Duncans in Summit Co. OH

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

Last revised November 26, 2011

SUMMIT CO. OH
Formed 1840 from Portage, Medina, Stark
 

CENSUS RECORDS

1840 Summit Co. OH Census
Northfield Twp.
Pg.302  Lorenzo M. Duncan    2000,1        - 0000,1
          (MAD & Charles A. Duncan: Alonzo McLean Duncan, d.1844)
        Robert Duncan        1000,01       - 1000,01
           one name
        John Duncan          0013,0000,1   - 0010,0001

1850 Summit Co. OH Census
(handwritten page numbers)
Northfield Twp.
Pg.668, #44-47, Robert DUNCAN 47 OH farmer $1500
                  Jane 44 IRE
                  Emily 13, James M. 11 OH
                  Catharine 7, Helen M. 5 OH
Pg.679, #135-139, James DUNCAN 28 OH farmer $200
                  Mary 26 OH
                  Robert M. 5 OH
                  (MAD: 1860 Allegan Co. MI census)
Pg.684, #168-172, John DUNCAN 70 PA farmer $0
                  Elizabeth 67 PA
                  Perry 22 OH farmer $0
                  James 10 OH
                  (MAD: 1860 Allegan Co. MI census)
Pg.684, #170-174, Simeon DUNCAN 27 OH farmer $0
                  Mary 27 OH
                  John 1 OH
                  (MAD: Simeon Duncon mar. Mary Stanley 1/2/1849)
 

1860 Summit Co. OH Census
Northfield Twp.
Pg.118, #1989-1904, Jane DUNCAN 54 IRE (blank) $300-$800
                  Emily 23, Catherine 19 OH
                  Helen 15 OH
 

1870 Summit Co. OH Census
Cuyahoga Falls
Pg.206, #186-203, PARKS, Harvey E. 32 OH tinman $3500-$3000
                  Hattie 30 OH keeping house
                  Alfred M. 8, Harry S. 6 OH attending school
                  Maud 1/12, Mabel 1/12, OH, at home, b.May
                  DUNCAN, John 19 NY apprenticed to tinner, parents of foreign birth
                  FITCH, Jane 40 NY domestic servant
Pg.208, #207-225, DUNCAN, James F. 51 IRE farmer $12,000-$3,000, parents of foreign birth
                  Hanna R. 41 IRE keeping house, parents of foreign birth
                  Kate 14 NY at home, parents of foreign birth
                  Henry H. 12 NY attending school, parents of foreign birth
                  Georgia R. 10 PA attending school, parents of foreign birth
                  Carrie D.B. 8 PA attending school, parents of foreign birth
                  Thomas G. 2 MI at home, parents of foreign birth
                  Edward R. 2 MI at home, parents of foreign birth
                  PARKER, Laura 17 CT domestsic servant
                  LAPP, William 18 OH domestic servant, parents of foreign birth
                  WILLIAMS, James 30 ENG domestic servant, parents of foreign birth
                  (MAD: ?? 1860 Kings Co. NY census, James F. 30 ENG, Hanah 26 ENG)
Northfield Twp.
Pg.323, #163-172, DUNCAN, Jane 64 IRE keeping house $5000-$500, parents of foreign birth
                  Catharine 25 OH house keeping, parents of foreign birth
                  Helen M. 24 OH at home, parents of foreign birth
                  Emily 28 OH teaching school, parents of foreign birth
 

ESTATE RECORDS

Summit Co. OH Probate Records; Index to estates A-K 1841-1944 (FHL film 900,953)
      1875, Duncan, Jane M., Admin. Docket 2-199, #3955
      1875, Duncan, James F., will 4-154, Admin. Docket 2-210, #3986
      1875, Duncan, Thomas G., will 4-171, Admin. Docket 2-216, #4003

Summit Co. OH Administration Docket Vol.2 (FHL film 900,951)
      2-199: #3955, Jane M. Duncan of Northfield; Geo. M. Sudel admr, 1 April 1875; sureties George S. Bishop, Alex. McConnell, bond of $200. Inventory filed 8 April 1875, sale 5 May 1875, final accounting in book J9-452 on 7 Sept. 1876 (heirs not named).
      2-210: #3986, James F. Duncan of Cuyahoga Falls; Richard Blood admr. of will 24 Nov. 1875, appointed at request of widow; 27 July 1875 will presented in court (more not copied).
      2-216: #4003, Thos. G. Duncan; transcript of will and order of court from Calhoun Co. Michigan filed and ordered recorded.

