A

Duncan Association Newsletter

Volume 7Number 1                                                                                           January  1999

Brief Duncan Data
From Files of Mary Ann Dobson

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William Duncan b.1797 SC, wives Jane Dowdle and Mrs. Elizabeth Hendricks (1834), of Lowndes Co. MS 1850; probably brother of John Duncan, b.1802 SC, wife Mary Ann Dowdle (1825, Tuscaloosa Co. AL), of Caldwell Co. TX 1850.

1907 "History of CA and Extended History of Southern Coast Counties" by Guinn (qc979.4 G9, Vol. 2, CA State Library, Sacramento; FHC film 468,759, SLC 9/4/92)
      Pg.1507: DUNCAN, William P., known throughout Compton [Los Angeles Co.], died 15 April 1899 on his home farm. Native of MS, born 23 Feb. 1826 Lowndes Co. MS, about three miles from city of Columbus where his father William Duncan, an extensive cotton raiser, had large mercantile interests; William was born in NC and his wife Jane Dowdle was a native of MS & life-long resident of that state. William P. to Texas 1851, stock business upwards of quarter of century; to New Mexico 1878 for about five years, then disposed of stock and moved to Kansas City, MO; 4 years later to CA 1886, resided in Los Angeles for a few months, then bought land near Compton. Mrs. Duncan also owns 160a wheat land in Riverside Co. in the Alamos school district. Mr. Duncan married 1859 in Texas to Elizabeth J. Hall, born TN, daughter of John M. and Elizabeth (Moore) Hall, also natives of TN. Mr. Hall, a stock-raiser & dealer, moved from TN to TX after the death of his wife, and there spent his last years, Mason 12 years before he died, he & wife in Baptist Church. Mr. & Mrs. Duncan had six children: John W. married Dollie Conner & has one son; James E. died age 41; Mary P. died age 39; Robert M. of Arizona; and David P. and Harry H. living at home. Democrat, as was Mr. Hall, four of his sons served in Civil war on Confederate side. (MAD: 1850 Caldwell Co. TX)
      Additional information: 1850 Caldwell Co. TX Census (from Lucille 10/15/83; from printed book): Pg.455, #16, George Frances 56 IRE, Margaret A. 46 TN, John 26, Pindleton 21, George 19, Joseph 15, Edward 13, Armadilla 9, Wosley 7, Arabella 3 AL; Joseph Martin 40 RI; Mary Duncan 23 AL. Pg.455, #24, John Duncan 48 SC, Mary Ann 42 SC, William P. 25 AL, Robert K. 22, Louisa 20, Elizabeth 15, John F. 12, Andrew J. 10, Samuel 6, Nancy C. 3, Thomas W. 2 MS, John R. Duncan 28, Robert N. 25, William P. 24 AL. Lowndes Co. MS 1830 census, John, William and William Duncan Sr.; 1840, John, William Sr. (p.206), and William and George W. Duncan (p.201). John Duncan mar. Mary Ann Dowdle 1825 Tuscaloosa Co. AL; William P. b. 1824 son of William & Jane Dowdle (William of 1850 Lowndes Co. MS) to CA 1886.
            1850 Lowndes Co. MS Census, Pg.108, #892, William Duncan 53 SC, Elizabeth 53 VA, Mary A. 18 MS; Beatrice? (f) Ward 20 MS; Edward Duncan 14 MS; James M. Edwards? 20 TN. William mar. (2nd) 10 Jan. 1834 Elizabeth Jane Hendrick. Lowndes Co. MS Marriage Book 1, marriage of Lot W. Laws to Rebecca Hendricks, 12 June 1834, m. 13th by Francis H. Jones. Wm. Halbert, guardian of Rebecca, gave written consent. June 8, 1834, this is to certify that Mr. Laws has obtained leave to marry our daughter Rebecca, /s/ Elizabeth & William Duncan. (pg.26, "MS Genealogical Exchange" Vol. 13, 1967; from Evelyn Sigler 4/26/84)

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Daniel Boone Duncan, b. 1808 KY, son of William Withers Duncan and wife Nancy Jennings of Garrard Co. KY; mar. Eleanor Cook in 1833 Shelby Co. KY; d. 1897 Glenn Co. CA.

1906 "History of the State of CA and Biographical Record of the Sacramento Valley, CA" by Prof. J.M. Guinn, (CA State Lib.; from Vivian Biddle)
      Pg.974: ADDISON E. DUNCAN ... Descended from an old KY family, Addison E. Duncan was born in Shelby Co., that state, near the city of Frankfort, October 21, 1839, being a son of Daniel B. and Eleanor (Cook) Duncan. .... When about twelve years of age, in September of 1851, he accompanied his parents to Missouri and settled on an undeveloped farm. About six years later he made another decisive move which brought him to the far west. Having outfitted for the trip across the plains, in May of 1857 he started on the long journey .... and they landed at Dixon, CA, on the 17th of October, after a trip of five months lacking five days.
      As a wage-earner ... Mr. Duncan remained in Solano county from 1857 until 1869, when he removed to his present location (Glenn County). Just before his removal he was united in marriage with Mrs. Barbara (Marksbury) Johnson, their wedding being solemnized September 21, 1869. They became the parents of seven children, namely: Nina, the widow of Elbert Willard and now residing with her parents; Eugene, who is engaged in farming in Glenn county; Garnett, deceased; Ethel, at home; Van Cleve, who is engaged in the lumber business in the northern part of the state; Barbara, Mrs. J.C. Ball, Jr., who is living near Delevan, Colusa county; and French M., who yet remains with his parents on the Glenn county farm. ....
      Additional information: 1850 Shelby Co. KY Census (pg.331, #858) D.B.(m) Duncan 42 KY, E.(f) 35 KY, N.(f) 16, N.(f) 14, A.(m) 11, B.F.(m) 7?, E.(f) 6, R.(m) 4, H.E.(f) 2 KY; #859, L. Bryant (f) 29 KY; C.(f) 22 KY; S.C.(m) 4 KY; A.M. Duncan (f) 1 KY. "D.R." Duncan indexed 1860 Daviess Co. MO.

