My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of East Tennessee published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1887.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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James Duncan, a farmer in the Tenth District of Jefferson County, Tenn., was born in that county, April 14, 1842, the son of Joel and Nancy Duncan. James Duncan was reared as a farmer. In 1861 he volunteered in Carter’s regiment, Company K, First Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, and served as a private in said regiment until 1865. He was married, April 4, 1877, to Martha Jane Bettis, who was born August 7, 1844, daughter of A. P. C. Bettis, of Jefferson County. They became the parents of seven children, the eldest two deceased. The children living are Maggie E., born April 8, 1880; Joel C., born July 27, 1881; James W., born October 16, 1882; Howell G., born January 7, 1884, and Eva V., born June 8, 1885. James Duncan, since his marriage, has been a successful farmer. He owns 212 acres of land, of which sixty-five acres lie in Hamblen County, and 147 acres in Jefferson County.

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This family biography is one of 938 biographies included in The History of East Tennessee published in 1887.  For the complete description, click here: History of East Tennessee

To view additional Jefferson County, Tennessee family biographies, click here

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