WASHINGTON CO. TN
REFERENCES FROM OTHER LOCALITIES
 

Greenville Co. SC Deed (FHL film 24,013)
      B-128: 29 Nov. 1788, John Carr of Washington Co. "NC" to William Bridges of Rutherford Co. NC, £60, 97 acres granted 21 Jan. 1785 to John Carr in 96th Dist. in Greenville Co. on Reedy River on both sides; no wife; wit. James Conn, Robert Duncan.
 

Greene Co. TN Deeds
      10-194: 10 May 1813, John Love and wife Orpah (X), John Huston and wife Mary (X), Zebulon Smith and wife Sarah, Jeremiah Gibson, Thomas Gibson and Orpah (X) Gibson, heirs of Jeremiah Dungins decd, to James Pearce and wife Margaret Pearce, heirs of afsd Jeremiah Dungins decd, quit claim their interest as heirs of Jeremiah Dungins decd to tract in Washington and Carter Co. TN on Brush Creek, corner of the 400 acre tract, corner of Lots 2 and 3, corner of Zebulon Smith and John Husten, containing 290 acres; wit. James Thorp Jr., Francis N. Rockhold, Mary Dungan. /s/ Sarah Smith, Jeremiah Gibson, Thomas Gibson, Orpah (X) Gibson, John Huston, Mary (X) Huston, John Love, Orpah (X) Love, Zebulon Smith; wit. James Thorp Jr., Francis V. Rockhold, Mary Dungan; ack. in Washington Co. TN before James Sevier, Clerk, 5 Aug. 1814; reg. 14 Nov. 1814. (no money given; FHL film 944,419 item 2)
      11-146: 20 Jan. 1817, Isabella (X) Carmichael of Washington Co. TN to Samuel Duncan of Greene Co. TN, $600, 117 acres which was conveyed to Isabella by John Hodgers, corner Thomas McMackins land. Wit. John Doan, Thomas McMackin, Adam Dunwoody. (FHL film 944,420)
      17-51: 14 Dec. 1833, Samuel Duncan of Greene Co. to William C. Nelson and George W. Nelson of Washington Co. TN, $1000, 138 acres on line of Thomas McMakins land. /s/ S-A-M-L Duncan. Wit. John Link, Sivs? D. Givens, William Haws. (FHL film 944,423)
      20-685: 14 Sept. 1841, James Tadlock of Greene Co. to Joseph Duncan Junr. of Washington Co., $675, 90 acres on Limestone fork of Lick Creek, adj. Samuel Caldwell's corner and line, Baxter's line & corner; wit. James Duncan, Wm. Miller. (FHL film 944,424)
      25-374: 23 May 1849, Joseph Duncan of Washington Co. TN to S.H. Baxter of Greene Co. TN, for $660, land on waters of the clear fork of Lick Creek beg. on south side of creek at Samuel Coldwell's corner and line, ... Baxter's line and corner, being 90 acres more or less. Wit: Jacob Hays, Levi Baxter. Ack. in Greene Co. 9 July 1852, Edmund Baxter and Jacob Hays witnesses. (FHL film 944,427; SLC 2/2009)
      34-116: 11 Sept. 1865, James W. Duncan of Rheatown, TN, to Nelson Duncan of Washington Co. TN, for $1200 paid me in my note of 7 Sept. 1865, ... my old note of April 5, 1863, ... house and lot in Rheatown, Greene Co. TN, in Civil District 14 on Main Street, Coxes corner and line (MAD: more not copied), and also a separate parcel in District 15 adj. John Rankin, J.H. Earnest, & others, 10 acres. Wit. George G. Britton, John Rankin. (FHL fillm 944,431; SLC 2/2009)
 

