SULLIVAN CO. NH
HISTORIES before 1923
 

1869 "History of Acworth [Sullivan Co. NH], with the proceedings of the centennial anniversary, genealogical records and register of farms" ed. by Rev. J. L. Merrill. town historian, pub. Acworth, N.H.: by the town [Springfield, Mass.: Press of S. Bowles & Co.] (HeritageQuest image 2/2007, Local History Reel/Fiche Number 7996; FHL book 974.275/A1 H2m and film 1,035,574 item 7)
      Pg.212-214: JOHN, ISAAC, and GEORGE DUNCAN, three brothers of the 3d gen. in this country were natives of Londonderry [Rockingham Co. NH], sons of William and Naomi (Bell) Duncan. Their grandfather, George Duncan and the son of George Duncan, emigrated from Ireland. JOHN, b.1752, chopped down the first tree on his farm in Acworth, 1773, but until his marriage in 1778, spent his winters in Londonderry. He responded to his country's call when the news reached Londonderry that the British were marching on Concord, and arrived at Lexington at sunrise the next morning after the first blood had been shed for America's freedom. He also, with several other Acworth men, joined Capt. Bellows' company going through the woods to New York State to assist in intercepting Gen. Burgoyne in his march through New York. In 1780 he was elected with Henry Silsby to attend the convention of the New Hampshire Grants at Charlestown and Cornish, receiving $900 in currency for fourteen days' service, $72 being equal to $1 in silver. From that time for more than fifty years he was prominent in all town business. In matters requiring tact and politic management, he was put forward. He was the most efficient in procuring the settlement of Mr. Cooke at a time when ministerial settlements by the town were becoming unpopular. The characteristic by which he was specially distinguished was shrewdness among neighbors in whom that quality abounded. Of his descendants, ten were in the war of the rebellion.
      COL. JOHN DUNCAN m. first Margaret Dickey (see Dickey family) 1778 - ch., I., William, b. 1778, m. Ruth C. Gilmore (see Gilmore family), rem. to Lyman, and afterwards to Michigan - ch., 1, Delamore, m. Pamelia Clark of Ohio - ch., (1) Delamore, m. Mary Fields, and has three ch., (2) Edwin F., m. Ann E. Fellows, has three ch., (3) Charles C., (4) Helen M.; 2, Eliza A., m. Timothy Fellows, rem. to Wisconsin - ch., (1) Gilmore, served in the late war, (2) Theodore, Captain in the Wisconsin 8th or Eagle Regiment, (3) Emma, (4) Ann E., m. Edwin F. Duncan of Michigan, has three ch., (5) Mary, (6) Kate; 3, William, m. ---- ch., (1) Sadenia E., (2) William T., (3) Frances F. II., John, b. 1780, m. Betsey T. Putnam, rem. to Barnet - ch., 1, John P., d. unm.; 2, Caroline, m. Nahum Wilson of Langdon; 3, Jane, m. John Gilchrist, rem. to Bath - ch., (1) John, first impressed into service in the rebel army, deserted, raised a company of cavalry for the Union army, which he afterwards commanded, (2) George, m. Frank Clark, has two ch. (MAD: names as given), (3) James F., (4) Horace, d.; 4, Chapman, rem. to Utah, m., and has ch.; 5, Homer, m. in New York, rem. to Utah; 6, Betsey, m. Alexander Gilchrist of Barnet - ch., (1) William H., served in the Union army, m. Julia Mathews, (2) Alexander P., served in the army, m. Ellen L. Nelson; 7, Christiana, d. unm.; 8, Emily, m. Ziba Fisher, rem. to Michigan - ch., (1) Francis, (2) Lewis; 9, Dinsmore, d.young; 10, Ellen C., m. Henry Smith. III., Adam, b. 1782, m. Dorothy Lancaster (see Lancaster family), rem. to Barnet, Vt. - ch., 1, John L., d. young; 2, Wm. Harvey, d. in Iowa, m. Aseneth Heath - ch., (1) Susan, m. Thomas Gilfillan of Barnet - ch., [1] Minnie E., [2] Ralph H., [3] Lycurgus H., [4] Ellen A., [5] Claudius H.; (2) John G., m. Ellen Anderson, rem. to Iowa - ch., [1] Gilbert C., [2] Winona E., [3] ----; 3, Margaret A., m. John C. Gleason - ch., (1) Mary E., m. Rev. Isaac Bridgeman of Hanover - ch., [1] Walter Ray, [2] John C., [3] Mary F., (2) William D., (3) John L., (4) Eliza D., (5) Martha J., (6) George D., (7) Laura A.; 4, Adam, d. young; 5, George N., m. Hannah Peck, residence Iowa - ch., (1) Margaret A., (2) Thomas J.; 6., Moses L., m. Susan Downs - ch., (1) Charles L., (2) Luella D., (3) Charles L.; 7, James L., d. in St. Louis, Mo., 1846; 8, Horace B., d. young. IV., George, b. 1783, m. Martha Whipple - ch., 1, son, d. young; 2, Adeline, m. Charles G. Livermore of Alstead. V., Jane, b.1785, m. John Nelson of Ryegate, d. 1814. VI., Rachel, d. young. VII., Isaac, b. 1789, m. Betsey Whipple, rem. to Barnet - ch., 1, Martha M., m. Joseph R. Dowse - ch., (1) George W., d. in the battle of Pea Ridge, m. Julia Posa - ch., two; 2, ----, d. young; 3, Betsey, m. George E. Harrington, rem. to Wisconsin - ch., (1) Charles L., (2) Annabel; 4, Adeline, d. young; 5, Emeline, m. first Edward Norris, rem. to California - ch., (1) Clarence E., d. young; m. second DeWitt C. Gaskell - ch., (2) Anna, (3) Edward C., d. young, (4) Edward D. VIII., James, b.1791, d. unm. COL. DUNCAN, m. second Betsey Prouty, sister of Mrs. John Davidson - ch., IX., Daniel, b.1794, d. young. X., Hiram, d.young. XI., Horace, b.1799, rem. to Lyman, m. Roxanna Hall - ch., 1 son, d.young; 2, daughter, d.young; 3, Martha W., m. John B. Warden of Bath; 4, Mary L.,; 5, Horace H. XII., Fanny, d.unm. XIII., Cyrus, d.young. XIV., Harvey. XV., Milon. XVI., Solon (the three last d.young, of spotted fever). XVII., Betsey, m. Dr. Thomas J. Stevens, rem. to Charlestown, Mass. - ch., 1, Helen M., m. Rorace H. Pitcher, rem. to New York City; 2, Emma J.; 3, Milon. XVIII., Theron, m. Anna Newton (see Newton family); was killed in battle near Petersburg, Va., 1864 - ch., 1, Sarah M.A., m. Freema E. Brackett (see Brackett family); 2, John B., d. from a wound received at the storming of Fort Fisher in 1864; 3, George; 4, Clara E.; 5, Walter I.; 6, Arthur H.; 7, Albert N. XIX., Mary, m. Carlos McNab of Barnet, Vt. - ch., 1, Carlos M., served in the late war, m. Mary Smith, rem. to Dubuque, Iowa; 2, Frances J., m. Davis B. Prentiss (see Prentiss family). ISAAC, brother of COL. JOHN, m. Martha Moore - ch., I., Elizabeth, m. Rufus Brigham (see Brigham family).
 