"Genealogical Abstracts of Revolutionary War Pension Files" by White, Vol.IV, Index and References Vol.I-III (Carlsbad Lib. 12/3/93; References SLC 2/22-23/94, 973 M28g V.1-3, have copy pages)
      The following data was taken from National Archives Series M804 roll #2670 which contains documents which could not be identified as the pertinent file to which they belonged. I have included only those documents which would be of use genealogically. The 1st name given is usually the soldier. (MAD: no other Duncan)
      (26) William Jennings, soldier's great grandson Daniel Boon Duncan made inquiry 20 June 1858 from Gentry Co. MO & stated his great grandfather William Jennings was b. about 1740 & served in the Rev. War from Fauquier Co. VA & about 1790 he moved his family to Garrard Co. KY where he d. in 1814 leaving 8 or 10 children who were all decd. in 1858, the said Daniel Boon Duncan also made inquiry in 1860 from Daviess Co. MO & stated his uncle William Jennings Jr. served in the War of 1812 from Garrard Co. KY. (p.4009)

1891 "Colusa County (CA) - Its History ....," by Justus H. Rogers (Placerville Library)
      Pg.424: Dr. R.B. DUNCAN ... was born in Shelby Co. KY, October 6, 1846. In October, 1851, his father removed to northwest Missouri, living in Daviess and Gentry Counties, where young Duncan worked on a farm in summer and attended such schools as a newly-settled backwoods country afforded, in winter. All the schools in this part of the State were interrupted during the war, as the entire social fabric was generally deranged at the time. After the war, he continued work on the farm till February, 1867, when he began teaching in Platte Co. MO. He was engaged in teaching and going to school alternately for six years. He began the study of medicine in 1869 ... graduating ... March 4, 1873. ... In March, 1874, he was married to Miss S.E. Stone, of Platte Co. MO, by whom he has had four children, none of whom are now living. He practiced his profession from March, 1873, to September, 1880, in Platte Co. MO, when he removed to Orland, CA, his present place of residence. .... (Indexed as Robert Bruce Duncan)

1910 "Nodaway Co. MO History" Vol.2 (FHC book 977.8124 H2 1975 V.1-2, SLC 9/19/86; Los Angeles Pub. Library book 977.81 N761Pa)
      Pg.384-6: BENJAMIN FRANKLIN DUNCAN ... Prof. Benjamin Franklin Duncan, ... was born in Shelby Co. KY, on April 29, 1842, and is a son of Daniel Boone and Eleanor (Cook) Duncan. His paternal grandparents were William and Martha (Jennings) Duncan, of Garrard Co. KY, where the former was a successful planter. Daniel Boone Duncan was born in Garrard Co. KY, on November 5, 1806, was reared on a farm, and ... read law ... at Lancaster, Kentucky. He served as surveyor of Shelby Co. KY, .... In October, 1832, he married Eleanor Cook, a daughter of Rev. Abram and Sarah Cook, natives of Virginia. To this union were born nine children, six of whom are living. The subject's parents are both deceased, the father dying in 1883 and the mother in 1892. They were Baptists in their religious faith. Benjamin F. Duncan ... In 1879 he came to Missouri ... On November 14, 1867, Professor Duncan was united in marriage to Sallie E. Buchanan ... dau of Prof. J.M. and America Buchanan, natives of Kentucky. ...
      Additional information: See Garrard Co. KY Will Book I, pg.37, will of William Duncan dated 1834 proved 1837, wife Nancy, Alexander A. Jennings a witness, naming son Daniel B. Duncan among others; see Garrard Co. KY Deed Book N, pg.152, 1839, deed from heirs of William Duncan including Daniel B. Duncan.

