Our Duncan family descends from Rev. William Duncan. I have spent
a lot of years tracing this Duncan family (which is my maiden name). I
haven't had names of the children of most of the families that lived and
remained around Trimble Co.
There are people that I've never fully documented, though I have tried,
but would definitely love to know if information is available on them.
James Duncan and wife, Asenath Browning lived in Gallatin Co. in 1810,
and he was b. Culpeper, VA July 18, 1746 and died Gallatin Co., KY on
November 22, 1823. I have searched (from a distance), and did find
where Asenath sold their property in 1834. I don't know what happened
to her after that time, where he was buried or anything more about them.
The other couple that I've had no luck whatsoever in finding were the
parents of Eliza Jane McCormic, that married Frederick Duncan. Their
marriage license shows that both of them were born in KY, though they
married in 1831 in Jefferson Co., IN, and lived there (owned land) for a
few years following their marriage. Though I've hunted in both Jefferson
Co., IN and Trimble Co., KY, I've not found a trace of a McCormic(k)
family in either places.
William, son of James and Asenath Browning Duncan, b. in VA and died in
1857 in Trimble Co., KY, m. Polly Connell, dau. of Jesse Connell, Sr. &
his wife, Nancy Lawson. I have the names of Polly's siblings, but
nothing more on her family. I know Polly's father came from So.
Carolina and served in the Revolutionary War, and that they lived around
Gallatin (early) and Trimble Co., later.
Children of William and Polly Connell Duncan were:
Francis Duncan m. Patience Coleman (moved 1842 to MO, 3 children) and I
do have a few records on that family. Died Gentry Co.MO.
Frederick K. Duncan, m. Eliza Jane McCormic(k) (to MO in 1852 - and
hold a lot of records. There's a lot left to research, but not in KY.
I've lost his daughters, Sena, Rachel, & Cornelia after his death in
1875, and have never got a lead as to where they went.
William Duncan eventually m. Mrs. Sally Young, but he must have lived
with his parents until 1850 or so. Nothing on him.
Jane Duncan Coleman m. Wm. H. Coleman. I've found some records over the
years on this Coleman family. I don't know whether they are complete or
not, but at least some.
Then, Sena Duncan m. James Chowning. Yes,
Tellitha was the mother of James Chowning. I have her will, and notice
of where she died. I've never found what relationship there is between
James Chowning and Thomas Chowning. They could have been brothers, but
her will gave everything to James, and Thomas wasn't mentioned, so I
just don't know.
I mistakingly have thought for several years that the Marian Ann that
married Thomas Chowning was the daughter of Frederick. Recently I was
able to prove that she was not, but instead was the dau of William &
Polly Connell Duncan. This Marian Ann lived at home with her father and
mother until the 1850 Census at least. Frederick's daughter (who I
formerly believed was this Marian Ann was only M.A. Duncan on what
records I could find. This M.A. Duncan was only 7 years younger than
Marian Ann. This M.A. Duncan married Thomas D. Elliott in 1853 in
Harrison Co., MO, and her name was Mary Ann Duncan. I hold records on
her children.
I have little information on the children of James and Asenath Browning
Duncan, except to know who they married.
Francis Duncan, b. Mar. 19, 1772 Culpeper Co., VA. (Have not found any
record of him in or around Gallatin or Trimble Co., KY)
Reuben Duncan, b. Jan. 3, 1774 m. Mrs. Johnston (Sally) Young.
Mary Duncan, b. Feb. 27, 1776, m. Rev. George Strother (I have bits and
pieces on this family, but it's not all put together).
William Duncan, b. May 17, 1778 Culpeper Co., VA m. Polly Connell, dau.
of Jesse Connell, Sr. & Nancy Lawson. Hold some records of this family,
his Will, etc., and have been told tht Polly died between 1830 & 1840 -
No record of her death.
James Duncan, b. May 16, 1780 Culpeper, VA m. (1) Lucy Pryor; and (2)
Catherine Pryor, both daughters of Samuel Pryor. (Hold some records on
James' family, but not complete)
Ann Duncan, b. Mar. 10, 1784 m. Willis Jackson (Have no research on
this family at all).
Willis Duncan, b. Mar. 21, 1786, Culpeper, VA m. Martha Pryor. (Have
recorded what I could find, but nothing much of this family.
Sallie Duncan, b. June 22, 1788, m. Capt. Jack Pryor. (Haven't
researched this family at all.
In a book on the History of Harrison Co., MO, it states that one F. M.
Duncan came from Gentry Co., MO to Harrison Co., MO. and he committed
suicide. This F. M. happens to have the same initials as my Francis
Marion Duncan, and I've been questioned about it. I know my Francis
Marion Duncan died of pneumonia in Lawrence Co., MO, one day before his
30th birthday, leaving a wife and 5 children.
In 1842, (according to a Gentry Co., MO book) a John Duncan moved to
Gentry Co., later married Mary A. Wood, and they had several children.
