Duncan, Jos - Revolutionary War Pensions

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

Last revised September 23, 2000

DUNCAN, Jos
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.
 

JOSEPH DUNCAN, S-1809, VA, TN: (copy from National Archives)
      Declaration Sept. 1832 by Joseph (+) Duncan Snr, before Washington Co. TN Court of Law and Equity; resident of Washington Co., aged near 81 years, in order to obtain benefit of Act of Congress 7 June 1832; that in 1774 he was a resident of Wythe Co. VA, that in the summer of said year as well as now recollected he volunteered in said county under Capt. Joseph Crocket of said county to go against the Shawnee Indians, was marched to the point on the Ohio River at the Mouth of the Canawa by way of the lands of Greenbryer where? his company James Colonel Swans Regiment and where they remained some weeks, Andrew Lewis being the Colonel Commandant & Charles Lewis the Lieutenant Colonel; from there was marched over the Allegany Mountains to the said point; he was one of the men who was appointed at Greenbryer lands? to guard the ?? ... back through Greenbryer; he was verbally discharged by his Capt. Crocket after having performed a tour of duty at least seven months; that he was a resident of Wythe Co. VA in 1775 and enlisted in the army of the US in the summer of that year in that county under Capt. Crocket; was marched to Williamsburg VA from there down to Elizabeth River where Lord Dunmore lay who was the former Governor of VA ... marched under Colonel Woodford to Elizabeth River where he remained some days or weeks, then to Philadelphia through Baltimore; was transferred from the 7th VA Regt. as well as now recollected into Col. (James) Morgan's Rifle Regiment; ... he states he does not recollect who discharged him but he was discharged after having served out his full term of enlistment which was for two years; his discharge has been lost for many years; he was discharged in some one of the New England states but does not recollect which one; he has no documentary evidence of his service and he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure; there is no resident? minister of the Gospel residing in his neighbourhood who can testify.
         Statement 14 Sept. 1832 by William P. Chester and Leroy Taylor, residents of Co. of Washington, that they are well acquainted with Joseph Duncan and believe him to be about 81 years of age and that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and we concur in that opinion. Concurred with by court.
      Inquiry 1938 from Mrs. M.W. Perkins, Perkinsville, AZ re James Duncan who died in Bourbon Co., KY, in 1817(?) service in VA; also of Joseph Duncan born 1749 and pensioned in TN.
      Reply: No information a James Duncan who served from Virginia and died in Bourbon County, Kentucky, about 1817.
         Joseph Duncan - while living in Wythe County, VA, he volunteered in the summer of 1774, served against the Shawnee Indians and was in Captain Joseph Crockett's Virginia company, was "marched to the point on the Ohio River at the mouth of the Kanawha" (Point Pleasant) where his company joined Colonel Andrew Lewis' Virginia regiment; they arrived there after the battle was fought. This service amounting to at least five months. He enlisted in 1775 and served as private and first sergeant in Captain Crockett's company in Colonels Woodford's and Morgan's Virginia regiment, was in the battles of Saratoga and Chestnut Hill and in three or four other battles "in the Jerseys" (names not stated) and was in service ... years (illeg.) He was allowed pension on his application executed September 14, 1832, at which time he was living in Washington Co. TN, and stated he was aged "near eighty-one years."
      Handwritten undated and unsigned note says "did not say enlisted in summer of 1775 so the 2 yrs service would not include battle of Chestnut Hill (Dec. 1777).
 