William Duncan & Nancy Jennings (from notebooks of Kay D. Hampton bef. 1970, loaned through Lu Durham 5/88, now at Platte Co. MO Historical Society)
      Daniel Boone Duncan, b. Nov. 26, 1806 Gerrard Co. KY, d. May 20, 1884 Willows, CA, where he removed to in 1879 from MO. Married Oct. 10, 1833, Eleanor (Ellen) Cook, in Shelbyville [Shelby Co.] KY, b. March 11, 1815 Shelby Co. KY, d. April 20, 1897, Willows, CA. ... Daniel Boone Duncan is listed in the 1850 census of Shelby Co. KY, p. 661, as D.B. Duncan, aged 42, b. KY, also E. Duncan aged 35 b. KY, and their children, by initials, which tallies with a record copied by Daniel Boone Duncan from the "Duncan Family Bible" Jan. 6, 1882, in his 76th Year of his age. (M.S. has a copy of his records). The Bible records begins with William Duncan, b. Oct. 31, 1768, m. Jan. 3, 1793, Nancy Jennings, b. Aug. 7, 1769, and records further states, the son was named Daniel Boone Duncan, and his birth and marriage. (MAD: M.S. is Margaret Sprogis, 11/28/1967: St. Paul, OR; she corresponded with Nancy Reba Roy but her letters are in the files of Kay D. Hampton)
      The 3 story house burned to the ground and my father (Note: MDS) French Duncan said they lost everything, including the Family Bible, which was burned, and contained the Family records of the Family back in England. (MDS: I wonder if this was the "Jennings Family Bible")
      1. Nancy Duncan, b. Feb. 24, 1835 KY, d. Feb. 24, about 1900, m. (1) William Kessinger, m. (2) Meadows. (MAD: m. 1859 Daviess Co. MO)
      2. Narcissa Duncan, b. June 1, 1836, d. about 1926/1930 Chino, CA, m. (1) Will Thomas Carson who d. ca 1862, m. (2) in MO Barney Cooper.
      3. Addison Eugene Duncan, b. Oct. 31, 1839, Shelby Co. KY, d. April 26, 1919, Willows, CA, m. Sept. 21, 1869, in Dixon, CA, Mrs. Barbara F. Johnson nee Markesbury, b. Dec. 8, 1845, Shelby Co. KY, d. July 2, 1931, Willows, CA. ...
      4. Benjamin Franklin Duncan, b. April 29, 1842 KY, d. April 15, 1918, m. 1867 Sarah Buchanan, he was a school teacher in MO.
      5. Elizabeth "Betty" Duncan, b. Oct. 2, 1844, d. ca 1924/1926, m. Shad Hayes. (MAD: m. 1865 Daviess Co. MO)
      6. Robert Bruce Duncan, b. Oct. 10, 1846 KY, d. in the 1920's Willows, CA, m. Miss Lyde.
      7. H.E. "Evangeline", b. 1848, aged 2 yrs in 1850 KY census, not in Bible.
      8. Angeline M?. Jennings Duncan, b. Jan. 29, 1849 in Jacksonville, KY, near county seat of Shelby Co. KY, died in the 1920's, m. John Dunn. (MAD: m. 1869 Daviess Co. MO per IGI)
      9. Lamuel Duncan, b. June 16, 1851, Shelby Co. KY, d. infancy.
      10. Caroline Duncan, b. Sept. 23, 1853, Gentry Co. MO, d. infancy.
      11. William Rufus Duncan, b. Jan. 31, 1855, Gentry Co. MO, m. Jan. 31, 1882, Olive Stone.
      12. Howard Malcom Duncan, b. Jan. 29, 1858 in MO.
      (MAD: I have no other record of the information from this Bible)

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Lemuel J. Duncan, b.1805 SC, son of William & Frances of Cannon Co. TN, to Madison Co. AR.

"Madison Co. [AR] Musings" Vol.III #3, fall 1984, pub. by Madison Co. Gen. & Hist. Soc., P.O. Box 427, Huntsville, AR 72740 (copy from Steven D. Fiser 12/1/92)
      Pg.153: The following was found in an old school record book by one of our members, Ann Orr. It is a Drakes Creek School and James Duncan is the teacher.
            Family Record of J.A. Duncan March 18, 1888
      John Albert Logan Duncan was born December 25th, at one o'clock A.M. 1887
      Sarah M. Duncan was born March 8th 1815 in East Tennessee or N.C. one.
      her father was Martin Cox who died in the year A.D. 1865 in Cannon County Tennessee.
      Nancy Cox wife of Martin Cox mother of Sarah M. Duncan, her maiden name being Howricon she died about the year A.D. 1870
      Martin Cox's father name was Caleb Cox grandfather of Sarah M. Duncan
      Joseph Albert Duncan was born February (this part was torn off)
      son of Demuel J. Duncan and Sarah M (torn)
      Lemuel J. Duncan was born about the year (torn)
      and Franky Duncan wife of William Duncan (torn)
      died about the year 1848 Franky Duncan wife (torn)
      died about the year 1853, (torn)
      Lemuel Duncan died in the year of 1865 (torn)
      Franky Duncan mother of Lemeul J. Duncan (torn)
      being (torn)

1840 Cannon Co. TN - Pg.119, Lemuel Duncan 2000,01 - 0200,1

1850 Cannon Co. TN Census (pg.427 from Roy Hall 2/15/89; SLC 4/25/89)
      Pg.792, #76, Larkin S. Ford 45 NC farmer $125, Francis L. 41 VA; Martha E. 18, Louisa H. 16, Mary A. 14, Kessiah F. 13, Orville H.S. 11, James K.P. 10, Luanna J/I. 7, Nancy E. 4, Larkin? H.S. 1 TN; Francis Dunkin (f) 60 SC.
      Pg.822, #282, Jesse B. Williams 34 TN farmer, Mary 34 TN; Francis E. 8, Joseph O. 5, James M. 2, Geo. W.F. 8/12 TN; Francis Dunkin (f) 67 SC.
      Pg.427, #504, John W. Dunkin 35 TN Farmer Can't read/write, Mary A. 33 TN; Elisabeth M. 16, Martha A. 14, Sally H. 11, Lewis L. 9, Lucy L. 7, Rebecca A. 5, Eliza G. 3 TN (2nd, Alexander's, Dist.)
      Pg.427, #505, Lemuel J. Dunkin 46 (sic) SC Farmer $200, Sarah 35 NC; Melissa 16, Mary A. 14, Peter P. 12, Wm. M. 10 (in sch), James 8 (in sch), Jackson 6, Jasper 2, Oliver C. 1/12 TN.

1860 Madison Co. AR Census; Richland Twp, P.O. Wesley (from Denzil Mauldin 1/4/87 and Steven D. Fiser 12/1/92)
      Pg.409, #449-449, L.J. Duncan 55 SC farmer $800-$650, Sarah 45 NC; William 21 TN, James 18 TN, Jackson 15, Jasper 13, Calvin 8, Benjamin 5 TN; Albert 5/12 AR; Ritty Harper (f) 36 AL

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William B. Duncan, son of Robert Duncan (d.1814) & Miss Evans of Roane Co. TN; 1830 McNairy Co. TN, 1840 Marshall Co. MS, d. 1845 Hempstead Co. AR, wife Sarah.

