CUMBERLAND CO. PA
HISTORIES before 1923
 

"History of Cumberland and Adams counties, Pennsylvania : containing history of the counties, their townships, towns, villages, schools, churches, industries, etc., portraits of early settlers and prominent men, biographies, history of Pennsylvania, statistical and miscellaneous matter, etc., etc." by Samuel P. Bates; pub. Chigaco: Warner Beers, 1886, 1241 pgs. (LH 683, HeritageQuest images 6/2007; FHL book 974.84 H2h pt.1-2 and film 2,056,008 item 4 and 20,700 item 1 and 1,000,550 item 3 and 845,275 item 2 and 1,321,021 item 1; and from Charles A. Duncan 9/1990)
      Pg.20: Prominent settlers about the same time in various parts of the county were ... (ca 1764) Stephen Duncan, ... all at Carlisle; ....
      Pg.26-27: Taxables in 1762. The following is a list of the taxables in the county in 1762. Carlisle, 1762 -- James Duncan, Thomas Duncan, Stephen Duncan, ...
      Pg.29: Taxables in 1762 ... Hopewell Township, 1762 -- William Duncan, Thomas Duncan, Daniel Duncan, ...
      Pg.95-96: In June, 1777, the Supreme Executive Council appointed an entirely new board of justices for Cumberland County, as some of the old ones had failed to take the oath of allegiance required of them and several of the positions were vacant. Those newly appointed were ... Stephen Duncan, ...
      Pg.101: Andrew Holmes, Esq., a member of a company from Carlisle, in the command of Gen. Chambers, kept a private journal in which he recorded the movement of the troops, and under date of Sunday, October 11, 1794, 2 o'clock P.M., he wrote as follows: "The Carlisle Light Infantry, together with from 3,000 to 4,000 troops, cavalry, rifle and infantry, marched from Carlisle to Mount Rock. The officers of the Carlisle Infantry were as follows: ... and fifty-two privates, among whom were Thomas Duncan, Robert Duncan, ...
      Pg.136: Treasurers, 1787, Stephen Duncan; 1800, James Duncan; ...
      Pg.136-138: Members of Congress, Senators and Assemblymen. Representatives in Congress -- 1883, W.A. Duncan (died in office, and Dr. John A. Swope, of Gettysburg, elected to fill vacancy December 23, 1884; also re-elected in November, 1885).
            Representatives in Assembly -- 1780-81, Stephen Duncan; 1781-82, Stephen Duncan; 1782-83, S. Duncan ...
            Commissioners in Assembly, etc. ... James Poe became commissioner of taxes October 22, 1783, and Stephen Duncan county treasurer.
      Pg.148-149: Hon. Thomas Duncan's name is found as a practitioner as early as 1781; (footnote: In Dr. Nevin's "Men of Mark" it is stated that he was educated at Dickinson College, which is evidently an error, as that institution was not founded until two years later.) The date of his admission to the bar is not known to us. He was of Scotch ancestry, and a native of Carlisle. He was educated, it is said, under Dr. Ramsey, the historian, and studied law in Lancaster, under Hon. Jasper Yeates, then one of the judges of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. On his admission to the bar he returned to his native place and began the practice of law; his rise was rapid, and in less than ten years from his admission he was the acknowledged leader of his profession in the midland counties of the State, and for nearly thirty years he continued to hold this eminent position. He had, during this period, perhaps, the largest practice of any lawyer in PA outside of Philadelphia.
            In 1817 he was appointed by Gov. Snyder to the bench of the supreme court, in place of Judge Yeates, deceased. He shortly after removed to Philadelphia where he resided until his death, which occurred on the 16th of November, 1827.
            During the ten years he sat upon the bench, associated with Tilghman and Gibson, he contributed largely to our stock of judicial opinions, and the reports contain abundant memorials of his industry and learning. These opinions begin with the third volume of "Sergeant & Rawle," and end with the 17th volume of the same series.
            For years proceeding the beginning of the present century and under five of the judges after the adoption of the first constitution, namely: Smith, Riddle, Henry, Hamilton and Charles Smith, Thomas Duncan practiced at our bar. As a lawyer he was distinguished by acuteness of discernment, promptness of decision, an accurate knowledge of character and a ready recourse to the rich stores of his own mind and memory. He was an excellent land and criminal lawyer, "although," says one, "I think it could be shown by citations from his opinions that his taste inclined more strongly to special pleading than to real estate, and that his accuracy in that department was greater than in the law of property." (footnote: Porter, in speaking of Duncan, in his essay on Gibson.)
            He was enthusiastically devoted to his profession, "His habits of investigation," says Porter, in speaking of him as a judge, "were patient and systematic; his powers of discrimination cultivated by study and by intercourse with the acutest minds of his day; his style, both in speaking and writing, easy, natural, graceful and clear, and his acquirements quite equal to those of his predecessors on the bench."
            In appearance Mr. Duncan was about five feet six inches high, of small, delicate frame, rather reserved in manners, had rather a shrill voice, wore powder in his hair, knee breeches and buckles, and was neat in dress.
            Upon a small, unobtrusive-looking monument in the old grave-yard in Carlisle, is the following inscription:
            "Near this spot is deposited all that was mortal of Thomas Duncan, Esq., LL.D.; born at Carlisle, 20th of November, 1760; died 16th of November, 1827. Called to the bar at an early age, he was rapidly borne by genius, perseverance and integrity to the pinnacle of his profession, and in the fulness of his fame was elevated to the bench of the supreme court of his native State, for which a sound judgment, boundless stores of legal science, and a profound reverence for the common law, had peculiarly fitted him. Of his judicial labors the reported cases of the period are the best eulogy. As a husband, indulgent; as a father, kind; as a friend, sincere; as a magistrate, incorruptible, and as a citizen, inestimable, he was honored by the wise and good, and wept by a large circle of relatives and friends. Honesta quam splendida." A panegyric which leaves nothing to be said.
