According to our family mcduffee-gedcom, his first name is typed John Robert, but we have never seen his name written by him as John or John Robert, and neither have any other family researchers! He always went by Robert, but his great-grandson, Joseph, referred to him as James - see great-grandson Joseph W. #39598790 for explanation. However, with further reasoning in March 2015, we now believe that his name was Robert McDuffe. As everyone knows, he signed his name Robert McDuffe, so that was his legal name. And because his great-grandson, Joseph, referred to him as James, I now believe that James was his "family" or familiar name. Case in point, is the fact that his youngest son was named James R. Why would there be three James' in the same family? So, it makes perfect sense to me that his legal and first name was Robert and his "family" name was James. Years ago, I remember viewing records on him at familysearch.org by Bonnie Baldwin (a descendant) - she always referred to him as James. This finally makes perfect sense!!
WASHINGTON COUNTY, PA, HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
Southwestern Pennsylvania began to be settled in the 1770's, but some families were in the county before 1750. In 1771, the area was a part of Bedford Co. In 1773, the land became part of Westmoreland Co. Finally, Washington Co. was created on 28 Mar 1781 from Westmoreland Co. There was a dispute over this territory with the state of Virginia. Virginia claimed this area until 1780. Between 1775-1780 courts were held by Virginia in the disputed territory.
Apr 1775: Start of American Revolution
28 Mar 1781: Washington County, PA is formed
15 Jul 1781: Peters Township is formed
In 1781, Robert McDuffy bought 50 acres on Peters Creek, Peters Twp, Washington Co, PA, with 2 horses, 2 cattle, & 3 sheep = Value 66.
(Washington Co Tax List, pg 273)*
15 Sep 1782: In the fall of 1782, he served with the Washington County Militia first under Capt William Barr, then Capt John Wall.
3 Sep 1783: Treaty signed in Paris between the U.S. & Great Britain = "the War is over!"
In 1783, Robert McDuffey is listed with NO property, 2 horses, 2 cows, 4 sheep, no slaves = Value 23/6
(Washington Co Tax List, pg 76)*
30 Mar 1784: Robert McDuffey buys 50 acres from Benjamin Collins on the south fork of Peters Creek, Washington Co, PA for 50 pounds.
(Deed Book 1A, pg 308)*
9 Nov 1784: Military Certificate issued to Robert
1787: PA becomes 2nd state to ratify Constitution
3 May 1788: Robert McDuffe buys 59 3/4 acres from John Wall and Hannah, his wife, on Peters Creek, Washington Co, PA for 50 pounds.
(Deed Book 1D, pg 285)*
1789: George Washington inaugurated President!
28 January 1790*; Deed Id 1-H, pg 29: ROBERT McDuffe and RACHAEL sold their property in Washington Co, PA to David Millingar and moved to Bourbon Co, KY. They probably built or bought a flatboat to maneuver down the Ohio River to the busy river port of Maysville, KY. That was the fastest way to Kentucky, although the Shawnee were on the Ohio, or north side, of the river, ever ready to attack settlers and pillage their cargo of livestock, etc.
The very next DEED of 28 Jan 1790 is of BENJAMIN Collins and wife CATHARINE also selling land to David Millingar - "in consideration of just and full sum of 96 pounds, 5 shillings".
(We did not previously realize that Benjamin Collins was Rachael's father and Robert's father-in-law)!**
1792: MASON CO, KY, WILLS & ESTATES 1791 - 1832, BOOKS A - H; Will Book A, pgs 43-44, recorded 25 Dec 1792:
COLLINS, Benjamin, of Washington, Mason Co, KY, Will dated 25 Oct 1792
DAUGHTERS = Uphemia Lovejoy, w/o John Lovejoy; Mary Cocks (Cox), w/o John Cocks
GRANDDAUGHTER = Mary Morley (Murley)* (dau of William & Rachael)
R.N.G. = Margaret Lounsdale
EXECUTORS = Thomas Lounsdale; Simon Kenton
WITNESSES = Edward Holmes; Robert McDuffey*
1797 - 1802: Robert served as Justice of the Peace in Harrison County
1798: Robert purchased 119 acres on Beaver Creek in Harrison County
ABSTRACT of EARLY KENTUCKY WILLS & INVENTORIES, by Junie Estelle Stewart King, 2010:
1815 Book B, Fayette Co, KY:
pg 94: KING, Joseph, 30 Feb 1815. May 1815.
