Duncans in DeWitt Co. IL

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Duncan research files of
Mary Ann (Duncan) Dobson
the Genealogy Bug

Last revised June 30, 2009

DE WITT CO. IL
Formed 1839 from Macon, McLean
Piatt formed 1841 from DeWitt, Macon
 

CENSUS RECORDS

1840 DeWitt Co. IL Census
Pg.31  Samuel Duncan      2100,01  -  0110,01
      (MAD: said to be from Clark Co. KY; 1839 Macon Co. IL deed)
 

1850 DeWitt Co. IL Census
Pg.428, #446, Samuel DUNCAN 49 KY farmer $1200
                  Susan 31 KY
                  Martha J. 21, James W. 19 KY
                  Sarah E. 17, John A. 14 KY
                  Lewis 3, Lucretia 5/12 IL
                  (MAD: mar. 1st Jane McIsaac 10/20/1828 Fayette Co. KY; mar. 2nd Susan F. Hickman 1/3/1846)
 

1860 DeWitt Co. IL Census
Town of Creek
Pg.3, #22-22, James D. MITCHEL 31 VA farmer $3400-$700
                  Josaphine 22 OH
                  Mary Jane 2, John W. 1 IL
                  Joseph ROUZE 28 NJ farmer Retr.
                  James DUNCOM 19 IL farmer Retr.
Town of Tree, pg.34
Pg.522, #236-230, Jno. DUNCAN 22 IL farm(er) $0-$150
                  Mary Ann 20 OH
Town of Clintonia, pg.108
Pg.596, #780-759, Wm. BARNETT 24 IL farm(er) $240-$600
                  Sarah 27 KY
                  Wm. 1 IL
                  Lewis DUNCAN 13 IL
                  (MAD: Sarah E. Duncan mar. William Barnett 8/26/1855)
 

1870 DeWitt Co. IL Census
Tunbridge Twp.
Pg.141, #6-6, HALL, Achsah (f) 49 TN keeping house $3000-$1763
                  Montgomery 21 IL farmer
                  Allice A. 17 IL at home
                  DUNCAN, Eva J. 5 IL at home
Pg.142, #19-18, DUNCAN, John 33 KY farmer $14,110-$300 (alone)
Pg.147, #91-87, DUNCAN, Alex 33 IL farmer $1,633-$225 (alone)
Pg.152, #184-172, DUNCAN, Lewis 22 IL laborer $0-$105
                  Lyda 22 OH keeping house
                  James 2 IL at home
                  George W. 10/12 IL b.Aug. at home
                  (MAD: one Lewis S. Duncan mar. Elizabeth Runyon 12/2/1866)
 

REFERENCES FROM OTHER LOCALITIES

Fayette Co. KY Deeds
      2-147: 21 Oct. 1826, John Duncan of Mobile, Saml. Duncan now of Fayette Co. KY, and Benjamin (X) Cockrill in right of wife Jane late Jane Duncan of MO, appoint Garland Gentry of Fayette Co. KY as attorney to settle all differences with our coheirs of Samuel Duncan decd, to make deeds to land descended to us or which our father was bound to convey to John Mays?? (Mills?? -- bad scratch line on film) ... Acknowledged in court 21 Oct. 1826. (FHL film 8,696) (MAD: one John Duncan b. 1796 PA in 1850 Matagorda Co. TX census with children may be the John Duncan in 1830 Mobile Co. AL census. One Samuel Duncan b. 1801 SC to Fayette Co. KY as child, to Boone Co. MO, mar. 1831 Paralee Bass in Boone Co. MO; see also comments under deed 32-553)
      32-553: 12 Aug. 1856, James Duncan, Martha Jane Duncan and William Barnett and wife Sarah, children of Jane Duncan decd, formerly Jane McIsaac, of Dewitt Co. IL, to Littleton Stewart of Fayette Co. KY, $268.50, our undivided interest to land owned by James McIsaac at time of his death and upon which he resided at that time, which was willed to us by said James McIsaac in his last will now of record in Fayette Co. Wit. John J. McGraw, clerk of DeWitt Co. IL court. Rec. Fayette Co. KY 10 Nov. 1856. (FHL film 8,706) (MAD: see also comments under deed 2-147; Samuel Duncan in 1840 & 1850 DeWitt Co. IL b. 1801 KY, mar. 2nd Susan Frances Hickman)
 