      Pg.150: Cumberland County. Thomas Creigh, who was admitted [to the bar] in 1790, was the son of Hon. John Creigh, who emigrated from Ireland and settled in Carlisle in 1761. John Creigh was an early justice, and one of the nine representatives who signed the first Declaration, June 24, 1776, for the colony of Pennsylvania. Thomas Creigh was born in Carlisle August 16, 1769. He graduated in the second class which left Dickinson College in 1788. He probably studied law under Thomas Duncan, upon whose motion he was admitted. He died in Carlisle October, 1809. One sister, Isabel, married Samuel Alexander, Esq., of Carlisle; Mary married Hon. John Kennedy, of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and Elizabeth, [married] Samuel Duncan, Esq., of Carlisle.
      Pg.151: Constitutional Period. Judges. Owing to the necessity of being resworn, according to the provisions of the new constitution, the following attorneys "having taken the oath prescribed by law," were readmitted at this term of court: ... Thomas Duncan, Robert Duncan, and others.
            The Bar in 1800. ... Watts and Duncan were unquestionably the leading lawyers ... There also were Charles Smith, who was to succeed Hamilton; Bowie, of York, and Shippen, of Lancaster, with their queues and Continental dress, and the Duncan brothers, James and Samuel, and Thomas Creigh, all of them engaged in active practice at our bar at the beginning of the century. ... On the motion of Thomas Duncan, Esq., and the usual certificates filed stating that Alexander P. Lyon, John B.M.S. Gibson and James Carothers had studied law under his direction for the space of two years after they had respectively arrived at the age of 21.
      Pg.152, 155: Thomas Duncan, remarks by others concerning him personally ..., not copied
      Pg.152-160: Andrew Carothers was born in Silver Spring, Cumberland Co., about 1778. ... In the language of Judge Watts "He became an excellent practical and learned lawyer, and very soon took a high place at the bar of Cumberland County, which at that time ranked amongst its numbers some of the best lawyers of the State, Watts, Duncan, Alesander and Mahan were at different times his competitiors," ....
            The Bar Under Hamilton. Of James Hamilton, who appears upon the bench in 1806, we have before spoken. Watts and Duncan were still leaders of the bar under Judge Hamilton. Mr. Watts came to the bar some years later than Thomas Duncan, but both were admitted and the latter had practiced under the judges prior to the constitution; but from that time, 1790, both practiced, generally as opponents, ... until the appointment of Duncan to the supreme bench in 1817. ... In Mr. Brackenridge's "Recollections," he speaks of attending the courts in Carlisle, in about 1807, where there were two very able lawyers, Messrs. Watts and Duncan. ...
            Among the attorneys admitted under Hamilton was ... (MAD: more mention of James Duncan and Thomas Duncan)
      Pg.156: John Duncan Mahan was admitted under Hamilton in 1817. He was born November 5, 1796; graduated at Dickinson College in 1814, and immediately began the study of law under the instruction of his uncle, Thomas Duncan. ... to Pittsburgh 1833, died July 3, 1861.
      Pg.161: In 1827, John Bannister Gibson, LL.D., was appointed chief justice of PA. He was born on the 8th of November, 1780, in Sherman's Valley, then Cumberland, now Perry Co. PA. He was of Scotch-Irish descent, and the son of Col. George Gibson, who was killed at the defeat of St. Clair in 1791. ... He entered on the study of law in Carlisle in the office of his kinsman, Thomas Duncan, ...
      Pg.180. Shippensburg. Dr. Thomas Greer and Dr. John N. Duncan practiced medicine in Shippensburg; the former from 1834 to 1839, when he died; the latter from 1841 to 1850, when he removed to Chambersburg.
      Pg.200: The following is a table of the officers and presidents of Dickinson College (at Carlisle) with the periods of their service: Secretaries -- Thomas Duncan, 1784-92; ... James Duncan, 1796-1806 ...
      Pg.209-210: (under Presbytery of Donegal) In the early history of the Cumberland Valley churches were located near living springs, for the accomodation of the vast concourse of people who assembled on occasions of divine worship. Middle Spring, so called probably from its intermediate position between Big Spring and Rocky Spring, has rather an uncertain origin. The congregation began probably about 1740. ... The following officers and soldiers of the Revolutionary war were members of this congregation, or attendants of this church: soldiers -- David Duncan, ...
      Pg.212-5: Methodist Church. In Shippensburg. The Hon. John McCurdy, in his historical sketch of Shippensburg, says: "In the year 1787 Methodism was introduced into this part of the Cumberland Valley by Rev. John Hagerty and Nelson Reed. ... The first church was built about the year 1790, ... During its early years the congregation was small, but at the commencement of the present century it began to increase, and many of its members were amongst the most prominent men of the place. Among them were ... John Duncan ..."
