Duncans in Rappahannock Co. VA

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

Last revised July 25, 2013

RAPPAHANNOCK CO. VA
Formed 1833 from Culpeper
 

CENSUS RECORDS

1840 Rappahannock Co. VA Census
Pg.  6  Gollop FREEMAN          0010,0000,1 - 0100,1001
    25  James M. Duncan         0000,01     - 0000,1
    28  Benjamin H. Duncan      0001,2      - 0000,1001
          (MAD: female 50-60 was Susannah)
        Mary Ann Duncan         01          - 0210,01
          (MAD: widow of Marshall)
    29  Margaret Duncan         0           - 0000,0000,1
          (MAD: widow of George)
        Also Browning, Bywaters families

1850 Rappahannock Co. VA Census (and from Mildred Hofer ca 1983 with permission to share with others)
Pg.85, #14, Benjamin H. DUNCAN 34 VA farmer $500
                  Sarah L. 36 VA
                  Virginia A. 9, William D. 7 VA
                  Lavinia E. 5, Mary C. 3 VA
                  Lucy H. 5/12 VA
Pg.114, #428, James H. DUNCAN 41 VA farmer $2500
                  Emily P. 32 VA
                  Martha H. 9, Edwina (f) 7 VA
                  Mary C. 5, Julia A. 4 VA
                  Elizabeth 2 VA
                  (MAD: 1860-1870 Culpeper Co. VA census)
Pg.148, #889-889, Gollop FREEMAN 73 VA farmer $4000
                  Lucy 63 VA
                  Ellen 13 VA
                  (MAD: one Gollop Duncan, born ca 1772, son of Joseph Duncan and Hannah Freeman, is said to have assumed the name of Freeman after his mother's death, probably because he lived with his grandparents; from "Freeman Forbears ... in the original shires of James City and Charles River in Virginia" by Garland Evans Hopkins, 1942; FHL book 929.273 F877h)
 

1860 Rappahannock Co. VA Census
Laurel Mills P.O.
Pg.148, #208-190, Benj. H. DUNCAN 44 VA farmer $10,700-$9,955
                  Sallie 46 VA
                  Willie (m) 16, Lavinia 14 VA
                  Mary C. 12, Lucy H. 10 VA
                  Marcellus KEASEY (m) 22 VA farm hand
                  (MAD: William D. in 1870 Culpeper Co. VA census)
 

1870 Rappahannock Co. VA Census
Hampton Twp.
Pg.101, #182-182, MILTON, Benjm. F. 52 VA farmer $30,000-$8,000
                  Sarah E.M. 46 VA H.K.
                  Alice F. 22, Cora E. 18 VA at home
                  Ella R. 15, Iar? (f) 14 VA at home
                  Florance B. 10, Rose Lee 8 VA at home
                  DUMCAN, Lucy 22 VA school teacher
Jackson Twp (bottom of page faint)
Pg.124, #159-159, DUNCAN, Benj. H. 54 VA farmer $3200-$1800?
                  Mary C. 21 VA K.house
                  Lucy H. 18 VA at home
Pg.128, #207-207, DUNCAN, Rachel 75 VA BLACK K.house $0-$0
                  Mary 25 VA BLACK asst.
                  George 11 VA BLACK at home
                  Jemima 7 VA BLACK
                  CLARKS, Sallie J. 1 VA BLACK
Stonewall Twp.
Pg.174, #279-279, DUNCAN, Addison 56 VA BLACK farm laborer $0-$0
                  Harriet 52 VA BLACK keeping house
                  William 21 VA BLACK farm laborer
                  Mary 19 VA BLACK at home
                  Peter 17, James 14 VA BLACKS farm laborers
                  Catherine 12 VA BLACK at home
 

ESTATE RECORDS

Rappahannock Co. VA Wills (from research at courthouse by Lu Durham 1990; extract from Lu Durham 1990 with permission to share with others)
      A-22: 14 July 1830, will of Frederick Duncan, prob. 2 Dec. 1833. (MAD: see below)
            A-26/34: Division of land, diagrams of acreage, south side Thornton's River.
      A-187: 7 Aug. 1837, guardianship account of Edward P. Duncan for his wards Mary Ann and John Randolph Duncan. A-256, account 22 Aug. 1838.
      B-524/5: 15 Feb. 1849, will of Susan Duncan, prob. 14 May 1849. Exec. Benj. H. Duncan, James Browning. Wit. Thomas Deatherage, Bryant Thornhill. Far advanced in age and quite infirm and weak in body (LD: age 69), for natural affection for my two daughters Catherine Browning and Mary Browning and for kindness and love they have ever extended and shown me both in health and afliction, $100. All property to be sold and proceeds divided equally between my seven children: Catherine Browning, Mary Browning, Eldridge Duncan, James M. Duncan, Benjamin H. Duncan, Edward P. Duncan, John R. Duncan. To granddau. Margaret Duncan a bed and furniture.
 

