Benjamin A. Duggins was born in February 1819 in Ohio, where he spent much of his life. By 1843, Benjamin had settled in Washington Township, Preble County, Ohio, where he was listed on the local tax rolls. That same year, on March 12, he married Jane Hunter, marking the beginning of their life together in Preble County. The couple soon started a family, which would eventually include several children.
Throughout the 1840s and 1850s, Benjamin remained an active and prosperous farmer. He appeared on the tax rolls numerous times between 1843 and 1850, and in 1850, the U.S. census recorded him as a 31-year-old farmer residing in Gasper Township. His household included his wife Jane and their children: Sarah E., William H., Maria A., and John R. During these years, Benjamin began acquiring land, including an 84-acre plot in Preble County purchased in 1857 for $3,000 from family members William A. Duggins and Henry J. Duggins. His land transactions reflected both his growing wealth and his connection to his community and family.
By 1860, Benjamin was living in Gasper Township with an estate valued at $8,500 in real estate and $1,400 in personal property, substantial amounts for the time. His family continued to grow, and in 1862, his son Charles Fremont Duggins was born. As the Civil War intensified, Benjamin, at the age of 44, registered for the military draft in June 1863. He enlisted in Company E of the 156th Ohio Infantry on May 2, 1864, serving his country during a critical period in American history. He was mustered out of the military on September 1, 1864, after several months of service.
After his military service, Benjamin continued his farming and land dealings, including selling portions of his property in the 1870s. He and his family were recorded on the 1870 census, still residing in Preble County. As his children grew, Benjamin continued to prosper, eventually selling land for $5,250 in 1878.
In 1890, Benjamin was awarded an invalid pension for his Civil War service, demonstrating his continued connection to the military community. By the turn of the century, he had moved to Geneva Township in Van Buren County, Michigan, and also spent time at the National Home for Disabled Veteran Soldiers in Dayton, Ohio, in 1902. His later years were marked by moves between Ohio and Michigan, yet his roots remained in Preble County, Ohio, where he had spent much of his life.
Benjamin Duggins passed away on March 28, 1906, at the age of 87. His death was noted in local papers, recognizing him as a well-known farmer of Preble County. The funeral was held at the Christian church, with services conducted by Rev. H. A. Smith and under the auspices of the Eaton lodge of Odd Fellows and the Mulharen-O’Cain Post of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.). Benjamin was buried at Mound Hill Cemetery in Eaton, Preble County, Ohio, leaving behind a legacy of service to his family, community, and country.
Jane Hunter Duggins
Jane Hunter was born around 1821 in Ohio, where she would spend her entire life. Little is known about her early years, but by 1843, she married Benjamin A. Duggins in Preble County, Ohio, and they began their family together.
In the 1850 U.S. Census, Jane was listed as a 29-year-old living in Gasper Township, Preble County, Ohio, with her husband, Benjamin, and their young children, Sarah, William, Maria, and infant John. As a farmer’s wife in the mid-19th century, Jane’s life would have been filled with the responsibilities of managing her household and raising her children while supporting her husband’s farming endeavors.
Throughout the next few decades, Jane and Benjamin continued to live in Preble County, and their family grew further. By 1860, Jane, then 39 years old, was still in Gasper Township, with her husband and six children. The family welcomed another child, Charles Fremont Duggins, in 1862, further expanding the household.
The 1870 census recorded Jane at 49 years old, continuing her life as a dedicated wife and mother in Preble County. By this time, her older children were entering adulthood, and Jane, alongside Benjamin, remained at the heart of their family farm. In the 1880 census, at 59 years of age, Jane was still living in Preble County with Benjamin, reflecting her long-standing role in the family and community.
Jane Hunter Duggins passed away on March 22, 1900, at the age of 79, having lived a life deeply rooted in Preble County, Ohio. She was buried at Mound Hill Cemetery in Eaton, Preble County, Ohio, where she was laid to rest alongside her husband, Benjamin, and other members of her family. Jane’s life was marked by her steadfast dedication to her family and her home, remaining a central figure in the Duggins household throughout her years.
