DUNCAN, C
Revolutionary War
Pension Applications
 

Revolutionary War Pensions, Bounty Land Warrant Application Files; National Archives Microfilm Publication, Microcopy 804, Roll 863 and 864 and 867
      Duncan, Alexander to Duncan, Jesse (FHL film 970,863; National Archives Roll 863)
      Duncan, John to Dungan, Thomas (FHL film 970,864; National Archives Roll 864)
      Dunikin to Dunlap (FHL film 970,867; National Archives Roll 867)
      Did not copy envelopes or most requests for copies of documents.
 

CHARLES DUNCAN, widow Margaret, W-22973, VA, IL: (FHL film 970,863; National Archives Roll 863)
      Charles Duncan, Virginia, of Giles Co. VA, who was a private in the regiment commanded by Col. Morgan of the VA line for the term of 3 years. Inscribed on the Roll of VA at the rate of $8 per month, to commence 27 July 1819. Certificate of Pension issued 16 March 1820 and sent to the Honble. John Floyd Hse. of Reps. (Reverse) Dead. Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6th April 1838 from 4 March 1838 to 24 Oct. 1838 the day of his death. Agt. notified 19 July 1839.
      Margaret Duncan, decd., Illinois, Widow of Charles Duncan who was a pensioner under Act of 1818 and who died 24 Oct. 1838, of Mercer Co. IL, who was a private in Company commanded by Col. Morgan in VA line for 2 years. Inscribed on the Roll of Springfield at the rate of $80 per annum, to commence 24 October 1838, when he died. Certificate of Pension issued 19 July 1847.
      (torn) Duncan, decd., Illinois, Charles Duncan who was a Private in the Rev. Husband died 24 Oct. 1838. Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of $80 per annum, to commence on 4 March 1843, and terminated 29 Aug. 1846 when she (margin dark).
      Declaration of Charles Duncan, 27 July 1819, in Giles Co. VA court, aged 59 years, resident of Giles Co. VA, to obtain the provisions made by late act of congress; that he enlisted for 3 years on 12 Jan. 1777 in Fauquier Co. VA in a company commanded by Capt. William Blackwell of 11th Regt. commanded by Col. Daniel Morgain in the VA line attached to the brigade of Gen. Woodford on Continental Establishment; that he continued to serve in the Corps or in the service of the US until the expiration of 3 years, the term of his enlistment, when he was discharged from his service on 12 Jan. 1780 in Fredericktown in state of Maryland by Major Williams of said Corps, which discharge he has lost; he was in the battle of Brandywine and that he is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his county for support and that Charles Duncan produced in Court John Kirk Esqr. a respectable witness who proved the services performed by Duncan thus stated, and the Court do certify that it appeared to their satisfaction that said Charles Duncan did serve in the Rev. War as stated ... for the term of 3 years at one time. ...
      Declaration of Charles Duncan, 30 May 1821, in Giles Co. VA Court; aged 60? years, resident of Giles Co. VA; that he served in the Rev. War 3 years as follows; that he enlisted on 12 Jan. 1777 under Capt. William Blackwill of 11th Regt. in Genl. Woodfords Brigade on VA Line; that he served in Rev. War until 12 Jan. 1780 and was discharged at Frederick Town in Maryland by Major Williams which discharge he has lost; that he was in the battle of Brandywine; he was a citizen of the US on 18 March 1818 and he has not since that time ... disposed of his property as to bring himself under provisions of act of 18 March 1818; worth of his property: 27 hogs $15, 3 cows $20, one heifer $4, 4 calves $8?, 10 sheep $10, one small bay mare 13 years old $30, nothing owing to him and owes about $30; his occupation was farmer while he had health and strength but now he is old and infirm and not able to support himself by labor; he has a wife and 5 children that lives with him, one son named Braxton the 1 Feb. 1798 who is week & sickly and not able to do hard work, one dau. named Peggy born 10 July 1800, one Do. named Alsey born 20 Nov. 1802, one Do. named Nancy born 4 March 1806 and one do. named Judith born 14 July 1808; he also made a former declaration of his services on 26 May 1818 and also one other declaration subsequent to that time and has received a pension warrant or certificate #16578 and has recd. $41.50 pension money. The Court are of opinion that total amount in value of property scheduled is $88.50 and by deducting $30 he is owing leaves the ballance in the schedule of $58.50.
      Notice, 13 July 1821, #16578, from Pension Office to Mr. Charles Duncan of Giles Co., that the schedule of his property has been examined and ... name to be continued on the Pension Roll.
