Individual Details
John DUNCAN
(21 Dec 1763 - 31 Dec 1834)
Some info on this family is from the Duncan book by Donald Duncan, including John's middle name. No proof that he had a middle name and that it was Pekin, so as of June, 2013, I have removed the middle name.. Some of the children had additional info in a gedcom by colortek2000@aol.com posted at ancestry.com Oct. 9, 2006. Unverified except as noted. Note, though,that the gedcom has son William H., not A., married to Dolly or Mary Duncan, with the Todd Co., KY marriage date of the other William Duncan to Mary Hollingsworth.
As of 2010, none of this line before John Pekin Duncan has been proven by this author. However, his pension papers do say his father was John Duncan and the John listed here is believed to be the right one. I also note that Thomas Osler Duncan, who is No. 288 in the Duncan book, has had a DNA test and has significant differences from the William Duncan/Ruth Rawley line, so the connection is questionable. Memoirs of George W. Duncan state his uncle helped the children back to Illinois after William and Dolly died and in 1850 Hulda was in the household of James Duncan. James was a priest in the Morman church and a priesthood genealogy, with information provided by him, stated that John Duncan and Lydia Spiller were his parents. James and William both owned land in the Nauvoo area.
1820 Franklin Co., IL:
1 m 45 & over (Before 1775) [John]
1 f 45 & over [Lydia]
3 m 18 - 25 (1794 - 1802) [James S., John Pekin, Abraham Matthew]
1 m 16 - 18 (1802 - 1804) [William]
1 m 10 - 15 (1804 - 1810) [Thomas]
1 f 10 - 15 [Emaline]
3 f under 10 (1810 - 1820) [Rachel, Mary Moore & ?Maybe Anna?]
1830 Franklin Co., IL, page 93:
1 m 60-69 (1760 - 1770) [John]
1 f 50 - 59 (1770 - 1780) [Lydia]
1 f 20 - 29 (1800 - 1810) [Emaline?]
2 f 15 - 19 (1810 - 1815) [Rachel and Mary Moore]
1 f 10 - 14 (1815 - 1820) [Maybe Anna?]
Gedcom at ancestry by Polly Boyd, pollycboyd@aol.com, posted 2 Jun 2007 has this:
"ID: I1320
Name: John P. Duncan , Jr.
Sex: M
Name: John Duncan 1
Birth: 27 DEC 1763 in Culpepper County, Virginia
Birth: 21 DEC 1763 in Culpeper, VA, USA 1
Death: 31 DEC 1834 in Benton, Franklin, Illinois
Death: 31 DEC 1834 in Franklin, IL, USA 1
Note:
August 15, 1780 John and his brother, William choose Melcher Oyler astheir legal guardian.
John was a Private in the Revolutionary War. He moved to Tennessee and then Illinois. At age 52 he served with Andrew Jackson, a neighbor, in the Battle of New Orleans.
March 5, 1833, John Duncan, Rev. Pension Application R-3126 applied for pension for his father's service. The claim was denied because service was against the Indians instead of the Revolutionary War. He stated that his mother had remarried and moved to Kentucky in 1780.
Lincoln Co. KY Deed A-331, dated October 16, 1787 John Duncan, son of John Duncan, deceased of Washington Co., VA appoint friend Thomas Sparks of Lincoln County, KY, attorney to receive from Joseph Duncan,exec. of estate of grandfather, Wm. Duncan, deceased, the sum of 24 pounds being part of my estate.
Father: John Pekin Duncan b: 23 AUG 1730 in Culpepper County, Virginia
Mother: Racheal Warren b: ABT 1734 in Orange County, Virginia
Marriage 1 Lydia Spiller b: 6 MAY 1771 in Prince William, VA, USA
Married: 10 MAR 1786 in Robertson County, Tennessee
Married: 10 MAR 1786 in Robertson, TN, USA 1
Children
Martin C Duncan b: 1788 in Robertson County , Tennessee
Melcher Jerome Duncan b: 2 FEB 1788 in Robertson County , Tennessee
Warrenton Spiller Duncan b: 14 FEB 1792 in Robertson, TN, USA
James Duncan b: 1 MAY 1794 in Robertson County , Tennessee
Abraham Duncan b: 1798 in Robertson, TN, USA
Anna Duncan b: 1800 in Robertson, TN, USA
William H Duncan b: 6 MAY 1803 in Robertson, TN, USA
Thomas J Duncan b: 22 OCT 1805 in Marion, Williamson, IL, USA
Emeline Duncan b: 1811 in Robertson County, Tennessee
Rachel Duncan b: 1813 in Marion, Franklin, IL, USA
Mary Moore Duncan b: 1 MAY 1814 in Marion, Franklin, IL, USA
Sources:
Title: OneWorldTree"
John Duncan Pension No. R-3126
Entire original pension file is in my files.
