“Capt. William Douglas married Hannah Cole, of Canaan, whither, about 1746, his parents had moved.  In the spring of 1766, William removed with his wife and their first child, with an ox team, to what was then Jericho Hollow, Mass.  The place was then unsettled, and he was the first man to cut down a tree and begin a clearing.  His father followed him the next year, with a company of workmen, who built a large house and cleared thirty acres of land.  Mrs. Douglas lived here six months before she saw a white woman (non-Indian).  Their nearest saw-mill was fourteen miles away, and the nearest neighbor four.  This town was afterwards, by a change in the state line, brought into Rensselaer County, N.Y., and became a part of Stephentown.  Mr. Douglas was a captain in one of the Revolutionary companies, and rendered important services at the battle of Bennington, where he was sent out as a spy upon the British works, and brought back valuable information.  He had upon his farm a store, and a forge where the smithing for many miles around was done.”

"A Collection of Family Records with Biographical Sketches and Other Memoranda of Various Families and Individuals Bearing the Name Douglas or Allied to Families of That Name" which was compiled and edited by Charles Henry James Douglas

and published originally in 1879.

The following information about Stephentown, NY is from the "Gazetteer and Business Directory of Rensselaer County, N. Y., for 1870-71," compiled and published by Hamilton Child, 1870:

The first settlement of this town was commenced about 1766. Asa Douglas, his son William, and his grandson Benjamin, Nathan Rose, Elnathan Sweet and Joseph Rogers settled near the center of the town, and Joshua Gardner in the east part, at a very early day. Edward Carr settled near Kinderhook Creek, and John Mills, _____ Husted, _____ Lewis, _____Berry and others settled in the north part.

Grave marker

William Douglas, Jr.  1743-1811

Here rests the mortal body of Mr. William

Douglas, ESQ. who departed this life Dec. 29,

1811, in the 69th year of his age

He was one of the first settlers in this town in the year 1766, a firm friend to his country and held civil and military offices; an affectionate husband, a knd and faithful Parent, he lived universally esteemed and died equaly lamented.

Blefsed are the dead which died in the Lord

from henceforth yea saith the spirit that they may rest from their labours and their works do follow them - O death where is they sting O grave where is they victory.

He embraced and publicly profefsed the hope which

is by faith in JESUS CHRIST. He was an unshaken believer in the doctrines of grace.  In gospel duties he was faithful.  In prosperity he was humble, in adversity, patient, and in death, resigned.

(spelled as it appears)