1911? "History of the town of Cornish, New Hampshire : with genealogical record, 1763-1910" (Sullivan Co.) by Wm. H. Child; pub. Concord, N.H.: Rumford Press (LH8956, HeritageQuest images 5/2007; FHL book 974.275/C1 H2c v.1&2 and film 1,000,207 items 1-2 and 1,036,486 items 7-8 and book 974.275/C1 H2c 1975)
      Vol.1, pg.230: Two other writers of younger years remain, Miss Frances Duncan, an essayist on horticultural subjects who has installed herself in the old "Cherry Hill" farm leased from Mrs. C.C. Beaman; and myself. ...
      Vol.2, pg.30: BLANCHARD. Dr. John Sabine Blanchard was the son of Robert and Jemima (Chapman) Blanchard. He was b. Aug. 10, 1805, in Canaan. Having prepared himself for his profession as a physician he located and first began his practice at Cornish Flat in 1829. He continued there until about 1843, when he rem. to Meriden, where he still continued in practice, as his health would permit, until his death Aug. 26, 1861. Nov. 8, 1832, he m. Louisa Jackson of Cornish, dau. of Judge Eleazer and Lois (Corbin) Jackson, b. Jan. 6, 1813, d. May 17, 1872. Children, all b. in Cornish: 1. Evelyn Louisa, b. Oct. 17, 1834. Graduated Kimball Union Academy in 1853. Spent several years teaching in Ill. and Mass. City missionary for three years on the Congregational board in Boston. She m. ---- Duncan of ----. Resides in Pawtucket, R.I. ... (MAD: other children not copied) (MAD: Pawtucket, Providence Co. RI)
      Vol.2, pg.34: BRYANT. Sylvanus Bryant (Sylvanus, Samuel, Samuel, John, Stephen) was b. May 5, 1758. ... Soon after the close of the war, he settled in Cornish, where he m. Judith Chase, dau. of Moses and Hannah (Brown) Chase, b. Nov. 26, 1764, and d. Oct. 2, 1811. ... Mr. Bryant d. Oct. 12, 1832. Children, all b. in Cornish: 1. John, b. Aug. 31, 1784; m. ----, Mary Ann Duncan of Plainfield, dau. of Robert and Hannah (Emerson) Duncan, b. March 21, 1800, and d. Dec. 21, 1890. They lived in Meriden. ... Four children, all sons and b. in Meriden: (1.) John D., b. Oct. 21, 1829. Harvard College 1853; lawyer in Boston. (2.) Daniel Kimball, b. Sept. 20, 1831. (3.) James D., b. ----. (4.) William H., b. ----, 1837 (?). A soldier in the Civil War who d. in the service. The Wm. H. Bryant Post, G.A.R., No.63, was named in his honor.
      Vol.2, pg.113-114: COMINGS. ... William F. Comings b. Nov. 13, 1803; m. first April 17, 1831, Abigail Bryant of Cornish, dau. of Israel and Mehitable Bryant, b. in 1808, d. Feb. 24, 1844; m. second, March 13, 1845, Mercy C. Jenne, dau. of Nathaniel and Sarah (Cabot) Jenne of Hartland, Vt., b. Sept. 4, 1814, and d. June 2, 1879. He d. May 29, 1859. ... Children by Abigail Bryant: ... Children by Mercy C. Jenne: (vii.) Wilbur, b. Dec. 29, 1850; m. Nov. 16, 1875, Eliza M. Duncan of Claremont. He d. Dec. 6, 1887, in Windsor, Vt. She d. July 26, 1901, in Hanover.
 