Wit: Robert McDuffee, Braxton King, John Snodgrass
pg 96: TURVEY, Mary, 11 Dec 1815. Jan 1816. Son: Braxton King.
Wit: William Raymon, Robert McDuffee, John Heading
Look at the image of the associated/neighbors/friends on this list!!:
Harrison Co, KY, 1810 Census - Image 1810 U. S. Census
His sons, Robert, Jr, and Gabriel, became circuit riding ministers. Robert, Jr, began in 1808 and was later ordained in the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1826. Gabriel was an Elder and Minister in the Christian Church. In the fall of 1826, Robert, Jr, and Gabriel moved their families to Rush County, Indiana, and expanded their ministries there. (Robert, Sr, also joined them on this trip because, as we now know, he was buried in the Bowman cemetery in Rush Co, IN, according to our McDuffie gedcom). Their sister, Nancy, and husband John Waggoner, Jr, joined them on this trip along with their new baby, William A. Waggoner.
Robert, Sr, died prior to 11 Jul 1827, when his children are parceling his land. No exact date of death is known.
We wonder why our surname changed over time. I found an explanation by Jerry McAfee who has written much on the McDuffee family:
McDuffee / Macfie Historical Reference, by Jerry McAfee April 25, 2013:
The Clan MacFie is supposed to be a branch of the race of Alpine; the name is spelt in a variety of ways. Dubhsith in Gaelic has passed into Duffie in English, which in its MacDuffie form has passed into MacFie. At the battle of Culloden, 1745, the Cameron's were one of the few clans who made that furious onset which nearly annihilated the left wing of the Duke of Cumberland's army, and almost led to a brilliant victory; the Cameron's suffered severely, and with them a proportionate number of the Macfie's, but soon loyalty to the reigning dynasty was in the ascendant, and the armorial bearings for the race have for motto the words Pro Rege (For the King).
The name of the family was originally MacDuff, but it is said that on the accession of King Malcolm to the throne of Scotland, about the year 1050, he gave to the representatives of this branch a tract of land in the country of Fife as a reward for services, and he added "fee" to the name, indicating a gift from the crown, and thus McDuff became McDuffee. A coat-of-arms was given to the family at the same time, which in the Scotch heraldry was a lion rampant with a sword in his paw, guarding the crown and Kingdom of Scotland, having three hawks under his feet, representing the three witches who were met by MacBeth, and a thorn bush representing Birnan Wood.
Motto: Pro Rege
July 2017:
We have re-estimated Robert's birth date to about 1746 and have linked him to his "very possible" parents and his "very possible" sister Agnes who married Capt. John Wall. We know that Agnes died in New Jersey. But, after her death, Robert traveled with Capt John Wall to Washington Co, PA, so we know there was a close relationship. Also, both men were in the County Militia there. Cousin Jean (from the James McDuffe #43171321 line) and I have been trying for the last 8 years to gleen information and researching for the best available information about Robert's parents. We have been helped by other McDuffee relatives and friends and, for that, we are very thankful! At least, this is the most information we have at the moment.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, PA, HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
Southwestern Pennsylvania began to be settled in the 1770's, but some families were in the county before 1750. In 1771, the area was a part of Bedford Co. In 1773, the land became part of Westmoreland Co. Finally, Washington Co. was created on 28 Mar 1781 from Westmoreland Co. There was a dispute over this territory with the state of Virginia. Virginia claimed this area until 1780. Between 1775-1780 courts were held by Virginia in the disputed territory.
Apr 1775: Start of American Revolution
28 Mar 1781: Washington County, PA is formed
15 Jul 1781: Peters Township is formed
In 1781, Robert McDuffy bought 50 acres on Peters Creek, Peters Twp, Washington Co, PA, with 2 horses, 2 cattle, & 3 sheep = Value 66.