Hempstead Co. AR Probate Record Book (Information from Mrs. Mildred Hofer 1/12/1979; now deceased)
      Probate Record Book B, pg.293, Guardian Thomas Williamson for minors of Wm. B. Duncan, deceased. To wit: Jeremiah L. Duncan, Ashley S. Duncan, Nancy A. Duncan, Easter A. Duncan, Elizabeth E. Duncan, Sarah M. Duncan, Mary Etta (in error) should be Amarilla Duncan; appointed on request of widow April term 1845.
      Additional information: 1850 Hempstead Co. AR Census (pg.232) Sarah Duncan 39 TN, Jeremiah L. 20, Ashley L. 18, Easter A.P. 15 TN, Elizabeth E. 12 MS, Sarah M. 9, Amarilla C. 6 AR. William B. Duncan was a Presbyterian Minister when he married another couple in Hempstead Co. AR in 1842 (Deed Book A, from "AR Genealogical Records" by DAR, Vol.162, 1988). William B. Duncan was an ordained Minister of the Gospel in the Methodist Church, as recorded in the Marshall Co. MS Probate Court on 26 Nov. 1838. William B. Duncan was in McNairy Co. TN in 1830 (p.142) and Marshall Co. MS in 1840 (p.47?). Roane Co. TN Deed Book G, pg.519: 11 Dec. 1832, William B. Duncan of McNairy Co. TN to Joseph Duncan of Hardin Co. TN, $75, 48a on White Oak Creek, a seventh part of 340a, the real estate of Robert Duncan decd. Wit. William G. Norwood, Jeremiah Yarns. (FHC film 560,108; SLC 9/17/87)
      "AR Newspaper Abstracts, 1819-1845" by Morgan (extracts from Michele Duncan 8/2/93), pg.13: Rev. William Duncan decd. Reference to suit in Hempstead Co. Circuit Court in which the widow is involved as administratrix "Widow lady ... left seven orphan children." AR Ban Dec. 24, 1845.
      Gonzales City Cemetery, Gonzales, TX: Sarah M. Duncan, 1847-1942; Ashley S. Duncan (father) 1831-1912 CSA ("Quarterly of the South TX Gen. & Hist. Soc." Vol.X, #1, Sept. 1975; from Jean Walker 7/22/84)
      Researchers of the family of William B. Duncan include (1994) Mr. David E. Roberts, Liberty Lake, WA; and Mrs. Betty Lawrence, Bethany, OK.

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Robert C. Duncan, b.1817 PA, wife Nancy Patterson, of Beaver Co. PA 1850; parents of Nathaniel P. Duncan of Tulare and Kings Co. CA 1876.

1892 "Memorial & Biographical History of Fresno, Tulare & Kern Cos. CA" by Lewis Pub. Co. (qc979.48 M5, CA State Library, Sacramento; FHC book 979.48 H2a, SLC 9/83)
      Pg.405-6: N.P. DUNCAN, M.D. (Indexed at CA State Library as Nathaniel Duncan) ... young professional man of Hanford, Tulare Co. CA, ... born in Pittsburg [Allegheny Co.], PA, in 1849. He is of Scotch descent, his ancestors being among the early settlers of Louisiana. His father, Robert C. Duncan, a native of Louisiana, emigrated to Pittsburg about 1820, and was there engaged in the mercantile business. His mother was Nancy (Patterson) Duncan, a daughter of Nathaniel Patterson, a surveyor and engineer, ... out of the city of Pittsburg.
            N.P. Duncan was educated in the Beaver Academy and ... graduated at Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York city, in 1871. He then began practice at Eno, Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1873, when he came to California. After spending two years in traveling over the State, he practiced one year in Fresno, and in 1876 located at Lemoore, Tulare County, where he was subsequently married to Miss Mary A. Crammer, ... a native of Calaveras County, California. The Doctor ... remained there until 1884, when he moved to Hanford. ... To the Doctor and Mrs. Duncan one child has been born, a bright little son, who at the age of five years suffered a fall while at play in Lemoore which caused his death. ...

1905 "History of State of CA and Biographical Record of the San Joaquin Valley," by Prof. J.M. Guinn (CA State Library qc979.4 G9Hc; El Dorado Co. Library, Placerville, CA)
      Pg.1580: NATHANIEL P. DUNCAN, M.D. ... the oldest physician in Hanford, Kings county, in point of years of service in the medical profession. Dr. Duncan was born in Pittsburg [Allegheny Co.], PA, January 9, 1849, a son of Robert C., and grandson of Thomas Duncan, whose father, a native of Scotland, came to the United States about the time of the Revolutionary war and first located in Louisiana, where he operated a plantation for a number of years. He subsequently removed to Pennsylvania, but soon afterward died in Pittsburg, while still a comparatively young man, from yellow fever.
      Robert C. Duncan was born in Louisiana, and was an infant when his parents removed to Pennsylvania. He was reared and educated in the latter state, and engaged in merchandising in Beaver Falls and Pittsburg. He died in the latter city at the age of about seventy years. He married Nancy Patterson, a native of PA, who still resides in that state at the advanced age of 87 years. Her father, Nathaniel Patterson, was at one time a civil engineer in Pittsburg.
      The boyhood and youth of Dr. Nathaniel P. Duncan were spent in Pittsburg and vicinity ... He subsequently attended Beaver Academy, ... Coming to California, he visited various towns, finally locating, in 1876, at Lemoore, Kings county ... At Lemoore, Cal., in 1877, he was united in marriage with Mary Cramer, a native of Calaveras Co. CA. ....
      Additional information: 1850 Beaver Co. PA, Hopewell (pg.190, #98) Robert Duncan 33 PA, Nancy 32 PA, Elizabeth 6, Thomas 4, Nathaniel 1 PA; John Bengoff 16 ENG?; Catharine Moneymacker 16 PA.
      (MAD: Nothing has been found yet to tie in a Duncan family from LA to PA.)