State of Illinois ) March term of the County Commissioners Court of the
) ss county and State aforesaid AD 1833
Franklin County )
On this 5th day of March in the year of our Lord 1833 personaly appeared in open court before the commissioners being judges of the said court in and for the county of Franklin and State of Illinois now sitting - John Duncan a resident of said county and State of Illinois aged about seventy years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. He was born in Culpepper County State of Virginia, to the best of his recollection, about 1763. There was once a record of his age, but his father having been killed by the Indians in 1772 or 3, his sister took the bible containing the record of his age, which has been destroyed. His father moved to Washington County on the frontier of Virginia in 1771 or 2 and was killed in about twelve months after by the Indians. He states that the whole neighborhood were forted up at Duncan's fort, his father's residence and after his father was killed, they employed one James Green to spy out two or 3 times a week ten or 15 miles around the fort, that as he left the fort on one of those excursions he had not proceeded more than a mile until he was fired at by the Indians & returned immediately when collecting a force and himself among the rest. they pursued the Indians some distance until they scattered so that ____
End of page
could trail them no farther, when they returned without effecting anything. His mother married again & moved to Kentucky some time in the year 178? just before the battle of the Blue Lick where Cols Todd Trigg and Daniel Boone?s son were killed. He stated he was ordered to the Blue Lick but being tired & just off a long journey in moving he did not go But was immediately ordered out to guard the fort in which service he was employed two months. He had no officer but was employed as a spy in guarding & protecting the fort mostly English station. He then moved to Tennessee about two years after & shortly after went back to Kentucky and joined Gene Clark?s expedition against the Indians as a substitute for William Mannyfield. He marched from the falls of Ohio, where he joined the expeditions to Post Vincent now Vincennes. They found the post occupied by French & 30 or 40 Indians and took the Indians prisoners. He then returned home and was again employed in a tour of two months service as a spy and guard on Red River in Tennessee in which service he had no skirmish or encoutre [encounter] with the Indians. He volunteered again the year he does not now recollect under Capt John Rains in an expedition undertaken by him & Capt. Thomas Johnson against the Indians. They raised 80 or 90 men & marched down Elk River (?) for some distance crossed over and were about
End of page
____ _____ when they discovered Indian sign they camped however onDuck River that night and next morning it being thought advisable he with 8 or 9 others volunteered as spies. While creeping through the thick cain [sic] they came upon the Indian encampment and one of the spies fired on & killed one of the Indians. The forces coming up & the Indians being dispersed, they returned home. He was again ordered out for two months as a spy near Palmyra on Cumberland River. He served 40 days when returning home to look after his family he hired his brother to serve the remaining 20 days. Subsequently again he was ordered out in a light horse company to Nashville in Tennessee & there go in pursuit of the Indians under the command of Col. Robert Hays under an apprehension from the report of one Durock and a half breed that the Indians intended attacking & taking Nashville but the Indians not making the attack at that time. Genl Robinson ordered the men to return home but to be ready at a minutes warning. A few nights afte rhe received a summons to repair immediately to Nashville & started next morning but when he arrived the Indians were gone. They however had attacked Buchanan?s Station on Mill Creek near Nashville
End of page
The Indians were about 6 or 700 strong; the Station about 30. The Indians approached in the evening & demanded who commanded the fort &upon being told demanded the gates to be opened & upon refusal commenced firing. They fought all night but no lives were lost in the fort. One Indian rushed up with a torch to fire the fort & was killed, the only one the whites found though they thought from the sign they killed a great many more. The Indians were commanded by Double head. He was again employed in an expedition down Cumberland River for the purpose of burying Col. Montgomery and Evan Shabby who had been killed by the Indians nothing transpiring worthy of note. He was again ordered down to the mouth of Cumberland to guard up some boats and in performing this service nothing occurred worthy of note.At another time the Indians came into his neighbourhood, killed a young lady & took some horses. He with others immediately pursued but were unable to overtake them on account of high water. He was engaged in many more similar expeditions and in like service for many years,always being prompt and ready at his country?s call, living in a country in a constant state of alarm, and liable to be called on at any moment.
End of page
He never was regularly mustered into or out of service. He never was discharged regularly. He received some little pay but does not now recollect how much. He is unacquainted with the names of any Regular or Continental officers or companies nor ever served with any unless some of the above named may be termed as such.. He never was regularly enrolled in any company or corps unless it might be Genl Clarks or Col. Hays. He belonged to none at home. He has no documentary evidence of his service: he knows of no living witness who can testify personally as to his service or as to the events of the period & the history he has related. But Col. Thomas M. Dorriss & Dempsey Odum citizens & his neighbours can testify as to the tradition of his services and the events of the period and also to the general belief of his services in the neighborhood. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension role of the agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
John Duncan
His mark
We Dempsey Odum a clergyman residing in the county of Franklin and Thomas M. Dorriss residing in the same do certify that we are well acquainted with John Duncan, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declarations , that we believe him to be seventy years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier during the time of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Signed Dempsey Odum and Thos. M. Dorriss.
NOTE: Part of the right hand side of this document was not copied. The entire thing is a very bad copy with a lot of dark background. Cop yobtained from Martha Smart. In June, 2007, I obtained the entire pension file with good copies and have completed the transcription.
Transcribed with spelling errors as they appear in the document.
The file indicates that a pension certificate was issued 25 Sep 1833 for payment of $21.66 per annum to commence on 4 Mar 1834.
Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of this 7th July 1838. Entitled an act granting half pay and pentions to certain widdows.
State of Illinois )
) SS
Williamson County)
On this 7th day of September One thousand Eight hundred and forty one personally apeard before the County Commissioner Court of Williamson County Lydia Duncan, Resident of the State of Illinois and County of Williamson afore said aged Seventy years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838 Entitled an act granting half pay and pentions to certain widdows. that she is the widdow of John Duncan, Deceased who was a private in the Army of the Revolution war and that he is the Identical person named in a Certificate herewith Enclosed signed by Lewis Cass (sp?)then Secretary of War and __________ and Counter signed by I. Lewis Cass Commissioner of pentions which Certificate bears date this first day of November 1833.
End of page (missing page?)
and that she has no other proof as to the time he entered the service than is to be found on the Records of the Department to which she therefore craves leave to Refer. She further declares that she has no family Record to refer to having had her house burned and the record in it many years ago; that she was married to the said John Duncan after he left the service of the United States but previous to the first day of January 1794, that is to say on the 10th day of March One thousand Seven hundred & Eighty six in Roberson County, State of Tennessee by John Grammer a Clergyman and that she has never been married to any other person but the one above mentioned. She further Declares that She does not know how to get the Record of her marriage from Tennessee for they were married by a clergyman publishing the Bannes of Matrimony without Lisons. She further Declares that her sd husband John Duncan died on the 31st day of December One thousand Eight hundred and Thirty four in the County of Franklin and State of Illinois but since his death the County of Franklin has been divided into Franklin and Williamson Counties in which Latter County she now resides.
End of page.
And further this deponant saith not.
Sworn to and Subscribed on the day and year above written before me_________ D. Davies, Clk.
Signed by Lydia Duncan, her mark
State of Illinois )
) set
County of Williamson)
This day personally appeared in open court before the County Commissioners Court in and for the County of Williamson and State of Illinois William Spiller Senior, aged seventy two years who is a Resident of Williamson and State of Illinois and who being duly sworn according to Law doth upon his oath state that he is well acquainted with Lydia Duncan who subscribed the above Declaration and do positively know her to be the widdow of John Duncan Deceased who was a private in the army of the Revolution and drew a pention as such that the sd Lydia Duncan was Lawfully married to the sd John Duncan in his presence in the year 1786.
End of page.
In Roberson County in the State of Tennessee and that the sd Lydia Duncan has never been married since the Deth [sic] of her aforesaid Husband. He further declares that the said Lydia Duncan has been a Resident of Williamson County formerly Franklin County upwards of Twenty years and the Deponant further states that the sd Lydia Duncan is about Seventy years of age and is very Feble [sic] and infirm and that the aforesaid John Duncan Dyed to the best of his belief in the year 1834 in Franklin County but now is Williamson County. Sworn to and subscribed in open court this 7th day September 1841.
