The number one question I have encountered in working on this book relates to have I found James Duck's father. Regretfully, my answer is always the same disappointing no. I do believe Ephraim Duck is the clue to getting closer to someday having a more positive response. It is important to note that no other Duck males show up in this region of Mississippi during the early 1800's, with the exception of our James and Ephraim. Contacts I've made with Duck researchers in Tippah and other counties where Duck families settled show they arrived many years after James and Ephraim. This also holds true for some portions of Louisiana with one major branch of Louisiana Ducks arriving from North Carolina after 1865.
Ephraim Duck first came to my notice from his marriage to a Lucy Beasley on May 18, 1814 in Marion County, Mississippi. Lucy was a minor with her guardian James Beasely signing the marriage bond. Ephraim Duck was in Mississippi at least by 1806 from the one page copy of his military service record which shows him serving under Claiborne from 1806-1807. A separate notation also lists him in Thomas Hinds Battalion of Calvary, entering as a private with a discharge of Dragoon. Albert Casey's, vol. 3, page 474 lists other Amite surnames that also served under Thomas Hinds including Gayden and Morgan. Thomas Hind's Dragoons were stationed in Liberty at one point according to historical reminisces taken from the Amite courthouse.
Early census records show Ephraim and Lucy remained in Marion Co., Mississippi at least until 1816 before moving to Washington Parish, Louisiana where they appear in the 1820 census. With the wandering spirit or perhaps the lure of free land Ephraim's family next appear in the 1830 Simpson Co., Mississippi census where they remained at least until 1837. Ephraim Duck was next on the move again to Newton County, most likely hoping to take advantage of the new availability of land due to the recent removal of Native Americans. The family shows in 1840 Newton Co. census and in state index for years 1841-1845. Not one to stay put long, Ephraim moves with family to Bay Saint Louis, Hancock Co., Mississippi and appears in the 1850 census with his growing clan. This census gives us additional clues to Ephraim's age and birth place.
From looking at the previous census records that give only sex and approximate age it is clear that all of the below are Ephraim's family.
Ephraim Duck, age 72, born North Carolina
Lucy, age 50, born South Carolina
Rebecca A, age 17, born Mississippi
Martha M, age 15, born Mississippi
Melissa, age 11, born Mississippi
Next door to Ephraim Duck is the following family.
Evander Duck, age 30, born Louisiana
Zelphy, age 30, born Mississippi
Matilda Jane, age 10, born Mississippi
Polly Ann, age 8 born Mississippi
Evander, age 8/12 Mississippi
Not too far down in this census are these two final Duck families.
Uriah Duck, age 28, born Louisiana
Margeny, age 22, born Louisiana
Robert, age 3, born Mississippi
Joanna, age 1, born Mississippi
James Duck, age 30, born Louisiana
Elizabeth, age 23, born Mississippi
Mary Ann, age 7, born Mississippi
James, age 5, born Mississippi
Harriet, age 3, born Mississippi
My efforts to find sources prior to 1806 relating to Ephraim Duck have been unsuccessful at this time. I've had no success in locating any researchers in search of Ephraim but that certainly doesn't mean there isn't additional information available relating to this Duck. A great deal more time and effort needs to done in relation to Ephraim before any final conclusions can be made.