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Charles Duncan, b.1806 White Co. TN, son of Joel Duncan & Jane Melvin; mar. Dorcas Coffman in 1833 in McDonough Co. IL; to Yolo Co. CA 1864, d. 1885.

MAD: Family story by descendants of Charles Duncan: There were a lot of Duncans in Yolo County; "kick a yellow dog and it would belong to a Duncan"; the two Duncan families were not related.

1913 "History of Yolo Co. CA" by Tom Gregory (CA State Lib. qc979.451 G8)
      Pg. 304-6: JAMES M. McHENRY ... A native of White Co. KY (sic), Mr. McHenry removed to MO with his parents, who spent their last years in that section. His father, James McHenry, a farmer by occupation, married Miss Moody, a relative of the famous Evangelist Moody. James McHenry, Jr., successfully conducted a farm in MO until his marriage with Miss Pierce, whereupon he disposed of his eastern interests and crossed the plains with his bride in the early '50s. ... Upon the death of his wife ... to Santa Rosa ... 1873 he settled in Woodland. ... later Esparto, Yolo Co. CA. January 25, 1875, Mr. McHenry married his second wife, Mrs. Elizabeth (Duncan) Keithly, born near St. Joseph, MO ....
            Elizabeth Duncan was the daughter of Charles and Dorcas (Coffman) Duncan, natives of TN and MD, respectively, and received her education in the public schools near St. Joseph, MO. Her paternal grandfather, Joel Duncan, of Scotch parentage, was also a native of TN and settled in McDonough Co. IL, where he farmed until his death. His son Charles spent his youth in IL, removing later to Andrew Co. MO, where he operated a farm for a time. Later he located in Henderson Co. IL, where he remained until 1864, going thence to California, with his wife and seven children, in company with twelve families westward bound, their well-stocked wagons being drawn by horses. After five months of weary travel, not the least of their troubles having been the necessity of frequently keeping the Indians at bay, they reached Yolo county, where Mr. Duncan filed upon a homestead near Plainfield, actively conducting his ranch until his death in 1886, at the age of eighty years, lacking but two weeks. Of the various sections in which Mr. Duncan had made his home, he found no climate so agreeable as that of California, which he termed the land of sunshine and flowers.
            Mr. Duncan was united in marriage with Dorcas Coffman, who was born in MD and who accompanied her parents to Hancock Co. IL. Her father, Jacob Coffman, born in MD, was a farmer by occupation, and with his wife spent his last years in IL. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan were blessed with the following children: Louisa J., now Mrs. W.J. Chard, of Washington; Mary C., who became the wife of H.H. Hungate, and who now resides in Walla Walla, Wash.; Elizabeth, Mrs. McHenry; William J., who makes his home in Waitsburg, Wash.; Nancy A., now Mrs. J.T. McJunkin of Hanford, CA; H.C., who resides in Fair Oaks, CA; James C., of Shasta county; and Lane, who prior to his removal to Garfield County, Wash., served for eight years as clerk of Yolo county.
            January 25, 1866, Elizabeth Duncan became the wife of William Keithly, who was born in IN, and who moved to McDonough Co. IL, with his parents, Jacob and Sarah (Roberts) Keithly. The son assisted upon his father's farm until 1852, when, with his brother John, he crossed the plains to Yolo Co. CA, ... Esparto ... his death in Sacramento in 1872, when but forty-five years old. .... Since the death of her second husband Mrs. McHenry has divided her time between the home ranch and her Woodland residence, continuing an active interest in the affairs of the estate, which, in 1909, was sub-divided and sold, the heirs reserving forty acres each. ...
      Additional information: 1850 Henderson Co. IL Census, Twp 9N4W (pg.71, #509) Charles Duncan 44 PA (sic), Dorcas 33 PA (sic), Louisa J. 14, Mary 13, John 12, Elizabeth 9, William 6, Nancy 1 IL. MAD: Joel Duncan died in 1851 and is buried in McDonough Co. IL; his Bible and also his will and estate packet in McDonough Co. named his son Charles among other heirs.

1906 "History of the State of CA and Biographical Record of the Sacramento Valley, CA" by Prof. J.M. Guinn (CA State Lib. qc 920.079 G9; also from Vivian Biddle)
      JAMES M. McHENRY ... The widow of Mr. McHenry was in maidenhood Elizabeth Duncan, who was born near St. Joseph, Mo. Her father, Charles Duncan, was born in TN, a son of Joel Duncan, also a native of the same state, whence he removed to McDonough Co. IL, and engaged as a farmer until his death. He was of Scotch descent and inherited the qualities of manhood characteristic of the natives of that country.
            Charles Duncan became a resident of Illinois in boyhood and in young manhood removed to Andrew Co. MO, where he followed his early training and became a farmer. Subsequently he returned to McDonough Co. IL, thence to Henderson county, same state, where he made his home until 1864, in which year he crossed the plains with his wife and seven children ... making the trip, which lasted from March to July, with horse teams, there being but twelve wagons in the party. Although the Indians were very troublesome they came through safely and upon his arrival in California, Mr. Duncan ... Plainfield, where his death occurred in 1886, lacking but fifteen days of being eighty years old. ...
            He was a member of the Baptist Church, as was his wife, formerly Dorcas Coffman, a native of Kentucky, and the daughter of Jacob Coffman, who settled in Hancock Co. IL, where he died. ...
            Reared in Illinois, Elizabeth Duncan received her education in the public schools of that state, and in 1864 ... William Keithly ... Born of this marriage were three children, namely: Frank, who conducts a part of the home ranch; Charles H., located in McCloud, Cal.; and Hattie, widow of W.E. West, and now residing in Alaska.