HISTORIES before 1923

1882 "History of De Witt County, Illinois : with illustrations descriptive of the scenery, and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers" pub. by W.R. Brink & Co. (HeritageQuest image 2/2007, Local History Reel/Fiche Number 5033; FHL book 977.3585 H2b and film 934,981 item 2)
      Pg.150, City of Clinton and Clintonia Twp.? ... Another pioneer of the township was Thomas J. Rogers, a native of Bourbon Co. KY. He came with his family in the fall of 1835, and settled in Section 28. The summer prior he entered the west half of the southwest quarter of the aforesaid section. His wife's maiden name was Mary Hickman. They had but two children, Asa and Martha J. Their nearest neighbors were Samuel Curtwright, Mrs. Catharine Mills, John Warfield, Samuel Duncan, Alfred and Richard Murphy, Alex. Barnett, Lewis Hickman, and Solomon Weaver. Some of these, however, were not living in what is now Clintonia, but were scattered around in various parts of this section of DeWitt county. ... He moved with his family to Kansas several years ago, and is yet living.
      Pg.340, Partial list of Patrons, City of Clinton: Barnett, W.B., of Clinton, Dl'r in Sewing Machines and Farmer, nativity DeWitt Co. IL, settled [18]35; Sarah E. Duncan, of Clinton, wife of W.B. Barnett, nativity: Fayette Co. KY, settled [18]38.
 

1891 "Portrait and biographical album of De Witt and Piatt Counties, Ill. : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county : together with portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States and governors of the state." pub. by Chapman Bros. (LH10290, HeritageQuest images 2/2007 & 5/2007; FHL book 977.3 D3de and film 934,981 item 3)
      Pg.559-560: JOHN WRIGHT, M.D., in Clinton, DeWitt County, son of James Wright and Letitia (Martin) Wright who married in Ohio, whence they came to DeWitt County, Ill, in 1857. The wife died in 1862, and the husband in 1870. Five sons and 4 daughters, six of whom are now living. The gentleman of whom we write is the second son and child, and was born in Hamilton Co. OH, March 26, 1826. 1854 to DeWitt Co. IL ... Union army ... In 1849 Dr. Wright became the husband of Miss Jane Magill, at that time a resident of Hamilton Co. Ohio but a native of Clermont County. After a brief wedded life she passed away in 1852, leaving two daughters - Anna and Jane, one of whom died when young. Anna married the Rev. A.B. Duncan, of Ashland, Ohio, and died in February, 1889. In 1853 Dr. Wright married Miss Mary E. Wright, a native of Virginia but at the time of her marriage a resident of Missouri. Two sons and five daughters ...
 

1910 "History of De Witt County, Illinois : with biographical sketches of prominent representative citizens of the county" pub. by Pioneer Pub. Co. (LH13144, HeritageQuest images 2/2007 & 5/2007)
      Pg.238: Fourth Cavalry, Company L. Privates: John Duncan, mustered out November 3, 1864.
 

1893 "Genealogy of the Lewis family in America, from the middle of the seventeenth century down to the present time" by William Terrell Lewis (FHL book 929.273 L585L and film 483,707; from Evelyn Sigler 11/1984)
      Pg.156: Susan Frances Hickman, dau. of Lewis Hickman, was born in 1818, Baptist, married Samuel Duncan, had 2 children, died 1851. Children Lewis Duncan, Lucretia. Son Lewis died 1883 DeWitt Co. IL. (MAD: from Clark Co. KY)
 

