer also I was drafted.
Fifth: State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops where you served, such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the General Circumstances of your Service. Answer: I served under the following named captains, to wit: Henderson, Lewis, Humphreys & Gordon. Major Lewis – Colonel Joseph Williams – Colonel Brannum. Colonel Cleveland, General Rutherford. The Regiments he does not recollect but thinks one was called the Third Regiment.
Sixth: Did you ever receive a discharge from the Service and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it?
Answer: I did receive several discharges which have been lost.
Seventh: State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity and good behavior, your services as a Soldier of the Revolution.
Answer: as to my character for veracity and good behavior John Caldwell, James A. Thornton & Reverend A Gass and as to my revolutionary services I know of no person who can testify to my actual Service. Sworn to & subscribed in Open Court the 17th day of July A.D1833.
S/ Edward Dugless Test: S/ N. B. Bradford, Clerk
[Andrew Gass, a clergyman, and John Caldwell and James A. Thornton gave the standard supporting affidavit.]
The Daughters of the American Revolution honored his service. The organization designated Lieutenant Edward Douglass, Jr. "DAR Ancestor Number A033708."
Edward Douglass was the son of his namesake, Colonel Edward Douglass, DAR Ancestor #A033694, and Sarah Elizabeth George. Edward Douglass, Sr. was a skilled Indian fighter and prominent member of the Sumner County, Tennessee Community.
The children of the Colonel Edward and Sarah George Douglass were:
1.James Douglass, married Catherine Collier.
2.John Douglass, killed by Indians while on a mission organized by Colonel Anthony Bledsoe
3.William Douglass, married Peggy Stroud.
4.Elizabeth Douglass, married William Cage.
5.Elmore Douglass, married Betsey Blakemore.
6.Ezekiel Douglass, married May Gibson.
7.Sally Douglass, married Thomas Blakemore.
8.Reuben Douglass, married Elizabeth Edwards.
9.Edward Douglass, Jr., married Elizabeth Howard and they had the following children:
a.William Howard Douglass married Sarah Edwards
b.Harvey Lightfoot Douglass marriedd Priscilla Shelby and Jane Crabb
c.Elmore Douglass married Eliza Fulton
d.Norval Douglas married Priscilla Cage
e.Eliza G Douglass married Charles Grandison Saunders
f.Martha Patsy Douglass married John Hall
g.Delia Douglass married Edward Douglass
The actual burial site for Lt. Douglass has been lost to history. We have placed a Memorial Stone honoring him in the Cantrell Gilliand Memorial Garden. May this memorial serve as an expression of the gratitude we owe Lt. Douglass for risking his life and braving the unknown to help build a new country: our America.
From "The History of Middle Tennessee- recollections of John Car in 1847:
""Col. Edward Douglass was quite a prominent man among us at an early time. He was a native of North Carolina, and was in the Revolutionary War-held a major's appointment, I believe. He was brave and patriotic, and was an energetic and prudent military officer. I have been with him in pursuit of the Indians. He was a man of fine sense, and, I believe, when young read law, though he never practiced at the bar in this country. He was one of our first magistrates, and, as such, was a leading member of the county court. As he possessed legal knowledge, he received frequent applications for advice as to lawsuits, which he freely gave without fee or reward; though he always counseled his neighbors not to go to law. He was kind-hearted and benevolent, generous and hospitable-his house as well as his heart being ever open to his friends, while as to enemies, I believe he had not one in the world. He raised a respectable family, and one of his sons, Dr. Elmore Douglass, is now living in Gallatin-the oldest physician, I suppose, in Sumner county. I have forgotten the date of Col. Douglass's death, and will only add, Peace to his memory!"
Thank you, Jean Irwin, for valuable additions to this memorial.
His participation in the Battle of King's Mountain was documented in his Revolutionary War Pension Statement, S3297, which was transcribed by Will Graves.
(Parenthetically, historians, genealogists, and descendants owe thanks to Will Graves for his hours spent transcribing the pension applications of American Revolution veterans. These papers were fragile and difficult to read, so this was a most difficult task, but so many people benefit from his efforts. Thank you, Will Graves.)