1897 "Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Merrimack and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire" pub. Boston, Mass : Biographical Review Publishing Company (from Kathy Cawley 10/2007; FHL film 481,052 and also 1,000,204 item 2)
      Pg.122: John Ticknor Duncan, the Treasurer of the Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, was born in Plainfield, December 22, 1831, son of Samuel B. and Ruth (Ticknor) Duncan. His great-grandfather, James Duncan, born in 1724, resided in Haverhill, Mass. James married Elizabeth Bell, who was born December 25, 1725, and had a family of twelve children. Robert Duncan, the grandfather, was born in Haverhill, May 21, 1760. When a young man he settled in Plainfield. He married Hannah Emerson, a native of Haverhill, and became the father of four children -- Samuel B., John Thaxter, Mary A., and Hannah -- all natives of Plainfield. John Thaxter, who was born in 1798, and followed a mercantile business in Vermont for a number of years, was afterward engaged in the manufacture of iron in New York State, and died in 1870. He married Fanny Dennison, and had a family of six children, four of whom are living. Mary A., born March 23, 1800, married John Bryant, of this town, who was associated with Squire Kimball in a mercantile business and the woollen manufacturing industry. She lived to be ninety-one years old, and two of her four children are living. Hannah, who was born in 1802, married Reuben True, one of the prosperous farmers and prominent residents of Plainfield in his day; and she lived to the advanced age of ninety-four years. She was the mother of four children, one of whom is living. (MAD: Plainfield, Sullivan Co. NH)
      Samuel B. Duncan, born November 20, 1795, was educated in the schools of Plainfield and Haverhill, Mass. Soon after the completion of his studies he volunteered to serve in the War of 1812 as a substitute for his brother, who had been drafted. For thirtyfive years he was a Trustee of the Kimball Union Academy, and he filled the position of Treasurer for twelve years. He died December 22, 1869. His wife, Ruth, was born in Lebanon, N.H., in 1777, daughter of John and Mabel (Green) Ticknor. She became the mother of three sons, namely: John T., the subject of this sketch; Robert H. born November 12, 1833; and Samuel A., born June 19, 1836. Robert H. prepared for his collegiate course at the Kimball Union Academy, and was graduated from Dartmouth College, class of 1857. He studied law at the Poughkeepsie (N.Y.) Law School, and is now a prominent patent attorney in New York City. He married Abbie Vinning, daughter of Samuel Vinning, of Holbrook, Mass.; and she has had four children, three of whom are living. Samuel A. attended the Kimball Union Academy, and was graduated from Dartmouth with the class of 1858. After pursuing a course at the Columbia Law School, he was engaged in teaching at Quincy, Mass., for a time, and was for two years a tutor at Dartmouth College. In 1862 he was commissioned Major of the Fourteenth Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteers, was later appointed Colonel of the Fourth United States Colored Regiment, and retired from the service with the rank of Brevet Majorgeneral. During the years 1867 and 1868 he was special agent of the United States Treasury at Washington, was Examiner of Patents from 1868 to 1870, and Commissioner of Patents from 1870 to 1872. Later he became associated with his brother, Robert H., in New York City, and died October 18, 1895. On December 25, 1867, he married Julia Jones, of Washington, N.H.; and she became the mother of five children, three of whom are living. She is now residing in Englewood, N.J. Mrs. Samuel B. Duncan was ninety-four years old, when she died in 1871.
      After graduating from the Kimball Union Academy in 1852, John Ticknor Duncan immediately turned his attention to agriculture. He succeeded to the home farm, and has since carried it on with success. The property, which contains about fifty acres, is located in the village of Meriden, nearly opposite the academy and adjoining Dexter Richard Hall, where many of the students board. In 1870 he succeeded his father as Treasurer and Trustee of the academy. This institution has from one hundred and fifty to one hundred and seventy-five students in attendance. Dexter Richard Hall, a handsome three-story building belonging to the academy, is used during the vacation season for summer boarders. Mr. Duncan has acted as a Justice of the Peace and Notary Public for the past twenty years. Politically, he supports the Republican party. He was a member of the New Hampshire Constitutional Convention of 1889.
 