Children of Benjamin and Jane Duggins:
- Sarah E. Duggins
- William H. Dugigns
- Maria C. Duggins
- John R. Duggins
- Emma Duggins
- Benjamin Duggins
- Sallie Duggins
- Charles Fremont Duggins
The above narratives were written by ChatGPT when fed the information from the following RootsMagic Narrative report for Benjamin Duggins
Benjamin Duggins
Benjamin A. Duggins was born in Feb 1819 in Ohio.1–3
He was listed on the tax rolls between 1843 and 1845 in Washington Township, Preble, Ohio, United States.4
Benjamin A. Duggins and Jane Hunter were married on 12 Mar 1843 in Preble County, Ohio.24–28
He was listed on the tax rolls in 1847 in Washington Township, Preble, Ohio, United States.4
Benjamin was listed on the tax rolls between 1849 and 1850 in Washington Township, Preble, Ohio, United States.5
He lived at Gasper Twp. in Gasper Township, Preble County, Ohio on 3 Aug 1850.6 Benjamin Duggins is listed as a 31 year old farmer who was born in Ohio on the 1850 census. Also included in his household are Jane, aged 29; Sarah E, aged 6; William H, aged 4; Maria A, aged 3 and John R aged 3 months.
He purchased land being 84 66/100 acres in N part SE 1/4 and S pt NE 1/4 S17T7R2 from William A. Duggins and Sally his wife for $3000 on 10 Mar 1857 in Preble County, Ohio.7
Benjamin purchased land being 84 66/100 acres in N part SE 1/4 and S part NE 1/4 S17T7R2 from Henry J. Duggins for $3380 on 11 Jun 1857 in Preble County, Ohio.8
He lived in Gasper Township, Preble County, Ohio on 1 Jul 1860.9 Benjamin Duggins was listed as a 40 year old farmer born Ohio with $8500 in real estate and $1400 in personal property on the 1860 census. Also in the household was Jane, age 39; Sarah, aged 16; William, age 15; Maria, aged 1; Emma, aged 6, Benjamin, aged 4 and Sallie, aged 3.
He was the father of Charles Fremont Duggins who was born on 30 Mar 1862 in Preble County, Ohio.2,10
Benjamin registered for the military draft in Jun 1863 in Preble, Ohio, United States.11
He enlisted in the Company E of the 156th Ohio Infantry on 2 May 1864 in Ohio.12
He was mustered into Co. E 156th Ohio Infantry on 15 May 1864.3,12–14
Benjamin was mustered out of the military on 1 Sep 1864 at Camp Dennison in Ohio.12
He was order to pay a penalty from selling land prior to date in a legal notice on 9 Jan 1865 in Preble, Ohio, United States.15
He lived in Preble County, Ohio on 1 Jul 1870.16 Benjamin Duggins was listed as a 50 year old male farmer born Ohioon the 1870 census; Also listed in the household was Jane, aged 49, emma E,age 15; Sally A, aged 12 and Fremont, aged 8.
Benjamin sold land being the north part of the NE quarter of section 17 in Township 7 of Range 2 East containing 84.65 acres to Alex F. Hume and Thomas Moore for $5250 on 27 Aug 1878 in Preble County, Ohio.17
He lived in Preble County, Ohio on 1 Jul 1880.18–19 Benj Duggins is listed as a 60 year old farmer on the 1900 census. Also listed in the household is Jane, aged 59 and Charles F aged 18.
He received an invalid pension for his service in the Ohio Infantry during the civil war on 12 Mar 1890 in Ohio.20
Benjamin lived in Butler Township, Mercer County, Ohio in 1890.21
He lived in Geneva Township, Van Buren County, Michigan in 1900.2
He lived in a National home for disabled veteran soldiers in Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio in 1902.14
Benjamin died on 28 Mar 1906 at the age of 87 in Eaton, Preble County, Ohio.1,3,13,22–23
PREBLE COUNTY FARMER DEAD
[Special to The Item.]
Eaton, O., March 30.—Benjamin Duggins, one of the well known farmers of Preble county, died at his home, three miles southwest of Eaton, Wednesday evening, aged 86 years. The funeral will occur from the Christian church Saturday morning, conducted by Rev. H. A. Smith, and under the auspices of Eaton lodge of Odd Fellows and Mulharen-O’Cain Post, G. A. R. Mr. Duggins died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. William Thomas.
