Biography |
- From Bell's History of Northumberland County 1891: JAMES and JANE (STARRETT) DOUGAL, natives of Ireland, and early settlers of Milton, were married October 14, 1793. The former was a graduate of the College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, Scotland, and was practicing medicine in Ireland when he became involved in the Irish rebellion of 1798, and was compelled to escape in disguise to the United States, whither his wife and two children, James and Margaret, followed him. He located in Milton, Pennsylvania, where he erected the stone house in 1803 now occupied by his grandson, and practiced his profession until his sudden death, July 18, 1818, caused by a fall from his horse (near where the Paradise churches stand). He was the pioneer physician of Milton, and a gentleman of marked ability and patriotism, whose loyalty to the emblem of freedom in his adopted home was as fervent as his hatred of tyranny in his native land. During the war of 1812 he did all in his power against English oppression, and sent his son, James S. into the ranks of his country's defenders to fight for the flag of liberty.
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Biography |
- From Freemasonry in Northumberland & Snyder counties, Pennsylvania, Volume 1, page 216: Dr.James S. Dougal was the eldest son of Dr. James Dougal, who was the second doctor to locate in Milton in 1795, the first being Dr. James Faulkner, who settled here in 1794, but soon thereafter removed to Erie. Dr. James Dougal, the first, was born in Londonderry, Ireland, on the 4th of June, 1769. His father, who was a farmer in comfortable circumstances, gave his son a liberal education and when quite a young man sent him to America to look after some land he had purchased in Cumberland County, Pa.
The ship in which he sailed, "The Royal Stewart," was wrecked off theJersey coast, and most of the passengers were lost. Dr. Dougal, who was an expert swimmer, reached land safely, and was able to render efficient aid to a young friend who was almost exhausted when he went to his rescue.
The wreckers stripped them of all they had that was worth taking and left them destitute and forlorn strangers in a strange land. In this situation they were discovered by a gentleman living somewhere in the vicinity, who after conversing with the young Irishman, and learning his history, sent for a priest to examine him in Latin and Greek, and finding him fitted for the position employed him as tutor to his son.
After remaining some time in America he returned to Ireland, studied medicine and graduated from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, ln 1791 or 1792. On the 14th of October, 1793, he was married to Miss Jane Starrett and settled in Coxstown, County Tyrone, Ireland, and practiced medicine there for several years. While living there he joined "The United Irishmen," under the leadership of Robert Emmet in their endeavor to free their land from British rule. After several encounters with the English troops the Irish were finally defeated at the battle of Vinegar Hill in 1798.
Dr.Dougal, after this defeat, escaped to the sea coast and a second time sailed for America. He landed at Philadelphia, and from there he went to Northumberland, where he made the acquaintance of Dr. Joseph Priestly and his son. Acting on their advice he located at Milton, Pa. Here he bought a home and commenced the practice of medicine.
Dr.James Dougal, the first, died July 18, 1818, in the 50th year of his age.
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