John Pekin Duncan (abt. 1735 - 1774)

Born about 23 Aug 1735 in Orange Co. (Culpeper) VA . [uncertain]

Ancestors

Husband of Rachel (Warren) Oyler — married 1757 in Virginia

Descendants

Died 29 Sep 1774 at about age 39 in Moores Fort, Russell Co, Virginia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Heather Brown [send private message]

Biography

John Duncan is a member of Duncan Clan.

John Duncan, son of William Duncan and Ruth Rawley, was born about Aug 23 1735 in Orange Co. (vs Culpeper) VA . He was named in his father's 1781 will as deceased.

John married Rachel Warren about 1757-1760. Rachel's parents were Ephriam Warren and Esther Parker.

In 1762 a gift of land was given to John Duncan from his father at Gourdvine Fork.

D-18: 7 April 1762, William Duncan to my son John Duncan of same Parish & Co., 210 acres on Gourdvine Fork, Rappahannock River, part of tract granted by patent to David Kinkead for 660 acres on 1 Aug. 1734,

Rachel and John moved to Washington Co. VA on the frontier of VA in 1771 or 1772.

In June 1774, months before his death, John and his father William sold their land on Gourdvine Fork to Elijah Cheek.

G-284: 20 June 1774, William Duncan and John Duncan and wife Rachel (X) of Culpeper Co. (one part) to Elijah Cheek of same (other part), for £55, 200 acres in Bromfield Parish on Gourdvine Fork of Rappahannock River, on both sides of Mill Run, adj. Bessie Bell Mountain, Mary Grey Mountain, Thomas Brown now Burkett Davenport, and corner to Rice Duncan's land. /s/ Willm. Duncan, John Duncan, Rachel (X) Duncan.^[1]

John was killed in an Indian Raid at Moore's Fort "about 12 months after" The neighborhood was forted up at Duncan's fort. (It appears to have been the residence for both John and Rawley.)^[2]

Duncan's Fort was located between Dungannon and Gray’s Island. Moore's Fort at Castle's Wood. Both on the Clinch River.

On Thursday, September 29th, a very bold attack was made upon three men by the Indians within 300 yards of Moore’s Fort on the Clinch, six miles below Castle’s Woods. The attack was made between sunset and dark, and the Indians fired at the men from ambush, instantly killing a man named John Duncan. Though a party of men rushed from the fort and ran to the spot as soon as the guns were fired, the Indians succeeded in scalping Duncan and made their escape. Night came on and prevented any pursuit until the following morning, when it was too late to overhaul the savages. Daniel Boone (1734-1820) was then in charge of the fort at Moore’s and was supervising all the forts on the Clinch below Elk Garden. Although he was one of the most accomplished of the woodsmen and Indian ‘fighters on the border, he was supported by such small and indifferent squads of men stationed at the several forts that he was unable to cope successfully with the wily red men, who in most instances were being directed by the daring and intelligent John Logan.^[3]

After John's death, a dispute arose between Rachel and Rawley. Rawley moved further up the Clinch River, leaving Rachel at the Plantation. Rachel sold out and appears to have married Melchor Oyler (guardian of children). See rejected pension App for son James.

After his death the value of John's estate was appraised and published.

Pg.1057: 20 June 1780, Ordered Patrick Porter, Allex. Richey, Samuel Richey and Josiah Pain or any three of them being first Sworn appraise the estate of John Dunkin decd and make return to Court.^[4]

Pg.1079: 15 May 1781, Court records: Inventory filed in estate of John Duncan.^[4]

Children

Guardians were appointed for three sons:

Martin Duncan (abt. 1761) m. Sept. 5, 1782 Elizabeth Wright, no minister. ^[5]

20 June 1780, Martin Dunkin orphan of John Duncan Deceased with the approbation of the Court chose William Cowan his Guardian Whereupon he together with Charles Kilgore and Thomas Montgomery acknowledged their Bond in the Sum of ten Thousand pounds for the faithful Guardianship of the said Orphans Estate.