      Pg.258. Borough of Shippensburg. As early as 1740 or 1741 a log flouring-mill was built by William Leeper (then of Shippensburg) on the west bank of the stream, south of the town. In this year, 1740, the Campbells, Culbertsons, Duncans, ... were among the leading families of the place. (footnote: Francis Campbell was a man of culture, a ready and forcible writer, and one of the first merchants in Shippensburg. He died in 1790. Daniel Duncan built a stone house on Lot 52, in which he kept a store and tavern. His son Stephen represented the county in the Colonial Legislature, and was at one time the heaviest tax-payer in the place. ...)
      Pg.260-2: Shippensburg. In February, 1763, Mr. Shippen began to issue the first deeds or leases to purchasers, and to those who had previously settled upon the lots. The list of the original purchasers, with the number of the lot is as follows: 32. Daniel Duncan; 38. Daniel Duncan; 40. Daniel Duncan; 55. Samuel Duncan; 95. William Duncan; 120, 121. Daniel Duncan; 170. David Duncan.
      Pg.292-6: Hopewell Township. The Bradys. ... This was Hugh Brady, who emigrated from the North of Ireland about the year 1730, and settled first in the State of Delaware, but soon after in Cumberland County, on the banks of the Conodoguinet Creek, within five miles of where Shippensburg now stands. ... From a letter written some few years ago we learn that Moses Hemphill bought the two farms of the Bradys on the Conodoguinet Creek. "These farms were bounded as follows: On the ... south by the Conodoguinet Creek and the Duncans; ..."
      Pg.344-6: Southampton Twp. Earliest Settlers. ... On the north and northwest of the second purchase of Mr. Shippen, were the Brumfields, Duncans, ...
            Members or adherents of this church (Middle Spring) who took part in the Revolution ... David Duncan.
      Pg.357: Upper Allen Twp. ... At this time there was slavery in PA. In the registry of the last 297 slaves registered under the requirements of an act to explain and amend a former "Act ..." passed 1 March 1780, among the records of Cumberland Co. we find ... Duncan ...
      Pg.381-2: Borough of Carlisle. ADAM KELLER, born in Philadelphia December 9, 1842, a son of Adam and Mary (Loller) Keller, natives of Philadelphia ... married at Carlisle, PA, December 9, 1869, Miss Katherine Wilkins Stevenson, who was born in Carlisle, a daughter of Dr. Thomas Collins and Eliza (Duncan) Stevenson. Dr. Thomas Collins Stevenson, an able practicing physician, was a son of Dr. George Stevenson, ... married a Miss Maria Barker of Delaware, a granddaughter of Gov. Thomas Collins of that state. Mr. and Mrs. Adam Keller ... have had three children; two daughters (now deceased), Bessie Duncan and Mary Loller, and one son, Thomas Collins Stevenson Keller, born July 2, 1884, who is living. ...
      Pg.384-5: Borough of Carlisle. HON. CHARLES McCLURE (deceased) was a native of Cumberland Co. ... wife was Margaretta Gibson, daughter of Chief Justice John Bannister Gibson ... John (Gibson) read law with Judge Thomas Duncan, of Carlisle ...
      Pg.494-5: Lower Allen Twp. HENRY R. MOSSER ... born in York Co. in 1828 ... was married to Margaret A. Yocum, in 1852, a daughter of Jacob and Henrietta (Duncan) Yocum, of York, York Co. PA. ...
      Pg.517-8: Newton Twp. W. LINN DUNCAN, farmer, P.O. Oakville, is a grandson of John Duncan, of Southampton Twp., Cumberland Co., who died there many years ago, and who had eleven children: William, John, Alexander, Samuel, David D.G., Mary, Jane, Theress, Eliza, Sarah and Rebecca. Six of these are still living. David D.G., known all over the county as D.D.G. Duncan, is W. Linn's father, and is living in W. Pennsborough Twp, this county; his wife, Grizelda (Linn), was a native of Southampton Twp, Franklin Co. PA, a daughter of William Linn, a prominent citizen and leading elder in the Middle Spring Church, and well known in political affairs, in which took an active part. Mr. and Mrs. D.D.G. Duncan also had eleven children: W. Linn, Samuel A., David Glenn, John Knox, James Patterson, Mary Gilbreath, Emma Jane, Elizabeth Ann, Sarah Ann, Flora and Eva. W. Linn, the eldest, born December 5, 1845, in Southampton Twp, this county, was raised on the farm on which his father now lives, on the Big Spring ... December 19, 1867, he married Arabella Davidson, of W. Pennsborough Twp, who died January 15, 1872, leaving three children, one of whom died in infancy. The living are Hugh Linn, born October 25, 1868, and Hudson Davidson, born February 9, 1870. September 21, 1876, Mr. Duncan was married to Miss Lydia Belle Tritt. They have three children living: James Linn Patterson, born June 10, 1877; David Daniel Glenn, born July 29, 1879; and Charlotte Grizelda, born November 27, 1882. One child, Matthew B. Boyd, born October 26, 1880, was instantly killed by the sudden starting of a horse on which he was sitting with an older brother. Mrs. Duncan ... Christian Tritt (Mrs. Duncan's father) ... married (second) Frances Charlotte McCulloch and had ... Mrs. Duncan, who was born August 16, 1854. (MAD: more on the Tritt lineage)
      Pg.520-1: Newton Twp. JAMES McCULLOCH. ... Thomas McCulloch, the father of James, was born April 2, 1797, ... April 3, 1823, he was married to Isabella Blean, daughter of Robert Blean, an only son of David Blean who settled in an early day upon the farm on Big Spring now owned by David Duncan. ...