Rappahannock Co. VA Wills (FHL film 33,655 & from Louis Boone 1988 with permission to share with others)
      C-244: Susan Duncan estate, 18/19 Sept. 1849; list of goods bought by the following: Benjamin H. Duncan, John Moffett, Corneluse Smith, Bozewell McQueen, John Cannon, James H. Browning, Joseph Hounson?, George Ficklen, Lewis Sullivan, John H. Settle, Perry Eggbown?, Edward R. Hood, Wm. Herndon, Barrett Quimsley, James M. Duncan, E.G. Duncan, Robert Statham. (LB: Susan the wife of Frederick?)
      C-250: Frederick Duncan estate, 18/19 Sept. 1849; James M. Duncan for legatees, 265 acres land; the following bought negroes: B.H. Duncan, James M. Duncan; Benjamin H. Duncan in court June 1852.
 

Rappahannock Co. VA Wills from Will Book A, 1833-1842 (from photostatic copies from county will book; in loose files of Nancy Reba Roy, loaned by Miss Roy's niece through Fran Laaker to MAD, MAD's extract; now at Platte Co. MO Historical Society)
      Will Book A, pages 22-23:
      I, Frederick Duncan (being at this time of sound body and mind, but conscious of the uncertainty of Human life and being desirous [?] to arrange the future distribution among my children of my worldly effects) do make and establish this as my last Will and Testament, viz:
      1st. I leave my soul to the mercy of my God, and my body to be intered by my Executors in a decent and becoming manner. My funeral expenses to be paid out of the first money coming to the hands of my Executors hereinafter named.
      2nd. I hereby nominate and appoint as the Executors of this my last Will and Testament my sons Edward P. Duncan, Eldrige G. Duncan and James M. Duncan, all or any one of whom may qualify according to their own inclinations and convenience.
      3rd. It is my Will and desire that so much of my personal Estate as may be necessary be sold and the proceeds appld. to the payment of my just debts.
      4th. That after such sale the whole of my personal and real estate be valued, and one third part of each be apportioned to my wife Susannah Duncan, in such manner as she and my Executors may agree, and if they should not agree, then it is my will and desire that commissioners be appointed by the parties or the Court to carry into effect this provision of my Will, and that my said Wife Susannah be permitted to enjoy said property during her life, and upon her death and upon her death [twice] my Executors are directed to distribute said property in equal proportions (subject to such conditions as are hereinafter named) equally among all my children.
      5th. It is my will and desire that the remaining two thirds of my property be equally divided among all my children; but that each one who has received property from me, account for it in the Division, in the following manner viz.: That my son in law John J. Browning account for the sum of Two Hundred pounds value of property advanced to him when he was married to my daughter. That he account for the sum of Eighteen Hundred Dollars the piece of the land now in his possession and given him by me. And then if the proportion of each child should be more than said two sums charged to John J. Browning my Executors are hereby empowered and directed to him or his representatives his equal proportion of said surplus. That my son Edward Duncan account for the sum of Eight hundred dollars the piece of the land given him, and now in his possession, and then as before directed. It is my will that the whole be divided equally amongst my sons and daughters, Edward P. Duncan, Eldridge G. Duncan, James M. Duncan, Frederick Duncan Jr., Harrison Duncan, Randolph Duncan, Ann Browning, and Mary Ann Duncan.
      6th. It is my Will and desire that possession be immediately given by my Executors to each of my children of age of their proportions and that the proportions of such as are not of age, be hired and rented so as to benefit such young children now. And that as they become of age they respectively receive their proportions.
      7th. It is my wish that my Executors receive reasonable remuneration for Executing this my Will to be charged in equal portion to all my children.
      /s/ Frederick Duncan. Signed and acknowledged in presence of: John Pendleton, John (/ his mark) Conner, this 14th day of July 1830 William S. Dulaney.
      Virginia. In Rappahannock County Court, 2nd December 1830. This last Will and Testament of Frederick Duncan deceased was this day exhibited to the Court and proved by the oaths of the subscribing witnesses thereto, and ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of James M. Duncan one of the Executors therein named, who made oath according to law, and together with Edward P. Duncan, Eldridge G. Duncan, John J. Browning, Mason Browning, Richard P. Kinsoy [Rinsoy?] and John S. Whitescaver his securities entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of Ten thousand dollars, conditioned as the law directs, certificate is granted him for obtaining a probat [sic] thereof in due form. Teste Wm. Menefee C.C.
      Will Book A, page 135:
      I, George Duncan of the County of Rappahannock and State of Virginia, being weak in body, but of sound mind, and memory (blessed be Almighty God for the same) do make and publish this my last Will and testament, hereby revoking all others wills deed or deeds by me heretofore made.
      Item 1st: It is my desire that all my just debts shall be paid as soon as convenient.
      Item 2nd: I give and bequeath to my wife Margaret Duncan during her natural life, all my Estate both personal and Real, to be possessed and enjoyed by her during her natural life.
      Item 3rd: I leave one half of my Estate to my wife Margaret Duncan to dispose of at her own will and pleasure.
      Item 4": I leave to my sister Senith Johnson, one dollar, and Elizabeth Rout one dollar, and Sally Yancey 1 dollar, and Polly Gaines 1 dollar.
      Item 5": I leave to my Sister Lucy Trealdkill the remaining part of my Estate.
      Item 6": I want my funeral preached from these words, I have spent my life for my people, to the best of my recollection it is in Samuel.
      Lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint and appoint [twice] my Executors Edward G. Duncan and Peter Deale of this my last Will and testament hereby revoking all forever Wills and Testaments by me made. In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix my Seal this twenty fifth day of August Eighteen hundred and thirty six. Acknowledged and delivered by George Duncan to be his last will and testament in presence of
      /s/ George (x his mark) Duncan (Seal). Test Johnson McQueen, William Thornhill, Bryant Thornhill, John J. Browning.
      In Rappahannock County Court, September 1836. This last Will and Testament of George Duncan deceased, was this day exhibited to the Court, proved by the oaths of William Thornhill, Bryant Thornhill and John J. Browning three of the Subscribing witnesses thereto, and ordered to be recorded. On the motion of Edward P. Duncan one of the Exors. named in the last Will and testament aforesaid, who made oath thereto, and together with James Kemper and Peter Deale his securities entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of $5000 conditioned as the law directs a certificate is granted him for obtaining a probat [sic] thereof in due form. Peter Deale the other Exor named in the last will and testament came into Court and refused to take upon himself the burden of the Execution thereof. Teste Wm. J. Menefee CC
 

