Duncan research files of
Mary Ann (Duncan) Dobson
the Genealogy Bug
Last revised March 28, 2001
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Duncan research files of |
1902 "An Historical Account of the Duncan Family" by James Connelly Duncan (copy from Bill Brown 1/1985, from Eugene C. Barker, TX History Center Library, on microfilm; pages are typed, double spaced, about 12-17 lines per page, pages 1 to 39; MAD: have corrected obvious typographical errors only, and added emphasis to Duncan names)
From an old History of Scotland loaned me by a Mr. MacAllen, an old gentleman then living in South West Texas, in Eucinal County, but since dead. Giving a short history of the Duncan Dynasty. But Mr. MacAllen said history in those days was very much garbled, and what did not suit the King or Ruler, was preemptorily suppressed.
Mr. MacAllen was a man over eighty years old, and left Scotland when a young man, as a seaman. Left the British ship at Galveston, and has ever since lived in Texas. He made a visit back to Scotland, his old home, and he was among strangers in the land of his birth.
Now for the further facts about the Duncan's
King Duncan had three younger brothers mentioned in this old History, which I copy. One was known as the Duke of Monmoth, who was imprisoned in the castle, and was either beheaded or died of starvation; at least he was never more heard from.
The Duke of Argyle, another brother of the King, was imprisoned and afterward was beheaded by order of MacBeth, while he usurped the throne.
The Duke of Conaught was banished from the realm, and was supposed to have been murdered by some of MacBeth's henchmen.
Thus you see some of our relations in olden times, had some pretty rough sailing, as well as we of later date.
In giving this history of the Duncan family and the deeds of our ancestry, I will commence with the name of King Duncan the "Good" of Scotland, whose name and castle was termed "Duncraggin Castle."
He was a wise, just and good man. He had in his house of Lord, two or three favorite Generals; one was MacBeth; the other two named Banquo and MacDuff. MacBeth of whom he was very fond, and a particular favorite and greatly estimated in his Court, and noted for his valor. The two Scottish Generals, MacBeth and Banquo, had just returned from a victorious campaign with all their new gained honors thick upon them. MacBeth was very ambitious, and envied the good King and Banquo, and set about to get rid of the two persons most in his way. So MacBeth and his wife gave a banquet, and invited the King and his two sons, Malcom and Donaldbain, to the banquet. After the conventionalities, of those days, were over, the King being tired from his journey, went to bed. The King was unusually well pleased with the reception. He had made presents to the principal officers; among the rest he sent a diamond to Lady MacBeth. (Duncan like, loved the ladies.)
MacBeth grew exceedingly jealous of the King's exceeding popularity; let his envy and jealousy carry him to a frantic avowment. That was, to murder the King in his own house after he had fallen asleep and assume the crown, which he did. And in the play of MacBeth you can find the whole history of our most noted ancestor, who for his goodness and kindness was murdered in the house of his supposed friend and royal subject, who had been promoted to the most honorable position.
After the King's death his two sons made their escape from Scotland. Malcom fled to England, where he raised an army, and under the command of MacDuff, a near relative and noted General, went to Scotland, and in the capture of "Duncinane", MacBeth's castle, where MacBeth was slain in single combat with MacDuff, the last words of MacBeth were, "Lay on MacDuff, lay on, and damned be he who first cries hold, enough."
Malcolm became King of Scotland, from whom a race of monarchs who afterward filled the Scottish throne, and with James the VI of Scotland, became James the I of England, under whom the two crowns of England and Scotland were united. The deeds of valor, justice and wisdom of the Duncan dynasty in England and Scotland paved the way for a better government than either country had ever had before, and has continued to the present day.
The youngest son, Donalbane, fled from Scotland to Ireland, and there he was promoted to a peerage, under the title of Earl of Donalbane, a province in Ireland.
As was the custom in Scotland and England in those days, and also today, to drop the sirname, and retain the given name; hence, the name Duncan was dropped and Malcolm and Donalbane perpetuated in history, though they were of the true Duncan stock, and direct descendants of King Duncan the "Good" of Scotland.
