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. 1 2 "Founders Online: To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 20 November 1796". founders.archives.gov. Retrieved 2023-02-22.
  12. 1 2 "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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