Summit Co. OH Will Book 4 (FHL film 900,957)
      4-154/8: Probate Court 27 July 1875, will of James F. Duncan decd. presented on oath of W.S. McCullough who appeared in Summit Co. OH; Jervis H. Wattles the other witness is non-resident of State of OH, a commissioner was appointed on 4 Aug. 1875 to take testimony of Wattles, which was done & the deposition filed. Will of James F. Duncan of Cuyahoga Falls, OH,; to wife Hannah Duncan in trust (excepting & reserving her own rights) for my said children Georgiana, Carrie D. and Thomas G. all my estate, real, personal or mixed; to my son John Andrew $1; appoint wife Hannah Duncan sole exec. and in case of her death, Francis H. Duncan to be the guardian of my children. Dated 29 June 1875. Wit. W.S. McCullough of Philadelphia, PA; Jervis H. Wattles of Battle Creek, Mich.; Charles Dickey, Judge of Probate, Marshall, MI.
      4-171/8: Probate Court 7 Oct. 1875, will of Thomas G. Duncan decd. produced. Will of Thomas G. Duncan of Battle Hawk, Calhoun Co. MI, USA, Esq., but at present residing at Wheatfield near Buffalo in Antrim, Ireland, revoking all other wills; devise absolutely to my dear Mother my house in Cadwill Street, Pittsburg [Allegheny Co. PA]; and direct that my executors shall lay out and expend the sum of $5000 in furnishing the same for her. To my brother George I give absolutely my property in the oil regions in Pennsylvania including my interest in Pistole?? City and the town of Plummer. To my executors I bequeath my house and land in Cuyahoga Falls, OH, in trust for my brother James during his life, and after his death in trust for the eldest child of my said brother George living at the time of his death; and should my said brother James die before the eldest child of my brother George attains 21 years, my executors shall let the same and the proceeds held in trust for the benefit of the child until he arrives at that age. The properties which I hold at Battle Creek aforesaid, Cleveland, OH, Chicago, IL, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania be sold and the proceeds & personal estate at time of my death be disposed of as follows, that exec. pay debts & expenses; $25000 in purchase of property for my mother's support and maintenance during her life; set aside sufficient funds to pay wages of a gardner & his female consort for the use of my said brother James for life ... To my brother Francis Henry Duncan $10,000. To my brother George Duncan $2,000. To the Rev. Matthew Simpson of Philadelphia ... Bishop Simpson of Methodist Episcopal Church sum of firty (sic) thousand dollars. To James Long (Lang?) of Philadelphia, $30,000. To William Jackson of Pittsburg, blacksmith at Rail Road Wake, PA, and who has lost the use of one of his eyes, $20,000. To William Wilson of ... To Miss Sarah Prather of Plainview, $30,000, free from control of her husband if she should marry. Each of my friend James Lirege? (Long?) two daughters; to Ann Parke of City of NY who is a relation of my mother, $10,000; to James Lirege? sisters of Philadelphia to be divided among them; to trustees of Methodist Episcopal Church. Should I die in Ireland I direct that my remains be taken to Pittsburg and interred beside my father. I hearby declare my reason in omitting my brother Williams and my sister Mary Janes name from this will is because I have already provided for them. Appoint Bishop Simpson and James Leng? of 208 Church Street, Manufacture, both of Philadelphia in the USA executors. 17 day of M. (sic) in 1871. Wit. Joseph Sims, Draper, Belfast, and James Sterart, Town Clerk, Belfast. Cert. Calhoun Co. MI, by Mathew Simpson and James Long? as principals and W. Baird, Stephen P.M. Taskin as securities, all of PA, and I. Owen as security in MI, bond for $8000. Certification in Philadelphia PA, Calhoun Co. MI, and Akron, Summit Co. OH.
      Information from Barbara A. Brown 1/2007: Matthew Simpson was the Bishop at Grace Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, and James Long (manufacturer and banker) was president of the church council.
 