JOSEPH DUNCAN, S-30389, VA, OH, KY (FHL film 970,864; National Archives Roll 864)
      Joseph Duncan, of Greenup Co. KY, who was a Private in company commanded by Capt. James & Harrison of Regiment in MD & VA line for 6 months; Inscribed on Roll of Lexington, KY, at rate of $20 per annum to commence 4 March 1831; Cert. of Pension issued 27 July 1842 and sent to Hon. L.W. Andrews, H.R.; Act of 7 June 1832
      Declaration of Joseph Duncan (signed), 29 Jan. 1836, before JP of Greenup Co. KY; resident in Greenup Co. KY, aged 83 years; for purpose of obtaining pension under Act 7 June 1832; that he was born in Fauquier Co. VA on 1 Jan. 1752 from the information which he always received and believes his age was recorded by his father but what has become of the record he does not know; that in the month of August in 1776 he was drafted under Capt. Joseph James in the State of Maryland but only a short distance from where he was raised; he was drafted for 3 months and was marched by Capt. James to the north for the purpose as he understood of joining the main army under Genl. Washington but on their way northward near Manacasy? in the State of Maraland they met Genl. Washington with his army going south with whom they continued for some months the precese time he does not recollect and after he served out his time which he thinks was three months he was discharged at Manachasa River in the State of Maraland; that afterwards and about the year 1777 though as to dates he is not positive of his memory from old age is exceedingly depictive? he was drafted in Farquier Co. VA and went in to servis under Capt. Benjamin Harrison the name of his Major he thinks was Samuel Black but is not positive, Armisted Churchill was his Colonel name and Gen. D. Muhlenburg was the General of the whole; he was drafted to serve 3 months as a private and in that capasity served out his time; the place of rendezvous was in Fauquier, from thence they marched to Richmon and in a short time from Richmon they marched to wittin? Camp and shortly afterwards were marched back to Richmon and then went on through VA and he was discharged after the expiration of his servis at a place called Manachasa but took no care of his discharg and lost or distroyed it long ago; in 1806 he removed from VA to Sciota Co. OH and in 1810 from thence to Greenup Co. KY where he at present resides; he states that he can prove a part of his servises by one William Cers? but he lives so far off that it is difficult to get his affidavit and this petitioner is too old and infirm to ride so far, and last have only proven a part of his servises; but so far as reputation of his having served in the rev. war is concerned, he is acquainted a large potion of the people of Greenup Co. and all of them he thinks would swear that he was reputed to have been a soldier in the old War, however he has been informed that the list is complete of the VA soldiers and therefore it is unnecessary to prove servuses by reputation; he is old, very poor and infirm; he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present one; he declares that he ... is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state; he has heretofore said that he was drafted under Capt. B. Harrison; he may have volunteered or enlisted, he does not remember positively but that he was in service under Capt. Harison as stated he does know.
         Certification by George W. Ward, JP; that Joseph Duncan, resident of Greenup Co. KY, aged about 86 years old; after an investigation of the matter and after putting the interogatories prescribed by the war department, that the above named applicant was a rev. soldier and served as he states and from infermity said applicant is unable to attend court.
      Letter from War Department, 13 May 1836, to Hon. John White, H.R. The declaration of Joseph Duncan has been exd. The applicant alleges to have been drafted as a militia man of Maryland in August 1776, for the purpose of joining the main army at the north, but on their way, before leaving said State, met Genl. Washington with the army going south, with whom he continued for some months but the precise time he cannot recollect. Genl. Washington did not go to the south until August 1781 (1780?). It must therefore have been in that year that the alleged service was performed, and as the militia were discharged at York Town directly after the surrender of Cornwallis which took place in & on 19 Oct. 1780?, the applicant could not have served three months. He alleges one other tour of three months in 1781. The Act of 7 June 1832 provides for none who did not perform six months actual service. The claim has therefore been rejected and the papers filed. Enclosed is Mr. Dawson's letter to me?. He should state the christian names of the persons about whom he enquires to enable the Dept. to give satisfactory information.
      Letter from War Dept., 2 Sept. 1836, to Mr. Nathaniel Dawson, Little Saliner?, KY. In answer to your letter respecting the case of Joseph Duncan, I have to inform you that the decision in his case cannot be reversed. He alleges to have been drafted to serve 3 months as a militia man of Maryland in the month of August and that he joined the army under General Washington while on its march to the south. He also alleges one other tour of 3 months as a militia man of VA. The first alleged tour was in 1781 and the VA militia were not called out after the surrender of Cornwallis in that year. He could not therefore have served six months. His declaration cannot be sent out of this office agreeably to the regulations.
      Letter from War Dept., 1 March 1837, to Hon. R. French, H.R. I herewith return the letter to you in the case of Joseph Duncan and have to state that he alleges in his declaration to have been drafted to serve 3 months as a militia man of MD in Aug. 1781, and that he joined the army under Genl. Washington while on its march to the south. He also alleges one other tour as a militia man of VA of 3 months. Those who served under Genl. Washington at York Town were discharged directly after the surrender of Cornwallis, which was in Oct. 1781, and the VA militia were not drafted to serve so long as 3 months after that time. The applicant could not therefore have served 6 months as alleged. The former decision in the case regarding the claim cannot be reversed.
