This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: jaharder88 Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.newyork.counties.columbia/4899.2/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Hi again, I found what you must already know: there were two Asa Douglas, the father lived in Stephentown, the son in Canaan. The Stephentown house isn't the one you were looking for, but obviously also was owned by your ancestors. It's odd that both Stephentown and Canaan claim their Douglas house to be the site of the Revolutionary jail. An old Douglas book says it was the Stephentown one. Asa Douglas, Sergeant Birth: 11 DEC 1715 in Plainfield, Windham Co., CT Death: 12 NOV 1792 in Stephentown, Rensselaer Co., NY Father: William Douglas , Deacon b: 19 FEB 1672 in New London, CT Mother: Sarah [Proctor?] b: 1674 in New London, CT Marriage: Rebecca Wheeler? b: 26 AUG 1718 in Plainfield, Windham Co., CT; 13 children. Bio: Asa moved from Plainfield to Old Canaan, NY, about 1746, and remainded there some 20 years. In 1776 he removed with his family to what was at that time Jerico Hollow, MA, but was subsequently included in Stephentown NY. His son William preceeded him the year before. When Asa came he brought with him a company of men who cleared 30 acres of land and built a large farm house. The nearest neighbor was 4 miles a way, and they were obliged to go 14 miles to the nearest sawmill. The garret of the house was used during the Revelotionary War as a jail, there being at that time none in the county. Eleven years later, sixty-one year old Asa Douglas struck his blow for freedom when he led a company of thirty "Silver Grays" at the Battle of Bennington, on the 16th of August, 1777, when the force of British and Indians sent to seize the stores collected at that place were defeated by the Americans under Col. John Stark. Disguised as an old farmer looking for his lost cows, Douglas acted as a spy at the siege of Ticonderoga. He left his horse outside the lines and proceeded boldly into the enemy lines. When he mounted his horse to go home, someone called, "The old farmer is a spy!" Then, as the shooting began, Asa said to his horse, "Old Ti, ride for your life and if you get me home safely, you will never be saddled again." It is said that he kept his word and "Old Ti" lived happily in the pasture for the rest of his life. Asa continued to reside in Stephentown till the time of his death. His widow survived him some 14 years. Asa Douglas Jr, Major Birth: 24 DEC 1739 in Plainfield, Windham Co., CT Death: 17 APR 1812 in Canaan, Columbia Co., NY Father: Asa Douglas Mother: Rebecca Wheeler Marriage 1: Sarah Robbins b: Eastfield, CT; 10 children. Marriage 2: ? Wynkoop b. Albany, NY. Bio: Asa moved with his wife Sara to Canaan, NY, and became a large farmer in that town. He also raised large numbers of horses for sale. He took part in the Revolutionary war and became a Major in the Continental Army. He made himself so troublesome to the British that a large reward was offered for his apprehension. When Burgoyne was marching from Canada to meet Clinton at Albany, and so cut off New England from the other provinces, it became necessary for Maj. Douglas to take to the woods. He spent weeks in the forests, never staying two nights in the same place. He lost all his property and was imprisioned a long time for debt. After the death of his first wife, he married a lady by the name of Wynkoop, from Albany, whether he then removed. After spending ten years in Albany, in mercantile pursuits, he returned to Canaan, NY, where he died. He is buried, together with his wives and other of his family, in the old cemetery in that town. All his children were born there. Bio Source: "A Collection of Family Records with Biographical Sketches Bearing the Name Douglas"; Charles Henry James Douglas, Providence, 1879. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.