LAND RECORDS

Summit Co. OH Deeds (Indexes 1840-1914, grantor C-G on FHL film 854,322; grantee A-D on FHL film 854,327; copied to ca 1860; deed films negative, faint)
      10-56: 25 Sept. 1844, Orson M. Oviatt and wife Lucretia S.W. to James S. Duncan, both Summit Co. OH, $50, land in Richfield Twp, being lot 4 in R12, being in S.side lot #1 in Tract 4, adj. Oliver Crowles?, 40 rods. Wit. Jas. W. Weld?, A.O. Porter. (FHL film 854,336)
      10-57: 15 Aug. 1846, James S. Duncan and wife Martha of Lake Co. OH to James W. Weld of Summit Co. OH, $300, land in Richfield Twp #4, R12, being in S.part lot 1 in Tract 4 adj. Oliver Crowles?, 40 rods. (FHL film 854,336)
      20-204: 27 Jan. 1852, John Duncan and wife Elizabeth of Summit Co. OH to Bradford Post of same, $3716, land in Northfield Twp., being the whole of lot 58, 156-1/4 acres. Wit. George Lillie JP, Martha Lillie, Perry Duncan. (FHL film 854,341)
      20-219: 5 Sept. 1851, Francis Welch and wife Elizabeth of Otsego, Allegan Co. MI, to John Duncan of Northfield, Summit Co. OH, $65, subdivision 16 of lot 40 in Northfield Twp lately attached from the Twp. of Boston #4, R11 (neighbors not copied). /s/ Francis Welch, C.D. Welch. Wit. P.D. Welch, Orsamus Eaton JP. Reg. Allegan Co. MI. (FHL film 854,341)

Index to Summit Co. OH Deeds, Transcribed from Portage, Trumbull, Stark and Medina Cos. OH, 1795-1840 (FHL film 854,320)
      BB-626: 11 April 1834, James and E.F. Duncan to Jacob Rowe, Franklin Twp, Sec. 27, $800 (Portage Co. P-504)
      J-279: 31 Dec. 1832, John Duncan by Shrf et al to Wm. T. Mather, Boston Twp lot #1, 50 acres, $787 (Portage Co. 15-534)
      No grantee index
 

REFERENCES FROM OTHER LOCALITIES

Noble Co. IN Deed (FHL film 1,704,317; SLC 10/7/2011)
      8-327: 31 Dec. 1849, James Duncan and Mary Duncan wife of James Duncan of Summit Co. OH for $130 paid by Matthias Swem of afsd, sell to said Mathias Swem, the premises in Noble Co. IN, the SW 1/4 of SW 1/4 Sec.1 Twp.34 North of Range 10 East containing 40 acres by survey, being lands subject to sale at land office at Fort Wayne IN, more or less, with appurtenances, warrant title. /s/ James Duncan, Mary Duncan. Wit. George Lillie, Maira M. Lillie. James Duncan and wife Mary Duncan appeared 31 Dec. 1849 before George Lillie, Justice of the Peace, Summit Co. OH. Certification 24 Jan. 1850 by Lucius S. Peck, Clerk of Summit Co. OH, for George Lillie Esq. Recorded May 27, 1850. (FHL film 1,704,317; SLC 10/7/2011)
 