Duncan Family Record, 3 pages, prepared by Granderson Lane Duncan before 1904, originally in the possession of his daughter Melba Duncan, now in the possession of his granddaughter Alta Woodworth. A second year of marriage for James C. Duncan was added in different handwriting; dates of death after 1897 were added in other handwriting.
            Births.
      Charles Duncan, January 3rd, 1806.
      Dorcas Coffman, September 22nd, 1817.
      Louisa Jane Duncan, July 2nd, 1835.
      Mary Caroline Duncan, March 6th, 1837.
      John Madison Duncan, January 13th, 1839.
      Eary Elizabeth Duncan, November 28th, 1840.
      Alfred Duncan, November 21st, 1842.
      William J. Duncan, August 31st, 1844.
      Nancy Ann Duncan, October 25th, 1846.
      Henry Calvin Duncan, March 30th, 1849.
      James Cyrus Duncan, July 8th, 1851.
      Isaac C. Duncan, February 23rd, 1853.
      Granderson Lane Duncan, July 24th, 1855.
      Martha Duncan, May 18th, 1858.
            Marriages.
      Charles Duncan, November 10th, 1833, Dorcas Coffman.
      William J. Chard, November 30th, 1854, Louisa J. Duncan.
      Harrison H. Hungate, August 21st, 1857, Mary C. Duncan.
      William Keithley, January 25th, 1866, Elizabeth Duncan.
      Joseph T. McJunkin, September 5th, 1867, Nancy A. Duncan.
      James McHenry, January 25th, 1875, Elizabeth Keithley.
      William J. Duncan, March 11, 1875, Mary C. Thompson.
      James C. Duncan, December 23rd, 1875 - 874, Mary F. Henry.
      Henry C. Duncan, October 3rd, 1878, Dollie Chinn.
      Granderson L. Duncan, April 5th, 1885, Olive Chinn.
            Deaths.
      Alfred Duncan, May 6th, 1845.
      Isaac Duncan, August 13th, 1854.
      Martha Duncan, September 15th, 1858.
      John M. Duncan, December 24th, 1863.
      Charles Duncan, December 19th, 1885.
      Dorcas Duncan, November 14th, 1897.
      Nancy A. McJunkin, July 18, 1917
      Mary Caroline Hungate, March 4th 1922
      Henry Calvin Duncan, December 25th 1925
      Louisa Jane Chard, May 25th 1928
      Eary Elizabeth McHenry, June 9th 1928
      William J. Duncan, March 11th 1929
      Granderson Lane Duncan, December 10th 1933
      James Cyrus Duncan, December 27th 1935

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John I. Duncan, b.1807 Amherst Co. VA, son of Wiatt Duncan & Polly Goodrich, mar. Margaret Toler, of Callaway Co. MO 1850; sons Wyatt Godfrey Duncan, William H. Duncan and Benjamin F. Duncan to Yolo Co. CA.

1913 "History of Yolo Co. CA" by Tom Gregory (CA State Lib. qc979.451 G8)
      Pg.365: WYATT GODFREY DUNCAN .... The founder of the Duncan family in America was Wyatt Duncan, a native of Scotland and for many years a planter in VA, but eventually a pioneer of MO, where he died in Callaway Co. at a great age. Among his children was a son, Judge John I. Duncan, who was born in Virginia April 15, 1807, grew to manhood at the old homestead, married Margaret Toler and after his marriage settled in the western part of the Old Dominion. About 1833 he took his family to Missouri and settled upon raw land in Callaway county. Later he returned east as far as Indiana and rented land in Vigo county, but not being satisfied he went back to Missouri, where he bought a large tract in Barry county. .... His death occurred January 18, 1876, when he was almost sixty-nine years of age. His wife was born in Virginia and died August 18, 1849, in Missouri. Her father, Godfrey Toler, came to the United States during young manhood and settled in Virginia, where he engaged in farming. After many years he settled among the pioneer farmers of Indiana. Later he went to Barry Co. MO, and there he passed away November 4, 1843, at an advanced age.
            There were twelve children in the family of Judge Duncan. Five of the number are still living. The eldest of the family, Wyatt Godfrey, was born in Amherst Co. VA, October 1, 1828, and was taken to Missouri at five years of age, later went to Indiana with the family and then returned to Missouri, whence he started with a brother, William, to California, April 24, 1850 ... which ended uneventfully September 1, 1850, at the mines near Eldorado.
            Thus it was that Mr. Duncan came to Yolo county in 1851. ... With his brother, William, he came to Yolo county during the spring of 1853 from Yreka, Siskiyou county.
            The marriage of Mr. Duncan took place March 13, 1879, in Woodland [Yolo Co.], this state, and united him with Miss Mary Franklin, who was born and reared near that city. Her parents, Benjamin and Elvira (Wright) Franklin, were natives, respectively, of Tennessee and Kentucky ... (Wyatt & Mary) Their only daughter, Elvira Grey, is the wife of J.W. Monroe, of Woodland, and the only son, Wyatt G., assists in looking after the home farm.
      Additional information: 1850 Barry Co. MO Census (pg.210, #271) John J. Duncan 39 VA, Wiatt (m) 21, Mary 19 VA, Eliza 17, Hariet 15, William 13 MO, Franklin 11, Margaret 7, Sarah 5, Jane 1 MO.
            MAD: John I. Duncan's parents were Wiatt Duncan and Polly Goodrich, mar. 1806 Amherst Co. VA; Wiatt Duncan was a son of John Duncan; see Duncan Newsletter Vol.1#4 Error Box, Oct. 1993, for information on John Duncan. Also, Amherst Co. VA Deed Book N, pg.432: 1 Dec. 1816, Jacob Tyree, Amherst Co., from Wiatt Duncan and wife Polly, Willis Duncan and wife Jane, Polly Duncan, Jonathan Duncan, Wash. Camden and wife Nancy formerly Duncan, Rockbridge; $1100, 246a south borders Buffaloe as heirs of Jonathan Duncan our father; lines James Garland decd, Charles Duncan, Charles Burrus, Patsy Duncan. Wit. Elijah Staton, James Wood, Nancy Wood, Samuel Wood. (pg.133, "The Deeds of Amherst Co. VA 1807-1827, Books L-R" by Davis, 1985; FHC book 975.5496 R2db)