1876 "History of the Early Settlers of Sangamon County, Illinois : centennial record" by John Carroll Power, pub. Springfield, IL: Edwin A. Wilson & Co. (Los Angeles Public Library book; FHL book 977.356 D3p and film 1,000,513 item 4; also from Carolyn Jensen, Sue Monaghan, Donald Neal Duncan)
      SM: Note: Additional information is available for most of the families that married with the Duncans listed below.
      Pg.179: Zebulon G. Cantrall, b. 29 June 1773 in Botetourt Co. VA, m. 31 Aug. 1797 in Bath Co. KY to Sarah McCallum. Of their 14 children, Eliza, born 4 July 1816 in Clark Co. OH, married 5 Oct 1834 to Jeremiah Duncan. Eliza died 29 Jan. 1854, leaving 7 children: Mary L.; Helen A., b. 1840 in Logan county [MAD: IL], m. to George Whiteman, resided at Waynesville [DeWitt Co.], IL; Amy L. married Mr. Condell, and he died; William W. married Roxanna Cushman and had two children; Rebecca S. married Mortimer Sampson, had one child and lived in Waynesville; Jeremiah P. lived in Waynesville. (SM Note: No data on 7th child.)
 

1883 "History of the State of Kansas : containing a full account of its growth from an uninhabited territory to a wealthy and important state; of its early settlements; a supplementary history and description of its counties, cities, towns and villages, their advantages, industries and commerce, to which are added biographical sketches and portraits of prominent men and early settlers" ed. by William G. Cutler, A.T. Andreas; pub. Chicago : A.T. Andreas (FHL book 978.1 H2hi 1976 & v.2; FHL film 982,248 items 1-2)
      Pg.984: Pottawatomie Co., Pottawatomie Twp. GEORGE W. DUNCAN, farmer, P.O. Pleasant Run, was born in Vanderburgh County, Ind., September 23, 1843. In 1863 he moved to Logan County, Ill., where he was engaged in farming until 1871, when he came to Kansas, settling on a farm in Pottawatomie County. He is engaged in farming and stock-raising. He has been prominent in the politics of the county, and has been urged by his friends for the office of Sheriff. He was a delegate to the State Convention -- Republican party -- in 1882, and voted for St. John and McCabe. He belongs to the S. of T. Was married December 22, 1868, in DeWitt County, Ill., to Miss Keziah Jones. They have three children -- Charles W., Eldestan and Howard P.
      Pg.1450: Butler Co., Prospect Twp. JOHN A. DUNCAN, farmer and stock raiser, Section 27, P.O. El Dorado, is a native of Ohio, born February 27, 1836. He was educated and reared in that State. In 1861 he enlisted in the Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving three years in the Department of the Cumberland. Was mustered out at expiration of three years and came to Illinois. For several years he was a resident of Champaign County, Ill. He was married to Miss Harriet K. Hammond, in Ill. They have eight children -- Zelia M., James E., Harry E., Lavina B., Charles S., Rose G., Grace A. and Mattie L., (infant). (MAD: married in DeWitt Co. IL; 1870 Tazewell Co. IL census)
 

