The Douglass Family collection spans the period 1812-1911 and comprises eight linear feet of manuscripts, one linear ft. of photographs, three outsize volumes, and 1 folder of oversize materials. The collection include the papers of Benjamin Douglass and his two sons, Samuel T. (1814-98) a lawyer and Detroit judge, and Silas H. (1816-90), a professor at The University of Michigan. Although Silas came to use the family name of Douglas rather than Douglass, the paper indicate that there was little consistency.
The collection consists of personal and professional correspondence, letterpress books, business and legal papers, scrapbooks, photographs, and family materials. The collection, except for series of photographs and maps, is arranged by family member name.
Silas H. Douglas (he originally spelled his name Douglass) taught at the University of Michigan from 1844 to 1877. Born in New York state in 1816, he was educated at the Fredonia Academy and at the University of Vermont. He came to Michigan in 1838 and settled in Detroit. He began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Zina Pitcher, later studying for one term in the Medical Department of the University of Maryland. Douglas accompanied Douglass Houghton on his geological surveys of Michigan in the 1830s. In 1843, he moved to Ann Arbor and began the practice of medicine. A year later he was appointed assistant to Houghton at the U-M and had charge of the work of chemistry during Houghton's absence in the field. After Houghton's death in 1845, Douglas continued in charge of the department and for the remainder of his career worked under different titles in the fields of chemistry, mineralogy, geology, and related subjects. Douglas was largely responsible for the creation of a Chemical Laboratory at the University. This facility was completed and opened for students' work in 1856. Silas Douglas was also founder and officer with the Ann Arbor Gas Company. He died August 26, 1890.
Samuel T. Douglass was an attorney and judge. While serving as judge of the Wayne County circuit court, he became (under the terms of the 1850 state constitution) one of the judges of the Supreme Court. He served here from 1851 to 1857 when he resigned to reenter private practice. Douglass also served several terms on the Detroit Board of Education and was president for one year of the Detroit Young Men's Society.
Silas' son Samuel T. Douglas was a graduate of the University of Michigan and an attorney. When admitted to practice in 1879, he became a member of his uncle's firm (with the name now changed) of Douglas, Bowen & Douglas. The firm had several subsequent name changes with retirements and partner additions. Near the end of his career, the firm name was Douglas, Barbour & Wing. Douglas was long connected with the Washtenaw Gas Company and also served as a director of the Detroit & Security Trust Company.