      Pg.521: Newton Twp. HUGH McCUNE, farmer ... is a grandson of Robert McCune, who came from Ireland about the middle of the last century. The latter's son Hugh, father of our subject, was born in this county in 1772, and died in 1828. His wife was Rebecca (Brady) McCune. Their children were as follows: Isabella, born April 18, 1797, wife of William Duncan, now deceased; ...
      Pg.548: Southampton Twp. WILLIAM D. McCUNE, retired farmer, P.O. Middle Spring, was born in Southampton Twp, Cumberland Co. PA, December 19, 1823, son of John and Sarah A. (Duncan) McCune, names of PA, of Scotch-Irish descent. John McCune was born on the farm where his son William D. now resides, which farm was purchased in an early day by John McCune's father. John McCune, our subject's father, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was a farmer of Southampton Twp, this county. William D. McCune, the eldest in a family of nine children ....
      Pg.579. W. Pennsborough Twp. ROBERT H. FULTON, ... is a grandson of Francis Fulton, who was born June 21, 1765, and with his parents came from Scotland and settled in Juniata County and had a large family of children. Francis Fulton was married to Sarah McKinstry, born March 17, 1768, and they settled at "Quarry Hill," now in Penn Twp, this county. ... On the Quarry Hill farm were born twelve children: ... Nancy, born January 16, 1802, now the widow of John Duncan, and resides at Peoria, IL, ...
      Pg.583-4: W. Pennsborough Twp. JOHN D. MAINS, ... born in 1852 at Shippensburg, within a short distance of the Cumberland County line. (more on his lineage) Our subject chose farming; was married December 1, 1875, to Emma J., daughter of David G. and Griselda (Linn) Duncan. ...
 

"Historical Collections of the State of Pennsylvania; containing a copious selection of the most interesting facts, traditions, biographical sketches, anecdotes, etc., relative to the History and Antiquities, both general and local, with Topographical descriptions of every county and all the larger towns in the state" by Sherman Day; pub. Philadelphia : published by George W. Gorton, 56 North Third Street, New Haven - Durie and Peck, 1843. (FHL book 974.8 H2d?, film 924.419 item 1; Placerville FHL 7/2007)
      Pg.265: Carlisle, Cumberland Co. PA
      The late Judge Duncan, of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, was a native of Carlisle. His father, who was from Scotland, was one of the first settlers of the county. Young Duncan was educated here under Dr. Ramsay, the historian, and studied law in Lancaster, under Judge Yeates. His rise was rapid, and in less than ten years from his admission to the bar he was at the head of the profession in the midland counties in the state, and for nearly thirty years sustained this rank. He was appointed to the bench of the Supreme Court, in March, 1817, by Gen. Snyder, in place of Judge Yeates, who had died. He shortly after removed to Philadelphia, where he resided until his death, which took place on the 16th Nov. 1827.
      At the bar, Mr. Duncan was distinguished by quickness and acuteness of discernment, promptness of decision, and accurate and practical knowledge of men and things, and a ready recourse to the rich stores of his own mind and memory. Without the possession of many of the natural requisites of oratory, he was a skilled, ardent, and indeed eloquent advocate. During the ten years that he sat upon the bench, associated with the late Chief-justice Tilghman, and the present Chief-justice Gibson, he contributed largely to the stock of judicial opinion, and the Reports contain abundent memorials of his industry, learning, and talents. Judge Duncan survived his excellent friend, Judge Tilghman, but a few months. The decease of these two eminent magistrates was deeply lamented throughout the state.
 

1876 "Centenniel Biography, Men of Mark of Cumberland Valley, PA, 1776-1876" by Alfred Nevin (FHL film 1,036,755 item 3, and book 974.84 D3n)
      Pg.204: Hon. Thomas Duncan, distinguished lawyer and eminent judge, native of Carlisle [Cumberland Co. PA] (MAD: no birth date given, father not named); his father an emigrant from Scotland and among first settlers of Cumberland Co. The subject of this brief notice was educated at Dickinson College, adopted law as his profession, repaired to Lancaster and studied in office and under direction of Hon. Jasper Yeates, then one of the Judges of the Supreme Court of PA; on admission to the bar, he returned to his native place and opened a law office ... appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of State of PA by Governor Snyder on 14 March 1817, in consequence of the vacancy on that bench created by the death of Judge Yeates, his preceptor. After Judge Duncan's appointment to the Supreme Court he removed to Philadelphia, where he resided until his death, which occurred on the 16th of November, 1827. ... (MAD: no family information given)
      Pg.288-9: Samuel Duncan Culbertson, M.D., of Cumberland valley, descended from Scotch-Irish of the Revolutionary period - he lived to an old age, ... S.D. Culbertson's ancestors were fervent patriots, and were prominent actors in the War of Independence. His father, Robert Culbertson, was captain of a battalion of Col. Joseph Armstrong's command as early in the Revolution as August, 1776. Captain Culbertson was subsequently appointed Wagon Master for Cumberland Co. on the 14th of August 1780, previous to which he had been promoted to Lt. Colonel. Col. Joseph Culbertson lived on an adjoining farm; of him we know nothing special. Col. Samuel Culbertson, a cousin of the foregoing brothers and the most noted of the family, lived in the neighbourhood, [and] raised a company of Provincial troops ... Colonel Samuel Culbertson was a prominent elder of the Rocky Spring Church, and was a member of the Assembly for a number of sessions. He died on his farm in the "Row," April 17, 1817. A daughter married General John Rea, member of the Twelfth Congress. The Rev. James Culbertson, of Zanesville, OH, was his son. Colonel Robert Culbertson was married to a daughter of William Duncan, who resided near Middle Spring, and whose family was among the earliest settlers of that neighbourhood. He was an active member of the Presbyterian congregation, then under the pastorate of Rev. Dr. Cooper, distinguished alike for his piety and patriotism. The Duncan name is found in the sessions of the Middle Spring Church, during the Rev. John Blair's ministry, in 1742. William Duncan paid an annual pew rent of £1.19.6 in 1782. The Culbertsons were connected with the Rocky Spring Church. Robert was an attendant of the Old Colonial Meeting House and paid to Rev. Craighead, £1.17.6 as his annual pew rent, in 1776. Samuel Duncan [Culbertson], son of Robert Culbertson, was born near Chambersburg, at "Culbertson's Row," on the 21st of February, 1786. His father dying when he was quite young, he was left to the care of his widowed mother, a woman of very superior character and culture. He received a classical education at Jefferson College, Cannonsburg, where, we believe, he was graduated. ... After quitting Cannonsburg, he began the study of medicine ... (MAD: no other family info given)
 

1905 "Biographical annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settled families" sketches compiled by Mr. Jeremiah Zeamer; pub. by Genealogical Publishing Co. (LH 634, HeritageQuest images 2/2007 & 5/2007; FHL book 974.843 D3b and films 908,113 and 1,000,551 item 1)
      Pg.356-357. JAMES M. DUNCAN, a prominent representative of one of the old Cumberland county families, is a successful farmer and stock raiser of Newton township. He was born on a farm known as the old Duncan homestead in West Pennsboro township.