Martin died about 1827 in Robertson TN^[4]

John (abt 1765) m. Lydia Spiller Mar 10 1786 ^[6] John died Dec 31 1834 in Franklin Co. IL.

William (abt 1765) m. 1st Elizabeth Spiller (probable sister of Lydia); (2nd) Aseneth Holingsworth Bingman (Mrs.) Jun 14 1814 in Ky. William died about Sept 27 1817. William left a will with his brother Martin Duncan as executor. ^[7]

15 Aug. 1780, William Dunkin and John Dunkin Orphans of John Dunkin Decd. with the approbation of the Court chose Melcher Oyler their Guardian, whereupon he together with Andrew Cowan and Alex. Montgomery acknowledged themselves bound unto the Court in the sum of Six Thousand Pounds for the faithfull guardianship of the said Orphans. (pg.1060-1061)^[4]

• See Declaration of John (+) Duncan, (son of John and Rachel) March 5 1833 - (Rachel remarried (Melchor Oyler) (Declaration also indicates a "sister" (not named), possibly from Rachel's 2nd marriage).

Research Notes

Culpeper was formed 1748 from Orange
Madison was formed 1792-3 from Culpeper
Rappahannock (New) was formed 1833 from Culpeper

This could be the same Duncan however it names the wife Elizabeth and states there are 5 children.

On the first day of August, 1776, the Virginia Council ordered a Commission appointing William Christian, Esq., colonel and Commander in Chief, for use in the expedition against the Cherokee Indians. There were two battalions, one name on the list includes _________, Duncan, killed.

Duncan is specifically mentioned on page 244. Colonel Christian finding nothing further to engage his attention, returned with his army to the Long Island in Holston river. This campaign lasted three months, and but a singe white man was killed. This was a man whose name was Duncan, a solider under Captain Jacob Womack. It specifies he left a wife (crippled), and 5 small children, to whom the General Assembly of Virginia, on June 16, 1777, allowed the sum of twenty pounds for their present relief, with the further sum of five pounds per annum, with directions for Antony Bledsoe and William Cocke to lay out and suspend the same for Elizabeth Duncan and her five children.^[8]

No original source records have been located to confirm birth or marriage records. It appears that some erroneous information may have been published, and perhaps republished/reported, making the “actual facts” obscure. There is a great deal of conflicting information surrounding the Duncan Family of Culpeper – Many Source-to-Source discrepancies; co-mingling, Lack of records; conflicting family stories; number of Duncan’s with the same names, etc.

Ancestry for "William Duncan, the Elder," or even a maiden name for his wife Ruth, is considered Unproven and should be viewed with caution. Although many "history" publications give her name as Rawley, as well as lists of children, the "oldest source found" for this was the "transcription of the 1565 Bible"

Discrepancy

Name: John Pekin Duncan (vs John Duncan)
(No Source for Middle Name - Although it seems to have "originated" in histories of Tazwell County and Indian Hostilities; Chalkley's Records, Vol 2, Pg. 74, claims that John's middle name was "Pekin".
Whoever wrote the above, I can find no record of "PEKIN" in the original manuscript from Chalkey as reprinted below:

Simon Cockrell vs. John Duncan--O. S. 35; N. S. 12--Bill filed 18th May, 1796. In 1770 William Herbert made a settlement upon waste and unappropriated land on Cubb Creek in Washington County, and occupied it until 1776, when his overseer was killed by the Indians, when Rawley Duncan took possession. Herbert died testate in 1776, which was proved on 3d September, 1776, in Fincastle County, leaving William Herbert as his heir at law, from whom orator purchased. Rawley Duncan obtained a certificate of settlement in 1773. Rawley Duncan died intestate, leaving John Duncan his only son and heir. Townshend Duncan is now in possession. Benjamin Nicholson deposes in Clarke County, Ky., 16th May, 1798, that in 1775 he knew Rawley Duncan to purchase the tract from James Nalle. Peter Hutchinson deposes in Russel (?) County, 30th June, 1798, that about June, 1775, he was frequently in company with Robert Elson, who told him that the land he lived on was Harbard's and that he and some of his relations that lived at the same place were employed to keep stock. In the same year he heard a dispute between Rawley Duncan and John Duncan's widow about the plantation at the ford of Clinch, where they both lived at that time, and understood that Rawley and his brother John were to go halves in the plantation. William Crunk deposes he lived with the Duncans in the same settlement. John Fugate (Fugitt) deposed 30th June, 1798, that James McCarthy told him he sold the land to Richard Stanton, and Stauntom had sold to Harbard. It was the first piece of land McCarthy took up in the county. The land McCarthy's corn right was laid on McCarthy bought of David Cowen. Thomas Fauster deposes in Wythe County that in 1775 he started for Kentucky and stopped at Robert Elsom's house, who lived on Herbert's land. Cap. Alexander Ritchie deposes in Clarke County, Ky., 16th May, 1798, that in 1772 William Herbert brought a stock of cattle to Hays Creek and Robert Elsom came with him to take care of them. Patrick Porter deposes 28th April, 1798, that about 1770-1771 he moved to Clinch and a certain Robert Elsom came about the same time and settled at the head of Hay's Creek. Rachel Haunspale, late a wife to Robert Elsom, deceased, deposes at Herbert's Ferry in Wythe County, 14th July, 1798, that Robert was employed in 1770 to go to Clinch. Robert together with Rachel's father, William Hayes, went to Clinch and settled at a spring. Copy of William Herbert's will dated 28th May, 1776, proved in Fincastle County Court, 3d September, 1776. Certified as of the records of Montgomery County, 24th February, 1796, to wife, Sarah, plantation called Poplar Camp, and slaves; to eldest son, William, plantation on Reed Island, where Joseph Barren, Jr., is now living; to youngest son, Thomas, plantation where Josiah Hamilton lives; to eldest daughter, Martha, to youngest daughter, Joanna. William's father and mother are alive and living with him. Certain moneys due him by a Mr. Ozborn, iron mongers in West Street, without Lawful Gale Bristol in Old England.^[9]

Birth Date: 29 Aug 1720 (vs 23 Aug 1730) Culpepper Co, VA; vs Bible Source 1 -- Aug 23 1735
Spouse: Rachael Warren Marriage Date: 1757
Age at Death: 54
Death Date: 29 Sep 1774 Moore S Fort, VA
Burial Place: Russell (Russell County), Russell County, Virginia;

• Find A Grave: Memorial #88993048

This Find A Grave indicates son (1720-1774) of Henry and Rebekkah Grace Elson Duncan (1684 - 1744); Source: Duncan Family & Bible Records, from Cox's Creek, Nelson County, Kentucky; but reflects death date and location (for John Pekin" surrounding the Indian attack at Moore's Fort.) This record also indicates conflict in descent from Henry (Haldane) versus William (Haldane)

Y-DNA Results

Big Y700 YDNA Haplogroup R-FGC33214 Earliest Known Ancestor.

YDNA results show that the families of Rev William and Ruth Duncan and Marshall Duncan I (1710-1777) are in the same Duncan Subgroup B and haplogroup R-FGC33214. The families that are represented by this haplogroup: ^[10]

• Marshall Duncan I (1710-1777)
  • Marshall Duncan II (abt.1739-abt.1810)
  • Charles Duncan (1748-1818)
• William Robert Duncan III (1692-1781)
  • John Pekin Duncan (abt.1735-1774)
  • Charles Duncan (1742-1789)
• John Duncan (abt.1735-abt.1823)
  • Samuel Duncan (1772-abt.1863)
  • Nathanial Melchi Lear
  • Charles Duncan Sr, b 1776 d. 1862, US
• Lot Akin GA 1802 > Monroe Akin > Jewel Dewey Akins
• George H Duke b. 1845 & d. 1926

