Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30,389, Joseph Duncan, Md. Va.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Md
Va
CONTENTS

Duncan, Joseph
NUMBER
S. 30,389
Page 2

Kentucky 31.972
Joseph Duncan
of Greenup Co in the State of Kentucky
who was a Private in the company commanded 
by Captain James Harrison of the regt. commanded 
by _____ in the MD  &  VA 
line for 6 months.

Inscribed on the Roll of Lexington, Ken
at the rate of 20 Dollars - Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 27th day of July
1842 and sent to Hon. L. W.
Andrews, House of Representations

Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 1842 230.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar. 43. 10.00
$240.00

Revolutionary Claim, 
Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by D. Brown Clerk
Book E.2. Vol. 7 Page 12
Page 3

Reported to Agent
Pension certificate returned on account
of the omission of the month July 29.
1842, corrected & sent to H and L.W. Andrews
H.R.
Page 4

State of Kentucky Greenup County Set
On this 29 day of January 1836 personally
appeared before a Justice of the peace
in and for said County of Greenup Joseph
Duncan resident in the County of Greenup
and State of Kentucky aged 83 years
and for the purpose of obtaining a pension
under the Act of Congress of the 7th of
June 1832 being first duly sworn
makes the following declaration. That
he was born in Fauquier County Virginia
on the first day of January 1752
from the information which he always
received and believe, his age was recorded
by his Father but what has become
of the record he does not know that
in the month of August in the year
1777 he enlisted under Capt Joseph
James in the State of Maryland but
only a short distance from where
he was raised he was drafted for three
(illegible) and was marched by Capt James to the
north for the purpose as he understood
of Joining the main army under
Genl Washington but on their way
in the
Northward near Manassas  in the 
state of Maryland they met Genl 
Washington with his army Going
South with whom continued for
same months the present time he
Page 5

does not recollect and after he served
out his time-- which he thinks was
three months he was Discharged at
Manassas river in the State of Maryland
that afterwards and about the year
1777 though as to dates he is not positive
of his memory from old age is Exceedingly
defective he was drafted
in Fauquier County Virginia and
went into service under Capt Benjamin
Harrison the name of his Major he
thinks was Samuel Black but is not
positive Armisted Churchill was his
Colonel name and Gen P Mecklenburg
was the General of the whole
he was Drafted to serve three months
as a private and in that capacity
served out his time the place of
rendezvous was in Fauquier from thence
they were marched to Richmond
and in a short time from Richmond
they marched to within Company
shortly afterwards were marched
back to Richmond and then went
on through Virginia and he was
Discharged after the Expiration of his
services at a place called Manaharges(?)
but took no care of his Discharge
and lost or destroyed it long ago
in 1806 he removed from Virginia
to Scioto County Ohio and in 1890
Page 6

from thence to Greenup County Kentucky
where he at present resides he states
That he can prove a part of his services
by one William Cors but he lives
so for off that it is difficult to get his 
affidavit and this petitioner is too old
and infirm to ride so for and last
have only proven a part of his services.
But so for as reputation of his having
served in the revolutionary war is
concerned he is acquainted a large
portion of the people of Greenup County
and all of them he thinks would
swear that he was reputed to have been
a Soldier in the old war however he
has been informed that the list
is complete of the Virginia soldiers
and therefore it is unnecessary to
prove services by reputation he is old
very poor and infirm he hereby relinquishes 
every claim whatever to  a
pension or an annuity Except the
present one he declares that his
name is not on the pension roll
of any agency in any state he has
heretofore said that he was drafted
under Capt B. Harrison he may
have volunteered or enlisted he does
not remember positively but that
he was in in service under Capt.
Harrison as stated he does Know
Page 7

33,687
Joseph Duncan
30,389

Hon J White
H.R. 

