Duncans in Will Co. IL

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

Last revised February 5, 2014

WILL CO. IL
Formed 1836 from Cook, Iroquois
Kankakee formed 1853 from Iroquois, Will
 

CENSUS RECORDS

1840 Will Co. IL Census
Juliet
Pg.342  Robt. C. Duncan       1000,5     - 1110,1
Spring Creek
Pg.364  Wm. Duncan            0000,024   - 0000,002
Hillory Point
Pg.371  Tilford Duncan        1011,22    - 2200,11

1850 Will Co. IL Census
Joliet
Pg.25, #314, Robert C. DUNCAN 39 PA merchant $3000
                  Isabella 35 ENG
                  Louisa 16 MI
                  Julia 11, Pauline 9, Mary C. 7 IL
                  Benj. F. 4, Cath. M. 1 IL
                  Mary CARRAJON/CARROGAN 19 MA
                  A.E. AYSES? (m) 18 ENG
                  (MAD: one R.C. Duncan mar. Ellen Casey 4/4/1858; Robert Duncan from Detroit [Wayne Co.], Mich., was at one time Recorder and for many years an active merchant; R.C. Duncan Recorder 1843-1847, died 1874; from 1878 "History Will Co. IL" pg.373, Joliet Twp, and pg.259, County Officers.)
Homer
Pg.67, #65, Levi HARTWELL 32 MA blacksmith & fam.
                  James DUNCAN 19 SCOT
Frankfort
Pg.135, #141, Tilford DUNCAN 38 KY farmer $1700
                  Lucy Ann 29 KY
                  Isabella 6, Wm. A. 7 IL
                  Ann M. 4, John P. 1 IL
                  (MAD: Tilford Duncan mar. Lucy Ann Owen 1/28/1841)
 

1860 Will Co. IL Census
Town of Homer
Pg.101, #862-789, Benjamin DENCAN? 50 NY farmer $9000-$1800
                  Emily 36 PA
                  James W. 16, John 16 IL "(twins)"
                  Maria 13, Mary 10, Emily 8 IL
                  George 6/12 IL
                  Henry PETERS? 31 GERM farm laborer
                  (MAD: indexed Dancan)
DuPage Town
Pg.209, #1626-1542, William DUNKIN? 26 PA farmer $2000-$200
                  Sarah 22 OH (not m/in/year)
Frankfort Town
Pg.518, #2119-2037, Gilfred DUNCAN 49 KY farmer $3000-$520
                  Louisa Ann 34 KY
                  Wm. Nelson 18 IL laborer
                  Isabella 16, Mary Ann 14 IL
                  John 10, Amelia 8 IL
                  Warren F. 6, Alvis (m) 4, Owen 1 IL
                  (MAD: "Tilford" in 1850; definitely "Gilfred" in 1860; Tilford Duncan d.1860 age 49y, Lucy Ann d.1891 age 69y, and others, bur. Marshall Cemetery, Homer Twp., Lockport, IL; from "Tombstone Inscriptions, Will Co. IL" by Harriet L. Churchill (FHL book 977.325 V3ch and film 1,421,575 item 11)
Joliet Town
Pg.789, ---, IL State Penitentiary
                  Thomas DUNCAN "1859" 20 SC carpenter "larceny"
 