(Washington Co Tax List, pg 273)*
15 Sep 1782: In the fall of 1782, he served with the Washington County Militia first under Capt William Barr, then Capt John Wall.
3 Sep 1783: Treaty signed in Paris between the U.S. & Great Britain = "the War is over!"
In 1783, Robert McDuffey is listed with NO property, 2 horses, 2 cows, 4 sheep, no slaves = Value 23/6
(Washington Co Tax List, pg 76)*
30 Mar 1784: Robert McDuffey buys 50 acres from Benjamin Collins on the south fork of Peters Creek, Washington Co, PA for 50 pounds.
(Deed Book 1A, pg 308)*
9 Nov 1784: Military Certificate issued to Robert
1787: PA becomes 2nd state to ratify Constitution
3 May 1788: Robert McDuffe buys 59 3/4 acres from John Wall and Hannah, his wife, on Peters Creek, Washington Co, PA for 50 pounds.
(Deed Book 1D, pg 285)*
1789: George Washington inaugurated President!
28 January 1790*; Deed Id 1-H, pg 29: ROBERT McDuffe and RACHAEL sold their property in Washington Co, PA to David Millingar and moved to Bourbon Co, KY. They probably built or bought a flatboat to maneuver down the Ohio River to the busy river port of Maysville, KY. That was the fastest way to Kentucky, although the Shawnee were on the Ohio, or north side, of the river, ever ready to attack settlers and pillage their cargo of livestock, etc.
The very next DEED of 28 Jan 1790 is of BENJAMIN Collins and wife CATHARINE also selling land to David Millingar - "in consideration of just and full sum of 96 pounds, 5 shillings".
(We did not previously realize that Benjamin Collins was Rachael's father and Robert's father-in-law)!**
1792: MASON CO, KY, WILLS & ESTATES 1791 - 1832, BOOKS A - H; Will Book A, pgs 43-44, recorded 25 Dec 1792:
COLLINS, Benjamin, of Washington, Mason Co, KY, Will dated 25 Oct 1792
DAUGHTERS = Uphemia Lovejoy, w/o John Lovejoy; Mary Cocks (Cox), w/o John Cocks
GRANDDAUGHTER = Mary Morley (Murley)* (dau of William & Rachael)
R.N.G. = Margaret Lounsdale
EXECUTORS = Thomas Lounsdale; Simon Kenton
WITNESSES = Edward Holmes; Robert McDuffey*
1797 - 1802: Robert served as Justice of the Peace in Harrison County
1798: Robert purchased 119 acres on Beaver Creek in Harrison County
ABSTRACT of EARLY KENTUCKY WILLS & INVENTORIES, by Junie Estelle Stewart King, 2010:
1815 Book B, Fayette Co, KY:
pg 94: KING, Joseph, 30 Feb 1815. May 1815.
Wit: Robert McDuffee, Braxton King, John Snodgrass
pg 96: TURVEY, Mary, 11 Dec 1815. Jan 1816. Son: Braxton King.
Wit: William Raymon, Robert McDuffee, John Heading
Look at the image of the associated/neighbors/friends on this list!!:
Harrison Co, KY, 1810 Census - Image 1810 U. S. Census
His sons, Robert, Jr, and Gabriel, became circuit riding ministers. Robert, Jr, began in 1808 and was later ordained in the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1826. Gabriel was an Elder and Minister in the Christian Church. In the fall of 1826, Robert, Jr, and Gabriel moved their families to Rush County, Indiana, and expanded their ministries there. (Robert, Sr, also joined them on this trip because, as we now know, he was buried in the Bowman cemetery in Rush Co, IN, according to our McDuffie gedcom). Their sister, Nancy, and husband John Waggoner, Jr, joined them on this trip along with their new baby, William A. Waggoner.
Robert, Sr, died prior to 11 Jul 1827, when his children are parceling his land. No exact date of death is known.