Signed Wm Spiller
Attest Thomas D. Davis, Clk.
State of Illinois }
Williamson County } ss
I Thomas D. Davis Clerk of the County commissioners court of Williamson County and State of Illinois do hereby certify that the foregoing Declaration of Lydia Duncan and the affidavit of William Spiller Senior are the true and original proceedings before said court.
End of page.
In the matter of the application of Lydia Duncan for a pension.
I also certify that William Spiller Senior is a man of known respectability and has resided where he now resides for upwards of Twenty years. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my private seal there being no public seal of office provided for sd County. Done at Marion this 7th day September 1841
Thomas D. Davis, Clk. C.C.C. ?
State of Illinois }
Williamson County } ss
We F. F. Duncan, Joab Goodall and John N. Calbert [sic] County Commissioners of Williamson County do hereby Certify that Thomas D.Davis whose name is subscribed to the above certificate is and was at the time of appearing the same Clerk of the County Commissioners Court of Williamson County and as such full faith under and of right ought to be . Witness our hands. F. F. Duncan, Joab Goodall, John N.Calvert.
End of page.
Williamson County Ills
Claim of Lydia Duncan
Revolutionary Pension
Power of Attorney from
Thomas Duncan one of the heirs.
Revolutionary
Act 7 July 1838
Lydia Duncan, Widow of John
Illinois- Rejected
Power of Attorney to examine Papers.
Chs. C. Tucker, Atty.
3 Aug. 53. Present
Know all men by these presents that I Thomas J. Duncan of the County of Williamson and State of Illinois, do hereby constitute and appoint Charles C. Tucker of Washington City, DC my true and lawful agent and Attorney to prosecute the claim of Lydia Duncan widow of John Duncan for any amount of Revolutionary Pension or increase of pension that may be due under the provisions of the Act of 3 February AD 1853 or any other Act or Resolution of Congress and I hereby authorize my said Attorney to examine all papers and documents in relation to said claim on file in the Department at Washington City or elsewhere to file additional papers evidence or arguments and to receive the certificate which may be issued for said to claim and to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present hereby notifying and confirming all that my said attorney may lawfully do in the ___________.
Witness my hand and seal this 20th day of July AD 1854
Signed in presence of John ___ Loudon by Thomas J. Duncan
Balance of this page and the next two are affidavits and certifications of Thomas J. Duncan, including a clear signature ofhis. No further new information.
There are several typed letters in file that are cover letters to various people who requested information from the file. To summarize:
This is the only John Duncan found in the Revolutionary War records.He lived at one time in Kentucky and moved from there to the State of Illinois. He was born about 1765 in Culpeper County, Virginia; the names of his parents are not shown. His father moved in 1771 or 1772 to Washington County, on the frontier of Virginia, where his residence was called Duncan?s Fort, and was killed by the Indians about twelve months after moving to that place. His mother married again and moved to Kentucky sometime in the year 1780, the name of her second husband not given.
John Duncan enlisted in 1779, place not stated, and served at various times as private, spy and guard, until many years after the Revolutionary War, probably one year in all; he served under Captain Price and Colonel Barnett in General Clark's expedition to Post Vincent (later called Vincennes) [John Duncan stated that was in 1779], and under Captains John Rains, Benjamin McIntosh and Colonel Robert Hanes, in expeditions on the Red River in Tennessee, near Palmyra on the Cumberland River, and on two other expeditions down the Cumberland River, also, many other short tours in the Indian warfare.There are references to the soldier's brother and sister, but their names and places of residence were not given. They show no land granted and referred a requestor to the state from which the soldier served.
In the "Nonselected Records" that were received is another affidavit by John Duncan, as follows:
State of Illinois }
Franklin County } ss
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in & for the county and state aforesaid John Duncan who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith that by reasons of old age and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades: For one month under Capt. Price in the expedition under Genl Clark to Post Vincent now Vincennes in the 1779.Barnett was my Colonel. I served as a private (substitute for William Mannyfield) for two months as a spy & guards on Red River in Tennessee. I had no officer nor was I with any corps. For fifteen days under Capt. John Rains I served as a private ______ for forty days as a spy near Palmyra on Cumberland River in the 179? (number written over and very dark). I had no officer nor was I with any corps. For two months under Col. Hays (the Capt.s name I do not recollect) at the time Buchanan _____ near Nashville, was attached in the year 177? And served as a private for a month under Capt Benjamin McIntosh in the expedition down Cumberland River to bury Col. Montgomery & Even Shelby in the year 1782?. I served as a private. For one month under Capt.Benjamin McIntosh in the expedition down Cumberland River to guard up the boats in the year 178? I served as a private And for such service I claim a pension.
John Duncan (His mark)
Sworn to & subscribed to before me such Justice as aforesaid this 23rd day of May 1833. Thos. M. Davis.
Note that the years in the above were added, interlined, where I have inserted them. A later letter states that those were added later at the request of the pension department, but due to the soldier's loss of memory due to age, he was unable to state those dates positively.
Pen. Office
Oct. 1, 1841
Sir,
The papers in the case of Mrs. Lydia Duncan widow of John Duncan, decd have been examined and upon referring to her husband?s declaration under Act of 7 June 1832, it is found that his alleged service was principally after the termination of the revolutionary war or was of that character not provided for by the act of 7 June 1832. Had the Dept. been in possession of the information which it now has the claim under that act would not have been allowed. The first time of two months is alleged to have been performed in 1780 about the time of the Battle of the Blue Licks in Kentucky, and in two years thereafter he again performed a time of service. The battle of the Blue Licks took place in 1782, consequently the other alleged service was after the termination of the revolutionary war and no provision is made by the pension laws for such service. The claimant is consequently not entitled to a pension.
Apparently sent to Mr. F. F. Duncan, Marian, Ill.
On 7 July 2010, the following was found at ancestry.com, following an email exchange with Julie Duncan Wilbur, daughter of Willard Duncan. She has posted a public tree: http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/10789198/person/-70523892/media/1
"The Huge Duncan Wagon Train" Kobweb Korners Edition 1818-1968"
, Kobweb Korners page 20-21
THE HUDGE DUNCAN WAGON TRAIN
"One factor in the report of the malitary record of Revolutianary Soldier, John Duncan, was omitted in the last chapter. John Duncan was a cousin of the famous George Rogers Clark. Since Mr. Duncan was serving under Clark he became intimately acquainted with Southern Illinois.