Allegan Co. MI Wills and Estates 1835-1872; not indexed (FHL film 927,679; from Charles A. Duncan 5/1987)
      File #337: Filing of will, John Duncan of Otsego, d. Otsego Twp, Monday, Aug. 17, 1863. Heirs at law: James G. Duncan, John Duncan Jr., Simeon Duncan, Perry Duncan, Elizabeth Wilch, all of Otsego, and William Duncan of Huntington, Huntington Co. IN.
            James G. Duncan petitioned Aug. 26, 1863, to be appointed administrator and was on Oct. 14, 1863, with C.D. Hopkins & S.V. Bourne, sureties.
            Emily Duncan of Northfield, Summit Co. OH, an heir at law of John Duncan, on Sept. 4, 1871, petitioned that James G. Duncan be cited to settle the estate.
 

HISTORIES before 1923

1881 "History of Summit Co., with an outline sketch of OH" ed. by William Henry Perrin; pub. by Baskin & Battey (FHL book 977.136 H2p; from Charles A. Duncan 3/1987)
      Pg.297: "The affairs of the road were most admirably managed by Judge Hitchcock until the 26th day of July, 1871, when it was sold by the Receiver, acting as a Special Master Commissioner, under a decree of the court, at the door of the court house in Akron, to Gen. George B. McClellan, Senator Allen G. Thurman and William Butler Duncan, Esq., as Trustees for certain creditors of the company, the purchasers organizing under the name and style of the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad Company, as distinguished from its predecessor, the Atlantic & Great Western Railway Company." (MAD: see Providence Co. RI)
      Pg.535: Referring to Boston Township, a John Duncan was listed among the settlers who came prior to 1810. The township was first organized in 1811 and on 15 January, 1811, John Duncan was elected Treasurer.
      Pg.569: Referring to Northfield Township. "In March, 1817, Henry Wood, John Duncan, Maurice Cranmer and a few other families moved into the township. ... At a meeting of qualified electors of the township of Northfield on the 24th of May, 1819, the following officers were elected for the occasion: John Britt, Moderator; Jeremiah Cranmer and John Duncan, Judges." This page shows John Duncan elected to other township posts.
      Pg.843-4: Cuyahoga Falls Twp. John Douds, farmer, P.O. Cuyahoga Falls, b. County Antrim, IRE, March 17, 1825, a son of William and Ellen (McEllenhatten) Douds. To US 1843; landed 9 June; to Ottawa Canada one year, then Summit Co. OH; settled Boston Twp. He married Sept. 2, 1845, to Mrs. Mary A. Cooke, her maiden name being Drake; she d. Oct. 3, 1878 (5 ch, 3 still living). He was again married to Mrs. Anna Duncan, widow of Col. James F. Duncan, of Cuyahoga Falls. She had three children living by her first union -- George A., Carrie D., and Thomas D. Mrs. Doud is a member of the Episcopal Church."
      Pg.899: Boston Twp. James A. McBride, boat builder, Peninsula, born in Youngstown [Mahoning Co.], OH, 1816; son of William and Agnes (Duncan) McBride, early residents of Boston Twp, coming there about 1822. His father was by trade a millwright ... Wm. McBride died in Boston twp. about 1829; his wife lived to be about 65 years of age. "His grandfather, James Duncan, a Presbyterian clergyman, was one of the earliest writers against slavery, and was the author of a book which was published many years before the war, and awakened a great interest for the cause.
      Pg.939: Northfield Twp. John Dosenbury, farmer; P.O. Northfield, born Dec. 1, 1800, in Hunterdon Co. NJ to Cornelius and Mary (Stillwell) Dosenbury. ... John ... in 1829 came West and stayed one year in MI; also some length of time near Zanesville. "Nov. 14, 1835, he married Ruth Duncan, born Dec. 6, 1816, in Beaver Co. PA; she was the daughter of John and Elizabeth (McLean) Duncan. John Duncan's parents came from Ireland, and he was born at sea while his parents were coming to this country. Thirteen children were born to them; eleven grew up, whose names were Robert, John, Hannah, Ruth, McLean, William, Elizabeth, Mary, James, Simeon and Perry. The Duncans settled in this township (Northfield) about the year 1821." To Mr. Dosenbury nine children were born; those living are William (in Montcalm Co. MI), John (in Pierson, same State), Sarah (this county), George, Cornelius, Frank, Harriet (at home) and Jane (died at 31). John built the first house in Pierson. Mrs. Dosenbury is a member of the M.E. Church. ...
 