We wonder why our surname changed over time. I found an explanation by Jerry McAfee who has written much on the McDuffee family:
McDuffee / Macfie Historical Reference, by Jerry McAfee April 25, 2013:
The Clan MacFie is supposed to be a branch of the race of Alpine; the name is spelt in a variety of ways. Dubhsith in Gaelic has passed into Duffie in English, which in its MacDuffie form has passed into MacFie. At the battle of Culloden, 1745, the Cameron's were one of the few clans who made that furious onset which nearly annihilated the left wing of the Duke of Cumberland's army, and almost led to a brilliant victory; the Cameron's suffered severely, and with them a proportionate number of the Macfie's, but soon loyalty to the reigning dynasty was in the ascendant, and the armorial bearings for the race have for motto the words Pro Rege (For the King).
The name of the family was originally MacDuff, but it is said that on the accession of King Malcolm to the throne of Scotland, about the year 1050, he gave to the representatives of this branch a tract of land in the country of Fife as a reward for services, and he added "fee" to the name, indicating a gift from the crown, and thus McDuff became McDuffee. A coat-of-arms was given to the family at the same time, which in the Scotch heraldry was a lion rampant with a sword in his paw, guarding the crown and Kingdom of Scotland, having three hawks under his feet, representing the three witches who were met by MacBeth, and a thorn bush representing Birnan Wood.
Motto: Pro Rege
July 2017:
We have re-estimated Robert's birth date to about 1746 and have linked him to his "very possible" parents and his "very possible" sister Agnes who married Capt. John Wall. We know that Agnes died in New Jersey. But, after her death, Robert traveled with Capt John Wall to Washington Co, PA, so we know there was a close relationship. Also, both men were in the County Militia there. Cousin Jean (from the James McDuffe #43171321 line) and I have been trying for the last 8 years to gleen information and researching for the best available information about Robert's parents. We have been helped by other McDuffee relatives and friends and, for that, we are very thankful! At least, this is the most information we have at the moment.
According to our family mcduffee-gedcom, his first name is typed John Robert, but we have never seen his name written by him as John or John Robert, and neither have any other family researchers! He always went by Robert, but his great-grandson, Joseph, referred to him as James - see great-grandson Joseph W. #39598790 for explanation. However, with further reasoning in March 2015, we now believe that his name was Robert McDuffe. As everyone knows, he signed his name Robert McDuffe, so that was his legal name. And because his great-grandson, Joseph, referred to him as James, I now believe that James was his "family" or familiar name. Case in point, is the fact that his youngest son was named James R. Why would there be three James' in the same family? So, it makes perfect sense to me that his legal and first name was Robert and his "family" name was James. Years ago, I remember viewing records on him at familysearch.org by Bonnie Baldwin (a descendant) - she always referred to him as James. This finally makes perfect sense!!
WASHINGTON COUNTY, PA, HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
Southwestern Pennsylvania began to be settled in the 1770's, but some families were in the county before 1750. In 1771, the area was a part of Bedford Co. In 1773, the land became part of Westmoreland Co. Finally, Washington Co. was created on 28 Mar 1781 from Westmoreland Co. There was a dispute over this territory with the state of Virginia. Virginia claimed this area until 1780. Between 1775-1780 courts were held by Virginia in the disputed territory.
Apr 1775: Start of American Revolution
28 Mar 1781: Washington County, PA is formed
15 Jul 1781: Peters Township is formed
In 1781, Robert McDuffy bought 50 acres on Peters Creek, Peters Twp, Washington Co, PA, with 2 horses, 2 cattle, & 3 sheep = Value 66.
(Washington Co Tax List, pg 273)*
15 Sep 1782: In the fall of 1782, he served with the Washington County Militia first under Capt William Barr, then Capt John Wall.
3 Sep 1783: Treaty signed in Paris between the U.S. & Great Britain = "the War is over!"
In 1783, Robert McDuffey is listed with NO property, 2 horses, 2 cows, 4 sheep, no slaves = Value 23/6
(Washington Co Tax List, pg 76)*
30 Mar 1784: Robert McDuffey buys 50 acres from Benjamin Collins on the south fork of Peters Creek, Washington Co, PA for 50 pounds.