The next we hear of our ancestors was when three brothers left Scotland, soon after the landing of the "May-flower". Their names were James, Sanford and Henry. One settled in Pennsylvania, one in Maryland and the other in Virginia, and I have never found one of the name who could not trace back to those three states.
I commence now our immediate relatives; My grandfather, Coleman Duncan and his brother, Harry Duncan, moved to Kentucky in an early day. Both settled in Nelson County.
Coleman on Ashes Creek, and Harry on Turkey Run Creek, near Bloomfield.
And from those two brothers has sprung the following families, To wit: [end of page 6; next page starts numbering again at page 1]
Coleman Duncan and Henry Duncan, two brothers, emigrated to Kentucky, from Fauequir County, Virginia, sometime between 1750 and 1760. One of the brothers, Coleman bought 320 acres of land on the waters of Ashes Creek, in the eastern portion of Nelson County, Kent'ky. And Henry bought 320 acres on Turkey Run, near Bloomfield.
Adam Guthrie, Ben Ash and Joseph McClosky came to Kentucky in company with the two Duncan brothers, and bought land joining them. And I, J.C. Duncan, of the third generation, sold in 1867, the old Duncan Homestead, where all the Duncans used to assemble once a year.
COLEMAN DUNCAN -- my grand-father -- married a Miss Mary Lyne; and they had seven sons, whose names were Thomas, Henry, James, George, Charles, Coleman and Sanford. Also three daughters -- Mary who married Timothy Lyne, -- Rebecca who married a Mr. Briggs. He died and she afterward married one Coleman Stone, of Rolls County, Mo. And Fannie who married Henry Russell, of Bloomfield.
Thomas Duncan -- oldest son of Coleman Duncan -- married the first time a Miss Green, by whom he had two sons -- Green and Ellis Duncan. Daughters were Elizabeth, who married Col. Moore of Missouri. She died and he married the first wife's sister, Fannie. Then Jane Rebecca and a son Coleman by his second wife, who was a Miss Grundy. None of his other daughters ever married. His son Coleman married a Miss Russell.
Thomas Duncan's son Green married his first wife -- a Gore -- by whom he had one son, Henry Clay, who now lives in Bloomfield. His second wife was the widow Reynolds -- originally Miss Wilson -- by whom he had one son Green Duncan, who now lives in Wharton County, Texas. His third wife was another Miss Wilson, cousin to his first wife, by whom he had one son, Joe Duncan, who lives on his father's old place.
There were two daughters -- Nannie and Mary --. Nannie married a Mr. Hinkle, and Mary is still an old maid. H.C. Duncan married a Miss Purdy; Green married a Miss Bowie, grand-daughter of the celebrated James Bowie who was killed at the Alamo.
Ellis Duncan, son of Thomas, married Miss Mary Eliza Wilson, one of the grandest women that ever lived, an elegant lady. They had two sons, Isaac W. Duncan, who married Miss Lee, of Boyle County, Ken. and now lives in northern Arkansas. He is one of our odd kin, a noble gentleman, but cranky. Thomas, the second son, is a fine physician, now living at Victoria, Texas. I cannot tell who he married. He stands 6ft. 2-in. and every inch a Duncan, and stands high in his profession.
Coleman Duncan, the youngest son and youngest child of our uncle Tommy, still lives on his father's old farm, near Bloomfield. He is the son by the Grundy wife, and is one of the cleverest of the name, but is the most peculiar man you ever saw; a perfect oddity. He has several children, but I don't know what has become of them or who they married.
This is the extent of our uncle Tommy's family.
Uncle Henry Duncan -- second son Coleman, my grand-father
He lived in Louisville at an early day, and was a successful merchant, but afterward failed. He married a Miss Shipp, a daughter of a Capt. Shipp, of the U.S. Navy at an early day. They had two sons, Garnett and Henry. Uncle Henry died and his widow married a Capt. OBrien, also an old naval officer. But somehow he was unfortunate in business.