      Letter from Second Comptroller's Office, 6 July 1839, to Commissioner of Pensions; under act of 6 April 1838, directing transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain pensioners, ... The widow of Charles Duncan, a pensioner on roll of Richmond, VA, Agency, at rate of $8 per month under law of 18 March 1818, has been paid at this Department from 4 March 1838 to 24 October, 1838, the day of his death.
      Declaration of Peggy (+) Duncan, 23 March 1840, before Giles Co. VA JP; a resident of Walker's Creek Settlement in Giles Co. VA, aged 72 years and upwards; in order to obtain benefits of act 4 July 1836; that she is the widow of Charles Duncan who was a soldier in Rev. War and pensioner of US under certificate #16578 issued 16 March 1820; she was married to Charles Duncan 7 Dec. 1786; that her husband Charles Duncan died 24 Oct. 1838; that she has remained a widow ever since.
         Declaration of Braxton Duncan 23 March 1840, before Giles Co. JP; he has seen the record of the marriage of his parents Charles & Peggy Duncan from his first recollection till the day of his father's death which was in his fathers possession during that period; that the record sets forth that they were married on 7 Dec. 1786, and which he believes to be true; his mother who is alluded in the foregoing declaration is a widow & has so remained since the death of his father.
         Declaration by JP that Peggy Duncan, widow of Charles Duncan decd. late a pensioner of US, made declaration in order to obtain benefit of act of 7 July 1838.
         Declaration by John Kirk Senr., 23 March 1840, before JP that Margaret Duncan, widow and relict of Charles Duncan decd, and late a pensioner of US and who wants to obtain benefit of Act of 4 July 1836; that when she intermarried with Charles Duncan he was not present to witness the service, that he did not reside in their district of country having sometime previous thereto removed to County of Montgomery now Giles; that on his first visit to his fathers residence as he has learned in this county it appeared that they were lawfully married and which he believes to be true; that they lived together as man and wife and were recognized as such up to the time of her husband's death; that Braxton Duncan son of Charles Duncan exhibited to him the family record of his father containing a statement of his fathers and mothers marriage of which the following is a true copy: 'Charles Duncan & Peggy Duncan his wife was married December the 7th Anno Domini 1786'. The same record contains the date of births of the said Charles Duncan & Peggy his wife as well as nine of their children, whose ages & names as therein set forth correspond with his recollection of the time at which they were severally born & the names by which they were called.
      Letter from Giles Co. Court House, 20 Oct. 1840: Some time back? Mrs. Peggy Duncan wife of Charles Duncan forwarded to your office her declaration for a pension (she being the widow of a Revolutionary Pensioner). As yet she has not heard from you on the subject. She is now living nearly on charity and her request now to ask of you to inform me what is the situation on her claim. In the County of Montgomery several widows has been placed on the pension list whose claims was similar to hers. Please on the receipt of this please write to me and let me know if any thing is lacking as to the evidence.
      Questions to be answered by the Widow of Charles Duncan, 10 March 1846: What is your name? Margaret Duncan. When, where and by whom were you married? 17 Dec. 1786, Fauquier Co. VA, James Craig, a clergyman. Where and how long did your husband serve? At the battle of Brandywine and at the South Four & half years I believe. Under what officers? Capt. Wm. Blackwell. I do not (illeg) the Colonel. Under Genl. Greene at the (illeg.) part of the time, as well as I remember. When and where did he die? Died 24 Oct. 1838, Giles Co. VA. Where did he draw his Pension and up to what time? At Richmond, VA, Sept. 1838. Do you know any persons living who were witnesses to his service? Yes, my brother who lives in Giles Co. VA if yet living. Have you any Family Record? Yes. When was your first child born? 15 Sept. 1787. /s/ Margaret (+) Duncan. Certification by Mercer Co. IL County Clerk 18 April 1846.
      Letter 18 April 1846 from John S. Thompson for James S. Thompson, Millersburg, Mercer Co. IL: Enclosed you will find questions and answers by widow as will appear. If the only difficulty in the way is the proof of marriage it might be obtained by reference to records of Fauquier Co. VA. My brother is absent and I am unable to give you such further information as he could do.
      Letter 6 Aug. 1846 from James S. Thompson, Millersburg, Mercer Co. IL, to E.F. Brown, Attorney: I received your letter containing directions how to proceed &c to obtain pention from the government of the US in favor of Mrs. Margaret Duncan. We have but two circuit courts in a year and your communication was obtained too late to be attended to at the May term last past but our court sits again on 1 Oct. next when Mrs. Duncan expects to be able to comply with the requisitions of the papers you sent, after which they will be forwarded to you promptly.