State of Kentucky Greenup County 
set.  On on the 29th day of April 1835 personally 
appeared before me Justice
of the peace in and for said County
of Greenup Joseph Duncan resident
in the County of Greene and
State of Kentucky aged about Eighty
six years old who being first
Duly Sworn doth on his oath make
the following declaration in order
to obtain the Benefit of the Act of
Congress passed 7th June 1832 and
the said Magistrate does hereby certify
and declare his opinion after an
investigation of the Matter and
after putting the interrogatories
prescribed by the war Department
that the above named applicant
was a revolutionary solder
and served as he states and from
infirmity said applicant is
unable to attend Court Given
under my hand this day and
date as above are shown
Geo. W. Ward J P
Page 8

Rev. and 1812
Wars Section
awf/HMM (illegible) 

May 1, 1930

Mrs. H. D. Chadwick
Montgomery City
Masouri.

Dear Madam:
May 1, 1930.
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension
claim S. 30389, it appears that Joseph Duncan was born January
1, 1752 in Fauquier County, Virginia.

While residing in Fauquier County, Virginia, he served three
months as a private in Captains Samuel Blackwell's and Benjamin
Harrison's Companies, Colonel Armstead Churchill's Virginia Regiment.
He served in Captain Joseph James' Maryland Company and in
Captains Walter Graham's and Savage's Companies. This service
was three months. He was at the siege of Yorktown.  No dates given.

In 1806 he moved to Scioto County, Ohio, and in 1810 to
Greenup County, Kentucky.

He was allowed pension on his application executed April
29, 1836, at which time he was living in Greenup County, Kentucky.

In 1842 he was residing in Carter County, Kentucky, and his
deposition was taken at the house of Marshall Duncan, no relation ship shown.
Very truly yours,
EARL D. CHURCH
Commissioner
Page 9

30389
Rev INVALID
File No. 30,389
Joseph Duncan
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7th '32
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 116

{Arrangement of 1870.]

1917 Oct. 9 Hist to Mrs. Geo. C. Pitts.
1930 May1 Hist to Mrs M.D. Chadwick 
awy
Page 10

Rejected
let 13 May 1836
Hon. John White
let 2 Sep 36 N. (illegible)
did not serve
six month.
Let March 1837 Hon. R.
French
let 23 July 42 Hon J.W. Andrew

Aut 7 June 32
Page 11

State of Ky
Bath cty
The deposition of William Keams taken
at his our house in said County on the 15th
day of June 1842. to be used at the War office of
the United States in order to attain a pension for
Joseph Duncan of Carter County Kentucky

This deponent now being first duly sworn
deposeth and saith. That he is now in his
Eighty sixth year: that he knew Joseph Duncan
from a boy in the County of Fauquier in the State of Virginia they was raised in the same 
neighbourhood: and Joseph Duncan is five or six years
older than this deponant according to his
present recollection, that this affiant entered
the regular service of the United States when
he was very young & served upwards of six years
and during the time that this affiant was in
the service of the United States, he knew said
Duncan to be in the service of the United States
& he served for some time, but how long this
affiant can't recalled: and to the best of
his present recollection the said Joseph Duncan
was in the service of the State line, that is the
militia: this affiant further states that he
Knew Duncan well they was raised on farms
adjoining each other and that he saw the 
affiant in the service frequently, while this
affiant was in the service. he also states that 
he was well acquainted with Captain
James, and that he knew he belonged to the state
Page 12

service or militia, and he thinks that James
given name was John. This affiant may also
acquainted with Capt Savage about the same
time, who commanded a company of Artillery 
He was also well acquainted with Capt
Walter Graham who commanded a Company
of Militia and this affiant further states
that during the time he was in the service
he understood that Graham suceeeded James
This affiant further states that he entered the
service of the United States in the latter part 
of 1775. and about 1780 and 1781. He knew Duncan
to be in the service as above stated in the southern
part of the United States, this affiant has no
knowledge of Duncan service performed in the
north. This affiant further states that he
was well acquainted with Armstead Churchill
during the time he was in the service and he knows
that he was a Captain.
He also knew Capt, Frank Triplett while he
was in the service. who was at Tarltons defeat
& was afterwards promoted to a major. & further
saith not.
William Keams