1908 "A century and a half of Pittsburg [Allegheny Co. Pennsylvania] and her people" by John Newton Boucher, 1854-1933; pub. [New York] : The Lewis Publishing Company, 1908. (LH7645, HeritageQuest image 3/2007; FHL book 974.886 H2a v.1-4 and film 1,425,643 items 1-4; also University of Pittsburgh's Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh Full-Text Collection)
      http://digital.library.pitt.edu:80/p/pitttext/
      Vol.3, pg.359-360: JAMES McA. DUNCAN, a resident of Wilkinsburg, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, who holds a responsible position with the Westinghouse Electric Manufacturing Company, having been in the employ of that company since 1886, is a representative of the third generation of his family in this country.
            Jackson Duncan, grandfather of James McA. Duncan, was a native of Ireland and emigrated to America about 1831, when he was twenty-six years of age. At first he made his home in Baltimore, MD, but soon removed to Pittsburg, PA, where he became one of the prominent merchants of his day, and was superintendent of the first telegraph company operating wires west of Pittsburg. Subsequently he was the treasurer of the old Union Bridge, a position he held until his death. He married in Ireland, at Dawson, Derry county, May 10, 1831, Isabella Rogers, and they had children: 1. John R., born June 27, 1832, in Baltimore county, Maryland, died in childhood. 2. George R., see forward. 3. John Hessin, born July 17, 1836. 4. Isabella, born September 22, 1838, married George S. Duncan, and has one son, Edgar D., now residing at Cuyahoga Falls [MAD: Summit Co.], Ohio. 5. Robert A., born October 22, 1841, died January 8, 1907. 6. Nancy, born October 22, 1843, married James H. Mitchell, of Trenton avenue, Edgewood, and has children, George D.; Mary Gertrude, married W.O.H. Woods; Robert and Louise. 7. Mary Ellen, born January 17, 1847, married Robert H. Wilson, and is now residing in Tarentum, Pennsylvania. They have children: Frank, Porter and John.
            George R. Duncan, second son and child of Jackson and Isabella Duncan, was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, June 30, 1834. He was educated in the old Second ward school of that city. His first business employment was that of clerk for the Spang Iron Company. When the Iron City Bank was opened in 1857 he was installed as general bookkeeper, and for thirty years was a trusted employe of that institution, for 28 years of that time filling the position of cashier. He was one of the leaders in all matters of financial moment in that section of the country until his death in 1887, at Ingram Station, PA, where he had resided for a number of years. His political affiliations were with the Republican party. Though not a member of any congregation, he had been for years an attendant at the services of the Third Presbyterian church in Draward street. He married, in 1866, Eliza J. Stewart, and had children: 1. Albert S., married Eva Hutchinson, has one son, William H. 2. James McA., see forward. 3. George H., unmarried. 4. Bessie F., died in childhood.
            James McA. Duncan, second son and child of George R. and Eliza J. (Stewart) Duncan, was born in Pittsburg, PA, January 23, 1869. He was educated in the public schools of his native city, in the high school and in Duff's Business College. His first business occupation was with the Iron City Bank, and he then entered the employ of the Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company, with which he has since that time been connected. His first position was as a clerk, and from this he has risen until he now fills the responsible position of manager of the price department. .... In Politics he is a stanch Republican ... He is an attendant at the Methodist Episcopal church in Wilkinsburg. He married, March 23, 1898, Mary E. Hill, daughter of William and Margaret (Shull) Hill.
 