1886 "History of Cheshire and Sullivan Counties, New Hampshire" ed. by D. Hamilton Hurd; pub. Philadelphia: J.W. Lewis & Co., 1073 pgs.; Cheshire Co. and Sullivan Co. have separate paging (LH8004, HeritageQuest image 2/2007 and 10/2007, also from Kathy Cawley 10/2007; FHL book 974.2 H2h and films 962,933 and 1,000,200 item 2)
      Sullivan Co.
      Pg.a20: Sullivan Co. History of Acworth. Petition of John Duncan in behalf of the Town. "To the Honble. the Counsil & House of Representatives for the State of Newhampshire Convened at Exeter, Febry. 26th 1783.
            "The petition of John Duncan of Ackworth in said State in behalf of said town Humbly Sheweth." ... regarding payment by the town of a special tax, petition said they never received the precept for assessing the tax; and filed a later petition from Acworth, Decmr. ye 13th 1783.
      Pg.a35: Sullivan Co. Charleston. List of Physicians. (no dates) ... Among others (early inhabitants) ... John Duncan.
      Pg.a172: Sullivan Co. Grantham: ... In 1787 Samuel Duncan was chosen agent to go to the General Court, and a committee of three was chosen to give him instructions.
      Pg.a175: Sullivan Co. Grantham: The following list contains the names of all the men who have represented the town in the General Court of New Hampshire: Samuel Duncan, 1787. Nathan Young, 1788. Samuel Duncan, 1789-92. Joab Young, 1794. R. Duncan, 1796-1800. ...
      Pg.a325: Sullivan Co. History of Springfield. ... March 28, 1791 selectmen by process chose Samuel Dunkin, Esq. (Grantham), Rep. for Protectworth & New Grantham. ... All Town officers Sworn in Presence of the People. Samuel Duncan, Esq., chosen delegate by the District of Protectworth & New Grantham, to Convention, to revise State Laws, August 1, 1791. ...
 