Francis, son of William and bro. of Frederick, also left KY about 1842,
first going to Clay Co.,MO, later to Harrison Co.,MO for 1-2 years, and
by 1850 was in Gentry Co. MO. (The 1850 Census doesn't show them living
near to one another, but I can't determine who this John Duncan is. Some
of his children's names certainly match up with our Duncan lineage.
I've thought that he possibly might have been a son of Willis, Reuben,
or James & Lucy or Catherine Pryor, but have not been able to list their
immediate children, so I don't know where he fit in.
Note: The Duncan Information provided here was updated 21 April 1998 with the following information:
Here is some proof of why I believe William Duncan, father of my
Frederick and his siblings, Francis, Marian Chowning, Seny Chowning,
Jane Coleman & William Duncan died about 1857 or 1858. Have not found a
will for him yet.
STATE OF KENTUCKY, TRIMBLE COUNTY (seal)
Deed Book F, Page 14: 26 May, 1859 (hardly readable in places)
This INDENTURE made and entered into this 26th day of May, 1859 between
William B. Duncan (gh-note the middle initial "B") and William L.
Coleman and Jane Coleman, his wife, Witnesseth that whereas WILLIAM
DUNCAN father of said WILLIAM DUNCAN and JANE COLEMAN, dec'd....of in
and to a certain tract or parcel of land lying and being in the County
of Trimble and State of Kentucky, and on the waters of Corn Creek.
Whereas WILLIAM DUNCAN hath bought out all of the undivided interest of
all of the Children of said WILLIAM DUNCAN, deceased (except his sister,
JANE COLEMAN) to wit FREDERICK DUNCAN, FRANK DUNCAN, MARIAN CHOWNING,
ANY (Should be SENY CHOWNING, and they have conveyed their undivided
Interest to the said WILLIAM DUNCAN, which land is bounded as follows,
to wit:
Beginning at the two poplars and a dogwood, thence S. 76, W. 246 poles
to a Gum and ... in Lerez? Barnes Line thence N. 14 W. 140 poles to a
white walnut, ash and Sugartree, thence N. 60 E. 40 poles to a white oak
and sugartree, thence N. 30, E. 36? poles to an Ash, thence N. 45 E. 40
poles to a gum? and sugar tree, thence N. 5, W. 32 poles to a Buckeye &
Shi..ar, N. 29, E. 14 poles to a red and white oak, thence S. 76, E. 40
poles to a Red Oak, thence N. ?0, E. 86 poles to a White Oak, Hickory
and Mulberry, thence S. 14, E. 158 poles to a small poplar and Aston?,
thence S. 57, E. 34 poles to a Sugar tree and a Stone, thence S. 5, W.
51 1/2? poles to a large Poplar and a Stone Thence S. 38, W. 7 poles to
a Stone, thence S. 14. E. 23 poles to the beginning containing 306 acres
and 51 poles.
And whereas the said WILLIAM L. COLEMAN and JANE COLEMAN, his wife and
WILLIAM DUNCAN have agreed upon and made partition of the same tract of
land amongst themselves in manner and form following, to wit, the said
JANE COLEMAN is to take, have and hold as her share and part thereof,
Fifty two acres, bounded as follows: To wit: Beginning at an oak on
the back branch, thence N. 28 1/4, E. 98 poles to a stake// on the
Branch near a Walnut, thence N. 66 1/2, W. 27 poles to a Sugartree,
thence N. 11, W. 6 1/2 poles to the Mill Race, thence with the Race S.
66 1/2, W. 39 poles, thence S. 7 1/2, W 13 poles to where the water
crosses the Race, thence S. 45, W 123 1/2 poles to the beginning, and
the said WILLIAM DUNCAN is to take and hold as his share and part
thereof, 254 acres and 51 poles, the Remainder of the aforesaid tract of
lan being five shares to wit: FREDERICKS, FRANKS, MARIANS, SENYS, and
his own, and the said WILLIAM DUNCAN, does by these presents, quit
claim, release, ?? convey and corm unto the said JANE COLEMAN, her heirs
and assigns forever, all the Lot, tract or parcel of land set apart to
her as aforesaid with the apurtenances thereunto belonging or in any
wise appertaining and the said WILLIAM L. COLEMAN and JANE COLEMAN, his
wife, do by these presents quit claim, release, convey and confirm with
the said WILLIAM DUNCAN, his heirs and assigns forever, all the lot
tract and parcel of land set apart to him as aforesaid, with the
appertenances thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining. In
Witness thereof, the parties have hereunto set the hands and seals the
same day just written.
ST of KY, Trimble County WILLIAM L. COLEMAN (SEAL), JANE COLEMAN
(SEAL),
WILLIAM DUNCAN (SEAL),
I. William Samuel, Clerk of County Court for the County aforesaid, do
certify that the foregoing deed has this day acknowledged by the ....