Greene Co. TN Chancery Court Enrolling dockets 1837-1839, TN Archives (FHL film 944,364 item 1)
      Pg.130: Joseph Duncan & wife vs. Smith Hunt & Thos. Hunt, heirs of Uriah Hunt, Chancery Court, 2nd Div. of E.TN; Joseph Duncan of wife Rhoda formerly Rhoda Hunt of Blount Co. TN but formerly of Washington Co. TN; that some years ago Uriah Hunt father of Rhoda died leaving a paper intended to be his will, the paper not having been tested as law requires, it was not good, several distributees by bond among themselves agreed to distribute the estate as their ancestor wanted in the defective will; Smith Hunt and Thomas Hunt, two sons, administered the estate; Orators were to be allowed a tract of land or enough money to buy it, and the heirs agreed that orators should have $600 out of the first moneys collected; Smith and Thomas Hunt about 1824 returned an inventory of personal estate, sale brought in money, more than 5 years ago; orators were not paid their share but were told to buy land in Blount Co. and Hunts would pay for it, but then refused to lend him aid in the payment; that 2 or 3 years ago Thomas and Smith Hunt filed a bill against orator "Samuel" Duncan in Chancery Court of Greenville regarding the land their ancestor purchased from Joseph Duncan, but there was no equity in the land; Duncans paid the costs, Hunts still have not paid orators their share; The heirs and distributees are: Thomas Hunt, Smith Hunt, Uriah Hunt, Benjamin Hunt, Peter Hunt and Delila his wife formerly Delila Hunt, Richard Martin and Acksey his wife formerly Acksey Hunt, Payne Squibb and Dyce his wife formerly Dyce Hunt, Jesse Hunt, and James Duncan and Sarah his wife formerly Sarah Hunt, and orator and oratrix, the oratrix is one of the daughters of Uriah Hunt; Smith Hunt resides in Washington Co. and Thomas Hunt in Greene Co.; filed 25 Oct. 1831.
            Answer: Thomas and Smith Hunt said the heirs agreed to offer complainant Rhody Duncan as much of a tract of land formerly owned by their decd. brother William Hunt to the value of $600; Rhoda was willing but Joseph Duncan objected; Joseph Duncan purchased about 160 acres of land in Blount Co. from Andrew Duncan for $600, $400 to be paid in cash and $200 in trade; that Smith and Thomas paid $400 part to Andrew and part to Thomas, and then Joseph satisfied the $200 in trade; that title was made jointly to Joseph and Rhoda Duncan for life and then to their children, but Joseph wanted it to himself absolutely; that $400 each would have been a fair share to each heir, but the heirs allowed Joseph $600 due to his straightened circumstances; Joseph would not take a share of the inventory sale in stock, etc., but wanted cash; that about 1812 the complt. Joseph sold Uriah Hunt land in Washington Co. for $140 but Hunt did not get possession as Jane Duncan, mother of complt. Joseph, had a life estate in the tract; the part sold Uriah was an undivided share; that after Uriah died, Joseph sold it to Jacob Roblen? for $200? ($300?) which made the other heirs of Uriah file a bill in Chancery against Joseph and said Roblen; after filing, the compt. agreed to pay $140 and costs of $50; Uriah's widow is still living; the Hunts were willing to give Duncan his full share of the estate all along but he refused.
            Copy of bond between heirs (Jane (X) Hunt, widow of Uriah Hunt).
            Copy of Deed, Joseph Duncan of Warren Co. KY to Uriah Hunt, 14 Oct. 1812.
            Receipts by Joseph Duncan.
Nov. term 1834, hearing; 15 Sept. 1837, there is due to the complts. the aggregate sum of $899.65; request by Hunts for appeal; transferred to Superior Court of Eastern Division of TN.
 

Barren Co. KY Vital Records (FHL film 216,816)
      Deaths, 1859, pg.21:
      William Duncan, white, age 51, male, blacksmith, married, d. Dec. 28 of consumption, parents John & Mary Duncan, born Washington Co. TN, resided Barren Co., died Barren Co. KY.
 

Newspaper obituaries, undated, name of newspaper not given but residence was in Shelby Co. IL (from Tracy DeVault 1/2005; to him from Debra (Adams) Arnold, a descendant of Joseph and Susan (DeVault) Duncan)
      OBITUARY - Joseph Duncan
      A GOOD MAN GONE
      AN OCTOGINARIAN LAID TO REST
      Father Duncan One of Our Oldest and Most Highly Esteemed Citizens Enters the Home at the End of the Way.
      Thursday, March 30th, at 12:30 a.m. our well known and aged citizen Joseph Duncan. Sr., passed from the scenes of time to those of eternity. While his death was not unexpected yet it was sad. To one who had held with such tenacious firmness to life's affairs, it was truly pathetic to see the hour of surrender come. Mr. Duncan was an honorable and honored man. To know him was to esteem him.
      The funeral was conducted at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Nathan Francis, Sunday at 2:30 p.m. in the presence of a large number of sympathizing friends. The service was in charge of Rev. A.D. Cooper assisted by the other ministers of the town. Rev. Rob't. Irwin also made a brief talk. The music was furnished by a quartette consisting of Mrs. A.J. Combs, Sella Thomas, J.W. Gregory and Morton Gregory. The body was laid away in the West Side Cemetery.
      The following are the facts of Father Duncan's life as prepared by those who knew him best:
      OBITUARY
      Joseph Duncan, Sr., the subject of this sketch was born in Washington county, Tennessee, near Jonesborrough, on February 27, 1817. He grew to manhood on the farm receiving a common school education.
      In 1842 he was married to Miss Susan Devalt. This union lasted till Mrs. Duncan's death, about fifty-seven years. Father Duncan was one of the pioneers to Illinois, having settled near Jacksonville, 1851. Later he bought a farm and moved to Green county, near Fayette. He was converted at the age of twenty-two, uniting with the Baptist church. He has been identified with the same denomination while in this State.
      In 1866, Mr. Duncan bought a farm in Shelby county, near Moweaqua. He resided on this farm until a few years ago when he and family moved to Moweaqua. Since the death of Mrs. Duncan, he has lived with his daughter, Mrs. Mary C. Francis.
      Through all his life Mr. Duncan been a hard working man, sober, of sturdy and industrious habits. He was a faithful, useful church member. Giving liberally of his time and means to the cause he loved. He was the honored senior deacon of the Moweaqua Baptist church. He gave an endowment fund to this church. He was a man of strong principles and decided convictions. His health began failing over two years ago and since last November has been steadily declining until death came to his relief and went to rest, peacefully trusting in his Saviour. His children are Mrs. Mary C. Francis, Martin K., Sarah, Jennie, James T., Robert and Joseph F. Duncan. Three deceased -- Sarah, Jennie and Robert.
      Those in attendance from abroad were: J.D. Francis, Girard; Joseph Duncan, Palmyra; Martin Owen, Decatur; Miss Emma Duncan, White Hall; Mrs. R.P. Duncan, D. Sanders, Oscar Owen, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Owen, all of Stonington; Mr. and Mrs Jas Duncan and Mr. H. Grooms, Decatur; Wheeler Brown, Blue Mound, M.K. Duncan; Mrs. Ada Corzine, Mr. Hight, Assumption; Mr. and Mrs Hilvety, Decatur; Mrs. Edgar, the nurse of Decatur.
      (Tracy DeVault note: J.D. Francis was Joseph D. Francis, grandson; Joseph Duncan was Joseph B. Duncan, nephew; Miss Emma Duncan is Emma S. Duncan, niece and M.K. Duncan was Martin Kitzmiller Duncan, son.)
      (Tracy DeVault comment: In the last paragraph there is listed Mrs. Jas Duncan and Mrs R.P. Duncan. If you know who these people are, please let me know. Also, in an old genealogy that I have, there is a reference to one of the Duncan girls marrying an Owen. The reference was pretty messed up but, from the last paragraph in the obiturary, it is clear that there is some connection to the Owens. If you know what this connection is, I would like to hear about it.)
      (MAD note: 1910 "History of Shelby Co. IL" by Bateman & Selby, pg.869, biographical sketch of Nathan Francis, gives death date of Joseph Duncan as March 30, 1905.)
 