1908 "Genealogical and family history of the state of New Hamphire : a record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation" by Ezra S. Stearns; pub. New York : Lewis Pub. Co. (FHL fiche 6,046,857; Placerville FHC 10/2007)
      Vol.4 pg.1789: JONES. ... (VIII) Julia Ann, youngest child of Solomon E. and Harriet L. (Smith) Jones, was born January 3, 1841, in Washington, and graduated at New London Literary and Scientific Institution (now Colby Academy) in 1861, as valedictorian of her class. She was class historian two years later. For some time she was principal of the Rumford Grammar School in Concord, New Hampshire. She has been frequently invited to speak before women's clubs and teachers' associations, and has met with very flattering success in that line. She has traveled extensively, has resided in Washington, D.C.; in Brooklyn, New York; and Englewood, New Jersey. Since 1900 her home has been in the Borough of Manhattan, Greater New York. She was married, December 25, 1867, to General Samuel A. Duncan, a native of Meriden, New Hampshire, a distinguished and brilliant man, who died October 17, 1895. Their children were: Frederick S., Robert J., Mabel T., Alice B. and Ruth H. The first is a graduate of Harvard College and Columbia Law School, and is a practicing lawyer in New York. The second son died at the age of thirty-five years, and the eldest daughter in her twentieth year. The second daughter is the wife of McGregor Jenkins, who is connected with the management of the "Atlantic Monthly." The youngest married Judge John Duff, of Boston, Massachusetts. (MAD: Meriden, Sullivan Co. NH)
 

1882 "A memorial of the Great Rebellion : being a history of the Fourteenth Regiment New-Hampshire Volunteers, covering its three years of service, with original sketches of army life, 1862-1865." by F.H. Buffum; pub. Boston: Franklin Press, Rand, Avery, & Co. (from Kathy Cawley 10/2007; FHL book 974.2 M2b and film 1,597,884 item 6)
      Notes: Pref. signed: Charles P. Hall, John W. Sturtevant, Samuel L. Gerould, Francis H. Buffum, Committee of Publication. Attributed to F.H. Buffum by NUC pre-1956 imprints. (MAD: Plainfield, Sullivan Co. NH)
      Pgs.43-44. Major S.A. Duncan. Samuel Augustus DUNCAN was born at Plainfield N.H., June 19, 1836. He was graduated at Dartmouth College in 1858, with the highest honors. In September, 1862, he was commissioned major of the Fourteenth, holding that position through the summer of '63, when the regiment was engaged in provost duty at Washington. In September of the same year he became colonel of the Fourth Regiment U.S. Colored Infantry. In this capacity he was a remarkably brilliant commander, meeting with great success, and winning deserved and lasting fame. Col. DUNCAN and his colored troops were highly praised by Gen. Butler in his General Orders of October, 1864. In the examination for officers for the colored troops before the Military Board in July, 1863, Col. (then major) DUNCAN passed for colonel in Class 1, ranking first out of about two hundred examinations. He successively occupied the positions of major, colonel, brigadier-general, and major-general. Major DUNCAN was an ornament to the Fourteenth, and fairly representative of the best material it contained. The colored regiment, of which he became colonel, rendered gallant service under his leadership, and was deservedly praised for its efficiency. One occasion on which they showed great bravery, was at the attack on Battery Harrison, September 29, 1864, in which Col. DUNCAN was severely wounded in the ankle, and obliged to retire from field-service for several months in consequence of his injuries. He rejoined his command in North Carolina, taking part in the expedition against Wilmington, and subsequently joined Sherman in his movements against Raleigh and Gen. Johnston. He had local commands in North Carolina afterwards, and in the fall and winter commanded the line of forts surrounding Washington, and on the northern bank of the Potomac. After the close of the war he was for a time a special agent in the war department, and for some years after that one of the principal examiners in the United-States Pension Office.
      On the evening of the 19th of September, the last company and squad had arrived. It was a good-natured, chaotic mass of volunteers, retaining sufficient independence in some of its squads, to declare that they would not go into certain companies, or even in that regiment, unless they were guaranteed their "rights." The men were nominally still in charge of the recruiting-officers, and not a subsequent officer was then entitled to command not having been commissioned or mustered. Major Samuel A. DUNCAN was the field-officer qualified to assume general command; and he appeared, and began the work of consolidation and discipline. There ensued a kind of anomalous, tentative period before the company officers were clad in their authority. When that was accomplished, a great many members of the regiment saw a great many things in a different light from that of a few weeks or even days before. The squad barters having been concluded, and the ranks of the different companies being filled to the number required, the mustering into the service of the United States was effected by Capt. Holmes of the regular army between the 22d and 24th of September, although some scattering recruits were mustered at late as October 14. [KDC: more talk of of their day to day happening, no more mention of Samuel A. Duncan.]
 