      Letter 22 Sept. 1846, B. Duncan by Jas. S. Thompson, to Edmund F. Brown Esqr. I now have to inform you of the death of our worthy friend and citizen Mrs. Duncan who was making every arrangement to obtain a pension as the widow of Charles Duncan deceased. The heirs are anxious to know whether there can be a pension obtained from the time of her husbands death till her death if so say so you I presume are sufficiently acquainted with the facts and circumstances to give a pretty correct idea at this time if there could be a pension obtained if she was yet living and the heirs wish to learn whether her death will change the issue. Please write on the receipt of this.
      Declaration by Buford Duncan, 1 March 1847, before County Commissioners Court of Mercer Co. IL; aged 59 years, declaration in order to obtain benefits of provisions of Acts of 7 July 1838, 3 March 1843 and 17 June 1844; that he is the son of Charles and Margaret Duncan; that his father was a soldier in Rev. War; that he has often heard his father say that he served at the battle of Brandywine and at the South, and that he was under Captain William Blackwell at one time and a part of the time under General Greene at the South; that he does not recollect the Colonel's name but that he believes that his father served in all about four years and a half; that his father received a pension from the Government of the US many years up to the month of September 1838, which was paid at Richmond VA, and that his father died in Giles Co. VA on or about 24 October 1838. He further declares that he has often heard his father and mother say that they were married in Fauquier Co. VA on or about 17 Dec. 1786 by a clergyman named James Craig; that he further knows (underlined) 'that they cohabited together as man and wife from and after the year A.D. 1793 until the time of his father's death (no end quotes); that his father died as above set forth on the 24th of October 1838; that they (his Father & Mother) were not married prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to 1 January 1794, viz at or about the time aforesaid. He further declares that his mother Margaret Duncan imigrated from Giles Co. VA to Mercer Co. IL sometime during the year 1842 and died in said latter county and state on 29 Aug. 1846; that his mother died leaving the following named children her only heirs and legal representatives at law, to wit, Buford Duncan aged 59, Braxton Duncan aged 49, Elizabeth Lett aged 56, Margaret Bollen (Bolten with "t" not crossed?) aged 47, Thornton Duncan aged 54, Nancy Brooks aged 40? (blotted), Judith Brown aged 39 years, who are her only heirs now living. He further declares that the paper hereto attached and purporting to be a copy of the family Record of the said Charles and Margaret Duncan is a copy of the family record of said Charles & Margaret Duncan, the original of which he knows to have been kept by them as a true record of the births & deaths therein recorded.
      Copy of the Family Record of Charles & Margaret Duncan:
         Charles Duncan was born Jan 19th 1761
         Margaret Duncan Sen was born Oct 3rd 1767
         Charles Duncan & his wife Margaret were married Dec 17th 1786
         Charles Duncan Departed this life October 24th 1838
         Margaret Duncan Departed this life August 30th 1846
            The ages of their Children
         Buford Duncan was born September 15th 1787
         John K. Duncan was born Jan 26th 1789
         Elizabeth Duncan was born Jan 20th 1791
         Thornton Duncan was born Jan 14th 1793
         Ezekiel Duncan was born June 12th 1795
         Braxton Duncan was born Feb 1st 1798
         Margaret Duncan Jun was born July 10th 1800
         Elsby Duncan was born Nov 20th 1802
         Nancy Duncan was born March 4th 1806
         Judith Duncan was born July 14th 1808
         Sarah Duncan was born May 4th 1811
            Deaths of their chil (blotted)
         Sarah Duncan Decd Sept 22th 1813
         John K. Duncan Decd. December 11th 1814
      Statement 1 March 1847 by Mercer Co. IL County Commissioners Court; satisfactory evidence was adduced in open court to prove that Margaret Duncan late of said county and widow of Charles Duncan a Rev. Pensioner who died in Giles Co. VA in 1838 died in this county on 29 Aug. 1846 leaving Beauford Duncan, Braxton Duncan, Elizabeth Lett, Margaret Bolton, Thornton Duncan, Nancy Brooks and Judith Brown her children and only heirs at law.
      Certification 12 April 1847 by William C. Jennings, clerk of the County Court of Fauquier Co. VA, that I have diligently searched the records of my office for the marriage bond of Charles Duncan, said to have been executed in 1786, and that I have not been able to find the same, nor could I find the minister's return of his marriage. The records of the office about that period appear to have been very carelessly and imperfectly kept.