      OBITUARY - Susan (DeVault) Duncan
      A MOTHER IN ISRAEL
      Death of Susan DeValt Duncan, a Beloved Wife and Mother at Rest In Heaven
      HER FAITH WAS IN GOD TO THE END.
      Susan DeValt beloved wife of Jos. Duncan, Sr., quitely passed away in death at the family home in this city Feb. 1st, 1899, at 1 o'clock p.m., after a lingering illness of, consumption in which she bore her sufferings patient and uncomplainingly. When asked by her friends how she felt, most always answered she felt better, a proof that she was cheerful and her mind lingered on the bright side of life in which no clearer manifestation of a true christian character could have been exemplified. When told of the death of others that had taken place during her last days, she would say it looked almost too bad for so many younger, more useful persons to be taken while she lingered on, thereby manifesting that she felt her allotted time was drawing to a close. She was a kind affectionate wife and mother who loved her husband, and children and she likewise being loved by them in return.
      She was a good neighbor and true friend in the years we have personally known her. We could mention many beautiful incidents in connection with her life, but one of the most impressive recalled to our memory was several years ago when her three sons professed religion. And at an afternoon meeting in the old Baptist Church, Robert, James and Joseph all were baptized and united with the Church, she was so happy her heart was overflowing and being unable to control her feelings. She shouted God's Praises in real earnest until there was not a person in the audience who did not shed tears of joy with her. Her family, including her sister were at her bedside when the end came. The funeral took place Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Baptist Church was conducted by Rev. Jo. B. Rogers assisted by Rev's Paisley, Jos. Thomas, and J.J. Midkiff. The Pall Bears were, Robt. B. Wilson, H.A. Pratt, Robt. W. Hight, H. Grooms, Wallace Gregory and Samuel Cushing. The remains were laid to rest beside those of her two daughters in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery west of town.
      Those who attended the funeral from abroad were: Wm. Hight, Mr. and Mrs. R.W. Hight, of Macon, H. Grooms of Decatur, Rev. J.J. Midkiff, of Stonington, J.W. Brown of Blue Mound and Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Cushing of Assumption.
      OBITUARY
      Susan C. DeValt Duncan, daughter of Jacob and Rachel DeValt was born near Hanover, Pa., Feb. 13th, 1824 and died at Moweaqua, Ill., Feb. 1st, 1899, age 74 years, 11 months and 12 days. She removed with the family to Tennessee when she was a child of about four years. She was married Oct 18th, 1812 to Joseph Duncan and moved to Jacksonville, Illinois in 1851. Living there about one year, they moved to Fayette, Green county, residing there until Feb. 10th, 1867 when they moved to the neighborhood of Moweaqua and later to the home in this city. Bro. and Sister Duncan lived as man and wife together for more than 56 years. To them were born eight children, Sarah A, Jennie, Robert, and a child dying in infancy have passed to the otherside, Mary, Martin, James and Joseph living. Besides the aged husband and four children, Sister Duncan leaves one brother and a sister, Mrs. Hunt, of Tulsa, Indian Territory, who was present during the last months of her illness. She and Bro. Duncan both joined the Baptist Church before they were married, and united with the Church here in 1867, and have been members in good standing ever since.
 

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