1867 "Sketches of the alumni of Dartmouth college: from the first graduation in 1771 to the present time, with a brief history of the institution" by George Thomas Chapman; pub. by Riverside press, 1867 (Google book, 8/25/2009)
      MAD: "Ms" is "Massachusetts" Dartmouth College, Hanover, Grafton Co. New Hampshire
      Alumni 1842. Pg.333-334: JABEZ BAXTER UPHAM, A.M. the son of the Hon. George Baxter and Mary (Duncan) Upham, was born at Claremont, May 13, 1820. (more not copied) He married Catharine Choate, dau. of the Hon. Joseph Bell, D.C. 1807, of Boston, Oct. 31, 1848. James Phineas Upham, D.C. 1850, is his brother. (MAD: Claremont, Sullivan Co. NH)
      Alumni 1850. Pg.386: JAMES PHINEAS UPHAM, the son of the Hon. George Baxter and Mary (Duncan) Upham, was born at Claremont, Oct. 27, 1827. He is largely engaged in both agriculture and manufactures in his native town. He married Lizzie W. Rice at South Berwick, Me, Nov. 5, 1851. Jabez Baxter Upham, D.C. 1842, is his brother. (MAD: Claremont, Sullivan Co. NH)
 

1886 "Gazetteer of Grafton County, N.H., 1709-1886" by Hamilton Child; pub. Syracuse, N.Y.: H. Child (LH8920, HeritageQuest images 5/2007 & 7/2007; FHL film 547,180 and 1,000,200 item 3)
            Pg.554: Horace Duncan was born in Acworth, N.H., in 1799, and came to Lyman, now Monroe, in 1820. He was a farmer, engaged in the mercantile business and in the manufacture of lumber. He represented his town in 1831, in 1834-35, and in 1861. In 1854 he was elected selectman, being the first one chosen from the town of Monroe. (MAD: Acworth, Sullivan Co. NH)
 