State of Kentucky
Bath County Set
Be it known that William
Keams this day appeared before the subscriber a
Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid &
State aforesaid (who is authorized to administer an
Oath) and gave signed and swore to the foregoing
deposition in and form of Law. and I do further
Page 13

certify that I am well acquainted with the
said William Keams and have been so for the last
Twenty years. that he is a man of good character.
Given under my hand & seal as a Justice of
the peace for the County & State aforesaid this
15th day of June 1842 & I further certify that the
(illegible & illegible) were made 
in the foregoing deposition before
it was signed & sworn to by Keams.
A Trumbo JB Ble

State of Kentucky
Bath County Set
I William M Sudduth Clerk of the
Court of the County aforesaid Do Certify that Andrew
Thumbo whose signature appears to the foregoing 
attestation is I was at the date thereof one of the Common
wealth Justices of the peace in & for the County aforesaid
duly commissioned and qualified as such to
and that full faith & credit is given to all his
official acts as such and that the signature purporting 
to be his is genuine In Testimony whereof
I the Clerk aforesaid have hereunto
set my hand & seal of office at 
Owingsville this 20th day of June 1842 in
the 50th year of the Commonwealth.
W. M. Sudduth
Page 14

State of Kentucky
Greenup County Sct
I Alfred W. G. Nichols, Clerk of the
County Court of said County do certify that George
W. Ward Jr. who has given and signed the above
Certificate on the sheet of paper hereto attached,
dated the 29th day of April 1836 is now and
was at the time of giving and signing the same
an acting Justice of the peace in and for said
County, and that his said signature is genuine,
and that full faith and credit are due and
ought to be given all his official acts
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto subscribed my name &
affixed the seal of said Court
this 2d day of 
May 1830
A G. G. Nichols
Page 15

Grayson
July 8th
Free

Hon. L. W. Andrews
House of Representatives
D.C.

For War
Department

Hon L.W. Andrews
H.R.
Page 16

State of N.Y.
Carter County
The deposition of Joseph
Duncan taken at Marshall Duncans house
June 30th 1842-
Joseph Duncan now a citizen
of Carter County N.Y. deposeth that he was
drafted from Fauquier County Virginia as a militia
soldier in Captain James Company, to serve six
months, he believes in the year 1777 or 1778 &
is not certain which of those years- that he
thinks James given name was Joseph-- that
James was succeeded by Captain Walter Graham
that James marched to Richmond up James
river to Culpeper County, during which tour
he, Duncan was transferred to Capt Savage
company of Artillery - that this tour was in
the fall season as he believes - that in the
year 1781 he was again drafted for six
months in Captain Samuel Blackwell's company & thinks
James Keys was Lieutenant & Armstead Churchill
Colo. that during this last tour they were
marched south under General Washington
& was at the siege of Yorktown that for
each of these tours, he had his regular
discharge that he believes, Samuel Blackwell
James Keys, & Armstead Churchill were officers
on the first tour, & that Joseph James was
Captain on second tour (illegible) as stated
above
Joseph Duncan
Page 17

State of N.Y.
Carter Co Set
Be it known that Joseph Duncan
this day appeared before this subscriber a
Justice of the peace for the County of Carter
& State aforesaid (who is authorized to administer
an oath) and gave, signed & sealed to the
foregoing deposition in due form of Law and
I do further certify that I am well acquainted 
with Joseph Duncan & have been so for nine
years, that he is a man of good character.
Given under my hand & seal as a Justice of
the peace for the County & State aforesaid, this
30th day of June 1842
C.W. Honaker J.P.C.C.