1879 "Illustrated Atlas and History of Yolo Co. CA 1825-1880" (Yolo Co. Public Library, Woodland, CA)
      Pg.86: DUNCAN, WM. H. and W.G., crossed the plains, driving stock for Dr. E.C. Lane, to pay their passage, and W.G. stopped on the way at Mud Springs (El Dorado Co.), and the other brother came on to Yolo county direct. The next Spring both were in the mines. In the Fall they changed places, Wm. H. remaining during the Winter to prospect, while the other brother visited the valley. In the Summer of 1852, they together prospected north until Oregon was reached, and then returned, in the Spring of 1853, to Yolo county together. ... The last named year (1857) W.G. went to Mendocino county ... until 1859, when he drove back a herd of about 900 head of cattle to Cache Creek, where he has remained since. Wm. H. in the mean time had continued in Dr. Lane's employ, which he did not leave until the Spring of 1861, when he joined his brother, but went away again in the Spring of 1862 ... He visited northern California, Oregon, Washington Territory and Idaho, returning the same year ...
      William H. was born in Millersburg, Callaway Co. MO, January 30th, 1838. At twelve years of age, he crossed the plains, and was married to Helen M. Reed, of Folsom, Sacramento Co. CA, August 2d, 1863. Their children's names are Lizzie L., Mary L., John W., Frank W., Lewis M., Walter G., and Clarence H.
      W.G. was born in Amherst Co. VA, October 1st, 1828, and before coming to California resided in Barry Co. MO. He was married March 13, 1879, to Mary Franklin, in Woodland, ....
      Additional information: 1850 Yolo Co. CA, Census, Cache Creek Twp (pg.188, #86) Wm. R. Lane 26 IN, Sarah W. 18 AR, E.C. (m) 32 IN, J.W. (m) 23 IN; Wm. Duncan 15 IN herder.
            1850 El Dorado Co. CA Census, Mathenia Creek (pg.354, #11) Wyat G. Duncan 22 VA miner, Wm. S. Crim 27 TN.

1879 "Illustrated Atlas and History of Yolo Co. CA 1825-1880" (Yolo Co. Public Library, Woodland, CA)
      Pg. ??: DUNCAN, B.F., was born in Vigo Co. IN, February 2, 1840. His parents moved in 1841 to Missouri, where the subject of this sketch remained until 1871, when he came to California and settled in Yolo county. ... He is a brother of W.G. and Wm. H., and their residence in Yolo county was the main inducement that caused him to break up his home in Missouri and come to this coast. On 30 October 1869, he was married to S.A. Brattin in Barry Co. MO, Professor Morris officiating. They have had six children, four of whom are now living, as follows: M.A., born September 21, 1875; H.M., born April 15, 1877; R.I., born February 20, 1874, and W.G., born December 21, 1878. L.J. was born July 22, 1872, and died March 11, 1875. ....

1906 "History of the State of CA and Biographical Record of the Sacramento Valley, CA" by Prof. J.M. Guinn (CA State Lib. qc 920.079 G9; also from Vivian Biddle)
      Pg.1612: WYATT GODFREY DUNCAN. More than one hundred years have passed since Wyatt Duncan crossed the ocean from his native Scotland and settled in Virginia, where he took up the life of a planter in the midst of an environment of activity and enterprise characteristic of the Old Dominion in that era. After a long period of usefulness in that section of the country he eventually removed to Missouri, where he died in Callaway county at an advanced age. Next in line of descent was John I. (father of Wyatt Godfrey), who was born in Virginia April 15, 1807, and grew to manhood on the home plantation. After his marriage he settled in the western part of Virginia, but about 1833 proceeded still further west and identified himself with the pioneers of Callaway Co. MO, where he followed farming and stock-raising. After a few years he removed to Vigo Co. IN, and settled on a rented farm, but, not satisfied with prospects there, he returned to Missouri, where he bought a large tract of land in Barry county. .... His death occurred January 18, 1876, when he was almost sixty-nine years of age.
      On the maternal side Wyatt G. Duncan traces his lineage to Godfrey Toler, .... His daughter, Margaret, was born in Virginia, accompanied the family to Indiana, thence went to Missouri, and there died August 18, 1849. .... Among the children born of her marriage to Judge John I. Duncan, was a son, Wyatt Godfrey, whose birth occurred in Amherst Co. VA, October 1, 1829, and who accompanied his parents in their removal westward. Not long after the death of his mother he started out in the world for himself. April 24, 1850, in company with a brother, William, he started for the Pacific coast. (MAD: almost word for word the same as the 1913 History)

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Robert Duncan, b. 1799 SC, son of John Duncan and Sarah Anderson; wife Nancy Bateman, of Bond and Shelby Co. IL 1820 to 1850; son Elisha Duncan b. 1822 IL moved to Weld and Boulder Co. CO.