1880 "History of Kalamazoo County, Michigan : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers." by Samuel W. Durant, pub. Philadelphia: Everts & Abbott (pg.452 from Louis Boone 3/1985; HeritageQuest image 2/2007, Local History Reel/Fiche Number 4959; FHL book 977.417 H2d and film 908,703 item 2)
      Pg.453-454: DELAMORE DUNCAN. This gentleman was the eldest son of the preceding [William Duncan], and born Nov. 24, 1805, at Lyman [Grafton Co.], N.H. At Monroe, to which place his father removed in 1810, he attended the common school, of which his father was teacher, until 1815. After his father's purchase of the wool-carding and cloth-dressing mill, he worked in the mill during the summer and attended school in the winter months. His mother died when he was sixteen years of age, and in the following year, his father giving up housekeeping, he went to live with his grandfather at Acworth [Sullivan Co. NH], where he worked on the farm and acted as secretary to his grandfather.
            In April, 1825, with his effects in a knapsack strapped upon his back, he took his way over the Green Mountains through the snow on foot, ... but ... took passage in the stage-coach, and soon after joined his father in Syracuse [Onondaga Co.], N.Y., whither he had preceded his son. From thence he accompanied his parent to Michigan, and as stated in the preceding biography, assisted him in building a mill-dam at Dexter, Washtenaw Co. On the 3d of September, 1825, he left his father at Dexter and proceeded to Brecksville, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, where he engaged in cutting stone for locks on the Ohio canal. Here he remained until the autumn of 1826, when, his health failing, he returned to his grandfather's in New Hampshire, where he continued until the spring of 1827, at which time he removed to McIndoes Falls, Caledonia Co., Vt., and engaged in lumbering until the fall of 1828, when, in company with his brother William and sister Eliza Ann, he journeyed to Lyme, Huron Co. OH, to which place his father had removed and purchased a farm.
            At that place he taught school until Feb. 1829, when, in company with Elisha Doane, he once more started for Michigan, ... in March they reached Prairie Ronde, where Mr. Duncan selected his land and chose the site of his future home. Leving his stock with a Mr. Wilmarth, he returned to Ohio, reaching Lyme on the 1st of April. From there he shortly after went to Dayton ... until August, when he returned to Lyme, where, on the 8th of September, 1829, he married Miss Parmela Clark. This union ... happy one ... She united with the Baptist Church in early life and has ever since been an earnest and consistent Christian and faithful member. Mrs. Duncan was born in the town of Johnson, Lamoille Co., VT, August 18, 1811.
            To this union were born nine children, as follows: Cordelia Ann, William Gilmore, Granville Joel, Jane Coffran, Delamore, Jr., Delia Parmela, Edwin Freeman, Charles Clark, and Helen Marian, of whom four are living, to wit: Delamore, Jr., Edwin F., Charles C., and Helen Marian. The others died in childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan, in addition to their own, have had the care of no less than sixteen other children, whom they have sent into the world useful men and women.
            On the 5th of October, 1829, Mr. Duncan, in company with his father, again set out for Michigan. ... his wife remaining with her father, who was to follow in January, 1830. ... They finally arrived on Prairie Ronde on the 20th of October, and moved in with Col. Fellows until they could prepare their own house for occupation. ... At an election ... on the 17th day of May, 1830, he was nominated the first sheriff of Kalamazoo County, his commission dating from Oct. 1, 1830. ... In Feb. 1832, he sold his farm, on the west side of Prairie Ronde, to John Knight, and removed to Gourd-Neck Prairie, where he purchased a farm and built a plank. Knight failing to fulfill the contract, the farm fell into his hands again, and he sold the one on Gourd-Neck Prairie to Asa Briggs and removed to his old homestead in July, 1832. ... In December, 1839, in company with his brother-in-law, Justin Clark, he made a prospecting tour of the State, ... In politics a Whig, subsequently a Free-Soiler, and upon the formation of the Republican party became a member of that organization. ... until his death, May 1, 1870.
 

1922 "The book of Englewood : together with matter on the world war by other writers from official sources." (Bergen Co. NJ) by Adaline Wheelock Sterling; pub. Englewood, N.J.?: Mayor and Council of the City of Englewood (LH 1469, HeritageQuest images 5/2007; FHL book 974.921/E1 H2s and fiche 6,046,044)
      Pg.170-171: The death of General Samuel A. Duncan, on October 18th, ['95,] came as a shock to a community by which he was much beloved. General Duncan was born in Meriden, N.H., and was a graduate of Dartmouth College. A teacher at the beginning of the Civil War, he gave up his position and enlisted in the army, was commissioned and speedily promoted - Colonel, 1863; Brigadier-General, 1864, and Brevet Major-General, 1865. After the war he practiced law in Washington, D.C., where he married Miss Julia Jones, then engaged in hospital work. In later years he practiced his profession in New York, specializing in patent law. The Duncans made their home in Englewood in the '80s. As one greatly interested in home affairs, General Duncan had been president of ... (MAD: see Sullivan Co. NH)
      Pg.330: Julia Jones Duncan, widow of General Samuel A. Duncan, entered into rest at the home of her daughter, Mrs. McGregor Jenkins, near Boston, on January 21st [1919]. She was born on January 30th, 1841, at East Washington, N.H., and was educated at the district school ... Singer, and player on the piano and organ, teacher in the district school. Shortly after the Civil War broke out she followed her brother to Washington, where she engaged in hospital and prison work, ... At the close of the war she married General Samuel A. Duncan, of Meriden, N.H., a village not far from her own home. The Duncans came to Englewood in the early eighties and entered into the social life of the day. ... General Duncan died in 1895 and for many years thereafter Mrs. Duncan resided with her son Frederick S. Duncan and his wife, Emily Brinckerhoff Duncan. Her later years were passed with her daughters, Mrs. Jenkins and Mrs. Duff, in one of the suburbs of Boston.
 

END

Return to Index to Duncan Research Files in New Hampshire

Return to The Genealogy Bug's Home Page