Major Duncan (abt. 1835 - 1913)

Born about 1835 in Cadiz, Trigg, Kentucky, United States [uncertain]

Husband of Caledonia (Fanner) Duncan — married 16 Oct 1882 in Henderson, Henderson, Kentucky, United States

Died 18 May 1913 at about age 78 in Center MM, Grant, Indiana, United States

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Biography

Major Duncan is a part of US Black heritage.

Private Major Duncan served in the United States Civil War.
Enlisted: 24 May 1864
Mustered out: 6 Apr 1866
Side: USA
Regiment(s): 15th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry

Major was born in 1835. He fought with Co. D of the 15th US Colored Infantry during the Civil War. He married Caledonia Franklin in 1882. He passed away in 1913.

Research Notes

• Major was most likely enslaved but the name of his slave owner has not been identified.

Slave Owner(s)

1. unknown

Sources

• 1864 CMSR. Compiled Military Service Records, Major Duncan, 15th U.S. Colored Infantry, 23 September 1864, Ancestry.com, database with images, images 829-846 of 1725 ([1], Ancestry sharing link: accessed 25 August 2023)
  • Major Duncan was a Private in Co. D of the 15th U.S. Colored Infantry. He enlisted on 9-May-1864 in Clarksville, Tenn. He was mustered in on 24-May-1864 in Nashville, Tenn. He was assigned to the R.Q.M. department on 6-Jun-1865. He was mustered out on 7-Apr-1866 in Nashville, Tenn. He was 34 years old when he enlisted, was a farmer and was 5’8” tall. He was born in Trigg Co., Kentucky. His service was credited to the 8th Congressional District

• 1880 U.S. census, Henderson County, Kentucky, Population schedule, Henderson, Ward 2, p. 31B (penned), dwelling 269, family 312, Major Duncan in the Archie Cabell household, digital image 32 of 42, FamilySearch.org ([2]: accessed 25 August 2023); citing NARA microfilm publication M593, roll 419
  • Major was 40 years old and was born in Kentucky. He was a farmer.

• 1882 Major Duncan & Caledonia Franklin Marriage License, Kentucky, Henderson County, Henderson County Clerk, Marriage License, Book Colored #3, p. 183, Major Duncan & Caledonia Franklin, 16 October 1882, digital image 1236 of 1863, FamilySearch.org (link to image: accessed 25 August 2023)
  • Major Duncan was 32 years old and was born in Ky. This was his first marriage. He was a farmer in living in Henderson County. Caledonia Franklin was unknown years old. This was her second marriage. They were married on 16-Oct-1882 by J.M. Stone JPHC at the Court House in Henderson Co., Kentucky in the presence of Mrs. Jordan Dallam & Mrs. Matt Marshall.

• 1882 Major Duncan & Caledonia Franklin Marriage Certificate, Kentucky, Henderson County, Henderson County Clerk, Marriage Certificate, unpaginated, Major Duncan & Caledonia Franklin, 16 October 1882, digital image 715 of 819, FamilySearch.org (link to image: accessed 25 August 2023)

• 1889 T288 Pension Index Card. United States General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934, Major Duncan, Pension Index card, FamilySearch.org, database with images, image 94 of 4207, ([3]): accessed 25 August 2023) citing NARA microfilm publication T288, roll 133.
  • Major Duncan, was a soldier with Co. D of the 15th US Colored Infantry. He applied for a pension on 13-Jul-1889 from Kentucky, application 716287. He was awarded a pension certificate 667428. His wife Caledonia Duncan applied for a widow’s pension on 24-May-1913 from Kentucky, application 1008293. She was awarded pension certificate 775986.

• 1900 U.S. census, Henderson County, Kentucky, Population schedule, Henderson, Ward 3, p. 14B (penned), dwelling 264, family 315, Major Duncan in the Major Duncan household, digital image 27 of 33, FamilySearch.org ([4]: accessed 25 August 2023); citing NARA microfilm publication T623, roll 527
  • Major was born in Aug 1833 in Kentucky. He was married, but lived alone. He was a day laborer. He rented his home at 822 Vine st.

• 1906 Soldier's Home Admission Record. Marion, Indiana, "United States National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, 1866-1938," Register No. 9362, Private Major Duncan, 3 November 1906, image 186 of 769, database with images, FamilySearch ([5]: 25 August 2023); citing NARA microfilm publication T1749 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
  • Private Major Duncan, Co. D of the 15th USCI. Enlisted 9-May-1864 in Clarksville, Tennessee. Discharged 7-Apr-1866 in Nashville, Tennessee. Disabled by arteriosclerosis, chronic rheumatism, and defective vision. He was born in Cadiz, Kentucky, age 80, 5'5" tall, could not read or write, Protestant, laborer, lived in Henderson, Ky after the war, married, nearest relative Caledonia Duncan of Dixon st, Henderson, Ky. He was admitted to the Marion Branch on 3-Nov-1906. 3/4 of his pension went to his wife. He died in the Marion Branch hospital on 18-May-1913 from mitral insufficiency and rheumatism. Pension 667428. His personal possessions were delivered to his widow Caledonia Duncan at 511 Ingram st, Henderson, Ky. He was buried at the Soldier's Home Cemetery on 20-May-1913 in grave 2113, Sec. 3, Row 6.

• 1907 Pension Payment Card. United States Veterans Administration, Pension Payment Cards, 1907-1933, Major Duncan, Army Invalid Pension Payment Card. FamilySearch, database with images, images 388-389 of 690, ([6]: accessed 25 August 2023) citing NARA microfilm publication M850, roll 635.
  • Major Duncan was a Private in Co. D of the 15th USCI. He was awarded pension certificate 667428. He received his first payment on 4-Mar-1907. Half of his pension was payable to his wife (by order of the Commissioner) whom he deserted on 4-Mar-1899. He died on 18-May-1913. The last payment was sent to his widow Caledonia Duncan of 427 Plum st, Henderson, Ky.

• 1910 U.S. census, Marion County, Indiana, Population schedule, Center twp, p. 2B (penned), dwelling , family , Major Duncan in the Marion Branch National Home for Disabled Vol. Soldiers household, digital image 4 of 38, FamilySearch.org ([7]: accessed 25 August 2023); citing NARA microfilm publication T624, roll xxx
  • Major was 76 years old and was born in Kentucky. He was an inmate at the Marion Branch National Home for Disabled Vol. Soldiers.

• 1913 Major Duncan death certificate. Indiana, Grant Co., Indiana State Board of Health, (1913) Major Duncan, No. 186, image 1304 of 1797, Ancestry.com, database with images, ([8], Ancestry sharing link: accessed 25 August 2023).
  • Major Duncan was a married, black, male. He was 87 years old and was born in Kentucky. He died 18-May-1913 in Center, Grant Co., Indiana. He was buried 20-May-1913 in National Military Home, Ind. His parents' names were unknown. His wife's name was Sally.

• 1913 Find a Grave Memorial. FindaGrave.com, database and images ([9]: accessed 25 August 2023), memorial page for Pvt Major Duncan (1830–18 May 1913), Find a Grave Memorial ID 67254600, citing Marion National Cemetery, Marion, Grant County, Indiana, USA; Maintained by Ronald Baxter (contributor 47272795).