An American Family History

Captain Joseph Douglas was born about 1675 in Charles County, Maryland. His parents were Colonel John Douglas and Sarah Bonner. He was described as a gentleman.

In 1679, when his father died, the will provided that he inherit part of Cold Spring Manor when he was 21 years old.

In 1688 Peter Carr left him and his siblings some of his personal property to pay, in part, a debt he owned their mother.

Joseph married Penelope Morris about 1700. Penelope was born on November 13, 1684 in Cedar Point Neck, Charles County, Maryland. Her parents were Richard Morris and Penelope Theobald.

Joseph and Penelope's children included:
Penelope Douglas Courts (1702, married Charles Courts),
John Douglas (1703),
Mary Douglas Marshall (1706, married Richard Marshall), and
William Douglas (1709, married Sarah Berryman).

In 1701 Joseph sold some of his Cold Spring Manor land.

Penelope's mother, Penelope Theobald Land, gave her an indentured servant, Thomas Fountain. He was bound to Joseph in 1703/04. In 1693, 1698 and 1700, Mary Fountain was presented to the court for having illegitimate mixed race children. Penelope Land had bought Thomas Fountain, who was born in May, 1698, from the William and Mary vestry. She also directed that her daughter, Penelope live with Joseph and Penelope.

In 1711 Ann Lynes left their daughter, Mary, some of her personal property.

Penelope died on April 22, 1714. In April, 1714 he bought 200 acres for 10,000 pounds of tobacco from John Maddox. In August of that year he sold Maddox 300 acres for 12,000 pounds of tobacco.

In 1714, he and his brother, Benjamin were named in their brother-in-law, Charles Brandt's, will as his nearest relative.

In 1718 he inherited from his mother, Sarah, her "dwelling plantation" Bowles, The Hills, and the residual of her estate. He was the executor of his estate. Sarah had inherited Bowles from her first husband William Bowles. His daughter, Mary inherited personal property from her grandmother.

Joseph married Sarah Hanson after 1721. Sarah was born about 1698 in Port Tobacco Hundred. Her parents were John Hanson and Mary Hussey.

Joseph and Sarah's daughter was Sarah Douglas Thompson (1725, married Joseph Thompson son of Thomas Thompson, her aunt Elizabeth's step-son).

In 1723 Joseph had Maiden Point surveyed.

In 1733, Joseph sold 200 acres in Smith's Adventure.

Sarah died in 1640.

Joseph's third wife was Catherine Musgrove. She had been married before to John Harris.

Joseph and Catherine's children included:
Joseph Douglas (1747, married Rebecca Nichols) and
Elizabeth Douglas Smoot (married John Smoot, born 1748).

In 1744, Joseph gave his son, John, a gift of Douglas' Claim that had been Bowles, the land he lived on, and a desk. He also passed on a person he had enslaved.

In 1751 Joseph gave his youngest children, Joseph and Elizabeth, enslaved people.

Joseph died in 1754. His estate included bequests to his children and his wife, Elizabeth? His next of kin were his sons, William and John Douglas.

Catherine died in 1768