1870 Will Co. IL Census
Frankfort, P.O. Mokena
Pg.76, #256-262, DUNCAN, Lucy (f) 48 KY farming $6000-$1150
                  Mary 24 IL at home
                  John 20 IL (blank)
                  Amelia 18, Warren (m) 16 IL
                  Elvis (m) 13, Owen 11 IL
                  (MAD: Lucy indexed as male, but plainly female)
Town of Joliet, P.O. Joliet, Illinois State Penitentiary convicts
Pg.142, Illinois State Penitentiary, convicts, includes
                  DUNCAN, John 28 PRUssia tailor (white), parents of foreign birth
Pg.152, Illinois State Penitentiary, convicts, includes
                  DUNCAN, George A. 22 VA bartender
Town of Joliet, P.O. Joliet
Pg.164, #141-139, LOVE, Samuel 48 IRE farmer $10,000-$1,000, parents of foreign birth
                  Elizabeth B/R? 20? (50?) IL keeping house
                  John W.C. 5, Samuel 3 IL, father of foreign birth
                  "(not named)" (f) 5/12 IL b.Feb., father of foreign birth
                  DUNCAN, Jennie 25 SCT Dom. Servant, parents of foreign birth
                  GETTINGS, Henry 19 PA farm laborer (white)
4th Ward, City of Joliet
Pg.229, #48-57, DUNCAN, Robt. C. 59 PA dry goods merchant $6,000-$1,200
                  Ellen 38 IRE keeping house, parents of foreign birth
                  Anna 11, Robt. J. 10 IL, mother of foreign birth
                  James 6, Johanna (f) 4 IL, mother of foreign birth
6th Ward, City of Joliet
Pg.270, #141-158, DUNCAN, John 56 SCT carpenter $700-$0, parents of foreign birth
                  Robert 29 SCT stone cutter, parents of foreign birth
                  Ann 22 SCT keeping house, parents of foreign birth
                  John 19 SCT laborer, parents of foreign birth
                  James 18 SCT laborer, parents of foreign birth
Pg.270, #142-159, McGURK (McGARSK?), John 44 IRE laborer $500-$0, parents of foreign birth
                  Ellen 30 IRE keeping house, parents of foreign birth
                  Edward 2 IL, parents of foreign birth
Pg.270, #143-160, DUNCAN, David 31 SCT carpenter $0-$0, parents of foreign birth
                  Elizabeth 40 SCT keeping house, parents of foreign birth
                  Ann 7, Jennet (f) 5 SCT, parents of foreign birth
                  Margaret 3 IL, parents of foreign birth
 

ESTATE RECORDS

Will Co. IL Probate Records, 1837-1900; orig. manuscripts at Founders Library IRAD, Northern IL Univ. ...; index included at beginning of each volume. (SLC 2/2009)
      Probate records, vols. A - B (to p.475), 1837-1847 - no Duncan Vol.A, no Duncan Vol.B (FHL film 2,366,442, items 3-4)
      Probate records, vols. B (cont.) - E, 1847-1854 - no Duncan Vol.C, D, E (FHL film 2,366,443)
 

Will Co. IL Will Records, 1837-1905; Founders Library IRAD, etc.; Index included at the beginning of each volume. (SLC 2/2009)
      Will records, vols. A - C, 1837-1875 - no Duncan Vol.A, Vol.B; did not look at Vol.C, 1855+ (FHL film 2,366,345)
 

HISTORIES before 1923

1878 "The history of Will County, Illinois : containing a directory of its real estate owners, map of Will County, history of Illinois, history of the Northwest" pub. by Wm. LeBaron Jr. (FHL book 977.325 H2h and FHL film 1,000,522 item 4)
      Pg.506-7: Frankfort Twp. ... Forty-eight years since white men began to settle in the territory now Frankfort Twp. William Rice is supposed to have been the first white man ... after Indian War, in Spring 1834, returned to their claims. Matthew Van Horne settled here it is said in 1832 ... Peter Clayes came from New Hampshire; his sons Orlando and Levi M. Clayes in fall of 1836, another son Charles came out; the elder Clayes is dead and Charles lives on the homestead place. E. Atkins & brother John Atkins from Vermont and were among first settlers in twp after close of Sac war, and about the same time came Weir and Duncan, from the Wabash settlements. Their first names are now forgotten. ...
      Pg.709: Joliet Twp. R. Robertson, born Fifeshire on Firth of Forth, Scotland, within a few miles of City of Edinburgh, May 16, 1822; to America age 20 to New York City; 1864 to Joliet ... Mr. Robertson was married previously to coming to this country, to Miss Margaret Duncan, of Alloway, Scotland, and has six children living.
      Pg.835: Channahon Twp. Joseph Fitch, MD ... born Genesee Co. NY on July 29, 1825; he married Miss Harriet A. Duncan on July 20, 1852; she was born in Dearborn Co. IN on Feb. 2, 1826; they had two children, one living, viz, Mary E. He lived in NY until 1847, then Dearborn Co. IN; April 1852 to Channahon, then returned to Indiana where he married and came back to Channahon.
      Pg.881: Peotone Twp. David Morrison, born County Monaghan, Ireland, April 15, 1831, where lived until 20, then to America, landing New York May 12, 1851, then New Jersey, then IL in April 1857 to Carroll Co., then May 1863 to Peotone Twp, Will Co. He married March 30, 1857, Matilda Duncan; she born Antrim Co. Ireland on Feb. 6, 1835, and emigrated to this country in 1847. Four children: William A., George A., David H. and Mary E.
 