Before becoming a permanent settler in Illinois, young John made several trips back to Southern Illinois, one in 187, as a Franklin County minute book shows $62.50 delivered to him on a note of George Toben. Many thing it was perhaps he who led some of the early settlers here, perhaps his relatives the Jordan's and browning's when they established Frank Jordan's fort in 1804.
In 1815 Duncan of Logan County, Kentucky and the Tennesseans of Robertson County, and vicinities having heard so much of the great Illinois Country, began making preparations for a wagon train to follow their relatives and friends. The wome dried meats and vegetables, gathered seeds, wove cloth for clothing, and gathered all other things necessary to begin a new life. Twelve snow-white shepherd dogs were trained by the men to attack the Indians and for protection of the settlers on their trip. They were one year making their preparations, starting in the summer of 1816, with over 200 wagons in their train. Among them were John and Lydia and John's two brothers, William and Martin and families. Their trip was pleasant and all went well. No Indians were encountered.
For a long time I have been anxious to learn the particulars of wagon trains through our part of the country in early days. I imagined that there might have been as many as a dozen wagons in some trains. Consider my surprise and pleasure to come by some account of such a large train and of so many individuals who made great contributions to the developent of Illinois before and after its being admitted into the Union.
On reaching Southern Illinois, the pioneers separated, going to different settlements where their relatives were, before choosing sites for their own homes. The Duncans probably went to Kaskaskia first, as many old timers eard John's youngest daughter, Mary wife of Jacob Hunter, refered to as "Aunt Pop", tell how she remembered crossing the Okaw River (now called Kaskaskia) on horseback with her mother. "Aunt Pop" was only two years old at the time.
A cousin of John, Mathew Duncan, settled at Kaskaskia, where he published Illinis first newspaper. "The Illinois Herald", in 1814. The story back of that event in the history of Illinois is that since Ninian Edwards, the Territorial Governor of Illinis, had a certain amount of printing to be done, and sincde there were no printers in Illinois, and again since borth Governor Edwards and Mathew Duncan came from Logan Country, Ky., it was natural that the printing was given to the Governor's friend Duncan. Mathew, being alert to opportunity, recognized the advantage of being nearer to the need, naturally went to Kaskaskia and made newspaper history.
Some of the Duncans went to Brownsville, where another cousin, Joseph Duncan (later to become an Illinois Governor) lived. a relative of Johns wife, Elija Spiller, remained in Brownsville for some time, running a ferry in the vicinity. Many of the family then returned to Franklin County and and perhaps stayed for a time at Phelps Fort, just west of Marion, near the site of what is now Bainbridge. Some of the Spilles remained here, as Mrs. Duncan's father, Warrenton King Spiller, was one of the early storekeepers there. John and this brother Martin remained in Franklin Country and were in the first Illinois Census of 1818, but their brother Willis returned to Kentucky. John made his land grant in 1820.
Of the fourteen Children of John and Lydia Duncan, Warrenton Spiller Duncan served as sheriff of Franklin County, 1828-1833. Wm. R. Duncan was Franklin County's Commissioner in 1838. Three sons James Wm H. and Abraham, served in the Black Hawk War, enlisting the same day June 15, 1832.
When the new County of Williamson was carved out of Franklin County, the Duncans took an active part. Mrs. Duncans's sister Bethany. was the wife of William Benson, for who Williamson County was named and it was in their home, which served as a hotel, the first court of the..........
EnlowSearcher added this on 13 May 2010 Mo_Reen originally submitted this to Family of Maureen Morris on 31 Mar 2010 Biography of the Duncan of Southern Illinois
Following are comments also posted to this page:
Mo_Reen added this on 8 Jul 2010.
It is said that the wagon train crossed the Ohio River, for two reasons, 1) this was the only available ferry at the time and it was near Shawneetown one of our earliest settlements, 2) During the march of Gen George Rogers Clark's men on their Western Campaign, once they crossed the Mississippi River at the Old Ft Massac site and before you enter into the Shawnee Forest area; there are the SWAMP LANDS!!...they knew not to try to take wagons along this route! Again, some of these men in the wagon train had been to Southern Illinois before. Added Note: The Old Shawneetown Trail, which connected this settlement and Kaskaskia on the Mississippi River, travels very near to Eldorado, then into Franklin County, and on to the area later know as Williamson County.
"The Wagon Train"
Mo_Reen added this on 8 Jul 2010
I would think that it would be reasonable to assume that the written history would follow the people that were making history. Of course it would be found in Southern Illinois...this is where the families settled and told the story for generation to their decedents...seem quite plausible. Thank you for the follow up confirmation. Maureen Morris
wagon train
TOMPOPHAM added this on 6 Jul 2010
Your point?
wagon train errors
EnlowSearcher added this on 6 Jul 2010
I found no mention of a "wagon train" in the book entitled CHRONICLES OF ROBERTSON COUNTY, AS APPEARS IN SPRINGFIELD RECORD AUGUST, 1902 by Mrs. Archie Thomas, assisted by Judge John E. Garner and W. W. Pepper. Below is information found on the internet: The link below is entitled: FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS, 1818-1997 by Franklin County Historical Society. I searched on the words spiller and robertson and phrase "wagon train" which led me to p. 154. http://books.google.com/books?id=xKEAfUI8hg4C&dq=%22wagon+train%22+robertson+spiller&source=gbs_navlinks_s The link below is entitled: Kobweb Korners : a network of history and tradition relating to Eldorado and southern Illinois by T. Leo Dodd Pages 46-47 mention a wagon train http://libsysdigi.library.uiuc.edu/OCA/Books2009-06/kobwebkornersnet00dodd/kobwebkornersnet00dodd.pdf Below is another link to above title: http://hdl.handle.net/10111/UIUCOCA:kobwebkornersnet00dodd Frankie King Librarian-TSLA The Robertson Co, TN historian (she has researched this county for 30 years) told me that there is no mention of this wagon train in any of their history. She stated that it is only been mentioned in S IL history. That sounded like too many people at that time leaving the county. Another group of families went to another IL county with a train of 15 wagons.
As of 2010, none of this line before John Pekin Duncan has been proven by this author. However, his pension papers do say his father was John Duncan and the John listed here is believed to be the right one. I also note that Thomas Osler Duncan, who is No. 288 in the Duncan book, has had a DNA test and has significant differences from the William Duncan/Ruth Rawley line, so the connection is questionable. Memoirs of George W. Duncan state his uncle helped the children back to Illinois after William and Dolly died and in 1850 Hulda was in the household of James Duncan. James was a priest in the Morman church and a priesthood genealogy, with information provided by him, stated that John Duncan and Lydia Spiller were his parents. James and William both owned land in the Nauvoo area.
