Individual Details

Is this Richard & Polly?
1840 Census. Logan Co KY
Richard Duncan. 1m 30-40. 1f 5-10, 1f 30-40

I first attached Polly to the wrong Gilbert family. Both Charles (in 1824) and Martin Gilbert (in 1827) left wills naming an unmarried daughter Polly.

Will of Martin Gilbert, 6 Jun 1827, Logan Co
I Martin Gilbert being perfectly in my senses do make this my last Will and Testament unto my wife, Martha, I bequeath during her life one hundred and sixty acres of the Land on which I now live, including the dwelling and other necessary outhouses … all the stock … horses, cattle, sheep, hogs, etc. One wagon and geering, one Gig & harness and clock and all the household and bedding furniture and all the farming utensils and following named negroes: Reuben, Susan & Hannah, Daniel & Vina and to be the property of my wife during her life and at the decease of my wife, Daniel is to descend to Lucius, and Vina with her increase to be divided between Betsey and Lucius should my wife Martha die intestate. All the property I leave her and otherwise disposed of in my Will is to be divided between my four youngest children, to wit … Polly, Miles Green, Betsey and Lucius Gilbert.
To my son Miles Green Gilbert I leave one hundred acres of my land adjoining Silas Gilbert and Zadok Beall, and one Negro boy named Samuel unto my daughter Polly I bequeath one Negro woman called Chany and her son Joseph with her future increase. Unto Betsey I leave one woman named Fanny, her son Jack and infant daughter Margaret and increase from this date. To Lucius one hundred and sixty acres of the land on which I live after my wife’s death … and man called Robert and boy Henry. To my other children, Sally Finch, Silas Gilbert, Bird Gilbert, and Michael Gilbert, I leave nothing, having given them heretofore all I ever intend to give them.
To this my last Will and Testament I leave my wife, Martha, and my son Miles Green Gilbert, Executors. In Testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal, June 6, 1827.
Martin (X) Gilbert (Seal)
Teste: Degrafeten Read Zadok Beall C.W. Ewing George W. Call John J. Mackale
The above is a “substantial copy” of the original will, which was stolen from Miles Green Gilbert’s possession after Martin’s death. The will was admitted to probate after a hearing in which several witnesses, including original witnesses to the will and Martin’s son, Michael, testified that it was an accurate copy. Martin’s daughter and son-in-law, Sally & William Finch, unsuccessfully contested it. Miles declined to serve as co-executor, so Martin’s widow, Martha, served as sole executrix.
[The Gilbert Family, by Billie Louise Gilbert Edlin, 1980]


The wills were not helpful in correctly identifying Polly's parents, but the will of Martin's widow did. It's in Logan Co Will Book H, p.168-9.
4 Feb 1837
Martha Gilbert left all of her estate to be divided equally among a son and two daughters, Miles G. Gilbert, Polly Duncan and her husband Richard, and Elizabeth Stanfield. Polly is also to have notes against them clear in return for my care until death; also she is to receive two slaves and their increase and clothing. Clothing also to Elizabeth. Slave Reuben is to have $20 and the right to choose with which heir he wishes to live. To Martha Grubbs, granddaughter, after the death of Polly Dunan, a slave and her increase and 1/3 of the cash on hand. To son Lucius Gilbert, all claims on my hands to be given him; he has received his portion. To granddaughter Cindarilla Kennedy, 1/3 of cash on hand. To Lehella Gilbert, daughter of Lucius, granddaughter, 1/3 of cash on hand.
Executor: Thomas G. Gooch. Signed by her mark.
Wit: Thomas G. Gooch, James M. Butler, A. W. Butler.
Probate: 26 Jan 1852.

My note: Martha's will would seem to indicate that perhaps she was a second wife to Martin, as there are several children not mentioned and Martin appeared to have provided for them at an earlier time.

Spouse	Richard C. Duncan ( - )
Child	Martha Penelope Duncan (1833 - 1921)

Father	Martin Gilbert (1760 - 1828)
Mother	Martha [Gilbert] ( - )