Southern Campaign American Revolution Pension Statements
Pension application of Edward Douglass (Dugless) S3297 fn14NC
Transcribed by Will Graves rev'd 3/14/10
[Methodology: Spelling, punctuation and/or grammar have been corrected in some instances for ease of reading and to facilitate searches of the database. Also, the handwriting of the original scribes often lends itself to varying interpretations. Users of this database are urged to view the original and to make their own decision as to how to decipher what the original scribe actually wrote. Blanks appearing in the transcripts reflect blanks in the original. Folks are free to make non-commercial use this transcript in any manner they may see fit, but please extend the courtesy of acknowledging the transcriber—besides, if it turns out the transcript contains mistakes, the resulting embarrassment will fall on the transcriber.]
State of Tennessee, Jefferson County
On this 17th day of July A.D. 1833 personally appeared in Open Court before the Honorable the Judge of the Circuit Court of Jefferson County, now sitting, Edward Douglas [sic] a resident of Jefferson County in the State of Tennessee aged 70 years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his Oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That in the year 1779, the day and month not recollected, he volunteered and entered the Service of the United States; was enrolled into a company the Captain's name not now recollected, was commanded by Colonel Joseph Williams, was marched from Surry County North Carolina to Cumberland Gap Tennessee, thence he was marched back to Surry County in the State of North Carolina where he was discharged having been in service three months.
That afterwards, to wit, in the year 1780, the day and month not recollected, he was drafted and enrolled in Captain Henderson's corps, was commanded by Colonel Brannum, rendezvoused at a place known by Old Store in Surry County North Carolina thence he was marched to Moncks Corner, thence back to the River Santee and across the River thence to George Town [sic, Georgetown], near which place he was stationed for some time and was employed in destroying the vessels on Santee River, thence he was marched to Fayetteville North Carolina on Cross Creek, where he was discharged, having been in service three months.
That afterwards, to wit: the day, month & year not recollected, he volunteered and entered the Service in Captain Lewis' company, was commanded by Colonel Cleveland [Benjamin Cleveland], rendezvoused at Wilkesboro North Carolina thence he was marched to the head of the Catawba [River], thence to Broad River, thence down the River, thence to King's Mountain where he was in an engagement with the British & Tories, killed & took the enemy as prisoners.
Thence he was marched to Wilkes County North Carolina and was kept guarding the Prisoners and also part of his time he was kept out guarding the Frontier until his term of Service, three months, expired and was discharged. Afterwards, to wit: the day, month & year not recollected, he volunteered and entered the Service of Captain Humphries' company, the Commandant's name not recollected, but recollects well that it was General Rutherford's [Griffith Rutherford's] brigade; that he rendezvoused at Surry Court House North Carolina, thence he was marched to Fayetteville North Carolina, thence he was marched to the North East River, at which place he was stationed until his time of Service of three months expired and was discharged.
And afterwards, to wit: the day, month & year not recollected, he volunteered and entered the Service of the United States, in Captain Gordon's company, rendezvoused at Salisbury North Carolina, was commanded by Major Lewis, and was then stationed & kept in Service guarding the Jail in Salisbury N. C. in which place there was a number of Prisoners confined, who had been arrested & taken as suspicious persons passing through the Country & confined there to await their trial, having Served three months he was discharged.
This Declarant states that he has no Documentary evidence and that he knows of no person, whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his Service; that he did receive several original discharges, which I have lost. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
The following Interrogatories are propounded by the Honorable Edward Scott Judge of the Second Judicial Circuit to the applicant, and the questions and answers embodied in the document.
First: Where and in what year were you born[?]
Answer: I was born in the year 1763 in Orange County North Carolina, near Hillsborough.
Second: Have you any record of your age and if so where is it?
Answer: I have the record of my age it is in my Bible at home taken from the record kept by my parents.