1820 Franklin Co., IL:
1 m 45 & over (Before 1775) [John]
1 f 45 & over [Lydia]
3 m 18 - 25 (1794 - 1802) [James S., John Pekin, Abraham Matthew]
1 m 16 - 18 (1802 - 1804) [William]
1 m 10 - 15 (1804 - 1810) [Thomas]
1 f 10 - 15 [Emaline]
3 f under 10 (1810 - 1820) [Rachel, Mary Moore & ?Maybe Anna?]
1830 Franklin Co., IL, page 93:
1 m 60-69 (1760 - 1770) [John]
1 f 50 - 59 (1770 - 1780) [Lydia]
1 f 20 - 29 (1800 - 1810) [Emaline?]
2 f 15 - 19 (1810 - 1815) [Rachel and Mary Moore]
1 f 10 - 14 (1815 - 1820) [Maybe Anna?]
Gedcom at ancestry by Polly Boyd, pollycboyd@aol.com, posted 2 Jun 2007 has this:
"ID: I1320
Name: John P. Duncan , Jr.
Sex: M
Name: John Duncan 1
Birth: 27 DEC 1763 in Culpepper County, Virginia
Birth: 21 DEC 1763 in Culpeper, VA, USA 1
Death: 31 DEC 1834 in Benton, Franklin, Illinois
Death: 31 DEC 1834 in Franklin, IL, USA 1
Note:
August 15, 1780 John and his brother, William choose Melcher Oyler astheir legal guardian.
John was a Private in the Revolutionary War. He moved to Tennessee and then Illinois. At age 52 he served with Andrew Jackson, a neighbor, in the Battle of New Orleans.
March 5, 1833, John Duncan, Rev. Pension Application R-3126 applied for pension for his father's service. The claim was denied because service was against the Indians instead of the Revolutionary War. He stated that his mother had remarried and moved to Kentucky in 1780.
Lincoln Co. KY Deed A-331, dated October 16, 1787 John Duncan, son of John Duncan, deceased of Washington Co., VA appoint friend Thomas Sparks of Lincoln County, KY, attorney to receive from Joseph Duncan,exec. of estate of grandfather, Wm. Duncan, deceased, the sum of 24 pounds being part of my estate.
Father: John Pekin Duncan b: 23 AUG 1730 in Culpepper County, Virginia
Mother: Racheal Warren b: ABT 1734 in Orange County, Virginia
Marriage 1 Lydia Spiller b: 6 MAY 1771 in Prince William, VA, USA
Married: 10 MAR 1786 in Robertson County, Tennessee
Married: 10 MAR 1786 in Robertson, TN, USA 1
Children
Martin C Duncan b: 1788 in Robertson County , Tennessee
Melcher Jerome Duncan b: 2 FEB 1788 in Robertson County , Tennessee
Warrenton Spiller Duncan b: 14 FEB 1792 in Robertson, TN, USA
James Duncan b: 1 MAY 1794 in Robertson County , Tennessee
Abraham Duncan b: 1798 in Robertson, TN, USA
Anna Duncan b: 1800 in Robertson, TN, USA
William H Duncan b: 6 MAY 1803 in Robertson, TN, USA
Thomas J Duncan b: 22 OCT 1805 in Marion, Williamson, IL, USA
Emeline Duncan b: 1811 in Robertson County, Tennessee
Rachel Duncan b: 1813 in Marion, Franklin, IL, USA
Mary Moore Duncan b: 1 MAY 1814 in Marion, Franklin, IL, USA
Sources:
Title: OneWorldTree"
John Duncan Pension No. R-3126
Entire original pension file is in my files.
State of Illinois ) March term of the County Commissioners Court of the
) ss county and State aforesaid AD 1833
Franklin County )
On this 5th day of March in the year of our Lord 1833 personaly appeared in open court before the commissioners being judges of the said court in and for the county of Franklin and State of Illinois now sitting - John Duncan a resident of said county and State of Illinois aged about seventy years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. He was born in Culpepper County State of Virginia, to the best of his recollection, about 1763. There was once a record of his age, but his father having been killed by the Indians in 1772 or 3, his sister took the bible containing the record of his age, which has been destroyed. His father moved to Washington County on the frontier of Virginia in 1771 or 2 and was killed in about twelve months after by the Indians. He states that the whole neighborhood were forted up at Duncan's fort, his father's residence and after his father was killed, they employed one James Green to spy out two or 3 times a week ten or 15 miles around the fort, that as he left the fort on one of those excursions he had not proceeded more than a mile until he was fired at by the Indians & returned immediately when collecting a force and himself among the rest. they pursued the Indians some distance until they scattered so that ____
End of page
could trail them no farther, when they returned without effecting anything. His mother married again & moved to Kentucky some time in the year 178? just before the battle of the Blue Lick where Cols Todd Trigg and Daniel Boone?s son were killed. He stated he was ordered to the Blue Lick but being tired & just off a long journey in moving he did not go But was immediately ordered out to guard the fort in which service he was employed two months. He had no officer but was employed as a spy in guarding & protecting the fort mostly English station. He then moved to Tennessee about two years after & shortly after went back to Kentucky and joined Gene Clark?s expedition against the Indians as a substitute for William Mannyfield. He marched from the falls of Ohio, where he joined the expeditions to Post Vincent now Vincennes. They found the post occupied by French & 30 or 40 Indians and took the Indians prisoners. He then returned home and was again employed in a tour of two months service as a spy and guard on Red River in Tennessee in which service he had no skirmish or encoutre [encounter] with the Indians. He volunteered again the year he does not now recollect under Capt John Rains in an expedition undertaken by him & Capt. Thomas Johnson against the Indians. They raised 80 or 90 men & marched down Elk River (?) for some distance crossed over and were about
End of page
____ _____ when they discovered Indian sign they camped however onDuck River that night and next morning it being thought advisable he with 8 or 9 others volunteered as spies. While creeping through the thick cain [sic] they came upon the Indian encampment and one of the spies fired on & killed one of the Indians. The forces coming up & the Indians being dispersed, they returned home. He was again ordered out for two months as a spy near Palmyra on Cumberland River. He served 40 days when returning home to look after his family he hired his brother to serve the remaining 20 days. Subsequently again he was ordered out in a light horse company to Nashville in Tennessee & there go in pursuit of the Indians under the command of Col. Robert Hays under an apprehension from the report of one Durock and a half breed that the Indians intended attacking & taking Nashville but the Indians not making the attack at that time. Genl Robinson ordered the men to return home but to be ready at a minutes warning. A few nights afte rhe received a summons to repair immediately to Nashville & started next morning but when he arrived the Indians were gone. They however had attacked Buchanan?s Station on Mill Creek near Nashville
End of page
The Indians were about 6 or 700 strong; the Station about 30. The Indians approached in the evening & demanded who commanded the fort &upon being told demanded the gates to be opened & upon refusal commenced firing. They fought all night but no lives were lost in the fort. One Indian rushed up with a torch to fire the fort & was killed, the only one the whites found though they thought from the sign they killed a great many more. The Indians were commanded by Double head. He was again employed in an expedition down Cumberland River for the purpose of burying Col. Montgomery and Evan Shabby who had been killed by the Indians nothing transpiring worthy of note. He was again ordered down to the mouth of Cumberland to guard up some boats and in performing this service nothing occurred worthy of note.At another time the Indians came into his neighbourhood, killed a young lady & took some horses. He with others immediately pursued but were unable to overtake them on account of high water. He was engaged in many more similar expeditions and in like service for many years,always being prompt and ready at his country?s call, living in a country in a constant state of alarm, and liable to be called on at any moment.
