I am searching for any information on any Colonel and/or General Doughty's from around the late 1700's / early 1800's in the USA.
I have copies of family letters from an Eliza (Elizabeth) Doughty (5x G Grandmother) writing to her daughter Emma in the UK from the USA, referencing her husband (presumably), a Colonel Doughty. Later letters refer to him as General Doughty.
Further, we understand Emma Doughty married a Captain Wild, who fought in the Peninsular Wars for the British who had a child named Emma Caroline Wild (born in France).
The only Colonel / General Doughty I can find that would fit timing wise would be General John Doughty (b.1754), but any genealogy links only show he has one son - James.
Generals George S. Doughty (b.1795), Enoch Doughty (b.1792) and Solomon Doughty (b.1772) - would all be likely too late.
Any help appreciated
Just an update on further research on this.
Whilst the family understanding was that Benjamin Wild married an Emma Doughty - this may not have been completely accurate.
What we have discovered is as follows:
1) We have found Eliza Doughty (born England) in the 1850 US Census living with a William Doughty (who has turned out to be Colonel William Doughty - naval architect - which fits). Residing with them is an Ann Jane Wild (born England). They were residing in Georgetown, Washington DC
2) We have found William Doughty's last will and testament which mentions his "Step Daughter" Annie Jane Wild (though by this stage in 1859 - he had a different wife, thus assume Eliza(beth) had died sometime during the 1850's. This Will also mentions her sister Emma and a brother Edward.
3) I have found Capt Benjamin Wild of the 29th Regiment, as father to 2 children baptised in Walmer, Kent (presumably at based at the barracks there) in 1816. Mother listed as Elizabeth. Children baptised were Ann Jane Wild (born 1814) and James Lees Wild (born 1816).
4) Further I have found a burial inscription / memorial to Benjamin in Manchester following his death, beloved husband of Eliza, buried with his son James Lees Wild (died age 12) and John McCandlish Wild (born 1830 / died @ 15 months).
Thus have deduced that "Emma Doughty" never existed and has been added to the family tree somewhere over the last 150 years.
Captain Benjamin Wild married an Elizabeth (maiden name unknown) who had at least 4 children - Ann Jane, James Lees, Emma Caroline (born France) and then a gap to John McCandlish (though maybe also an Edward somewhere)
After Benjamin's death in 1836 (and before 1850) Elizabeth Wild heads to the US and marries a Col William Doughty - though I can find no evidence of this other than the Census, Will and a single mention on here -
http://cowaro.com/Genealogy/Surname_file/Doughty.html#LB_50 - with a mention of 1844.
Thus the letters we have that are from Eliza Doughty to Emma are actually to Emma Caroline - which also fits as names contained within also fit with the "grandchildren" mentioned.
So next step would be - does anyone have evidence or know where to find evidence of a marriage between Eliza(beth) Wild and William Doughty (1773-1859) in Washington DC? US records I find are sparse online for DC.
Also back to the drawing board on Eliza(beth)'s maiden name - though wondering if the "Lees" or "McCandlish" connection may appear somewhere.....
Many thanks
Marcus
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