Person:David Duncan (13)

David Duncan

American Military Service Continued

• Consul Willshire Butterfield. Washington-Irvine Correspondence: The Official Letters which Passed Between Washington and Brig.-Gen. William Irvine and Between Irvine and Others Concerning Military Affaris In The West From 1781 To 1783. (Madison, Wisconcin: David Atwood, 1882)^S2

March 1781 - I have dismissed several civil staff officers. The only on retained is Mr. Samuel Sample, who has been doing the duty of quartermaster ever since Mr. Duncan was put under arrest. I am of opionion some person to act in that department is indispensably necessary; and having no cause to fault Mr. Sample's conduct, have continued him until the pleasure of congress is known.^S2

Mr. Duncan mentioned above was David Duncan. He attended to Michael Huffnagle's (the contractor's) business at Fort Pitt. In March, 1781, Duncan was appointed by the supreme executive council of Pennsylvania, a commissioner of purchases for the county of Westmoreland. His duty was to supply the garrison at Fort Pitt and state troops called out for the defense of the border. Being charged with speculating in public funds, he had been put under arrest, but it appears, was soon after released. He had previously resigned. Mr. Sample's office was that of acting assistant quartermaster. He was an old resident of Pittsburgh, having kept a public house (nee Semple's Tavern) there as early as 1770.^S2

30 Oct 1781 - Provided Provisions at Fort Pitt - "I do certify that I have purchased, received and delivered the above quantity of beef and flour to John Irwin, D. C. Gen’l of Issues, and as my receipts are given to the different persons to be paid in salt; and as there is no continental salt here, I beg that General Irvine will use his influence, if possible, to obtain the quantity of salt, so as I may be able to pay off the debts according to contract. Sam'l Sample. "I do certify that I received of Mr. Samuel Sample beef and flour to the full amount of the within account for the use of the continental troops." "FORT PITT, October 30, 1781. GEO. WALLACE, A. C. I."^S2

03 Dec 1781 – Fort Pitt - Pages 158, 159 - The troops formerly of the eighth Pennsylvania regiment are no longer to be considered as a regiment, but a detachment from the Pennsylvania line. saries, one forage master, and one Indian interpreter. There remain yet Mr. [Alexander] Fowler and his clerk, who says he is yearly appointed by congress auditor of accounts, with three rations per day for himself and one for his clerk; and that he has not yet received a dismissal either from congress or the auditor general. I request express directions respecting this man ; and if he is to be struck off, an order to him to deliver all the stationery on hand; as I am informed he has a pretty good stock. "When this is done there will not be a man on the civil staff except Mr. Samuel Sample, who has been doing the duty of quartermaster ever since Mr. [David] Duncan was put under arrest. As I think there is an indispensable necessity for some person to act in that department, I have continued him till further orders. I have also struck off or rather changed the title of ten artificers and now call them fatigue men. Any person to look at the place and be told that a number of officers were employed, I believe they would rather imagine they were pulling down than building up or repairing...^S2

12 Nov 1781 – Fort Pitt - Pages 162, 163 – Brigadier General William Irvine's Order directed to the acting assistant quartermaster, Samuel Sample, at Fort Pitt, and was in these words: “ Sir: You are hereby authorized and directed to dispose of all unnecessary and cast horses, the property of the United States, and other articles belonging to the quartermaster’s department at this post and its dependencies that are unfit for service or are likely to become so by decay or such as cannot be repaired at small expense to the public. Your articles of sale must be either for ready cash, specie, or forage, equivalent for the sum agreed for. In the execution of this business, I make no doubt you will do your utmost for the good of the public. Indeed, great economy is necessary in every department. The amount of these sales must be appropriated for procuring forage indispensably necessary for the support of the garrison. This information I think proper to give you that you may arrange matters accordingly. I am, sir, your obedient, humble servant. Signed Wm. Irvine, B. Gen'l.^S2

On the 26th Semptember 1783, Brigadier General Irvine received a letter from the assistant secretar at war notifying him that a detachment of troops were on their way to relieve him from command at Fort Pitt, which he desired. He was authorized to furlough as many men of his garrison, leaving only those to remain as necessary. This he did, turning over the remainder to one of his captains, and on the 1st of October 1783, he started for his home in Carlisle. Before his departure, Irvine was presented with the following address:^S2