      Daniel G. Duncan, father of James M., married Miss Griselda Linn, who was born in Franklin county, in 1825, and who died in 1899, being buried in the Presbyterian graveyard at Newville. Both parents were consistent members of the Presbyterian Church, in which the father was an elder for a number of years. In politics he was a Democrat, but did not aspire to be an office holder. During a long and useful life, he accumulated considerable property, and was a man highly esteemed by a wide circle of friends. The children born to himself and wife were: William Linn, of Newton township; Mary G.; Samuel A.; Emma J.; Glenn, deceased; John K., of Nebraska; Elizabeth; Sarah P.; James M.; Flora G.; Eva.
      James M. Duncan commenced his education at the district school known as the Oak Flat schoolhouse, continued it at the high school at Newville, and completed it at Springfield, West Pennsboro township. Upon leaving school, he returned to the farm and assisted his father until he attained his majority. He then began farming on his own account on the Duncan homestead, and after the death of his father, when the estate was settled, Mr. Duncan purchased the McCullough farm of eighty-nine acres, upon which are a good bank barn, a comfortable dwelling, and all necessary sheds. As yet he has not married, but carries on his farm himself, and has made it into one of the best in this locality. Mr. Duncan, himself, is very popular and has proven himself an excellent farmer and public spirited citizen.
      Pg.459-460: WILLIAM H. WISE, of Lemoyne, Cumberland county, was born Nov. 12, 1843, in Kishacoquillas Valley, Mifflin county, Pa., a son of an old resident farmer of that locality. In 1861, Mr. Wise ... Union Army, ... In 1865 Mr. Wise was married (first) to Penelope A. Orner, daughter of William and Matilda Orner, the latter still surviving. Four children were born to this marriage: Maggie, Mrs. Duncan, of Columbus, Ohio; Minnie C., Mrs. Keithley, of Altoona, Pa.; Harry, clerk of the "Brant Hotel" at Altoona; and Herbert, a railroad man. In 1882, at Boiling Springs, Mr. Wise was married (second) to Anna M. Scharf; daughter of Jacob Scharf; her mother died when she was quite young. The children of this marriage are: George H., Frank, Earl and Hazel, all at home. (MAD: Columbus, Franklin Co. OH)
      Pg.834-836+: SAMUEL RIPPEY (III) (born in Ireland, in 1713, died near Middle Spring, Aug. 22, 1791), ... (pg.836) and the name of his second wife Rachel Armstrong. Samuel and Rachel Rippey had issue: 1. WILLIAM (IV). 2. ELIJAH (V). 3. SAMUEL (VI). 4. JANE married James Finley (died in Greene township in 1812), and had issue: Samuel, John, James, William, Elizabeth (married Stephen Duncan), Isabel (married James (Galbraith), Mary (married Joseph Culbertson) and Jane (married Samuel A. Rippey). IV WILLIAM RIPPEY (born at Shippensburg in 1741, died Sept. 22, 1819), son of Samuel and Rachel (Armstrong) Rippey, ... Capt. Rippey married (first) Margaret Finley and (second) Elizabeth (pg.837) McCracken, who survived him. He had issue: 1. RUTH (died before her father) married Dec. 9, 1791, Joseph Duncan, and had issue: William Rippey, John, Daniel, Margaret Chambers and Jane Stewart. 2. SAMUEL A. married Jane Finley, daughter of James and Jane (Rippey) Finley, and they had a son William. ... (pg.838) (VIII) WILLIAM RIPPEY (died in 1821), youngest son of Capt. William Rippey, was a county commissioner of Franklin county, 1818-21. He married Lucy Piper; they had issue: 1. ALLEN married Catharine Duncan, and had issue: William married Rebecca Starvalient; Duncan married Elizabeth Watts; Elizabeth married Joseph Bender; Sarah married Peter Dock; Joseph married Mary St.Clair; Sue married Rev. Thomas Dougherty. ....