End of page
He never was regularly mustered into or out of service. He never was discharged regularly. He received some little pay but does not now recollect how much. He is unacquainted with the names of any Regular or Continental officers or companies nor ever served with any unless some of the above named may be termed as such.. He never was regularly enrolled in any company or corps unless it might be Genl Clarks or Col. Hays. He belonged to none at home. He has no documentary evidence of his service: he knows of no living witness who can testify personally as to his service or as to the events of the period & the history he has related. But Col. Thomas M. Dorriss & Dempsey Odum citizens & his neighbours can testify as to the tradition of his services and the events of the period and also to the general belief of his services in the neighborhood. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension role of the agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
John Duncan
His mark
We Dempsey Odum a clergyman residing in the county of Franklin and Thomas M. Dorriss residing in the same do certify that we are well acquainted with John Duncan, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declarations , that we believe him to be seventy years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier during the time of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Signed Dempsey Odum and Thos. M. Dorriss.
NOTE: Part of the right hand side of this document was not copied. The entire thing is a very bad copy with a lot of dark background. Cop yobtained from Martha Smart. In June, 2007, I obtained the entire pension file with good copies and have completed the transcription.
Transcribed with spelling errors as they appear in the document.
The file indicates that a pension certificate was issued 25 Sep 1833 for payment of $21.66 per annum to commence on 4 Mar 1834.
Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of this 7th July 1838. Entitled an act granting half pay and pentions to certain widdows.
State of Illinois )
) SS
Williamson County)
On this 7th day of September One thousand Eight hundred and forty one personally apeard before the County Commissioner Court of Williamson County Lydia Duncan, Resident of the State of Illinois and County of Williamson afore said aged Seventy years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838 Entitled an act granting half pay and pentions to certain widdows. that she is the widdow of John Duncan, Deceased who was a private in the Army of the Revolution war and that he is the Identical person named in a Certificate herewith Enclosed signed by Lewis Cass (sp?)then Secretary of War and __________ and Counter signed by I. Lewis Cass Commissioner of pentions which Certificate bears date this first day of November 1833.
End of page (missing page?)
and that she has no other proof as to the time he entered the service than is to be found on the Records of the Department to which she therefore craves leave to Refer. She further declares that she has no family Record to refer to having had her house burned and the record in it many years ago; that she was married to the said John Duncan after he left the service of the United States but previous to the first day of January 1794, that is to say on the 10th day of March One thousand Seven hundred & Eighty six in Roberson County, State of Tennessee by John Grammer a Clergyman and that she has never been married to any other person but the one above mentioned. She further Declares that She does not know how to get the Record of her marriage from Tennessee for they were married by a clergyman publishing the Bannes of Matrimony without Lisons. She further Declares that her sd husband John Duncan died on the 31st day of December One thousand Eight hundred and Thirty four in the County of Franklin and State of Illinois but since his death the County of Franklin has been divided into Franklin and Williamson Counties in which Latter County she now resides.
End of page.
And further this deponant saith not.
Sworn to and Subscribed on the day and year above written before me_________ D. Davies, Clk.
Signed by Lydia Duncan, her mark
State of Illinois )
) set
County of Williamson)
This day personally appeared in open court before the County Commissioners Court in and for the County of Williamson and State of Illinois William Spiller Senior, aged seventy two years who is a Resident of Williamson and State of Illinois and who being duly sworn according to Law doth upon his oath state that he is well acquainted with Lydia Duncan who subscribed the above Declaration and do positively know her to be the widdow of John Duncan Deceased who was a private in the army of the Revolution and drew a pention as such that the sd Lydia Duncan was Lawfully married to the sd John Duncan in his presence in the year 1786.
End of page.
In Roberson County in the State of Tennessee and that the sd Lydia Duncan has never been married since the Deth [sic] of her aforesaid Husband. He further declares that the said Lydia Duncan has been a Resident of Williamson County formerly Franklin County upwards of Twenty years and the Deponant further states that the sd Lydia Duncan is about Seventy years of age and is very Feble [sic] and infirm and that the aforesaid John Duncan Dyed to the best of his belief in the year 1834 in Franklin County but now is Williamson County. Sworn to and subscribed in open court this 7th day September 1841.
Signed Wm Spiller
Attest Thomas D. Davis, Clk.
State of Illinois }
Williamson County } ss
I Thomas D. Davis Clerk of the County commissioners court of Williamson County and State of Illinois do hereby certify that the foregoing Declaration of Lydia Duncan and the affidavit of William Spiller Senior are the true and original proceedings before said court.
End of page.
In the matter of the application of Lydia Duncan for a pension.
I also certify that William Spiller Senior is a man of known respectability and has resided where he now resides for upwards of Twenty years. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my private seal there being no public seal of office provided for sd County. Done at Marion this 7th day September 1841
Thomas D. Davis, Clk. C.C.C. ?
State of Illinois }
Williamson County } ss
We F. F. Duncan, Joab Goodall and John N. Calbert [sic] County Commissioners of Williamson County do hereby Certify that Thomas D.Davis whose name is subscribed to the above certificate is and was at the time of appearing the same Clerk of the County Commissioners Court of Williamson County and as such full faith under and of right ought to be . Witness our hands. F. F. Duncan, Joab Goodall, John N.Calvert.
End of page.
Williamson County Ills
Claim of Lydia Duncan
Revolutionary Pension
Power of Attorney from
Thomas Duncan one of the heirs.