Third: Where were you living, when called into Service where have you lived since the Revolutionary war. Answer: I was living in Surry County North Carolina thence I removed to Knox County Tennessee thence to Jefferson County Tennessee where he now lives.
Fourth: How were you called into Service were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a Substitute, and if a Substitute for whom?
Answer: I served as a volunteer also I was drafted.
Fifth: State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops where you served, such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the General Circumstances of your Service. Answer: I served under the following named captains, to wit: Henderson, Lewis, Humphreys & Gordon. Major Lewis – Colonel Joseph Williams – Colonel Brannum. Colonel Cleveland, General Rutherford. The Regiments he does not recollect but thinks one was called the Third Regiment.
Sixth: Did you ever receive a discharge from the Service and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it?
Answer: I did receive several discharges which have been lost.
Seventh: State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity and good behavior, your services as a Soldier of the Revolution.
Answer: as to my character for veracity and good behavior John Caldwell, James A. Thornton & Reverend A Gass and as to my revolutionary services I know of no person who can testify to my actual Service. Sworn to & subscribed in Open Court the 17th day of July A.D1833.
S/ Edward Dugless Test: S/ N. B. Bradford, Clerk
[Andrew Gass, a clergyman, and John Caldwell and James A. Thornton gave the standard supporting affidavit.]
The Daughters of the American Revolution honored his service. The organization designated Lieutenant Edward Douglass, Jr. "DAR Ancestor Number A033708."
Edward Douglass was the son of his namesake, Colonel Edward Douglass, DAR Ancestor #A033694, and Sarah Elizabeth George. Edward Douglass, Sr. was a skilled Indian fighter and prominent member of the Sumner County, Tennessee Community.
The children of the Colonel Edward and Sarah George Douglass were:
1.James Douglass, married Catherine Collier.
2.John Douglass, killed by Indians while on a mission organized by Colonel Anthony Bledsoe
3.William Douglass, married Peggy Stroud.
4.Elizabeth Douglass, married William Cage.
5.Elmore Douglass, married Betsey Blakemore.
6.Ezekiel Douglass, married May Gibson.
7.Sally Douglass, married Thomas Blakemore.
8.Reuben Douglass, married Elizabeth Edwards.
9.Edward Douglass, Jr., married Elizabeth Howard and they had the following children:
a.William Howard Douglass married Sarah Edwards
b.Harvey Lightfoot Douglass marriedd Priscilla Shelby and Jane Crabb
c.Elmore Douglass married Eliza Fulton
d.Norval Douglas married Priscilla Cage
e.Eliza G Douglass married Charles Grandison Saunders
f.Martha Patsy Douglass married John Hall
g.Delia Douglass married Edward Douglass
The actual burial site for Lt. Douglass has been lost to history. We have placed a Memorial Stone honoring him in the Cantrell Gilliand Memorial Garden. May this memorial serve as an expression of the gratitude we owe Lt. Douglass for risking his life and braving the unknown to help build a new country: our America.
From "The History of Middle Tennessee- recollections of John Car in 1847:
""Col. Edward Douglass was quite a prominent man among us at an early time. He was a native of North Carolina, and was in the Revolutionary War-held a major's appointment, I believe. He was brave and patriotic, and was an energetic and prudent military officer. I have been with him in pursuit of the Indians. He was a man of fine sense, and, I believe, when young read law, though he never practiced at the bar in this country. He was one of our first magistrates, and, as such, was a leading member of the county court. As he possessed legal knowledge, he received frequent applications for advice as to lawsuits, which he freely gave without fee or reward; though he always counseled his neighbors not to go to law. He was kind-hearted and benevolent, generous and hospitable-his house as well as his heart being ever open to his friends, while as to enemies, I believe he had not one in the world. He raised a respectable family, and one of his sons, Dr. Elmore Douglass, is now living in Gallatin-the oldest physician, I suppose, in Sumner county. I have forgotten the date of Col. Douglass's death, and will only add, Peace to his memory!"
Thank you, Jean Irwin, for valuable additions to this memorial.
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