            Information from Michael Gilbreath 12/6/2009: He has been to the Middle Spring Presbyterian Church, Shippensburg, Cumberland Co. PA. These two stones are next to each other:
            In memory of Samuel Rippey, Sinior, who Departed this Life the 22nd day of August 1791 in the Seventy eighth Year of his Age.
            Isabella Rippey, The wife of Samuel Rippey, Who departed this life on the 10th day of March 1778 In the 59th Year of her Age.
 

1905 "Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania : Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens and of Many of the Early Settled Families; Illustrated" Chicago, The Genealogical Publishing Co. (extract from Kathy D. Cawley 3/2006; text from HeritageQuest image 1/2007)
      Pg.485-486: JOHN S. BEATTIE, a retired farmer of Shippensburg, was born in this county, upon a farm three miles east of Shippensburg, in the vicinity of Leesburg, Jan. 1, 1836.
      James Beattie, his grandfather, was born in Ireland, and soon after coming to the Colonies became a soldier in the Revolutionary war, serving seven years. He married Mary Quigley, born in Cumberland county, on what is known as the old Harrisburg pike.
      James Beattie, son of James and father of John S., was born in Cumberland county, five miles east of Shippensburg, on what is known as the old Beattie homestead, Jan. 26, 1800, and he became one of the prosperous farmers of his section. He was a Presbyterian in religious faith, and an old line Whig politically, until the formation of the Republican party, when he entered its ranks. He married (first) Miss Isabella Clarke, daughter of Robert Clarke, who was three times married, and who reared a large family. Mrs. Beattie died in 1843, the mother of eight children, seven sons and one daughter: Robert C., a farmer who died in Ohio; James A., a retired farmer of Shippensburg; William Q., a farmer of Richland county, Ohio; Charles, who died in childhood; John S.; Thomas G., a farmer in Nebraska; Henry C., a retired farmer in Cumberland county; and Mary Q., who died in infancy. For his second wife James Beattie married Rachel Work, of near Mercersburg, who bore him two daughters, Lydia Bell and Mary Jane, both unmarried.
      John S. Beattie was reared on a farm, and received his education at the district schools, well remembering attending school in a little log building. He remained with his parents until reaching manhood, when at the age of twenty-four years, he married Miss Eleanor Sharp Wallace, of Cumberland county, born Jan. 4, 1836, in Ohio, to which State her parents had moved, the father dying soon thereafter. The mother returned with the family, to Cumberland county, when Mrs. Beattie was six years of age, and she was reared here. Mrs. Beattie is one in a family of six children: Sarah Elder, deceased; Caroline B., widow of William B. Morrow; Mary S., deceased, wife of John Robertson; Elizabeth J., deceased; John McCune; and Eleanor Sharp.
      After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Beattie settled on the old Beattie homestead, and engaged in farming and stock raising. A few years later, Mr. Beattie purchased a well improved farm of 140 acres in Franklin county, to which he moved, making many improvements upon his property and residing upon it until 1878, when he returned to Cumberland county, and settled at Shippensburg, renting his farm.
      Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Beattie: James, a salesman at Pittsburg, married Miss Sarah Snyder; Lillie Belle married David Glenn Duncan, a farmer; George Allen, residing in Clarke county, Iowa, married Miss Ida Hogue, of that State; William Wallace McCune, a clerk in a wholesale drug store in New York City, married Miss Bessie N. Lutz, of Shippensburg.
      In politics Mr. Beattie is a strong Jeffersonian Democrat. Both he and his wife are consistent members of the Presbyterian Church, of which for three years Mr. Beattie was trustee. They are most highly respected people, and have many friends in both Franklin and Cumberland counties.
 

"Alumni record, Dickinson College" (Cumberland Co. PA) (anonymous); pub. Carlisle, Pa.: Dickinson College, 1905, 545 pgs. (LH 641, HeritageQuest images 6/2007)
      Pg.11: Trustees: Stephen Duncan, Esq., 1783-94
      Pg.20: Secretaries of the Board of Trustees: Thomas Duncan, LL.D., 1784-92; James Duncan, Esq., 1796-1806
      Pg.419: Undergraduate alumni, 1906: Duncan, John Darius Christopher - Born Cockeysville, Md.; p. Frank I. Duncan; entered 1902; retired 1904. Home address, Lutherville, Md. (MAD: Cockeysville, Baltimore Co. MD)
 

"Carlisle, old and new" (Cumberland Co. PA) by Civil Club of Carlisle Pennsylvania; pub. unknown: unknown, 1907, 181 pgs. (LH 640, HeritageQuest images 6/2007; FHL book 974.843/C1 H2c)
      Pg.110-111: The home now owned and occupied by Hon. F.E. Beltzhoover ... was erected in 1815 by Stephen Duncan, a son of Supreme Court Justice, Thomas Duncan. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan moved into their home before it was entirely finished, and upon the day when the marble for the front steps was delivered at the house, occurred the sudden and untimely death of the young wife. Mr. Duncan immediately sold the property to his brother-in-law, Benjamin Stiles, and sadly left Carlisle. Mr. Stiles moved into the house at once, and resided there with his family for 24 years.