(Deed Book 1A, pg 308)*
9 Nov 1784: Military Certificate issued to Robert
1787: PA becomes 2nd state to ratify Constitution
3 May 1788: Robert McDuffe buys 59 3/4 acres from John Wall and Hannah, his wife, on Peters Creek, Washington Co, PA for 50 pounds.
(Deed Book 1D, pg 285)*
1789: George Washington inaugurated President!
28 January 1790*; Deed Id 1-H, pg 29: ROBERT McDuffe and RACHAEL sold their property in Washington Co, PA to David Millingar and moved to Bourbon Co, KY. They probably built or bought a flatboat to maneuver down the Ohio River to the busy river port of Maysville, KY. That was the fastest way to Kentucky, although the Shawnee were on the Ohio, or north side, of the river, ever ready to attack settlers and pillage their cargo of livestock, etc.
The very next DEED of 28 Jan 1790 is of BENJAMIN Collins and wife CATHARINE also selling land to David Millingar - "in consideration of just and full sum of 96 pounds, 5 shillings".
(We did not previously realize that Benjamin Collins was Rachael's father and Robert's father-in-law)!**
1792: MASON CO, KY, WILLS & ESTATES 1791 - 1832, BOOKS A - H; Will Book A, pgs 43-44, recorded 25 Dec 1792:
COLLINS, Benjamin, of Washington, Mason Co, KY, Will dated 25 Oct 1792
DAUGHTERS = Uphemia Lovejoy, w/o John Lovejoy; Mary Cocks (Cox), w/o John Cocks
GRANDDAUGHTER = Mary Morley (Murley)* (dau of William & Rachael)
R.N.G. = Margaret Lounsdale
EXECUTORS = Thomas Lounsdale; Simon Kenton
WITNESSES = Edward Holmes; Robert McDuffey*
1797 - 1802: Robert served as Justice of the Peace in Harrison County
1798: Robert purchased 119 acres on Beaver Creek in Harrison County
ABSTRACT of EARLY KENTUCKY WILLS & INVENTORIES, by Junie Estelle Stewart King, 2010:
1815 Book B, Fayette Co, KY:
pg 94: KING, Joseph, 30 Feb 1815. May 1815.
Wit: Robert McDuffee, Braxton King, John Snodgrass
pg 96: TURVEY, Mary, 11 Dec 1815. Jan 1816. Son: Braxton King.
Wit: William Raymon, Robert McDuffee, John Heading
Look at the image of the associated/neighbors/friends on this list!!:
Harrison Co, KY, 1810 Census - Image 1810 U. S. Census
His sons, Robert, Jr, and Gabriel, became circuit riding ministers. Robert, Jr, began in 1808 and was later ordained in the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1826. Gabriel was an Elder and Minister in the Christian Church. In the fall of 1826, Robert, Jr, and Gabriel moved their families to Rush County, Indiana, and expanded their ministries there. (Robert, Sr, also joined them on this trip because, as we now know, he was buried in the Bowman cemetery in Rush Co, IN, according to our McDuffie gedcom). Their sister, Nancy, and husband John Waggoner, Jr, joined them on this trip along with their new baby, William A. Waggoner.
Robert, Sr, died prior to 11 Jul 1827, when his children are parceling his land. No exact date of death is known.
We wonder why our surname changed over time. I found an explanation by Jerry McAfee who has written much on the McDuffee family:
McDuffee / Macfie Historical Reference, by Jerry McAfee April 25, 2013:
The Clan MacFie is supposed to be a branch of the race of Alpine; the name is spelt in a variety of ways. Dubhsith in Gaelic has passed into Duffie in English, which in its MacDuffie form has passed into MacFie. At the battle of Culloden, 1745, the Cameron's were one of the few clans who made that furious onset which nearly annihilated the left wing of the Duke of Cumberland's army, and almost led to a brilliant victory; the Cameron's suffered severely, and with them a proportionate number of the Macfie's, but soon loyalty to the reigning dynasty was in the ascendant, and the armorial bearings for the race have for motto the words Pro Rege (For the King).