Garnett Duncan was our biggest kinfolk, a fine lawyer, Congressman and politician. He married a Miss Martin, of Milligans Bend, Mississippi. They had one child, the veritable Blanton Duncan, who now lives in California, and is very wealthy. Henry Duncan never married. Blanton had two beautiful daughters. One married her husband on his deathbed, and he only lived a few hours after, and she is now the widow Hewitt. He was a Captain in the U.S. Army and a fine man. Blant is the most entertaining man I ever saw, but not one bit of common sense; the very opposite of his father. But he has more political opinions than any one I ever saw. Raised a regiment for the Confederate Army at his own expense; printed all the Confederate money free, and did a great many other liberal things.
After this war he was a Congressional aspirant; was prominent on the Peoples Ticket, then the Grangers' then opposition to anything Democratic. Came to Texas and he could not run Texas to suit him, and he went to California. A clever, erratic man.
Uncle James Duncan was a Hatter; lived in Louisville, K'y and at one time was well off, but his estate after his death was badly mortgaged. He had one son named Henry, who used to come to our house in Nelson, but what became of him I cannot tell. I think he had a daughter who married a Triplett; not sure.
They were sedate, dignified people; not good mixers, or the boy, I know, was not.
P.S. Since looking over my memorandum -- this Henry Duncan, a brother of your grand-father, married a Miss Triplett, for there was a Triplett Duncan of his family. Of this I am sure. (MAD: see Henry above)
Charles Duncan, son of Coleman and Mary Duncan, brother of Thomas, Henry and James, bought a farm ten miles from Louisville, on Louisville and Nashville turnpike, on Fern Creek.
I don't know who he married, and only know two of his children -- Sanford and George, though he had a large family. I know some of them moved to Salem, Indianna. I never knew much about them. They were straight forward, plain, good people.
George Duncan, that was my father, he bought the old grand-father Duncan place, and lived with him until he died. Then he came into possession of the old place, by purchasing the other heirs interest. He married Nancy Connelly. Their family consisted of ten children. The oldest was John Sanford, who is now living in Shelby County, Mo. Now ninety years old. There was Henry who died young; then Charles, who was said to be the handsomest man who ever entered the Gault House. There was George, who died young, and three daughters, Mary, Fanny, and Sarah. Mary married a Mr. Haywood, from Davis County, Ken. Fannie married J.B. Russell, of Nelson; and Sarah married D.W. Prentiss, of Hancock County. They are all dead and leave no heirs. Both had large families, and lost all of them.
John S. who is still living, has four daughters and two sons, living and married. His oldest son, George Sanford, married and has four children. Charles Brent, his other son, is married and has no children. His daughter, Nancy, married a Mr. Vanskike; Sallie married a Mr. Miller. Martha married a Mr. Dines who lived in Quincy, Ill., and his youngest daughter, Lillie, is unmarried and lives with her father. All his children live within a day's ride of him. And they are all together an interesting family; all above mediocrity intellectually, morally and financially.
James Connelly, the youngest and most trifling of the whole family, was married. His wife was Miss Martha Yantis of Garrard County, Ken., They now live in San Antonio, Texas. They had four children. Three died in infancy. One, Yantis Duncan, lived to be twenty-two years of age, and was a bright, business young man, and now in their old age they have no one to lean on, or any relation to look to for companionship, relief or favors, and to diverge from family history a little, it seems hard and unjust to be so treated by our all-wise and omnipotent One, but such is the irony of fate.
I will, before closing, give you some of my boyish and mature observations later.
Wife died Dec. 27th, 1900, with paralysis, and was buried at Lavernia, Texas, Dec. 28, 1900.