COURT RECORDS

Rappahannock Co. VA Circuit Court Will Book A, 1833-1878 (FHL film 33,656)
      No Duncan

Rappahannock Co. VA Misc. Records (FHL film 33,666 pt. 1)
      Division of Lands, 1833-1847 - no Duncan
      Land Causes, 1839-1849 - no index

Rappahannock Co. VA Chancery Order Book A, 1833-1851 (FHL film 33,670)
      Pg.382: 19 Sept. 1851, James B. Dunkin and James T. Foley, partners in business and as assignees of John Broy, pltfs, vs. Augustine Coppage and Pamelia Vaughan; agreed upon by parties; dismissed.
 

LAND RECORDS

Go to the Rappahannock Co. VA Land Records
 

REFERENCES FROM OTHER LOCALITIES

Harrison Co. WV Deed (FHL film 843,837)
      34-207: 6 Dec. 1845, Hezekiah Corley of Rappahannock Co. VA (1), William Dunkin of Harrison Co. VA (2), and John S. Deatherage and John B. Gore of Rappahannock Co. VA (3); Corley owes Deatherage and Gore $375, in trust to Dunkin, negro girl Milly age 12, boy Elijah age 8, girl Rachel age 6. No wit. Ack. Rappahannock Co. VA.

Platte Co. MO Marriage Records, County Recorder's Office, to 1870 (from Lu Durham 1987 with permission to share with others)
      Lucy Harrison Duncan of Rappahannock Co. VA to Thomas A. Ramey of Warrenton, Fauquier Co. VA, at home of John R. Duncan, 3 Jan. 1883, D-134 (LD: Lucy was dau. of Benjamin Harrison & Sarah Louise (McCormack) Duncan)
         Double ceremony with:
      Helen Adelia Duncan to John Dudley Buchanan, 3 Jan. 1883, at home of bride's parents, D-134 (LD: Helen was dau. of John R. and Mildred Jane (Duncan) Duncan; John was son of John and Eleanor (Ballinger) Buchanan; my grandparents)