      Deposition of Larkin Price, 25 June 1847, before Clerk of Circuit Court of Mercer Co. IL, that Margaret Duncan, widow of the late Charles Duncan, a Rev. Pensioner whose heirs are applying for a pension, died in said county & state on or about the last day of August 1846, that he assisted on or about that time in digging the grave of Margaret Duncan deceased and was present at the time of her interment.
      Deposition of Buford Duncan, 25 June 1847, before Clerk of Circuit Court of Mercer Co. IL, that Margaret Duncan, widow of the late Charles Duncan, a Rev. pensioner, whose heirs are applying for a pension, died in said county on the 29th August 1846; that she died at the home of this deponent and that he was present when the said Margaret died.
      Affidavit by Braxton (-) Duncan, 25 June 1847; that the above, purporting to be the family record of Charles and Margaret Duncan whose heirs are applying for a pension, is the original family record of the said Charles and Margaret Duncan, and that the same was used and acknowledged by the said Charles and Margaret Duncan as the family Record of the said Charles Duncan, late husband of Margaret Duncan deceased, since about the year 1820 or certainly for more than 25 years past and that this deponent verily believes that it is a true and correct record of said family; further that the said Margaret Duncan, wife of said Chas. Duncan, now both deceased, whose name is written in said family record as "Peggy" was intended to mean and does in fact mean 'Margaret' -- that Margaret was her true and real name and so always written and stated by herself, but that she was sometimes called "Peggy" as she is styled in said record -- that they are really one and the same person. Further deponant says that Records marked (1), (2), (3) & (4) in said Family Record were not recorded by said Charles nor Margaret Duncan but that they are the Records of branches of said Family and others who had by permission of said Charles & Margaret Duncan free use of the said Record for that purpose, by their children.
      Bible pages:
            Family Record (handwritten: of C & P Duncan); Marriages:
         Charles Duncan & Peggy (his wife) were married Dec. 17th 1786.
            Family Record: Births (2 columns)
         (1) Floyd Duncan was born Nov. 20th 1825.
         Judith Duncan was born July 14th 1808
         Sarah Duncan was born May 4th 1811
         (2) James Kebley was Born Jan 4th 1824
         Buford Duncan was born Sept. 15th 1787. (2nd column)
         John K. Duncan was born Jan. 26th 1789.
         Elizabeth Duncan was born Jan 20th 1791
         Thornton Duncan was born Jan 14th 1793
         Ezekiel Duncan was born June 12th 1795
         Braxton Duncan Feb. 1st, 1798
         Peggy Duncan was born July 10th 1800.
            Family Record: Births (2 columns)
         Elsby Duncan was born Nov. 20th 1802
         Nancy Duncan was born March 4th 1806
         (3) Araminta Kirk was born Jan. 15th 1815 (?1845)
         (4) Margaret Susannah Duncan was born August 13th 1837
         Charles Duncan was born Jan 19th 1761 (2nd column)
         Peggey Duncan Senr was born Oct 3rd 1767.
            Family Record; Deaths
         Sarah Duncan Decd Sept. 28th 1813
         J. K. Duncan Decd. Dec. 11th 1811? (1814?)
         Charles Duncan Departed this life 24th day of Oct. 1838.
      Letter 15 April 1847 from Edm. F. Brown, Attorney & Agent for Claimants, Notary Public & Commissioner for VA, IL & AL &c ... to J?. L. Edwards, Commr. of Pensions: Enclosed I hand you the pension claim of Margaret Duncan decd. of IL, widow of Charles Duncan of Giles Co. VA who was a pensioner under Act of 1818. More than a year since, enquiries were first made of me concerning this case, as you will see by the papers, and while the widow was waiting for Court to Sit, she died.
      Letter, Edm. F. Brown, 10 July 1847, to Commr. of Pensions. The requisitions of your letter of 4 May last relative to the claim of Margaret Duncan, decd. of IL, widow of Charles Duncan, are complied with by the enclosed papers which prove clearly the date of her marriage and death. ...
      Widow's Pension, by War Department, 19 July 1847; conformity with act of 7 July 1838, Margaret Duncan decd, late of IL, widow of Charles Duncan who was a Private and died on 24 Oct. 1838, is inscribed on pension list at rate of $80 per annum commencing 24 Oct. 1838 and terminating on 4th March 1841, payable to children - see envelope.
      Widow's Pension, identical except conformity with acts of 3 March 1848 and 17 June 1844?, ... commencing 4 March 1843 and terminating 29 August 1846 when she died.