[No page numbered 14]
Robert, brother of Charles Y. and J.M. Duncan, was a wagon-maker, in Russellville. I don't know who he married. He was a very large, strong man, and red headed. He has been dead a long time. There were more children of uncle Coleman, but I don't know their names; only a few of the girls. Nancy Duncan -- she married a Capt. Wan, a Steam-boat man, and an elegant gentleman.
They visited my mother's house when I was a lad. She was an exceedingly smart woman and very fine looking. She never had any children. That is as far as I know of uncle Coleman's family. Charley Y., Will and Russell Duncan's father, had a large, lovely family, but I have lost sight of them.
Sanford Duncan, the youngest son of Coleman, moved to Simpson County, married a Miss Young, and raised a large family. The names of all I cannot call. I have seen at my mother's house, Sanford, Thomas and George, and one of the girls, I cannot call her name. Who uncle Sanford's children married I don't know, but from the best information, he had an honorable, upright, intelligent, and altogether a family that any one would be proud of. One of them married a Mr. Granger.
When I was a boy, I can recollect well, that once every year, the brothers, uncle Tommy, uncle Sanford, uncle Coleman, uncle Timothy Lyne and uncle Charley would visit my father, who was afflicted with, what was then known, "Tic Delerough," and I was always so glad when they came, for mother then had all the good things brought out for them, and I had a feast. Then all hands would go to the older brother's or sister's, and I thought if I could only have such kin to visit when I got old, I would be happy. I was always sorry when they left, for we had to come down to home food. I use to get tired of riding behind my mother, but after I got to the table I was O.K. I can also recollect when Sanford came upon his wedding visit, all on horse-back, and how all the old uncles and aunts vied with each other to see which could do the most to make the young people happy. I think I can recollect that once when uncle Sanford came up, he brought them. George and they and my brother Charles cut around among the girls. I watched and made up my mind when I got grown, I would have a good time like they did.
I can recollect once when my father, and my sister Mary and my uncle Tommy went to see uncle Sanford and uncle Timothy, sister rode a large bay pacing horse, named Rudolph, and I think one of uncle Sanford's girls came home with them. Happy memories.
Now for our Connelly kin-folk.
John Connelly, my grand-father, and Sanford, his brother, came over from Ireland at an early day, and settled in Virginia with uncle John Remey, an officer in the U.S. Navy. He died without issue, and John and Sanford Connelly inherited his estate. They moved to Nelson and Shelby County, K'y. John near Bloomfield, and Sanford near Eminence.
John Connelly, my grand-father, married Ann Brent, and there was born by that union, five daughters and three sons. The sons were named James, Henry, Alfred, and the daughters names were Elizabeth, Nancy, Hannah, Margaret and Sarah. Fanny.
Uncle James was a Cumberland Presbyterian preacher. I was named for him. He moved to Elkton, Todd County. I don't know who his wife was, but he had two sons and two daughters. Erasmus, his oldest son, was killed in Texas, in the Fifties. James, his youngest son, -- the last I heard of him -- was practicing law in Elkton, K'y. His daughters, one married a Reeves and the other an Edwards. One of the grand-daughters married a man named Glascock.
Uncle Henry Connelly was a doctor, and went to Mexico, and was a successful merchant in Chihuahua, Mexico. Was afterwards Governor of New Mexico. He married a Mexican woman; had two sons; Don Juan and Don Pedro. He died in New Mexico in 1878. (Santa Fe).
Uncle Alfred Connely lived with my grand-father, on the old place in Nelson, until his death, which occurred when he was ninety-eight years and six months old. Then uncle sold the old place in 1855, and moved to Collin County, Texas, where he now resides, an amiable, happy old man of ninety years. Is still in full mind and body, and is quite a literary old gentleman; corresponding with several papers. Is a little on the "Peck's Bad Boy" style. A man of keen sense of the ridiculous. J.W. Connely, just my age, is a Baptist preacher of some note. His other children I have never seen.