1898 "Portrait and Biographical Record of Denver and Vicinity, CO" by Chapman Pub. Co. (copy of pages from Bruce Chapin Duncan 3/10/93; also Sutro library, San Francisco CA)
      Pg.461: ELISHA DUNCAN, decd, one of representative pioneers of CO, was very closely identified with founding of Weld and Boulder Cos. ... The founder of this branch of the Duncan family in America was Col. James Duncan, who was a native of Scotland. Early in the 17th century he resigned his commission in the army and settled in VA. His son, John Duncan, was born in Scotland and with his parents took up his permanent residence in the Old Dominion. John married Miss Sarah Anderson, and their son Robert, born in 1795, was the father of the subject of this article. He became one of the first settlers in IL, his home being in Shelby Co. Besides cultivating a farm, he was interested in the Galena lead mines, in the northern part of the state and in Wisconsin. During the Black Hawk war he was one of the settlers who fought against the Indians, finally subduing them. He died Oct. 19, 1868, near Greenville, Bond Co. IL. His wife, Nancy, born in VA Jan. 26, 1805, was a dau. of Abraham and Mary (Whitley) Bateman and granddau. of Col. William Whitley, a native of England. Mrs. Nancy Duncan died Oct. 1, 1851, in IL. One of her sons, John, now of CA, came to CO in 1860. Another son, James, fought in the Mexican war. Elisha Duncan, the eldest of his father's family, was born near Greenville, Bond Co. IL, Sept. 13, 1822. ... started farming, later went to Clinton Co. IL. In 1850 he started for CA across the plains by ox teams and was nearly six months on the journey ... two years at Mud Springs [El Dorado Co. CA], then returned home by way of Isthmus of Panama and New York CIty, resumed agricultural pursuits in Prairie state. In 1860, to CO, where he and Alfred Tucker an old schoolmate engaged in constructing Golden Gate toll-road in Jefferson and Gilpin Cos. ... For part of the time he was also interested in mining in Boulder Co. at Gold Hill. In winter following, Mr. Duncan returned home, and the next spring his family accompanied him ... June 9, 1861, he arrived in Golden Gate with his family. ... Mrs. Mary Duncan, widow of our subject, became his wife Aug. 9, 1849, in Bond Co. IL; she bore the girlhood name of Mary W. Myatt, born in Pocohontas, Bond Co. IL, March 27, 1832. Her father, Judge Alexander Myatt, born in TN Feb. 9, 1802, of Welsh extraction; settled in IL at early date, county judge of Bond Co. for years; he died Sept. 4, 1861 at his home in Prairie state; his wife who was Miss Mary W. Chisenhall d. March 27, 1832; two of their sons, Edward Wesley and Wiley, fought in the Mexican War and of their entire family of 4 girls and 2 boys, only three survive. Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Duncan has lived in Boulder ...

1850 Bond Co. IL Census: Pg.422, #908, Elisha Duncan 28 IL, Mary 18 IL.
      Pg.426, #963, Robert Duncan 51 SC, Nancy 45 TN?; James 25, Riley 20, John 16, Mary J. 15, Nancy 12, Serlina (f) 8 IL
      Additional information: Robert Duncan & family were in the census in Bond Co. IL in 1820 (pg.8) and 1840 (pg.137), and in Shelby Co. IL in 1830 (pg.150)

"IL State Gen. Society Journal" Vol. 6, 1974 (copy of pgs.160-1 from Evelyn Sigler 3/9/85)
      Pg.210: Abstracts from Record Book A-1, 1821-1838, Bond Co. IL: Will of Abraham Bateman dated 5 Dec. 1836. Wife Mary, oldest son William, daus. Nancy Duncan, Elizabeth Little, Tebithey Butler, Coah Chorna and Mary Runnels; sons Abrahm and Riley. Wit. Thomas Kern?, Mary Runnels, and Patsy Bateman. Abraham Bateman died 1 March 1837.

Shelby Co. IL Deeds (Index 1828-73 to grantees on FHC film 1,009,141; index 1828-69 to grantors on FHC film 1,009,144; SLC 2/27/92 & 2/16/93)
      Book 3, pg.124: 15 July 1837, John Waggoner and wife Emsy to Robert Duncan, both Shelby Co. IL, $60, N 1/2 E 1/2 NE 1/4 Sec.5 T12N R6E in Shelby Co., being 39-1/2a; no wit; recorded 22 Aug. 1837. (FHC film 1,009,148; this same deed is recorded in Moultrie Co. IL in Book S, pg.92, indexed as a quit claim, on FHC film 1,313,222)
      3-217: 25 Sept. 1837, Robert (X) Duncan and wife Nancy (X) of Shelby Co. IL to Joseph Hendricks of same, $100, E 1/2 NW 1/4 of Sec.10 T12N R6E in Shelby Co., 80a; no wit. (FHC film 1,009,148; this same deed is recorded in Moultrie Co. IL in Book S, pg.138, indexed as a quit claim, on FHC film 1,313,222)
      3-274: 10 Oct. 1837, Robert (X) Duncan and wife Nancy (X) of Shelby Co. IL to William Petty of same, $800, N 1/2 E 1/2 NE 1/4 of Sec.5, 39-1/2a, and SW 1/4 NE 1/4 of Sec.8, 9a, and SE 1/4 NW 1/4 Sec.8, 40a, and E 1/2 NE 1/4 Sec.8, 80a, all T12N R6E; no wit. (FHC film 1,009,148)

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