Person Page 2,909

Letter from Sarah E. Thompson to Robert Allison Russell , January 1860

Philander Mo Jan

Mr. Russell

Sir in compliance with the request of your departed sister with a sad heart I take my pen to perform the mournful task enjoined upon me. Your loved sister Harriet bid adieu to the sorrows of earth on the eight of Jan 1860. She made the request of me several months ago that when she was gone to write to you and give you all the satisfaction I could. I feel incompetent for the task, did not a sense of duty prompt me to it. I with others am bereaved for when lone without a home and my heart broken and bleeding, she took the lone orphan in sorrow and stricken in wore and gave her a sheltering home. Spoke words of peace to bind the broken heart. God give me strength [that] I will not prove faithless in performance of the duties enjoined upon me.

When I first come to live with her in August she was at times able to walk about, her cough was distressing. About the first of Oct she took her bed entirely. Said she never expected to be up again nor never was, except to sit a short time. About the middle of Dec she was taken worse and we had watches until she died. She suffered greatly but patiently. The reed on which she leaned was not broken. She enjoyed great peace of mind and retained her mind entirely until the last breath told us she was no more. She made requests as to the disposal of everything except her children. She could forn me flan. Told Mr. Duncan to do the best he could with them. She told me once, were you differently situated, she would like for you to take Russell . But as you had the care of step brothers and sisters, she could not ask it if she knew his father was willing to separate them.

She made known the spot she wished to be buried and the kind of coffin she wished (plain walnut). I don’t think I ever saw one so sensible in death. Spoke bravely to the last. She had her pipe and tried to smoke the last thing. She tried for relief. I wish I could tell you all you would like. When she was not so bad she often spoke of you. Sometimes her feelings would be too tender. I asked her once if she did not think you would come if she would write. Yes she said, I know he would drop all and come, but then she said unless he could stay until the last it would be best for him not to come. Said she could not bear it.

She said death and the cold grave had no terror. If her friends follow in her footsteps, it would be but a short time until they would be reunited, never to separate.

I am staying with the family still. A young man and wife are staying with us. Mr. Duncan’s business is in a very unsettled condition. He is deeply distressed. He first talked of taking his family to Iowa. But, upon reflection, he thought if I would remain with them, the children being used to me and attached to me, the weather being inclement, difficulty of amend, that he had best remain as he was until spring. In his present state of feeling is not capable of coming to any definite conclusion what to do. He is quite steady. Your sister had the satisfaction to see him again find peace with his sorrow and rejoice with her in a saving faith.

All the rest of the family are well as usual. Russell was very ill when his ma died, is almost well. Joseph is deeply grieved. He is old enough to realize his loss. I fear he will be a victim to the same disease.

Russell is standing by me. I told him I was writing to his uncle and what must he tell you. Said tell him I want to go and live with him for he is the best man in the world. Says he has not forgotten how you used to talk to the ducks. I asked little Bobby, the pet, what I should say, he said tell my uncle to be a good boy. He is a fine looking, sprightly boy.

I have tried to do my duty to your sister. I loved her dearly. She was my dearest friend to her children despite the feel tongue of slander that may be leveled at me, I will try to fulfill her request. No one ever has treated me as tenderly, dear to me as a sister. Kindly, though a stranger, write to me on the reception. Let me know this is received. Ask me anything you care to know. I will take a pleasure in answer you.

I have written an obituary notice. If published, we will send you a paper. Perhaps it would be a satisfaction. Mr. Duncan has gone to Albay to tend to some business. Respects and the boys love to you.

Nothing more at present.

} Respectfully

Mr. A. Russell} } Sarah E. Thompson

P.S. Mr. Duncan has just come in. Says tell you will write soon as he gets little composed. Never had write and will soon it give the req pleasure and to my lonely heart a word of kindly cheer would be great received. you’re a stranger can not a strange for you ???? has been a hose cold bard

[This last part is very hard to read.].

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, MACOUPIN COUNTY ILLINOIS - 1891, Page 277

JOHN WESLEY DUNCAN. This gentleman is engaged in the lumber business in Palmyra and also handles lime, coal, hair, cement and grain. He devotes himself closely to his business and is doing well in that line in which he decided to embark a few years since. He is associated in business with his brother, Joseph B., and the lumber yard they now own was purchased by them in the fall of 1888. Mr. Duncan is quite a young man, having been born October 26, 1865, but he is showing the qualities of which the good business man is made, and carrying on his work according to the truest principles remembering that even in matters of trade, honesty is a duty as well as good policy.

James Duncan, paternal grandfather of our subject, is thought to have been born in Virginia. For many years his home was in Washington County, Tenn., and there his son James was born and reared. The latter began his lifework as a school teacher, but having been reared to agricultural pursuits he abandoned the profession after he had taught several terms and took up farming. He had come to this county and his first term of school was at Simpson Hill in South Palmyra Township. He began his farm work near Girard, but after a time removed to the village and for two years was occupied in the grain trade. He then bought land in South Palmyra township and resumed farming, giving it his entire attention until 1881, when he took up the lumber business, although he still occupied his farm. He died there in 1888. He left a widow and three children, John Wesley, Joseph B. and James T. The widow still occupies the homestead. She bore the maiden name of Abigail Proffitt. She was born in Washington County, Tenn., and is a daughter of Daniel and Sarah Proffitt, pioneers of this county. Grandfather Duncan came hither after the death of his wife and spent his last days with his son James, dying about 1863.

The birthplace of our subject was the village of Girard, but he was reared on the farm. After taking a course of study in the public school he spent a year in Shurtleff College in Upper Alton. He made his home with his parents until his marriage, then located in the village of Nilwood, but still gave his attention to farming. He lived there two years, then moved to Palmyra and entered upon the work he is now pursuing. He was married in 1888 to Miss Fannie B. Thacker, who was born in Nilwood Township and is a daughter of Zachary and Nancy Thacker, a biographical sketch of whom appears on another page of this Record. Husband and wife belong to the Baptist Church, of which Mr. Duncan's mother is also a member and his father for many years was a Deacon. Our subject and wife have one daughter living, Bertie F. Mr. Duncan votes the Republican ticket. He is connected with the Palmyra building and Loan Association and socially belongs to Palmyra Camp, No. 149, M.W.A.