Elizabeth Connely married Humphrey May, and had several children, all now dead. Hannah Connely married John Houston, who lived and died on Ashes Creek. He had a large family -- the luck of all poor men -- One, Elizabeth Huston, married Arch Brown, of Shelby County, a good man. Jane Huston married a Mr. Sutherland, of Bardstown. They had no children. Nancy Connelly married George Duncan, of whom I have already spoken.
Sarah Connely married a Capt. Jones, of Todd County. They had three or four children. One of them married a Reeves and another married a Goodlett; those I have never seen. That is where the Jones, Reeves, Connelly and Goodlett come in. Of aunt Sarah's grand-daughters Sallie married a man named Glascock, a noted saddler, of Clarksville, Tenn. She was said to be the prettiest and most accomplished young lady ever raised in Todd or Logan Counties. I saw her in 1866, and I thought her then one of the prettiest women I ever saw.
Some incidents and "Folk Lore" from our old relations.
Uncle Tommy was a very absent minded man. He would frequently get on his neighbor's horse and not know the difference until he got home and old Adam, his special servant, would tell him he had somebody-else's horse. Then Adam had to take the horse back, and apologize for his old master. Uncle Tommy was always a man of peace. Was always sent for when there was any trouble in his neighbor's family. On one occasion he was sent for to make peace between one of his neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Bogart. Both sent for uncle. He and another relative went, (Capt. James Porter.) They arrived at Mr. Bogart's. Each one told their story, and after Mrs. B. told her tale, Mr. B. began on his, and while he was telling his woes, Mrs. B. went to the kitchen, and being an excellent, good cook, got up a very fine dinner, and came into the room and invited them in to dinner, and uncle said it was a fine dinner. And said to Mr. Bogart, "Who would not have such a wife as you have?" And Bogart laid down his knife and fork and answered, "you would not Mr. Duncan." Conversation changed.
To show what small things make lasting impressions, will recite one. I think the last time the old brothers met at our house was in 1843; uncle Tommy, uncle Charles, uncle Sanford, and uncle Timothy Lyne came together and my father was sick. I, like all boys, wanted to shake hands with our dear old uncles. I handed my left hand to uncle Lyne, and he would not shake hands with me until I handed my right hand, and I was so mortified. Never thought so much of him after that. Since that circumstance I have made it a rule of action in life, with children, never to reprove them for their awkwardness before company.
As you have seen, there were two Thomas Duncan of the original family. Our uncle Tommy was always called Squire Tommy Duncan, and our cousin Tommy was called "Fighting Tommy Duncan," from the fact that he fought several pitched battles with the most powerful men in the country. One battle was with a Mr. Brown, and a hard fought battle it was; cousin Tommy coming off victorious.
Cousin Tommy has the old Duncan good habit of going to see his brothers and sisters once every year, and on one occasion he was going to Breckenridge County, to see his sister, who married a Mr. Williams, and on his way he met three large, powerful men, brothers; their names I have forgotten, but they met in the road, and a few questions were asked, and among them cousin Tommy was asked what his name was, and he told them Tommy Duncan. And the largest of the three brothers asked him if it was "Fighting Tommy Duncan?". Cousin replied that he was not a fighting man, but the three men proposed, then and there, to whip him. Cousin remonstrated and told them he was going peaceably to see some relations, and that he felt it unjust in them to insist on a trial of the manly art, and that after they got through with him, he would make a sorry exhibition of himself to his kin-people. And further, that there was three of them, and only one of him, and that it would not be fair, even if he would consent to fight. They told him that they would only try him, one at a time, and in the event the first one put him to sleep, they would care for him. He remonstrated, and one of the three took hold of him and tried to unhorse him. Then the Scotch came up in our cousin; he alighted from his horse, took off his coat, and the biggest of the brothers came forward, and at one blow he knocked him senseless. The second one was dispatched with one blow, and the third with one blow. Cousin got on his horse and left the three braggarts lying in the road. Few men would have or could have dared to try issues with such odds. He said he had to defend himself, and as a good General he took them in detail.