1900 "Genealogical and biographical record of Will County, Illinois : containing biographies of well known citizens of the past and present" by Biographical Publ. Co. (FHL film 1,000,523 item 2)
      Pg.142: S. Finley Duncan, DDS; Dentist of Joliet. Opened office in Joliet in 1888; retained former patrons at Wilmington as well as gained new ones. First member of this branch of Duncan family in America was James Duncan, who came from Scotland and settled in Perry Co. PA. His son, Samuel, was born in PA where he followed miller's trade in early life. In 1854 to IN, first in county adjoining Henry Co. to which he subsequently removed. Rented grist and sawmill, later bought the property. Republican, Methodist. Died 1895 age 85 years. Twice married, by first wife (unnamed) had four daughters, one of whom, Hannah J. Duncan, survives; by second wife, Margaret Duffy of OH, had five children, four of whom attained mature years: Davidson D. engaged in milling at old homestead; John Wesley died in infancy; Beverly W., business man of Markle, IN; Joseph Trimble, farmer & stock raiser of Henry Co. IN; and S. Finley of this sketch. In Knightstown, IN, near where Dr. Duncan was born Dec. 1, 1856, he received his education and grew up; took up study of dentistry at age 18 ... Feb. 1879 came to Will Co. Presbyterian Church. Married on Oct. 18, 1881, to Louise, daughter of Bryan Fisher of Wilmington; two chidren: Margaret Louise and Hubert Fisher.
 

"Portrait and biographical album of Will County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States and governors of the state." (anonymous); pub. Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890, 781 pgs. (LH11871, HeritageQuest images 4/2007; FHL film 1,000,523 item 1)
      Pg.440: About 1848 Mr. Wood erected the Crete Hotel, ... the first public house in this part of the county. ... at the opening of the house were entertained many of the notable men of Chicago, including ... and Robert Duncan of Joliet, together with their wives. ...
 

"Souvenir of settlement and progress of Will County, Ill. : a review of the lives of our presidents, political, military and commercial history of the United States and of the state of Illinois : complete history and directory of Will County, pioneers and old settlers, early settlement, military history, 1832-1865, political history, 1836-1884, commercial history, 1832-1884, tax roll of 1842, tax roll of 1884 : business directory of Joliet : societies, schools, newspapers, churches, history of townships, cities and villages" (anonymous); pub. Chicago: Historical Directory Pub. Co., 1884, 453 pgs. (LH10220, HeritageQuest images 4/2007; FHL film 1,000,522 item 5)
      Pg.135-136: ... The Indian Boundary Line drawn on official maps of Cook and Will counties ... It was surveyed by James M. Duncan and T.C. Sullivan early in 1819, on the lines of tracts ceded by the treaty of St.Louis of August 24, 1816, ...
      Pg.179: (Civil War Soldiers) Company F. The following troops enlisted June 13, 1861: William H. Duncan. (MAD: no discharge date)
      Pg.257-258: Joliet Township and City History ... old village government was made up as follows: 1837, ... Robert C. Duncan, Trustee.
      Pg.279: ... (pg.274, no date) Tax-payers of Joliet Township and City ... In the following list of tax-payers the number of sections is given, where the person resides outside Joliet city. Joliet is the postal town. Duncan, John; Duncan, Mrs. E.; Duncan, David ...
      Pg.333: R. Robertson, born near Edinburgh, Scotland, May 16, 1822, came to the United States in 1842, and to Joliet in 1864. He purchased the Joliet Distillery, which he operated for two years, built the old Robertson House in 1872, ... Prior to his emigration, he was married to Miss Margaret Duncan, of Alloway, Scotland.
 

