Notes:

Eldest of 11 children
Agricultural diversification highlights the history of the Douglass Century Farm, established by Wiley J. Douglass, b1792, in 1840. Douglass, who married twice and fathered eleven children, was a significant figure in nineteenth century agriculture in Sumner County. Tobacco, corn, cotton, wheat, flax, maple syrup, cattle, swine, sheep and turkeys were some of the major commodities produced on his diversified farm of 320 acres located three miles northwest of Gallatin. More importantly, Wiley owned and operated a grist mill and cotton gin. This family also made award-winning woven blankets.

William married Elizabeth 'Eliza' L. Watkins on 15 Jun 1820 in Sumner Co. Tennessee, USA. Elizabeth was born about 1792; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Jane A. Douglass was born in 1821; and died.
2. William Watkins Douglass was born on 2 May 1821; died on 2 Dec 1902 in Douglass Cemetery, Cottontown, Tennessee, USA.
3. Richard Elder Douglass was born about 1825; and died.
4. Guy M. Douglass was born in 1826; died in 1912.
5. Charles Watkins Douglass was born in 1829; died in 1835.
6. Reuben E. Douglass was born in 1831; died in 1915.

William married Lucinda Ann 'Lucy' Grimm on 16 Aug 1843 in Sumner Co. Tennessee, USA. Lucinda was born in 1792; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Edward Douglass was born in 1844; and died.
2. Elizabeth "Bettie" Douglass was born in 1845; died in 1909.
3. Wylie Jones Douglass was born in 1850; died in 1925.
4. Walter Abraham Douglass was born on 3 Nov 1853 in Sumner Co. Tennessee, USA; died on 22 Mar 1950.
5. Evaline Cara Douglass was born in 1856; and died.

Reuben married Elizabeth 'Betsy' Edwards on 25 Jan 1791 in Sumner Co. Tennessee, USA. Elizabeth (daughter of William Edwards and Sarah Gennette) was born on 25 Jun 1774 in North Carolina, USA; died on 9 Feb 1839 in Sumner Co. Tennessee, USA; was buried in Douglas-Pardue Cemetery, Gallatin, Sumner County, Tennessee, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The Douglass family took a prominent part in the early day affairs of Sumner County. Edward Douglass, Sr. was a man of education and said to have been a lawyer, though he never practiced law. He was one of the first magistrates of Sumner County. Prior to July, 1796, the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions were held in different places, at Edward Douglass' place in 1788 and 1790, and at the Ezekial Douglass place in 1793-1796. The first term of court held under the organization of the State of Tennessee was in July, 1796, and Edward Douglass, (Jr.) and James Douglass were among those commissioned as justices by John Sevier, the first Governor of the State. Both James and Edward (Jr.) served terms as Sheriff of Sumner County. Edward (Jr.) also served a term as a State Senator. Edward Douglass, Sr. died 2 Feb. 1795, Cage's Bend, Sumner Co., TN.

Peggy Bone Colella writes: History books say Edward Douglass was a Colonel during the Revolution. Some researchers, however, say he was not a Colonel but only a Private. The confusion may come from the fact that there was an Edward Douglass in Northampton Co., VA, referred to in the will of Ann Southey Harmar Littleton, in 1656, as Lt. Col. Edward Douglass. This Edward and his wife Isabella had a son Edward who is believed to have be either the father or grandfather of the Edward Douglass b. 1713. There is also a conflict of information on where Edward (b.1713) was born. Most likely correct is that he was born 10 Mar. 1713 in Virginia. In a "SKETCH OF THE DOUGLASS FAMILY", written in 1839 by James Douglass, son of Edward and Sarah (George) Douglass, James says that his father had said "he had but one own brother, John Douglass" and that their father died when they were young. Nothing has been found on this John Douglass, but he is said to have had 8 sons.

Edward Douglass married Sarah George, probably in 1740 or 1741. There is another conflict here. That Sarah was a George appears definite since the sketch by her son James, says she was a George, that she was born in 1711 and that he believed she had 2 brothers and 2 sisters. Researchers have had that she was the daughter of John George, b. 1704 VA d. 1784 VA, and his wife Mary/Millicent Jordan. This is definitely not correct for a couple of reasons, the main one being John could not have had a child at the age of 7 years. Also John George's family is well documented and he had 5 daughters and 3 sons. It is possible Sarah was the daughter of an earlier John George, but which one?!. (I'm working on this and would appreciate any input.)

Thomas Claybourne Douglass, a grandson of Edward, relates in his biography of the Douglass family that, "Shortly after my papa and mother moved, Grandpa Douglass and Grandma, with all their children, followed ... and settled the place that we all knew as the Uncle Reuben Douglass place on West Station Camp Creek." The same biography says, "that father (James Douglass) and mother moved to Tennessee in the year 1788 or '89." Thus, we see that, at least the sons Reuben and James preceded their father and mother to Sumner County, which was then a part of the territory of North Carolina, later to become the county of the State of Tennessee.

William Blount was Territorial Governor of the United States of America south of the River Ohio. He called a Constitutional Convention to be held in Knoxville, Tennessee, on 11 Jan. 1796. It is recorded that among other delegates present, there was Andrew Jackson from Davidson Co. and Edward Douglass, Jr. and W. Douglass from Sumner Co.

Birth:
Grampion Hills, Scotland??? Grampian??

Edward married Sarah Elizabeth George in 1740 in Virginia, USA. Sarah was born in 1714 in Virginia, USA; died on 2 Jan 1795 in Sumner County, Tennessee, USA; was buried in Cage Family Cemetery, Sumner County, Tennessee, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Sarah George married Edward Douglass in Fauquier County, Virginia in 1740. They removed from Virginia and settled in Sumner County, Tennessee, in 1785. The portrait was painted soon after their arrival in Sumner County.. The portrait descended in the Douglass family for many generations to the current owner.

The sketch by her son James (1762-1837), says she was a George, that she was born in 1711 and that he believed she had 2 brothers and 2 sisters. Researchers have had that she was the daughter of John George, b. 1704 VA d. 1784 VA, and his wife Mary/Millicent Jordan. This is definitely not correct for a couple of reasons, the main one being John could not have had a child at the age of 7 years. Also John George's family is well documented and he had 5 daughters and 3 sons. It is possible Sarah was the daughter of an earlier John George, but which one?!. (I'm working on this and would appreciate any input.)

A subscriber says ' have Sarah Elizabeth George being born 1726 and Death 02 January 1797'


Buried:
Her daughter, Elizabeth Douglass b. 1754 d. 1792 age 38 m. 1768 Maj. William Cage

William + Sarah Gennette. Sarah was born in 1752; died in 1826. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]