Cousin Tommy was one of the kindest and best of all our relations, but he would not brook an insult, or have one of his kin-folk talked about in a manner derogative of character. He always said, the Duncans were all honorable, if nothing else, and common scrubs should respect them when he was around.
Another characteristic of our Duncan kin -- they all seemed to be leaders -- at least nearly every one in our country looked up to the Duncans. They were leaders, not followers, and as far as I know now, the name is respected wherever you find it. None, as I ever heard of, did any act that would be considered lawlessness. Nearly all our kin-folk loved their toddy; some few would sometimes take a wee bit too much. Aside from that, they were and are a clean set of people. They were great admirers of the ladies, and none more gallant. They were also fond of good eating, and the old ones had it at home.
An anecdote of one of our cousins, one Thomas Duncan, Russell, one of the finest looking and most polished gentleman ever raised in Kentucky. He was what you would call extremely polite. On one occasion there were some of James Guthrie's folks visiting Bloomfield, and there were several swell parties and dances given, and our cousin Tom was set apart to entertain Miss Guthrie. He performed his part to perfection, as you will see. A large party was given, and all the big folks went; among them cousin Tom and Miss Guthrie. The party lasted well into the night, and it rained very hard, and the streets were very muddy, and when going home time came the streets were fearful, and for the ladies to get their white slippers muddy, and their dainty feet wet, would be too bad. Tom and his lady had to cross the street, and he bethought himself of the politeness of Wellington, I believe it was, who spread his martial cloak in the mud for his Queen to walk on. Cousin Tom said he would go the Duke one better, and said to his lady, "permit me to put my strong and sinewy arms around your slender waist and lift you quietly o'er the muddy street." Which she consented to, and ever after that cousin Tom had all the fun to himself. He lifted often.
Uncle Harry Duncan, brother of my grand-father, Coleman Duncan, who settled in Turkey Run, near Bloomfield, had one son, whose name was Thomas, and three daughters. One, Fannie, who married a Mr. Green, Mary who married Mr. Cooper, and one, Sindey, who married a man named Williams.
Cousin Tommy Duncan married his first wife, a Miss Berkly, who had three sons, Scarlet, Henry and Jephtha. The daughters names were Elizabeth, who married a man in Washington County. His name I have forgotten. Jennett, who never married. Millie who married Mr. Dawson, and Margarett who married Web Muir, all of which have large, nice families. Their names I cannot give. Cousin Tommy's second wife was a Miss Muir.
Scarlet Duncan, the oldest son of cousin Tommy, married Miss Lewis, and had a large family, the names I cannot recollect. Henry, his son, married a Miss Davidson of Washington County. He was a silver smith. Had a large family. The names I cannot give after an absence of forty years.
Jephtha, the youngest son, came to Mo., after the war, and married, I think, a Miss Younger, and as I understand from his relations in Missouri, he is now some where in Arkansas. I understand he has a large family.
Jep., as we used to call him, was one of the noblest of his name. A high, dignified mason; a boon companion and an honest man -- "the noblest work of God." He was my chum in young days, and I knew him well.
Cousin Fannie Green had a large family; the names of all I cannot give, but can give the names of some of them. Thomas Green, the oldest son, married a Miss Berkley, and had a large family. The names nor ages I cannot now recall. His second wife was sister to his first wife. Tom was of a very religious turn. A good farmer and an honest man, and well thought of in his neighborhood.
Henry Green, his younger brother, married a Miss Scoggan, of Louisville, had a large family and whatever became of them I don't know, for forty years wandering like the children of Israel, is a long time; I have entirely lost sight of them.
I was about to forget Eleven Green, the oldest son of Fannie. He was an oddity; a good man and had a large interesting family. He married a Miss Miltion, one of the best women I ever saw.
He was in his day considered one of the posted men on Geography. Could cross Salt River when bank full and walk on the bottom with an iron wash kettle in his hand -- and one of his other feats was to take off his shirt without taking off his coat.