Pittsburgh, September 30th, 1783^S2

“To Brigadier General Irvine, Comanding at Fort Pitt and its Dependencies - Sir: - The inhabitants of Pittsburgh having just learned that you intend to retire from this command tomorrow, would do injustice to their own feelings if they did not express their thanks to you, and their sense of your merit as an officer. During your command in this department, you have demonstrated that amidst the tumults of war, the laws may be enforced and civil liberty and society protected. Your attention to the order and discipline of the regular troops under your command, as well as to the militia, your regard to the civil rights of the inhabitants, the care you have taken of the public property, and your economy in the expenditure of the public money, we have all witnessed. This conduct, we assure you, has given general satisfaction to a people who, before your time, were, unfortunately for them, much divided, but now united. As you are now about to quit the military life (in which your ability and integrity have been so conspicuous), we wish you all possible happiness, and that your fellow citizens may long enjoy your usefulness in civil life, in which we doubt not you will deserve their utmost confidence. We regret that we were not sooner informed of the time you intended to set out, as we are confident the whole country would have, with pride, joined us in this or mor animated and better drawn-up address. We sincerely wish you health and a happy meeting with your family and friends at Carlisle; - and are, with great esteem and respect, sir your obedient and very humble servants, Signed:^S2

John Ormsby

Devereux Smith

David Duncan

Daniel Elliott

Samuel Ewalt

George Walker

Joseph Nicholson

Samuel Sample

Alexander Fowler

William Christy

John Hardin

William Amberson^S2

1.   Margaret Pearson Bothwell. The Western Pennsylvania Historical Magazine: Edward Ward Trail Blazing Pioneer. (Pennsylvania, June 1960)
   Pages 109, 116, 117, 118, 125.
2.   Consul Willshire Butterfield. Washington-Irvine Correspondence: The Official Letters which Passed Between Washington and Brig.-Gen. William Irvine and Between Irvine and Others Concerning Military Affaris In The West From 1781 To 1783. (Madison, Wisconcin: David Atwood, 1882).
3.   Leckey, Howard L. (Howard Louis), and Greene County Historical Society (Pennsylvania). The Tenmile Country and its pioneer families: a genealogical history of the upper Monongahela Valley (with complete index). (Knightstown, Indiana: Bookmark, c1977)
   Page 265.
4.   De La Vergne, Earl W. Frontier defense on the upper Ohio, 1777-1778: Draper Series Vol. 3. (Oshkosh, Wisconsin: State Historical Society of Wisconsin, March 1912)
   Pages 303, 304.

   Volunteer company of 52 officers and privates in Pittsburgh, under General Hand, for three months from May 1, 1778: David Duncan, Captain and Samuel Semple, private.

5.   David Duncan served as Assistant Quartermaster General in the War of the Revolution for some time previous to 1781, at which date he was commissioned by the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania Commissioner of Purchases in Westmoreland County [Pa.]. It is supposed he was David Duncan who was chosen by Congress 9th March, 1776, to sign the $4,000,000 Bills of Credit ordered to be issued. He died April 1792, in Pittsburg. Will probated 18th April, 1792. Legatees wife Margaret. Sons Samuel and David. Daughter Hannah.
   
   "Talley's Kentucky Papers" pg.38 (from index cards of Kit Smith 8/1983), Fleming Co. KY Order Book E: Majr. John Finley of Fleming Co. states he was well acquainted with David Duncan, who died in Pittsburgh in 1792, that David Duncan purchased a land warrant for 3,000 acres from David Holmes. Land on Darby Cr., OH; Mill Creek and Bokes Creek, all in OH. Warrant laid by Lucas Williams and the heirs are: Hannay Finley, dau. of David Duncan and wife of John Finley; Margaret Holvey, dau. of David Duncan; Margaret Christy, David's grch by dau. Mary Duncan m. Clarke; Abram Clarke, David's grch by dau. Mary Duncan m. Clarke; Margret Christy, wife of Rutherford, all reside in KY 1828.