State of Kentucky ⎬
Carter County Set
I Joseph R Ward Clerk of
the County Court of the County aforesaid do
hereby certify that Charles W Honaker
whose signature appear to the foregoing
attestation is and was at the date thereof one
of the commonwealth Justices of peace in and for the
County aforesaid duly commissioned and
qualified as such to act and that full
faith and credit is given to all his official
acts as such and that the signature purporting 
to be his is genuine. In Testimony
whereof I the Clerk of the County aforesaid
have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office at Grayson this 5th day of
July 1842. and in the 50th year of the
Commonwealth
Joseph R. Ward (seal)
Page 18

a.f.w.
Rev Sec

Norway Kans
Oct 3rd 1917

Commissioner of Pensions
Rev. War Dept
Will you please inform
me whether the following
men were placed
on the Rev. Pen Rolls from
Va, John Stevens, B. Circa
1735. M. Sarah Montague
Joseph Duncan B circa 
1750-7 - M. Nancy Stevens 
& settled in Clark Co. Ky
Page 19

Both of these men seemed
to have lived in or around
Pine Lop Orange Co. Va.
An early reply will 
be greatly appreciated.
Respectfully yrs
Mrs. George C. Pitts
Norway Kansas
Page 20

Montgomery City Missouri
February 20 1930-
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir. I am very anxious to get
some information regarding the Revolutionary 
war service of my ancestor = Joseph Duncan
who married Nancy Montague Stevens. they
had eleven children five sons Charles -
James - Lewis - Carey Key and Joseph. six
daughters Elizabeth - Peggy - Nancy - Dinah are
the names of four of the daughters - they first
settled in Orange Co Va- moving later to
Clark Co Ky. I am sure this Joseph Duncan
served in the Revolutionary War - but the
War service sent me by the Adjutant General
was not for my Joseph Duncan -- he found the 
service of another Joseph Duncan the Records
show he served in the war, as a soldier of Virginia
Cavalry. His name appears on a record under the heading
"A List of soldiers of the Virginia Line on Continental
Establishment who have received Certificates for the Balance
of their full pay agreeable to an act of Assembly passed
November Session 1781" -- I am giving this it might
help you-- hoping you can help me and sincerely
Mrs. M.D. Chadwick
Page 21

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
J. L. M. 3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____ , 19_____
S.F. 30389
In reply to your request of _____, received _____
a statement of the military history of Joseph Duncan
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his (or his widow's ) application for pension
on file in this Bureau.
DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT.
(illegible)

LENGTH OF
SERVICE.
6 months

RANK.
Pvt

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Benjaman Harrison
James
Walter Graham
Savage

COLONEL.
Armstead Churchill

STATE.
Va. 
& 
Md

Battles engaged in, Siege of Yorktown
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Fauquier Co Va
Date of application for pension, Apr. 29 1836 Thicl. was al
Residence at date of application, Greenup County Ky
Age at date of application, born Jany 1, 1752 in Fauquier Co. Va
Remarks: In 1806 moved to Scioto Co. Ohio & in 1810 to 
1842 res Carter Co. Ky, deposition before
at Marshall Duncan's house
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
8 -- 285C
Page 22

Hon L.W. Andrews 
23 July 1842
Page 23

311
Pen Office
July 23, 1842
Sir
The amended declaration
Joseph Duncan has been ex?
together with the proof of his service
and of the papers are herewith
returned in order that you may
certify to the official character
and signature of the Clerk of the
Court of Carter Co. as required
in the enclosed printed regulation
The applicant alleges two tours of
six month each as a militia 
man of (illegible) The militia served
in not stated in tours not exceeding
three month. The claim cannot
therefore be allowed for more than
six month of service.  The letter
of P. Pomeroy Esq. is herewith returned.
Hon. L. W. Andrews

o.c.
33.687
art 32
anto
Page 24

W. Bowen
Sep 2, 1836

Record Vol 41. P 936
Page 25

War Dept Pen. Office
Sept 2, 1836
Sir
In answer to your letter
respecting the case of Joseph
Duncan I have to inform you 
that the decision in her case cannot
be reversed. He alleges to have been
drafted to serve three months as a militia
man of Maryland, and in the month of August that he joined
the army under General Washington while 
on its march to the south. He also alleges
one other tour of three month as a militia
man of Virginia.  The first alleged tour
was in 1781, and the Virginia militia were
not called out after the surrender of
Cornwallis in that year.
He could not therefore
have served six months. His declaration
cannot be sent out of this office agreeably
to the regulations
W. Nathaniel Dawson
(illegible)
Page 26