Revolutionary
Act 7 July 1838
Lydia Duncan, Widow of John
Illinois- Rejected
Power of Attorney to examine Papers.
Chs. C. Tucker, Atty.
3 Aug. 53. Present
Know all men by these presents that I Thomas J. Duncan of the County of Williamson and State of Illinois, do hereby constitute and appoint Charles C. Tucker of Washington City, DC my true and lawful agent and Attorney to prosecute the claim of Lydia Duncan widow of John Duncan for any amount of Revolutionary Pension or increase of pension that may be due under the provisions of the Act of 3 February AD 1853 or any other Act or Resolution of Congress and I hereby authorize my said Attorney to examine all papers and documents in relation to said claim on file in the Department at Washington City or elsewhere to file additional papers evidence or arguments and to receive the certificate which may be issued for said to claim and to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present hereby notifying and confirming all that my said attorney may lawfully do in the ___________.
Witness my hand and seal this 20th day of July AD 1854
Signed in presence of John ___ Loudon by Thomas J. Duncan
Balance of this page and the next two are affidavits and certifications of Thomas J. Duncan, including a clear signature ofhis. No further new information.
There are several typed letters in file that are cover letters to various people who requested information from the file. To summarize:
This is the only John Duncan found in the Revolutionary War records.He lived at one time in Kentucky and moved from there to the State of Illinois. He was born about 1765 in Culpeper County, Virginia; the names of his parents are not shown. His father moved in 1771 or 1772 to Washington County, on the frontier of Virginia, where his residence was called Duncan?s Fort, and was killed by the Indians about twelve months after moving to that place. His mother married again and moved to Kentucky sometime in the year 1780, the name of her second husband not given.
John Duncan enlisted in 1779, place not stated, and served at various times as private, spy and guard, until many years after the Revolutionary War, probably one year in all; he served under Captain Price and Colonel Barnett in General Clark's expedition to Post Vincent (later called Vincennes) [John Duncan stated that was in 1779], and under Captains John Rains, Benjamin McIntosh and Colonel Robert Hanes, in expeditions on the Red River in Tennessee, near Palmyra on the Cumberland River, and on two other expeditions down the Cumberland River, also, many other short tours in the Indian warfare.There are references to the soldier's brother and sister, but their names and places of residence were not given. They show no land granted and referred a requestor to the state from which the soldier served.
In the "Nonselected Records" that were received is another affidavit by John Duncan, as follows:
State of Illinois }
Franklin County } ss
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in & for the county and state aforesaid John Duncan who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith that by reasons of old age and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades: For one month under Capt. Price in the expedition under Genl Clark to Post Vincent now Vincennes in the 1779.Barnett was my Colonel. I served as a private (substitute for William Mannyfield) for two months as a spy & guards on Red River in Tennessee. I had no officer nor was I with any corps. For fifteen days under Capt. John Rains I served as a private ______ for forty days as a spy near Palmyra on Cumberland River in the 179? (number written over and very dark). I had no officer nor was I with any corps. For two months under Col. Hays (the Capt.s name I do not recollect) at the time Buchanan _____ near Nashville, was attached in the year 177? And served as a private for a month under Capt Benjamin McIntosh in the expedition down Cumberland River to bury Col. Montgomery & Even Shelby in the year 1782?. I served as a private. For one month under Capt.Benjamin McIntosh in the expedition down Cumberland River to guard up the boats in the year 178? I served as a private And for such service I claim a pension.
John Duncan (His mark)
Sworn to & subscribed to before me such Justice as aforesaid this 23rd day of May 1833. Thos. M. Davis.
Note that the years in the above were added, interlined, where I have inserted them. A later letter states that those were added later at the request of the pension department, but due to the soldier's loss of memory due to age, he was unable to state those dates positively.
Pen. Office
Oct. 1, 1841
Sir,
The papers in the case of Mrs. Lydia Duncan widow of John Duncan, decd have been examined and upon referring to her husband?s declaration under Act of 7 June 1832, it is found that his alleged service was principally after the termination of the revolutionary war or was of that character not provided for by the act of 7 June 1832. Had the Dept. been in possession of the information which it now has the claim under that act would not have been allowed. The first time of two months is alleged to have been performed in 1780 about the time of the Battle of the Blue Licks in Kentucky, and in two years thereafter he again performed a time of service. The battle of the Blue Licks took place in 1782, consequently the other alleged service was after the termination of the revolutionary war and no provision is made by the pension laws for such service. The claimant is consequently not entitled to a pension.
Apparently sent to Mr. F. F. Duncan, Marian, Ill.
On 7 July 2010, the following was found at ancestry.com, following an email exchange with Julie Duncan Wilbur, daughter of Willard Duncan. She has posted a public tree: http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/10789198/person/-70523892/media/1
"The Huge Duncan Wagon Train" Kobweb Korners Edition 1818-1968"
, Kobweb Korners page 20-21
THE HUDGE DUNCAN WAGON TRAIN
"One factor in the report of the malitary record of Revolutianary Soldier, John Duncan, was omitted in the last chapter. John Duncan was a cousin of the famous George Rogers Clark. Since Mr. Duncan was serving under Clark he became intimately acquainted with Southern Illinois.
Before becoming a permanent settler in Illinois, young John made several trips back to Southern Illinois, one in 187, as a Franklin County minute book shows $62.50 delivered to him on a note of George Toben. Many thing it was perhaps he who led some of the early settlers here, perhaps his relatives the Jordan's and browning's when they established Frank Jordan's fort in 1804.
In 1815 Duncan of Logan County, Kentucky and the Tennesseans of Robertson County, and vicinities having heard so much of the great Illinois Country, began making preparations for a wagon train to follow their relatives and friends. The wome dried meats and vegetables, gathered seeds, wove cloth for clothing, and gathered all other things necessary to begin a new life. Twelve snow-white shepherd dogs were trained by the men to attack the Indians and for protection of the settlers on their trip. They were one year making their preparations, starting in the summer of 1816, with over 200 wagons in their train. Among them were John and Lydia and John's two brothers, William and Martin and families. Their trip was pleasant and all went well. No Indians were encountered.
For a long time I have been anxious to learn the particulars of wagon trains through our part of the country in early days. I imagined that there might have been as many as a dozen wagons in some trains. Consider my surprise and pleasure to come by some account of such a large train and of so many individuals who made great contributions to the developent of Illinois before and after its being admitted into the Union.