 

"History of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania" by Conway P. Wing; pub. Philadelphia: James D. Scott, 1879, 314 pgs. (LH 635, HeritageQuest images 6/2007; FHL book 974.843 H2w and film 1,697,831 item 7)
      Pg.117: At some time near 1791, during the political excitement which then ran so high, a duel was fought between John Duncan, a merchant, the son of Stephen Duncan, and the brother of the late Chief Justice, Thomas Duncan, Esq., and General James Lamberton, a prominent civil and military officer of that time. ... James Blaine, a son of Ephraim Blaine, and Joseph Postlethwaite were the seconds of Mr. Duncan; and Robert Huston, a merchant and a fellow countryman of Mr. Lamberton, and a gentleman of the name of Ray were the seconds of his antagonist. ... At the first shot Duncan was shot through the head. He was a married man, and his widow many years afterwards married Ephraim Blaine, whom she survived many years and died in Philadelphia as late as 1850.
      Pg.163: Hon. James Hamilton ... It was during the time that Watts and Duncan were the leaders of the Carlisle Bar, that James Hamilton was upon the Bench. Hamilton was not always self-reliant, and it is said that he procured the passage of an Act of Assembly, forbidding the citation of English authorities prior to 1776, in order to get rid of the multitudinous cases with which Judge Duncan was wont to confuse his judgment. ...
      Pg.163-165: Hon. Thomas Duncan. This distinguished lawyer and able judge, of whom we have before spoken, was a native of Carlisle. His father, who emigrated from Scotland, was one of the first settlers of Cumberland county. Young Duncan was educated at Dickinson College, under Dr. Ramsey, the historian, and studied law in Lancaster under Hon. Jasper Yeats, then one of the Judges of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.
            On his admission to the Bar he returned to his native place, and begun the practice of law. His rise was rapid, and in less than ten years from his admission he was the acknowledged leader of his profession in the midland counties in the State, and for nearly thirty years he continued to hold this eminent position. He was appointed by Gov. Snyder, in 1817, to the Bench of the Supreme Court in place of Judge Yeates, deceased. He shortly after removed to Philadelphia where he resided until his death, which occurred on the 16th of November, 1827.
            Judge Tilghman, a man of very gentlemanly manners and a model judge, was then Chief Justice, and Judge Gibson was the other Associate.
            At the Bar Mr. Duncan was distinguished by quickness and acuteness of discernment, promptness of decision, accurate knowledge of men and things, and a ready recourse to the rich stores of his own mind and memory. He was a most excellent land and criminal law lawyer, enthusiastically devoted to his profession, indefatigable and zealous. He practiced over a great part of the State, receiving very large fees for his services. He had, perhaps, the largest practice of any man in the State, outside of Philadelphia.
            Afterwards - during the ten years he sat upon the Bench, associated with Gibson and Tilghman - he contributed largely to our stock of judicial opinions, and the reports contain abundant memorials of his industry learning and talents. These opinions are contained in the Pennsylvania State Reports, beginning with the third volume of Sargeant and Rawle and ending with the seventeenth volume of the same series.
            Judge Duncan survived his excellent friend Judge Tilghman but a few months.
            In appearance Mr. Duncan was about five feet, six inches high, of small, delicate frame, and yet was able to endure great fatigue. He was rather reserved in his manners; had a shrill, squeaking voice; wore powder in his hair; knee breeches and buckles, and was very neat and particular in his dress.
            Judge Duncan was said to be ready at repartee, and was, if not the author, at least an early user of a famous retort.
            On one occasion Watts, who was of Herculean frame, alluded somewhat contemptuously to Duncan's stature, saying- "Why, gentlemen, I could put my opponent in my pocket." "Yes, but if you did," retorted Duncan, "you would have more law in your pocket than ever you had in your head." This Parthian arrow seems to have hit the mark, or at least to have raised a laugh in court.
      Pg.164-165: DAVID WATTS was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, Oct. 29th, 1764; ... (MAD: much more not copied here) Since writing the above notice of Mr. Watts and Duncan, I have perceived the following in Brackenridge's Recollections of Places and Persons in the West, the time referred to being in or about 1807. He says that he attended the court of Carlisle where there were two very able lawyers, Messrs. Watts and Duncan. "The former was possessed of a powerful mind, and was the most vehement speaker I ever heard. He seized his subject with a Herculean grasp, at the same time throwing his Herculean body and limbs into attitudes which would have delighted a painter or a sculptor. ...
      Mr. Duncan was one of the best lawyers and advocates I have ever seen at a Bar, and he was, perhaps, the best Judge that ever sat on the supreme bench of the state. He was a very small man, with a large but well-formed head. There never was a lover more devoted to his mistress than Mr. Duncan was to the study of law. ...."
      In August term, 1808, on motion of Thomas Duncan, ...
 

"History of the Rocky Spring Church and addresses delivered at the centennial anniversary of the present church edifice, August 23, 1894" (Cumberland Co. PA) by Samuel S. Wylie; pub. unknown: unknown, 1895, 113 pgs. (LH 702, HeritageQuest images 6/2007)
      Pg.111: List of Pew Holders 1768-1794 ... No.52. Henry Duncan, Mary Kerr, John Moore, Alexander Spear.
      Pg.115: The Graveyard ... those buried in Rocky Spring graveyard, with year of birth and death so far as can be ascertained: ... Duncan, Mary H., b. 1807, d. 1828
 

"History of the United Presbyterian Church of Big Spring, Newville, Pa., 1764-1878" (Cumberland Co. PA) by James Brown Scouller; pub. Carlisle, Pa.: Valley Sentinel Office, 1878, 46 pgs. (LH 680, HeritageQuest images 6/2007)
      Pg.10: ... It is within the knowledge of the writer that ... Robert Duncan, and others not here mentioned, were in the community and the church before 1782, and some of them from the organization of the church.