Rutherford Co. TN Records for Books (FHL film 380,488; SLC 9/13/1986 and 5/7/2013)
      9-64/65: Marshall Duncan, formerly of Edmondson Co. KY but residing at present in Rutherford Co. TN, being in a low state of health, declare the following to be my last will and testament. First, I give to my wife Mary Ann Duncan all the property I now have of every description in either of the states mentioned, to be used or sold as she may think best, for the support and maintainance of herself and for raising, maintaining and educating all my children. Second, I also give to my said wife the interest I now have or may hereafter have in the dower of my mother Dorcus Duncan of Rappahannock Co. VA, the proceeds and profits of which she is to use in the same way and for the same purposes mentioned in the first devise, until my youngest child shall arrive at full age, and then the said dower I wish divided share and share alike between my said wife and all my children. Third, I appoint my said wife Mary Ann Duncan executrix of this my last will and testament. 22 June 1833, /s/ Marshall Duncan, wit. Wm. Ledbetter, Chas. King, Lewis Garner. Rutherford County TN Court August term 1833, the will of Marshall Duncan was proven by the oath of William Ledbetter and Lewis Garner, witnesses, and ordered recorded. Recorded 8 Nov. 1833. (FHL film 380,488)
 

HISTORIES before 1923

1903 "History of Montgomery County, Kansas" pub. unknown: L.W. Duncan, 1903 (HeritageQuest image 2/2007, Local History Reel/Fiche Number 11798; FHL film 874,479 item 1)
      History of the Bench and Bar. Pg.250-255: WILLIAM DUNKIN -- (Prepared by ex-Governor Humphrey, at request of publisher) -- Mr. William Dunkin was born at Flint Hill in Rappahannock county, Virginia, April 7, 1845. His parents beloged to old Virginia families whose record runs back to Colonial days, and on down through the period of the American Revolution. The father, though a slave holder, was, in fact, opposed to the institution of slavery and, like many other Southern men of his time, hoped for its ultimate abolition. During the Civil War, as before, he was an unconditional Union man and stoutly supported the Federal government throughout that memorable struggle for its existence. He lived to see the Union preserved, slavery destroyed, and died June 23, 1868. ...
      The son, William, when less than a year old, moved with his father's family to Harrison county, Virginia. His father was a physician and his family consisted of his wife and two step-children (W.M. and Mary C. Late) and an infant daughter and the subject of this sketch. The doctor and his wife ... new home which was purchased in 1846 and located about four miles from Clarksburg and adjacent to Bridgeport ... where William Dunkin, Jr., and the family of eight children were reared. The doctor, soon after his arrival in Harrison county, established a lucrative practice which he held for fifteen years, when he retired and resigned his extensive professional business to his step-son. ... At the age of 18 years, William Dunkin took "French leave" of his parents and went to New York City where he spent four months in the office of Edward P. Clark, a distinguished lawyer in that city, and, upon his return home, was forgiven and sent to the academy at Morgantown, West Virginia ... eight months later left school on account of impaired health, remained at home until 1871, spent winter of 1871 and 1872 in State of Michigan ... to Lawrence, Kansas, admitted to practice law in District Court of Douglas county, Kansas, opened office in Independence, Kansas in 1873. .... (MAD: 1880 Montgomery Co. KS census)
 