OTHER RECORDS

"Civil War Diary, 1861-1865" by John A. Duncan; 16 pages 5-1/2" x 8" (from Charles A. Duncan 10/1993; MAD's extract of genealogical data only)
      Diary of My Life; John A. Duncan, Company I, Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry. To My Wife and Children.
      The Author of this sketch was born in Summit Co. OH February 27th 1836 in a log cabin built by my father, on a tract of land owned by my grandfather, on a road running from Brandywine to Northfield. My father died when I was seven years old. In the year 1845, I moved with my mother, two brothers and one sister, to Mt. Gilead, Morrow Co. OH. Lived with my mother in Mt. Gilead two years. Then my mother placed me in a family on a farm by the name of Mickey, on the road between Mt. Gilead and Iberia. Lived there two years. From there I was placed in the home of Mr. Matthew McKinstry, four miles west of Iberia, to stay until I was 21 years old. I remained with Mr. McKinstry until my time was out, working on the farm, attending the country district school from two to three months during the winters. During that time I got my clothes, and at the expiration of my time I received $150.
      In the spring of 1857 I started out for myself, going to Alligan Co. MI where my Grandfather Duncan lived. I stayed there about a month, and then started for IL. Arrived at Thomas McKinstry's, an old acquaintance. In a few days went to work for a farmer by the name of Huste McKinstry to herd cattle. Worked one month. Then hired out to his brother, John, for the summer. That winter drove team for a man by the name of Carruthers.
      In the spring of '58 hired to a man by the name of Steve Carruthers, in Delevan, to drive team and work on farm. In the winter of '58, in company with Archie Brownlee, an old schoolmate, I started for our old home in Ohio, (where I) visited around during the winter.
      In the spring of '59 went to work again for my old boss, Matthew McKinstry. In the spring of 1860 I was married to Miss Elisabeth Welborne, and moved on a farm owned by an old Quaker by the name of Robert Mosier, one and one-half miles east of Cardington, OH.
      In the winter of 1860 I moved to Cardington, and I and my brother James engaged in wood-chopping. During the latter part of the winter I made up my mind that I would emigrate to IL in the spring. I went to the wagon-maker's, George Cunningham by name, and ordered a wagon made especially for the trip. Also ordered a set of harness. About the 1st of April, '61, the War Clouds began to gather. Everybody in our town began to talk War. About the 12th, our Banker, John Beatty (as soon as the President called for 75,000 troops to defend our country) began to call for volunteers, himself heading the list. At that time I was living in part of my mother's house. I and my brother James (he was making his home with me at the time) came home to dinner. I told my Wife and Mother that John Beatty was raising a Company to go to War. My Wife and Mother says, "Is it possible we are to have War?" After dinner, James and I went down town. Soon the fife began to play and the drum began to beat. It made me feel terrible. I went up home again. Mother says, "What is the matter?" I told her all the boys in town were enlisting and I thought I ought to. Wife says, "Oh!" she says, "Don't go!" "How can we get along without you?" she says. "You have ordered your wagon and harness". "Oh!" I says, "I can sell them again", I says. "What if I stay, and then I am drafted? I never could stand that". "Yes," they say, "that is true. We wouldn't want to see you drafted". After we (had) talked a while I went back down town. The boys gathered around me. "John, are you going?" I told them I didn't see how I could. No one to take care of Wife and Mother. The Business Men came to me and told me if I would enlist, they would see that my wife was cared for. I went back home and told the folks what the Citizens (had) told me. They had a good cry over it, and then my Wife and Mother, said, "John, if you feel it is your duty to enlist we will not oppose it". The next morning I went up to McKinstry's to see if he would take care of my stock while I was gone. He says, "Where are you going?" I told him I thought of enlisting in the Army. He says, "Yes". I says, "All right, I will enroll my name tonight, and bring the stock tomorrow. That night I enlisted, thinking that it would only last a few weeks at most.
      On the 15th of April, I bid good bye to Wife, Mother and Sisters, and boarded the train for Columbus ...
      April 14th [1862] ... reached Fayetville ... At this time our Regiment rested on the Maxville and Perryville road ... the enemy poured a destructive fire at us ... Thus ended the Battle of Perryville. But, Oh! at what a sacrifice. Capt. Cunard of my company, Lieut. James St.John (my step-brother) of my company, Private Al. Fisher, Charlie Merrill, George Merrill, and many more that I cannot recall their names. General Lytle and all of his Staff wounded, many eyes were in tears and many hearts were bleeding for lost comrades and friends. ...
      We arrived at Camp Dennison on the 26th of June, were paid off and discharged June 27, 1864. Our Company took cars for Cardington, OH, arriving there in the evening, having served 38 months.
      The end.
      Note by Charles A. Duncan: Elizabeth Welbourne Duncan died March 18, 1864 of childbirth. John moved to Illinois and married Harried Hammond October 15, 1865. He died December 22, 1928 in Clinton, DeWitt Co. Illinois.
 

END

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