"Fifteen years ago, or, The patriotism of Will County : designed to preserve the names and memory of Will County soldiers, both officers and privates, both living and dead : to tell something of what they did, and of what they suffered, in the great struggle to preserve our nationality" by George H. Woodruff; pub. Joliet?: J. Goodspeed, 1876, 597 pgs. (LH11874, HeritageQuest images 4/2007)
      Pg.100. Casualties to Will County Men in the 20th Regiment: Missing: Wm. H. Duncan, C.F.
 

REFERENCES FROM OTHER LOCALITIES

La Salle Co. IL Deeds (not all deeds copied; SLC 12/11/2013)
   Deeds, v.G-H p.1-580, 1837-1838 (FHL film 1,428,321 items 2-3)
      G-155/157: 14 June 1836, Charles Taylor and Mary Ann his wife of Cook Co. IL to Robert C. Duncan of Will Co. state afsd, for $750 paid, sell pieces or parcels of land in town of Kankakee as laid out by John Beard Senr, LaSalle Co. IL, Lot 2 in Block 33, Lot 3 in Block 21, and Lot 8 in Block 36, with appurtenances, warrant title. /s/ Charles Taylor, Mary A. Taylor. Wit. Edw. E. Hunter. Ack. 15 June 1836 before Edw. E. Hunter, J.P., Cook Co. IL. Certification by Richard J. Hamilton, Clerk of Commissioners Court of Cook Co. IL for Edward E. Hunter, 3 Aug. 1836. Filed 9th and recorded 19 July 1837. (FHL film 1,428,321)
 

Andrew Co. MO Administrators' Records Book B, 1869-1902 (FHL film 1,006,210 item 1)
      B-139: Application for letters of administration, in the matter of Elizabeth Duncan's estate, Newton Birde says that to the best of his knowledge and belief, the heirs of the said Elizabeth Duncan decd. and their places and residences, are: Nelson Duncan who resides in the Co. of Clinton, MO, Davis Duncan of Clinton Co. MO, Mary A. Osborn of Andrew Co. MO, Samuel Duncan of Andrew Co. MO, the heirs of Tilford Duncan of Will Co. IL, Williamson Duncan's heirs of Buchanan Co. MO, Adeline Sampson's heirs in the States of Iowa and MO, Susan Stevenson's heirs of Clinton Co. MO, and Martha Wisener's heirs of Clinton Co. MO; that Elizabeth Duncan died without a will; /s/ 8 Sept. 1875, Newton Birde. Bond by Newton Birde, security Samuel (X) Duncan, John W. Harris and Charles Glick, 16 Sept. 1875, for $2,500. Letters issued 17 Sept. 1875 to Newton Bird.
 

Platte Co. MO Probate Records (from Lu Durham 3/1987)
      John Duncan, d. without will; inventory filed 5 Sept. 1839; Probate 2 Aug. 1841. Bills for purchasers made in 1837 from Wilcoxin & Co., Carrolton, MO. At sale 5 Sept. 1839, items bought by Elizabeth Duncan, Davis Duncan. Left wife Elizabeth and children: Williamson (Will Co. IL), Tilford, Adeline, Nelson, Davis, Martha, Samuel, Mary, Susan Stephenson (Clinton Co. MO), Hiram Stephenson. Adm. failed to appear to settle estate. Sheriff of Clinton Co. couldn't find him. Box 55. (LD: probably husband of Susan) (MAD: one Hiram Stephenson mar. Susan Duncan 8/17/1837 Will Co. IL)
 

END

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