The name of the family was originally MacDuff, but it is said that on the accession of King Malcolm to the throne of Scotland, about the year 1050, he gave to the representatives of this branch a tract of land in the country of Fife as a reward for services, and he added "fee" to the name, indicating a gift from the crown, and thus McDuff became McDuffee. A coat-of-arms was given to the family at the same time, which in the Scotch heraldry was a lion rampant with a sword in his paw, guarding the crown and Kingdom of Scotland, having three hawks under his feet, representing the three witches who were met by MacBeth, and a thorn bush representing Birnan Wood.
Motto: Pro Rege
July 2017:
We have re-estimated Robert's birth date to about 1746 and have linked him to his "very possible" parents and his "very possible" sister Agnes who married Capt. John Wall. We know that Agnes died in New Jersey. But, after her death, Robert traveled with Capt John Wall to Washington Co, PA, so we know there was a close relationship. Also, both men were in the County Militia there. Cousin Jean (from the James McDuffe #43171321 line) and I have been trying for the last 8 years to gleen information and researching for the best available information about Robert's parents. We have been helped by other McDuffee relatives and friends and, for that, we are very thankful! At least, this is the most information we have at the moment.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, PA, HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
Southwestern Pennsylvania began to be settled in the 1770's, but some families were in the county before 1750. In 1771, the area was a part of Bedford Co. In 1773, the land became part of Westmoreland Co. Finally, Washington Co. was created on 28 Mar 1781 from Westmoreland Co. There was a dispute over this territory with the state of Virginia. Virginia claimed this area until 1780. Between 1775-1780 courts were held by Virginia in the disputed territory.
Apr 1775: Start of American Revolution
28 Mar 1781: Washington County, PA is formed
15 Jul 1781: Peters Township is formed
In 1781, Robert McDuffy bought 50 acres on Peters Creek, Peters Twp, Washington Co, PA, with 2 horses, 2 cattle, & 3 sheep = Value 66.
(Washington Co Tax List, pg 273)*
15 Sep 1782: In the fall of 1782, he served with the Washington County Militia first under Capt William Barr, then Capt John Wall.
3 Sep 1783: Treaty signed in Paris between the U.S. & Great Britain = "the War is over!"
In 1783, Robert McDuffey is listed with NO property, 2 horses, 2 cows, 4 sheep, no slaves = Value 23/6
(Washington Co Tax List, pg 76)*
30 Mar 1784: Robert McDuffey buys 50 acres from Benjamin Collins on the south fork of Peters Creek, Washington Co, PA for 50 pounds.
(Deed Book 1A, pg 308)*
9 Nov 1784: Military Certificate issued to Robert
1787: PA becomes 2nd state to ratify Constitution
3 May 1788: Robert McDuffe buys 59 3/4 acres from John Wall and Hannah, his wife, on Peters Creek, Washington Co, PA for 50 pounds.
(Deed Book 1D, pg 285)*
1789: George Washington inaugurated President!
28 January 1790*; Deed Id 1-H, pg 29: ROBERT McDuffe and RACHAEL sold their property in Washington Co, PA to David Millingar and moved to Bourbon Co, KY. They probably built or bought a flatboat to maneuver down the Ohio River to the busy river port of Maysville, KY. That was the fastest way to Kentucky, although the Shawnee were on the Ohio, or north side, of the river, ever ready to attack settlers and pillage their cargo of livestock, etc.
The very next DEED of 28 Jan 1790 is of BENJAMIN Collins and wife CATHARINE also selling land to David Millingar - "in consideration of just and full sum of 96 pounds, 5 shillings".