c1912 "Kansas : a cyclopedia of state history, embracing events, institutions, industries, counties, cities, towns, prominent persons, etc... with a supplementary volume devoted to selected personal history and reminiscence." Vol.I-II ed. by Frank Wilson Blackmar; Supplementary Volume (Vol.III) Parts 1-2; pub. Chicago : Standard Pub. Co. (FHL film 1,000,028)
      Supplementary Vol.(III), pg.136-139: WILLIAM DUNKIN, of Independence [Montgomery Co.], Kan., became a law student in the office of Thacher & Banks, at Lawrence, Kan., in March, 1872. About one year thereafter, through the kind influence of Judge N.T. Stephens, then associated with the firm of Thacher & Banks, at Lawrence, Kan., in March, 1872. About one year thereafter, through the kind influence of Judge N.T. Stephens, then associated with the firm of Thacher & Banks, Mr. Dunkin was admitted to the bar of Douglas county, and thereafter, on April 1, 1873, opened a law office and entered upon the practice of his profession at Independence, Kan. He has since then continuously occupied the same office. At the time he located at Independence he was wholly unacquainted in the county and spent the first few months in assiduous study, with little or no professional work.
            He was then appointed city attorney and at once vigorously took up the pending litigation concerning the entry of the town site, the patent to which had been for several years withheld on account of contests between the city and claimants to portions of it. The next year (1874) he became a candidate on the Democratic ticket for county attorney. ... After his unsuccessful race for county attorney Mr. Dunkin soon acquired a lucrative practice, singularly, in a large measure, from political opponents. In 1876 he married Miss Elizabeth Browning Hull, of Kalamazoo, Mich. She is a native of Stonington, Conn. Their children are Florence E., Cora Hull Kimble (nee Dunkin), and William Latham, all residents of Independence, Kan. In 1877 Mr. Dunkin was elected by an overwhelming majority over Judge James DeLong as mayor of Independence, and shortly afterwards, through the aid of Senator John J. Ingalls, secured the patent to the town site, which had been held back by the contests and litigation for six or seven years. ... At the end of his term Mr. Dunkin declined to become a candidate for reelection ... In 1888, while spending the summer with his family on Lake Michigan, and over his telegraphic protest to the Democratic convention, Mr. Dunkin was nominated as a candidate for state senator. He was defeated by something less than 400 plurality, while the Republican ticket carried the county by over 1,000. During his residence at Independence he has accumulated a comfortable fortune, consisting largely of a number of river bottom farms, business and residence buildings in the city and elsewhere, and personal property, to the management of which his time is in the main devoted.
            Mr. Dunkin was born at Flint Hill, Rappahannock county, Virginia, April 7, 1845. His father, Dr. William Dunkin, was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, April 5, 1797. After studying medicine and attending medical lectures in Baltimore, he was graduated in 1822 and for about twenty years thereafter practiced his profession in Rappahannock county, Virginia, where he was wedded to Mrs. Elizabeth Late (nee Woodside), a widow, who was the mother of two children -- a son, William Michael, and Mary Catherine -- by her deceased husband, John Late. Dr. Dunkin was descended from Scotch parentage and his wife was of Irish extraction. The ancestry (MAD: sic) of both lived in Virginia for many years during the Colonial period and through the Revolutionary war, in which some of them participated. In the spring of 1846 Dr. Dunkin, with his family, then consisting of his wife, two step-children, a daughter (Anne) and a son (William) then less than a year old, moved in covered wagons with his numerous slaves across the Alleghany mountains to a new home in Harrison county, Virginia. Their home was a farm situated between Bridgeport and Clarksburg, which in time he increased to about 1,000 acres. At the time of his arrival there typhoid fever was prevalant in the county. At his former home Dr. Dunkin had had much recent experience in the treatment of this dreaded disease. He therefore at once acquired an extensive practice and soon won an enviable reputation as a physician, which endured to the time of his death, June 22, 1868. Soon after locating he began the erection of a large stone house, in which he resided until his death. At this house were born the following children: John, James, Elizabeth and Amanda, the last in 1854, all of whom are yet living. About 1855 the stepson, William M. Late, after studying medicine at home, attended medical lectures one year at Baltimore and then two years at the University in Philadelphia, where he graduated in 1858, and on his return Dr. Dunkin gradually retired in favor of his stepson, who held the practice and added to it till his death, in 1906.
            Owing to the excited state of the public mind preceding the Civil war, and the unsettled conditions along the line of hostility, where the doctor and his family lived during the war, educational facilities were sadly neglected. During a portion of the time the older children were periodically instructed by the doctor, by private tutors at home, and by inferior teachers at subscription schools. At times the home was between contending armies and often not far from the seat of hostilities. While the doctor and his wife were slaveowners, as had been their ancestors during and since the Colonial days, he was an uncompromising and aggressive Union man, and felt if the preservation of the Union should result in the destruction of slavery it would be an additional blessing, ... In those never-to-be-forgotten days along the border it was not unusual to find brothers in opposing armies and fathers arrayed in deadly conflict against their sons. In the case of Dr. Dunkin his brothers and relatives were without exception loyal to the government and many of them served in the Union army, while his wife's relatives were equally devoted to the cause of the Confederacy and a number of them fought in the Southern army.
            When about sixteen years of age William Dunkin, Jr., became greatly concerned about an education. He wanted to go to the academy at Morgantown, W.Va., afterwards the West Virginia University, to take up a classical course, and finally, after graduating from Princeton or Harvard, study and practice law. He persistently, but unsuccessfully, importuned his father on the subject till at last, when about nineteen years of age, he ran away from home and went to New York City, where, after weeks of effort, he secured a position as errand boy in the office of Edward P. Clark, a distinguished lawyer on Lower Broadway, with whom he remained some three months, when he returned home with the understanding that he was to enter the academy. His father, however, seemed unalterably opposed to that part of the plan respecting the practice of law, ... After some six or eight months at the academy, where the son had made fine progress in a classical course, he returned home in broken health, which did not become fully restored for several years.
            After his father's death, in 1868, Mr. Dunkin administered on his estate and settled that portion of it in Michigan, where he spent the winter of 1871-72 for that purpose. In March, 1872, at the instance of his cousin, Maj. Wyllis C. Ransom, of Lawrence, Kan., he entered the law office of Thacher & Banks, as before stated.
 

END

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