      Deposition of William Kearns, 15 June 1842, to Bath Co. KY JP; taken at his house in said county; to be used at the war office of the US in order to obtain a pention for Joseph Duncan of Carter Co. KY; that he (deponent) is now in his 86th year; that he knew Joseph Duncan from a boy in Forquar Co. VA; they was raised in the same neighbourhood and Joseph Duncan is 5 or 6 years older than this deponant, according to his present recollection; that this affiant entered the regular service of the US when he was very young & served upwards of 6 years and during the time that this affiant was in the service of the US, he knew said Duncan to be in the service of the US & he served for some time but how long this affiant can't recollect; and to the best of his present recollection Joseph Duncan was in the service of the State line, that is the malitia; this affiant further states that he knew Duncan well they was raised on farmes adjoining each other and that he saw Mr. Duncan in the service frequently while this afiant was in the service; he also states that he was well acquainted with Captain James and that he knew he belonged to the State service or militia and he thinks that James given name was John. This affiant was also acquainted with Capt. Savage about the same time, who commanded a company of Artilary. He was also well acquainted with Capt. Walter Graham who commanded a company of Malitia and this affiant further states that during the time he was in the service he understood that Graham suceeded? James. This affiant further states that he entered the service of the US in the later part of 1775 and about 1780 and 1781 he knew Duncan to be in the service as above stated in the sothern part of the US. This affiant has no knowledge of Duncans service performed in the north. This affiant further states that he was well acquainted with Armisted Churchhill during the time he was in the service and he knows that he was a Captain. He also knew Capt. Frank Triplett while he was in the service who was at Tarltons defeat & was afterwards promoted to a major.
         Certification by Andrew Turnbo, JP, that he is well acquainted with William Kearns and have been so for the last 20 years; that he is a man of good character.
      Deposition of Joseph Duncan, taken at Marshall Duncans house, 30 June 1842; Carter Co. KY; Joseph Duncan now a citizen of Carter Co. KY; he was drafted from Fauquier Co. VA as a militia soldier in Captain James Co. to serve 6 months, he believes in the year 1777 or 1778 & is not certain which of those years; that he thinks James given name was Joseph; that James was succeeded by Captain Walter Graham; that James marched to Richmond up James river to Culpeper Co. during which tour he, Duncan, was transfered to Capt. Savage company of Artillery; that this tour was in the fall season; & he believes that in the year 1781 he was again drafted for 6 months in Captain Samuel Blacknell's Company & thinks James Keys was Lieutenant & Armstead Churchill Colo.; that during this last tour they were marched South under General Washington & was at the Seige of Yorktown; that for each of these tours he had his regular discharges; that he believes Samuel Blacknell, James Keys & Armstead Churchill were officers on the first tour, & that Joseph James was Captain on second tour insted as stated above.
         Certification by C.W. Homaker?, JP, that I am well acquainted with Joseph Duncan & have been so for 9 years; that he is a man of good character.
      Transmittal letter from L.W. Andrews, 22 July 1842. I send you herein additional testimony in the application of Joseph Duncan for a Pension. I know of my own knowledge nothing of its merits. I send you the letter of my correspondent, Wm.? P. Parnisay? who I know to be a man of proven? and high respectability. P.S. Upon the examination of the case let me hear from you.
      Letter from Pension Office, 23 July 1842, to Hon. L.W. Andrews, H.R. The amended declaration of Joseph Duncan has been exd. together with the proof of his service and the papers are herewith returned in order that you may certify to the official character and signature of the Clerk of the Court of Carter Co. as required in the enclosed printed regulations. The applicant alleges two tours of six months each as a militia man of VA. The militia served in that state in tours not exceeding three months. The claim cannot therefore be allowed for more than six months service. The letter of P. Pourero? Esq. is herewith returned.
      Certification by L.W. Andrews, 26 July 1842, that Joseph R. Ward is the clerk of the County Court of Carter Co. KY and that the certificate to the Declaration of Joseph Duncan is his own? proper hand and is entitled to full faith and credit as such.
      Transmittal letter, 26 July 1842, from L.W. Andrews. I return you the papers in the case of Joseph Duncan with my certificate to the official character of Joseph R. Ward. I am truly anxious that old man Duncan may be allowed a pension if for no more than six months. He is a very meritorius? old man & has always been considered a soldier of the Rev. He resides in a wild mountainus region of my district where there is no one quallified to prepare his papers as they should be or I have no doubt but that he would long ago been allowed a pension.
      Transmittal letter, 29 July 1842, from L.W. Andrews. The certificate for Joseph Duncan I return to you that you may insert? the month if it is necessary. You will notice? that it is dated the 27th of ---- 1842. This omission may be important, if so please insert it & return it to me.
      Inquiry from Mrs. George C. Pitts, Norway, Kansas, 3 Oct. 1912: Will you please inform me whether the following men were placed on the Rev. Pen. Rolls from VA. John Stevens b. circa 1735 m. Sarah Montague; Joseph Duncan b. circa 1750-7 m. Nancy Stevens & settled in Clark Co. KY. Both of these men seemed to have lived in or around Pine Lop (sic?) Orange Co. VA. ...
      Reply 1 May 1920 does not mention John Stevens.
 

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