Hon R. French
March 1, 1877
.
Rec. Vol. 40 pa. 329
Page 27

War Dept. Pen off
March 11 1837
Sir
I herewith return the letter
you in the case of Joseph Duncan
and have to state that he alleges
in his declaration to have been dated
to see thee worth as a militia man
of Maryland in August 1781, and
that he joined the army under Genl
Washington while on it, worth to the
south. He also alleges one other town as
as militia man of Virginia of three month
The Those who served under Genl
Washington at York Town were discharged
directly after the surrender of Cornwalles his
was in Oct. 1781, and the Virginia wilt
1
were not drafted to serve so long as those
months after. The applicant
to
count there have in six
with as alleged. The former decision
in that cannot be reversed
Nov.
R. French
N. [illegible]
Page 28

Hon. J. White
May 13, 1836
-
of
Record Vol 28 P L/ & L/
Page 29

War Dept. Pen office
May 13. 1836
Sir,
The declaration of
Joseph
Duncan has been exed [crossed out and filed with suspended case in this office]
The
applicant alleges to have been drafted
as a militia man of Maryland in [crossed out in 1776]
August 1776, for the purpose of joining
the vam arms at the north, but on the
may before leaving said state met Genl
Washington and with the army going south
with whom he continued for some month
but the precise time he cannot recollect.
Genl Washington did not go to the south until
August 1781. It must therefore have been
in that year that the alleged service was performed and as the militia were discharged at
York Town directly after the surrender of Cornwallis
which took place in for the 19th Oct 1781, the applicant could not have served three months

He alleges one other tour of three month in 1781,
The act of June 1832 provides for none who did
Page 30

not perform six months actual service
The claim has therefore been rejected and
the papers  filed.  Enclosed is M
Dawson's letter to you. He should state
the christian names of the persons about
whom he enquires to enable the Dept. to give
satisfactory information.
Hon John White
N. R
Page 31

HRps 29th July 1842
Dr Sir
The certificate for
Joseph Duncan I return to you
that you say insert the month
if it is verifying.
you will [illegible] that it is dated the
27th of -------
1842.
This amession may
be important
if So
please insert it &
return it to me
your obt set
L W Andrews
Page 32

Ho Reps 26th July 1842
I hereby certify that Joseph R
Ward is the Clerk of the County
Court of Carter County Kentucky
and
that the certificate to the
Declaration of Joseph Duncan
is his own proper hand and
is entitled to full faith and
credit as such.
Given under
my hand this day & year above
Written
L W Andrews
M.C.
of Ky.
Page 33

Doser
Huges 22d July 1842
and you
her
additival
Testimony in the application of Joseph
Duncan for a Pension
I know
of my own knowledge nother of it
the Letter of my
ments. I send you
Correspondent, Mr P. Person who
I know to be a man of Honour
and high respectability
You obt but
of Ander
P.S. Upon the examination of the
can let the hear from 7 day
D.W.A.
Page 34

33.687
Joseph Duncan
Kentucky

Admitted
Private 6 mos $20
Cap James Col Va
Act 7 June 1832
Hon L. W. Andrews
N.K
Page 35

Ho Reps 26th July 1842

J. L. Edwards Esqr
Dr Sir
I return you the
papers in the case of Joseph Duncan
with my certificate to the official
character of Joseph R Ward.
I am very anxious that old man
Duncan may be allowed a pension
if for no more than six months.
He is a very meritorious old man
& has always been considered
a Soldier of the Revolution.
He resides in a wild mountains
region of my district where there
is no one qualified to prepare 
his papers as they should be
Page 36

or I have no doubt but that he
would long ago been allowed
a Pension.
for obt Svt
L.W. Andrews