Sources

1. ↑ Deed Book G Page 284 Culpepper County, Virginia
2. ↑ Declaration of 1833
3. ↑ History of Tazewell County and southwest Virginia: 1748-1920, William C. Pendleton, New Delhi: Isha Books, 2013, pg 315
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3} Annals of Southwest Virginia, 1769-1800, Lewis Preston Summers, OCLC: 115854 pg 1057, 1061,1079
5. ↑ Washington Co. VA Marriage Records (Archives)
6. ↑ Declaration of Lydia Duncan, age 70, in Williamson Co. IL on 7 Sept. 1841; family record burned in their home years ago; Lydia m. John Duncan on 10 March 1786 in Robertson Co. TN by Rev. John Grammer by bans and without license; John d. 31 Dec. 1834 in Franklin Co. IL
7. ↑ Will book B, pg. 263 Logan Co. KY [ http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~dobson/ky/kylogan.htm B-77: 27 Sept. 1817}
8. ↑ [https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/49189/images/FLHG_HistorySWVAWACnty-0250?ssrc=&backlabel=Return&clickref=1100liI6jHUp%2C1100liI6jHUp&adref=&o_xid=01011l4xx5&o_lid=01011l4xx5&o_sch=Affiliate%2BExternal History of Southwest Virginia and Washington County Southwest Virginia--Fincastle County 1773-1777]
9. ↑ Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia, Extracted from the Original Court Records of Augusta County 1745-1800, by Lyman Chalkley, Complete in Three Volumes, OCLC: 1264469697
10. ↑ https://www.familytreedna.com/public/ClanDonnachaidh?iframe=yresults

See Also:

• Capt. Thos. Chew Copy of Church Records preserved -- Scotch Presbyterians (list of children’s names and birth dates appear to have 20+ year discrepancy 150 years later)
• Letters to/from Samuel McAffee Duncan (Nicholasville) & Charles C. Duncan (Edenton, N.C ) Letters re descendants of Charles & Rawley (sons of William Duncan)
• Judge Daniel A. Grimsley, of Culpeper, Virginia – Culpepper Records;
• James Franklin Duncan’s account of the first three generations descended from William agrees with Underwood's findings
• 1764 Rent Role Database: VA Early Census Index Original data: Jackson, Ron V., Accelerated Indexing Systems, comp.. Virginia Census, 1607-1890. Compiled and digitized by Mr. Jackson and AIS from microfilmed schedules of the U.S. Federal Decennial Census, territorial/state censuses, and/or census substitutes.
• Bible Record Orig - Bible of Rev. Wm. DUNCAN - pub. 1565 [The original bible has not been seen in years. A handwritten transcript of the entries in the Bible is found in the back of the Owensboro KY Library copy of ‘Gen. and Hist. Notes on Culpeper Co. VA’. In the absence of the original, this is the earliest source]
• Bible Record – 1752 - Ringo Bible (Kentucky - James Franklin Duncan’s account of the first three generations descended from William agrees with Underwood's findings
• Will Proven Oct. 15, 1781 - Culpeper Co. Will Bk. B, 1770-1783, p.450
• Mary Ann Duncan Dobson "Duncan Research Files" (Consolidated, sourced and acknowledged); and the many Duncan Researchers that have provided information.
  
• The Genealogy Bug
  
• Virginia Records
• Culpepper Records
• Old Fincastle Records
• Duncan Surname Association (DSA)
• The Clan Donnachaidh website:
• The DNA results to-date:

Acknowledgments

Thank you to Sandy Harris for creating WikiTree profile Duncan-2494 through the import of Clark Goudy Odenbaugh Price Family Tree_2013-02-04.ged on Feb 4, 2013. Heather Brown, Duncan-1201