(We did not previously realize that Benjamin Collins was Rachael's father and Robert's father-in-law)!**
1792: MASON CO, KY, WILLS & ESTATES 1791 - 1832, BOOKS A - H; Will Book A, pgs 43-44, recorded 25 Dec 1792:
COLLINS, Benjamin, of Washington, Mason Co, KY, Will dated 25 Oct 1792
DAUGHTERS = Uphemia Lovejoy, w/o John Lovejoy; Mary Cocks (Cox), w/o John Cocks
GRANDDAUGHTER = Mary Morley (Murley)* (dau of William & Rachael)
R.N.G. = Margaret Lounsdale
EXECUTORS = Thomas Lounsdale; Simon Kenton
WITNESSES = Edward Holmes; Robert McDuffey*
1797 - 1802: Robert served as Justice of the Peace in Harrison County
1798: Robert purchased 119 acres on Beaver Creek in Harrison County
ABSTRACT of EARLY KENTUCKY WILLS & INVENTORIES, by Junie Estelle Stewart King, 2010:
1815 Book B, Fayette Co, KY:
pg 94: KING, Joseph, 30 Feb 1815. May 1815.
Wit: Robert McDuffee, Braxton King, John Snodgrass
pg 96: TURVEY, Mary, 11 Dec 1815. Jan 1816. Son: Braxton King.
Wit: William Raymon, Robert McDuffee, John Heading
Look at the image of the associated/neighbors/friends on this list!!:
Harrison Co, KY, 1810 Census - Image 1810 U. S. Census
His sons, Robert, Jr, and Gabriel, became circuit riding ministers. Robert, Jr, began in 1808 and was later ordained in the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1826. Gabriel was an Elder and Minister in the Christian Church. In the fall of 1826, Robert, Jr, and Gabriel moved their families to Rush County, Indiana, and expanded their ministries there. (Robert, Sr, also joined them on this trip because, as we now know, he was buried in the Bowman cemetery in Rush Co, IN, according to our McDuffie gedcom). Their sister, Nancy, and husband John Waggoner, Jr, joined them on this trip along with their new baby, William A. Waggoner.
Robert, Sr, died prior to 11 Jul 1827, when his children are parceling his land. No exact date of death is known.
We wonder why our surname changed over time. I found an explanation by Jerry McAfee who has written much on the McDuffee family:
McDuffee / Macfie Historical Reference, by Jerry McAfee April 25, 2013:
The Clan MacFie is supposed to be a branch of the race of Alpine; the name is spelt in a variety of ways. Dubhsith in Gaelic has passed into Duffie in English, which in its MacDuffie form has passed into MacFie. At the battle of Culloden, 1745, the Cameron's were one of the few clans who made that furious onset which nearly annihilated the left wing of the Duke of Cumberland's army, and almost led to a brilliant victory; the Cameron's suffered severely, and with them a proportionate number of the Macfie's, but soon loyalty to the reigning dynasty was in the ascendant, and the armorial bearings for the race have for motto the words Pro Rege (For the King).
The name of the family was originally MacDuff, but it is said that on the accession of King Malcolm to the throne of Scotland, about the year 1050, he gave to the representatives of this branch a tract of land in the country of Fife as a reward for services, and he added "fee" to the name, indicating a gift from the crown, and thus McDuff became McDuffee. A coat-of-arms was given to the family at the same time, which in the Scotch heraldry was a lion rampant with a sword in his paw, guarding the crown and Kingdom of Scotland, having three hawks under his feet, representing the three witches who were met by MacBeth, and a thorn bush representing Birnan Wood.
Motto: Pro Rege
July 2017:
We have re-estimated Robert's birth date to about 1746 and have linked him to his "very possible" parents and his "very possible" sister Agnes who married Capt. John Wall. We know that Agnes died in New Jersey. But, after her death, Robert traveled with Capt John Wall to Washington Co, PA, so we know there was a close relationship. Also, both men were in the County Militia there. Cousin Jean (from the James McDuffe #43171321 line) and I have been trying for the last 8 years to gleen information and researching for the best available information about Robert's parents. We have been helped by other McDuffee relatives and friends and, for that, we are very thankful! At least, this is the most information we have at the moment.
Gravesite Details
According to our McDuffee gedcom, he is buried in the Bowman (now Radar) cemetery - in Rush Co, IN** There is no Bowman or Radar cemetery in Harrison Co, KY.
Family Members
Siblings
Children
