Daniel Douglass

Daniel Douglass (1768 – 1803) was a politician and businessperson in Alexandria, Virginia.[1][2][3]

Life

Douglass worked as a merchant and was a prominent lender in Alexandria.[4] Beginning in the mid-1790s, he was appointed to the office of Flour Inspector of the Port of Alexandria by the Fairfax County Court, a position he held for several terms.[5][6][7] During his tenure, the Port of Alexandria was one of the most active commercial ports and flour exporters in the United States.[8] He was referenced on multiple occasions in the letters of President George Washington.[9][10][11] Douglass had at least one son named John.[12] Personal secretary to President Washington, Tobias Lear, referred to Douglass as possessing "punctuality and having the command of money."[11]

Douglass owned several enslaved persons during his adult life.[13] Douglass freed at least one enslaved person through manumission in 1800, and two additional enslaved persons were freed in 1823, twenty years after Douglass' death.[12]

Death

Douglass died in 1803, aged 34 or 35.[14] He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church and is buried at the Old Presbyterian Meeting House.[15]

References

  1. ^ Rowlett, John (1842). Stereotype Edition of Rowlett's Tables of Discount, Or Interest: Besides a Complete Cent Table, the Whole Computed at Six Per Cent.
  2. ^ Marshall, John (1807). The Life of George Washington: Maps and Subscribers' Names. C. P. Wayne.
  3. ^ “To George Washington from William Pearce, 17 November 1796,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-21-02-0098 . [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Presidential Series, vol. 21, 22 September 1796–3 March 1797, ed. Adrina Garbooshian-Huggins. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2020, pp. 231–232.]
  4. ^ Artisans and Merchants of Alexandria, Virginia, 1780-1820: A-M. Heritage Books. 1991. ISBN 978-1-55613-389-3.
  5. ^ Netherton, Nan (1978). Fairfax County, Virginia: A History. Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. ISBN 978-0-9601630-1-4.
  6. ^ Meaders, Daniel (2014-02-25). Advertisements for Runaway Slaves in Virginia, 1801-1820. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-317-77705-2.
  7. ^ William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine. William and Mary College. 1921.
  8. ^ Sheely Jr., Horace J. (1966). "National Survey of Historic Sites and Buildings - Alexandria Historic District" (PDF). United States Department of Interior; National Park Service.
  9. ^ Washington, George (1987). The Papers of George Washington: 22 September 1796-3 March 1797. University Press of Virginia. ISBN 978-0-8139-1103-8.
  10. ^ "Founders Online: To George Washington from William Pearce, 17 November 1796". founders.archives.gov. Retrieved 2023-02-22.
  11. ^ a b "Founders Online: To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 20 November 1796". founders.archives.gov. Retrieved 2023-02-22.
  12. ^ a b "Slave Manumissions in Alexandria Land Records, 1790-1863". freedmenscemetery.org. Retrieved 2023-02-22.
  13. ^ West's Southern Reporter. West Publishing Company. 1999.
  14. ^ Muir, James (1803). Death Abolished: A Sermon. Occasioned by the Sickness which Prevailed at Alexandria During the Months of August, September and October; Giving a Detail of that Sickness, and of Some of the Views of Providence in Such Calamitous Visitations. With an Appendix, Containing Facts, Relating to the Origin of the Sicknes--the Extent of the Mortality--the Labours of the Committee of Health, and the Contributions for the Relief of the Poor. Cottom and Stewart.
  15. ^ Alexander, Archibald (1851). Biographical Sketches of the Founder and Principal Alumni of the Log College: Together with an Account of the Revivals of Religion Under Their Ministry. Presbyterian Board of Publication.


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