.... to be their act and deed, whereupon said deed together with this
certificate has been duly admitted to Record in my Office. Given under
my hand, the 26th of May, 1859. W. SAMUEL, Clk.
*******************************************************************************
Trimble Co., KY ... Book E. Page 226: 5 MARCH, 1858
FRANCIS DUNCAN & PATIENCE (gh-COLEMAN) DUNCAN, his wife & FREDERICK
DUNCAN & ELIZA, his wife of Gentry & Harrison Counties, Missouri, sell
to WILLIAM DUNCAN of Trimble County for $400, the undivided interest to
them to the folowing tract of land in Trimble on the waters of Corn
Creek, being the same which WILLIAM DUNCAN, deceased lived at his
death. (our portion by 1/6 part each) of said tract, bounded on the
north by Moses Tandy's heirs, south by John A. Bain, East by Gettings,
Rowlett on the west. Containing 300 acres. Said FREDERICK and FRANCIS
being sons of WILLIAM DUNCAN, dec'd. (This was excerpted by Donna
Thompson for me, so isn't complete)
In other records, William paid James and Seny Chowning notes for a total
of $500 for their part of the land. William gave notes to Thomas and
Marion Chowning for $156.66 on 10 Feb., 1859, $166.66 due 10 Feb. 1860,
and again $166.66 to pay on 10 Feb. 1861.
I have lots of records regarding the Duncan family, and some on the
Coleman and Chowning families. The BIG BIG bunch of records that I
don't have, and have not been able to document, were records on my JAMES
DUNCAN and his wife ASENITH (SENA/SCENA/SCEENY) Browning Duncan.
According to everything I've found so far, he died in 1823 in Gallatin
Co., KY. I did find one record where Asenith Duncan sold land, which I
assumed was their homeplace in 1834. I have never found a trace as to
what happened to her from that time on. I've got Tax Lists showing a
James and a William DUNCAN in 1802, but can't be absolutely sure that
this was my JAMES DUNCAN.
I've always been unsure as to whom Frederick's and Eliza Jane McCormic ?
Duncan daughter, only referenced as M.A. Duncan on the 1850 Census as
b.ca 1835.
I was contacted last year by Maggie Beckstead and Betty Lou Goodrich of
Moses Lake, WA, and they were hunting for their Mary Ann Duncan, who was
their great grandmother, trying to find their family.
After a bit of research, we finally proved that my Mary Ann Duncan moved
to Harrison Co. MO in 1852 with her father, mother, sisters, Rachel,
Cordelia, Sena, and brothers, William Garnet and Francis Marion Duncan.
Mary Ann Duncan, dau. of Frederick and Eliza Jane Duncan married Thomas
Davis Elliott, b. 6 Jan. 1820 in Gallatin Co., KY. (He had been married
before and has about 4 children before his 1st wife died). Mary Ann and
Thomas married in Harrison Co., MO on 6 Dec. 1853. They had five more
children, and eventually moved to Coeur d'Alene, Kootenai Co., ID where
most of the family died and are buried.
The travels of Frederick & Eliza and his brother, Francis & Patience
Coleman Duncan is as follows:
Francis & Patience left Trimble Co. KY ca 1842 and went to Cass Co., MO.
They later, about 1852/3 moved to Gentry Co., MO, and this was about the
time that Frederick and Eliza Jane made their move to Gentry Co., MO.
Francis & Patience made their last move over into Harrison Co., MO.
Francis died in 1872 and Patience (Coleman) dau. of Wyatt Coleman, died
in 1878 both in Harrison Co. MO.
They had 3 children, John, James and Elizabeth Duncan, m. Rice.
Apparently, when their father, William Duncan died...(1857/8?) they
returned to Trimble Co., KY together as Eliza Jane was definitely named
on the above records. I've never found one record on her since that
time.
Sometime between 1858 & 1860 (not found on Census), Frederick and his
family moved to Madison Co., Iowa, where his two sons married. By 1876,
the family had moved down to Cass Co., MO, then to Lawrence Co., MO,
where Frederick and his son, Francis Marion Duncan died, and were buried
there in Rock Prairie Cem.
My biggest unanswered questions are:
Where can I get help in Gallatin, or do you have any references
available that would prove my James (1746-1823) & Asenath Duncan being
the parents of William and all of his siblings?
Eliza Jane McCormic m. Frederick Duncan in 1831 in Jefferson Co., IN,
just across the Ohio River. Both said they were born in Kentucky, her in
1814 and Frederick in 1807. After their marriage, they had property
over there, and eventually sold it and moved back into Kentucky after
their oldest daughter, Lucy Jane (that married Hugh McIntire) was born.
I've never found anything that tells of Eliza Jane's death, somewhere
between 1858 and 1860 sometime.
Georgia Helderlein passed away December 2016. Her work remains here in her memory.
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