MILITARY RECORDS

Pension Index Card File, alphabetical; of the Veterans Administrative Contact and Administration Services, Admin. Operations Services, 1861-1934; Duff to A-J Duncan (negative FHL film 540,888, some cards very faint); Joseph Duncan to Dunn (positive FHL film 540,889, some cards very dark)
      Cataloged under Civil War, 1861-1865, pensions, indexes; does not say if Confederate or Federal, but probably Federal. Negative film, some cards much too faint or dark to read, some cards blurred or faded, particularly the service unit and the dates of application. Most of the very faint or dark cards were in a slightly different format, with space for years enlisted and discharged which were sometimes filled in. Many of these were for service in later years, although one or two were for service ca 1866.
      Name of soldier, alias, name of dependent widow or minor, service (military unit or units), date of filing, class (invalid or widow or minor or other), Application #, Certificate #, state from which filed (sometimes blank), attorney (sometimes blank, MAD: did not usually copy), remarks. Sometimes the "Invalid" or "Widow" class had an "s" added to it before the application #; occasionally the area for the service information included a circled "S". The minor's name was frequently that of the guardian rather than the minor.
      The military unit was frequently the Company Letter, the Regiment Number, sometimes US Vet Vol Inf. (US Veteran Volunteer Infantry), L.A. (Light Artillery), H.A. (Heavy Artillery), US C Inf (US Colored? Infantry), Cav. (Cavalry), Mil. Guards, V.R.C. (?Volunteer Reserve Corps?), etc. Sometimes there were several service units given.
      Cards appear to be arranged by the last name, first name, middle initial if any, and state (including "US") of service.
      Duncan, John A.; I 3 Ohio Inf.; 1880 Jan. 3, Invalid Appl. #339066, Cert. #479924. (MAD: b. Summitt Co. OH, 1850 Marion Co. OH census; to Allegan Co. MI)
 

OTHER RECORDS

Summit Co. OH death record info (from Alan Adrianson 10/2002)
      Jane M. Duncan, died 2 Mar 1875 in Northfield, from Typhoid Fever, she was a widowed housewife, born in Ireland, and was 68 years; 9 months old. (Vol.1, p.78)
      John Dosenbury, died 3 Oct 1884 in Northfield, from Cancer, he was a married farmer, born in Huntington Co., NJ, and was 83 years, 10 months, 2 days old. (Vol.1, p.232)
      Ruth Dosenbury, died 10 Mar 1892 in Northfield, from Pneumonia, she was a widowed housekeeper, born in Pennsylvania, and was 82 years, 4 months old. (Vol.2, p.31)
 

Obituary from the Ashtabula Sentinel, Ashtabula Co. OH, on December 10, 1885 (from Alan Adrianson 8/2003)
      RECENT DEATHS - Another Pioneer Gone.
      Died in Hartsgrove, on Monday morning about 8 o'clock, Nov. 30th. Hannah wife of Wm. B. Hunt, aged 78 years and 27 days. Her funeral was attended on Wednesday with Rev. A. T. Copeland to perform the religious services. She was born in Youngstown [MAD: then Trumbull Co., now Mahoning Co.], O. Nov. 3, 1807, and with her parents when quite young, moved to Northfield, Summit county, O. and was married to Wm. B. Hunt in Hudson, Portage county, O. April 8, 1833, and resided in Canfield about three years, and then with her husband and two small children came to Hartsgrove when it was a wilderness and when the wolves prowled through the forest and made the nights hideous with their howlings; and shared the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life. About seven years ago she had a shock of paralysis which caused her to become nearly helpless and had to be drawn about in her chair, and on the 16th of Oct. last she had another very hard shock which made her perfectly helpless and remained so while she lived. She was a member of the M. E. Church about 53 years and at the last she said her trust was in her Saviour. She leaves an aged companion and five children to mourn her departure.
 

FAMILY RECORDS

"Civil War Diary, 1861-1865" by John A. Duncan; 16 pages 5-1/2" x 8" (copy 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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