      (back of envelope) Payable to Buford Duncan, Braxton Duncan, Elizabeth Lett, Margaret Bolton, Thornton Duncan, Nancy Brooks and Judith Brown only surviving children.
      Letter, Pension Office, 3 Feb. 1880 (addressee not given but apparently to J.H. Richmond according to note on small paper). Sir: In the case of Margaret Duncan, widow of Charles, who was a Revolutionary Soldier, I have the honor to state that, she was allowed a pension of $80 per year under the act of July 7, 1838, from Oct. 24, 1838 to March 4, 1844, at which later date all pensions terminated under that act. Under the acts of March 3, 1843, continuing the pensions of the act of July 7, 1838, for one year, and of June 17, 1844, continuing the same for 4 years longer, her pension was renewed to commence March 4, 1843 and to terminate Aug. 29, 1846, when she deceased. From March 4, 1841 to March 4, 1843, no pension under the act of July 7, 1838, have ever been allowed. The pension to Mrs. Duncan was authorized to be paid to her seven children, but as the whereabout of Judith Brown was unknown she did not apply with other children for her share nor has she been paid since of her proportion ...
 

CHRISTOPHER DUNCAN, R-20198, VA: (FHL film 970,863; National Archives Roll 863)
      Ex'r. Old War, Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873. Christopher Duncan, Pri. Capt. Longs VA Line, Revy. Wars. Rejected. Evidence insufficient, Act 1828.
      Affidavit of Christopher (X) Duncan, 5 Sept. 1828, for the purpose of obtaining the benefits of the act .. of 15 May 1828, I Christopher Duncan of Fauquier Co. VA, declare that I enlisted in the Continental Line of the Army of the Rev. for & during the War & continued in its service until its termination; at which period I was a private in Captain Gabriel Long's company in the 11th Regiment of the VA Line; I also declare that I never received a certificate for the reward of $80; to which I was entitled under a resolve of Congress passed 15 May 1778. I further declare that I was not on 15 May 1828 on the Pension List of the US.
         Statement 5 Sept. 1828 by William Horner, JP of Fauquier Co. VA, that Henry Bartlet and John Dulin of said county appeared and made oath that Christopher Duncan by whom the foregoing declaration was subscribed is generally reputed & believed to have been a soldier in the army of the Rev. in manner as therein stated.
      Letter 5 Sept. 1828, from Christopher (X) Duncan, Warrenton, to Hon. P.B. Porter, Sec. of War. In my declaration annexed you will perceive that I did not "declare that I afterward received certificates for the reward of eighty dollars to which I was entitled under a resolve of Congress passed the 15th of May 1778." But the declaration I made on the subject of the certificates was strictly according to the truth: and I account for not receiving the certificates in the following manner. Many of the privates, my comrades received their certificates, but dispairing of ever reallizing any thing from them, parted with them immediately for a mere trifle. I & others on account of their want of value were wholly careless about ours & did not put ourselves to the trouble of requesting them.
      (Form) 17 Feb. 1829, Revolutionary Claim, under the act approved 15 May 1828; the annexed papers relating to the claim of Christopher Duncan under the above act, is respectfully referred to the Secretary of War ... (Note on bottom) 19 Feby. 1829, War Dept., Bounty Land Office. The records of this office do not show that Christopher Duncan of the VA line ever received or is entitled to, bounty land of the US.
      (Form) 13 Sept. 1828, Revolutionary Claims. Christopher Duncan, of Fauquier Co. VA, has applied to Secretary of Treasury for the benefits of the act ... 15 May 1828. He states that he enlisted in the Continental line of the army of the Rev. for and during the war, and continued until its termination, at which period he was a Private in captain Long's company in the 11th Regiment of the VA line; that he has not received a certificate for the reward of $80 provided by the resolve of the 15 May 1778; and further, that he was not on 15 May 1828 on the pension list of the US, and that he has received as a pensioner since 3 March 1826 nothing. (Form & handwritten note at bottom) 22 Sept. 1828, 3rd Auditor's Office. It appears that Christopher Duncan is not now on the pension list of any agency and has not been so since 3 March 1826. The name of Christopher Duncan cannot be found among those of the VA line to whom certificates for the gratuity of $80 were issued.
      Letter, 17 Feb. 1829, from General Land Office. The name of Christopher Duncan does not appear on the list of warrants issued by the Register of the Land Office at Richmond VA so far as they have been received.
 

END

 
Return to Duncans in the Early Wars

Return to The Genealogy Bug's Home Page