One of cousin Fannie Green's daughters married a Dr. Hudson, who lived in Mt. Eden. One daughter married a gentleman named Milton. I think that was all the daughters there were; I have lost sight of them.
The other sister of Fanny Duncan, her name was Polly, married a Mr. Cooper, near Bloomfield, and had a large family, and I am not sure that I can give their names correctly, but will give such as I know. There was Zach, who, I think, was the eldest, who married Miss Olive Dawson, of Nelson County, K'y. Has a large and interesting family. The names I cannot give -- leave space for those who know, to insert. He now lives near Lee's Summit, in Jackson County, Mo. Is eighty-six years old; an amiable old gentleman, respected by his relations and liked by every one.<
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Bluford Cooper, who used to live near Taylorsville, K'y, I don't know who he married, nor much of his family.
Coleman Cooper, I think, moved to Missouri, but I don't know who he married, nor whether he is living or not at this present writing. (Aug. 1, 1902.)
Henry Cooper, I think, lived in Missouri. Don't know what of his family.
James Cooper, younger son, married a Miss Read, of Shelby County, K'y. He lived on the old Cooper farm. He had two daughters and one son. One of his daughters married a Mr. Robert Stone, of Kansas City, and the other married a gentleman named [blank] of Texas.
Mrs. Stone has four children; two sons and two daughters. One a young lady, and a most interesting one at that. Just graduated from school; a very accomplished and a charming young lady.
The eldest son is about grown, and is a successful young business man. The other son is a sprightly lad of some thirteen years, and a fine looking, manly youngster. The little one is a beautiful child of perhaps two years. Children all of whom any parent should be proud, and I predict a bright future for them. And may their bright childhood days never be clouded by misfortune or disappointment.
The elder of James Cooper's two daughters has four children, two boys now in Texas, and two lovely daughters with her. One of them will graduate from school the next year, and the younger is a pretty Miss of thirteen, and every feature a Cooper. The boys I have never seen, but the girls under the care of their mother, who is a superior woman, will grow up at the fairest among ten thousand, and of themselves altogether lovely. I hope their pathway may be strewn with pleasant flowers, of good deeds well done, and some day make some lord of creation happy, the noblest part of woman's life.
Miranda Cooper, daughter of Fannie Cooper, married a Mr. Doogan, of Nelson County, K'y, and is still living. She has a large family, and, as I hear, very interesting and prosperous. Their names I cannot recall.
An Incident.
I was fortunately one of the attendants of James Cooper; assisted by Jephtha Duncan, Isaac Duncan, Clay Duncan, and a merry crowd it was; one of the most elegant weddings I ever attended was at the marriage of Jim Cooper and Miss Reed. There was spread the most beautiful and elegant table I ever saw, and for the amusement of the young folks, will give the names of our respective lady partners. Jep Duncan and Miss Linn Busey, J.C. Duncan and Miss Scoggan, Isaac Duncan and another Miss Scoggan, Clay Duncan and Miss Ann Jane Purdy, who afterward married I suppose. The disease was catching, as Jim and Clay were very intimate friends.
A Big Reception.
Was given at Jim's old home, superintended by cousin Miranda Doogan and neighbors. All and every person for five miles round were invited, and it seemed everybody that was invited came. And such roast shoats, toast shoats, turkey, chicken salad, cakes, coffee and candies, as could be gotten in that day and generation.
The young folks of the present day don't know anything about enjoyment and pleasure, especially good, old fashioned wedding cooking by our mothers of yore. I hope the young folks will be prepared to take their places; the places of their mothers and grand-mothers, and cause the world once more to rejoice.
Conclusion.
I think the within is as correct and as up to date, as I can remember, for the children and grand-children of the younger portion of the family are almost entire strangers to me, and from this crude start, the rising generation can bring down genealogically the names and corresponding families.
Most respectfully,
J.C. Duncan, San Antonio, Tex.,
August 1st, 1902.
[MAD: James Connelly Duncan]
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