On reaching Southern Illinois, the pioneers separated, going to different settlements where their relatives were, before choosing sites for their own homes. The Duncans probably went to Kaskaskia first, as many old timers eard John's youngest daughter, Mary wife of Jacob Hunter, refered to as "Aunt Pop", tell how she remembered crossing the Okaw River (now called Kaskaskia) on horseback with her mother. "Aunt Pop" was only two years old at the time.
A cousin of John, Mathew Duncan, settled at Kaskaskia, where he published Illinis first newspaper. "The Illinois Herald", in 1814. The story back of that event in the history of Illinois is that since Ninian Edwards, the Territorial Governor of Illinis, had a certain amount of printing to be done, and sincde there were no printers in Illinois, and again since borth Governor Edwards and Mathew Duncan came from Logan Country, Ky., it was natural that the printing was given to the Governor's friend Duncan. Mathew, being alert to opportunity, recognized the advantage of being nearer to the need, naturally went to Kaskaskia and made newspaper history.
Some of the Duncans went to Brownsville, where another cousin, Joseph Duncan (later to become an Illinois Governor) lived. a relative of Johns wife, Elija Spiller, remained in Brownsville for some time, running a ferry in the vicinity. Many of the family then returned to Franklin County and and perhaps stayed for a time at Phelps Fort, just west of Marion, near the site of what is now Bainbridge. Some of the Spilles remained here, as Mrs. Duncan's father, Warrenton King Spiller, was one of the early storekeepers there. John and this brother Martin remained in Franklin Country and were in the first Illinois Census of 1818, but their brother Willis returned to Kentucky. John made his land grant in 1820.
Of the fourteen Children of John and Lydia Duncan, Warrenton Spiller Duncan served as sheriff of Franklin County, 1828-1833. Wm. R. Duncan was Franklin County's Commissioner in 1838. Three sons James Wm H. and Abraham, served in the Black Hawk War, enlisting the same day June 15, 1832.
When the new County of Williamson was carved out of Franklin County, the Duncans took an active part. Mrs. Duncans's sister Bethany. was the wife of William Benson, for who Williamson County was named and it was in their home, which served as a hotel, the first court of the..........
EnlowSearcher added this on 13 May 2010 Mo_Reen originally submitted this to Family of Maureen Morris on 31 Mar 2010 Biography of the Duncan of Southern Illinois
Following are comments also posted to this page:
Mo_Reen added this on 8 Jul 2010.
It is said that the wagon train crossed the Ohio River, for two reasons, 1) this was the only available ferry at the time and it was near Shawneetown one of our earliest settlements, 2) During the march of Gen George Rogers Clark's men on their Western Campaign, once they crossed the Mississippi River at the Old Ft Massac site and before you enter into the Shawnee Forest area; there are the SWAMP LANDS!!...they knew not to try to take wagons along this route! Again, some of these men in the wagon train had been to Southern Illinois before. Added Note: The Old Shawneetown Trail, which connected this settlement and Kaskaskia on the Mississippi River, travels very near to Eldorado, then into Franklin County, and on to the area later know as Williamson County.
"The Wagon Train"
Mo_Reen added this on 8 Jul 2010
I would think that it would be reasonable to assume that the written history would follow the people that were making history. Of course it would be found in Southern Illinois...this is where the families settled and told the story for generation to their decedents...seem quite plausible. Thank you for the follow up confirmation. Maureen Morris
wagon train
TOMPOPHAM added this on 6 Jul 2010
Your point?
wagon train errors
EnlowSearcher added this on 6 Jul 2010
I found no mention of a "wagon train" in the book entitled CHRONICLES OF ROBERTSON COUNTY, AS APPEARS IN SPRINGFIELD RECORD AUGUST, 1902 by Mrs. Archie Thomas, assisted by Judge John E. Garner and W. W. Pepper. Below is information found on the internet: The link below is entitled: FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS, 1818-1997 by Franklin County Historical Society. I searched on the words spiller and robertson and phrase "wagon train" which led me to p. 154. http://books.google.com/books?id=xKEAfUI8hg4C&dq=%22wagon+train%22+robertson+spiller&source=gbs_navlinks_s The link below is entitled: Kobweb Korners : a network of history and tradition relating to Eldorado and southern Illinois by T. Leo Dodd Pages 46-47 mention a wagon train http://libsysdigi.library.uiuc.edu/OCA/Books2009-06/kobwebkornersnet00dodd/kobwebkornersnet00dodd.pdf Below is another link to above title: http://hdl.handle.net/10111/UIUCOCA:kobwebkornersnet00dodd Frankie King Librarian-TSLA The Robertson Co, TN historian (she has researched this county for 30 years) told me that there is no mention of this wagon train in any of their history. She stated that it is only been mentioned in S IL history. That sounded like too many people at that time leaving the county. Another group of families went to another IL county with a train of 15 wagons.
Events
| Birth | 21 Dec 1763 | Culpeper Co., Virginia | |||
| Migration | Bet 1771 and 1772 | Washington Co., Virginia | |||
| Marriage | 10 Mar 1786 | Robertson Co., Tennessee - Lydia SPILLER |  | ||
| Census | 1820 | Franklin Co., Illinois | |||
| Census | 1830 | Franklin Co., IL, page 93 | |||
| Death | 31 Dec 1834 | Franklin Co., Illinois | | ||
| Title (Nobility) | Jr | ||||
| Reference No | 882 |
Families
| Spouse | Lydia SPILLER (1771 - 1843) |
| Child | Melchior DUNCAN (1789 - 1869) |
| Child | Benjamin F. DUNCAN (1790 - 1847) |
| Child | Warrenton Spiller DUNCAN (1792 - 1878) |
| Child | James S. DUNCAN (1794 - 1874) |
| Child | John Pekin DUNCAN (1796 - 1834) |
| Child | Abraham Matthew DUNCAN (1799 - 1876) |
| Child | Anna DUNCAN (1799 - ) |
| Child | William A. DUNCAN (1803 - 1847) |
| Child | Thomas J. DUNCAN (1805 - 1877) |
| Child | Emaline DUNCAN (1807 - 1852) |
| Child | Rachael DUNCAN (1812 - 1880) |
| Child | Mary Moore DUNCAN (1814 - 1896) |
| Father | John DUNCAN (1730 - 1774) |
| Mother | Rachel WARREN (1740 - 1774) |
| Sibling | Martin DUNCAN (1759 - 1827) |
| Sibling | William DUNCAN ( - 1817) |
Endnotes
1. John Duncan Pension File (Name: Name: NARA;;).
2. John Duncan Pension File (Name: Name: NARA;;).