      Pg.18: When Presbytery met May 29, 1779, at Big Spring, ... at a meeting held next month at Pequea, ... that James Woodburn, Simon Ross, John Harper and Robert Duncan, who are dissatisfied with his doctrine, be informed that the presbytery are desirous of their attendance.
      Pg.31: On the 20th of December, 1811, they resolved to give a call to the Rev. John M. Duncan; but when he was notified of this, he discouraged it, and it never came into Presbytery. Mr. Duncan located in Baltimore, where he remained for more than thirty years, and had the reputation of being one of the most eloquent ministers of his day.
 

"A contribution to the history of the Presbyterian churches, Carlisle, Pa. : an historical address at the semi-centennial of the Second Presbyterian Church, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, January 12, 1883" (Cumberland Co. PA) by Joseph Alexander Murray; pub. Carlisle, Pa.: Cornman Press, 1905, 106 pgs. (LH 671, HeritageQuest images 6/2007; FHL fiche 6,045,246)
      Pg.61: Petition to Presbytery. November 28, 1832, signed by 77 names, including ... Martha Duncan, Communicant.
      Pg.66, footnote: Record Book G.G., Vol.1, p.181. (sold in 1822 by Mr. John McClure the surviving executor of the estate of Andrew Holmes, Sen'r) had bought it in May, 1808 from Lindsey Spottswood, who had purchased it from Thomas and James Duncan, executors of Stephen Duncan, for 670 pounds, Pennsylvania currency. See Record Book S, Vol.1, p.296.
      Pg.75-76: Articles of Agreement made and concluded upon between Stephen Duncan, John Creigh and Will'm Lyon in behalf of the Trustees of the Presbyterian Congregation of the Borough of Carlisle of the one part and John Smith, Black Smith, and John McCoy, Blew-Dyer, both of the said Borough of Cumberland County as follows, viz. The said Stephen, John and William do sell unto the said Smith and McCoy that Lot of Ground in said Borough which was held by the Congregation of the late Rev'd Doct'r Geo. Duffield in said Borough known in the General Plan of the said Town by the No.122 on the South side of Pomfret street adjoining the Lot whereon the Meeting House of the said Rev'd Doct'r Duffield stood and was Burnt down, and the Lot whereon the aforesaid John Smith now lives for and in consideration of the sum of forty pounds the one-half to be paid in hand to the said Stephen Duncan, John Creigh and Will'm Lyon and the other twenty pounds to be paid in one year from the present date for which twenty pounds the said John Smith and John McCoy is to give bond and sufficient security if demanded upon the Trustees of the said Congregation giving them a Conveyance of the said lot ... and the said John Smith and John McCoy do agree with the said Stephen Duncan, John Creigh and Will'm Lyon - in Trust - for the Trustees aforesaid to pay the said forty pounds lawful money of Pennsylvania in manner aforesaid, ... and bind themselves to each other in the penalty of eighty pounds like lawful money aforesaid. In witness whereof the said parties have hereunto interchangeable set their hands and seals the 30th day of March, Anno Domini 1792. Stephen Duncan, John Creigh, Will'm Lyon, John Smith, John McCoy. Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of Ellis Minshall, James Clendennan.
      Appendix F.F.; Brief Biographical Data
      Pg.86-87: 63. Martha Duncan, was the daughter of Robert Callender, of the Revolutionary era, and sister of Anne Callender, who married Gen. William Irvine, the patriot officer and honored civilian of that time. She was the widow of the Hon. Thomas Duncan of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, who died in Lancaster in 1827, and was buried in Carlisle - to whom she was married April 28th, 1785. She was born June, 1768, and died Feb. 29th, 1852. Her son, Callender, married Miss Huling, and lived at Duncan's Island. Stephen married Miss Stiles, sister of Edward and Benjamin, and for them the three story house was built, still standing at the southwestern corner of High and Bedford streets. John married Miss Sterrett, sister of Mrs. Brisbane - afterwards Mrs. Henry Duffield - who was also the sister of the wife of Rev. Geo. A. Lyon of Erie, Pa. A daughter, Ann, married Edward J. Stiles, whose beautiful country seat, "Clermont," was where now is the County Home. He had also a residence on "St.James' Square," or the "court end" of Carlisle, which extended from the public square to Bedford street. Another daughter, Mary, married John D. Mahon, Esq., the distinguished lawyer. Catherine married Thomas Chambers, Esq., of Chambersburg, Pa., brother of Hon. Geo. Chambers, Judge of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Frances, was the wife of Col. Arthur P. Hayne of S. Ca., who was a brother of Hon. R.Y. Hayne, whose avowal of the doctrine of State Rights called forth the memorable reply of Daniel Webster. John Duncan, the brother of Thomas was killed in a duel at the northeastern suburbs of Carlisle by Gen. James Lamberton, June 22nd, 1793, aged thirty-one years, and he was the challenger. His widow - who was a daughter of Col. Samuel Postlethwaite - became the second wife of Col. Ephraim Blaine, the great-grandfather of the Hon. James G. Blaine. Col. Blaine's son James, the grandfather of the Hon. James G. Blaine, acted as Duncan's second, and Duncan's wife's brother, Joseph R. Postlethwaite, accompanied him to the ground. When the Second Presbyterian Church was organized, and the building erected, Gen. Lamberton became a pewholder, and attended service regularly. Afterwards he applied for membership, but not being willing to confess that he had done wrong and was sorry for having killed Duncan, the session declined to receive him. This fact is simply given as an evidence of their extreme care in receiving persons into full communion.
 

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