He was buried in 1906 at Mound Hill Cemetery in Eaton, Preble County, Ohio.1,3Jane Hunter was born about 1821 in Ohio.1
Jane Hunter
She lived at Gasper Twp. in Gasper Township, Preble County, Ohio on 3 Aug 1850.6 Jane Duggins was listed as a 29 year old white female born Ohio in the household of Benjamin Duggins on the 1850 census.
She lived in Gasper Township, Preble County, Ohio on 1 Jul 1860.9 Jane Duggins was listed as a 39 year old female born Ohio in the household of Benjamin Duggins on the 1860 census.
Jane was the mother of Charles Fremont Duggins who was born on 30 Mar 1862 in Preble County, Ohio.2,10
She lived in Preble County, Ohio on 1 Jul 1870.16 Jane Duggins was listed as a 49 year old female born Ohio in the household of Benjamin Duggins on the 1870 census.
She lived in Preble County, Ohio on 1 Jul 1880.18 Jane Duggins was listed as a 59 year old female born Ohio in the household of Benjamin Duggins on the 1880 census.
Jane died on 22 Mar 1900 at the age of 79 in Preble County, Ohio.1,22
She was buried at Mound Hill Cemetery in Eaton, Preble County, Ohio.1
ENDNOTES:
1. Joan Bake Brubaker, Mound Hill Union Cemetery Eaton, Ohio. (West Alexandria, Ohio: Brubaker, 1992) p. 94 (Duggins.OH.032)
2. 1900 U.S. Census, Van Buren County, Michigan, population schedule, Geneva Township, Van Buren County, Michigan, ED 142, Sheet 4A, Image 7 of 16, family 79, Charles Duggins; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 13 September 2024)
3. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online 13 September 2024), memorial for Benjamin A. Duggins (1819-1906), Find a Grave Memorial no. 24497188, created by Digger4Genealogy, citing Mound Hill Cemetery, Eaton, Preble county, Ohio;, Benjamin A. Duggins.
4. Preble County Ohio Personal Property Tax List 1827-1842. (Utica, KY: McDowell Publications, 1987) (Duggins.OH.017)
5. Preble County Ohio Personal Property Tax List 1827-1842. (Utica, KY: McDowell Publications, 1987) (Duggins.OH.016)
6. 1850 U.S. Census, Preble County Ohio, population schedule, Gasper Township, Preble County, Ohio, Image 6 of 23, family 539, Benjamin Duggins; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 18 September 2024); National Archives Publication M432
7. Ohio, Preble County. Deeds, 1805-1963. Film #564925 DGS 8588004. Benjamin Duggins, 10 March 1857; Vol. 46: page 412; digital image, Family Search http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 14 September 2024.
8. Ohio, Preble County. Deeds, 1805-1963. Film #564925 DGS 8588004. Benjamin DUggins, 3 Sep 1857; Vol. 46: psge 410 (image 545 of 633); digital image, Family Search http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 18 September 2024.
9. 1860 U.S. Census, Preble County, Ohio, population schedule, Gasper Township, Preble County, Ohio, page 147, Image 23 of 23, family 1156, Benjamin Duggins; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 18 September 2024); NARA microfilm publication M653
10. Virginia, Death Records, 1912-2014, Charles Fremont Duggins, 22 March 1947; database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 14 September 2024).
11. “U.S., Civil War Draft Registrations Records, 1863-1865,”Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 14 September 2024), card for Benjamin Duggins, Preble, Ohio.
12. Historical Data Systems comp, U.S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865 (Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2009), Benjamin A. Duggins.
13. “Soldiers’ Home,” The Dayton Herald (Dayton, Ohio), 25 April 1906, page 12; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 13 September 2024).
14. U.S. National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, 1866-1938, Benjamin A Duggins, 1902; database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 14 September 2024). Original Source: Historical Register of National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soliders, 1866-1938.
15. Ohio, Preble County. Deeds, 1805-1963. Film #564930 DGS 8588009. Benjamin A. Duggins, 3 Jan 1865; Vol. 55: page 291; digital image, Family Search http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 16 September 2024.
16. 1870 U.S. Census, Preble County Ohio, population schedule, Gasper Township, Preble County, Ohio, page 7, Image 4 of 23, family 43, Benjamin Duggins; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 13 September 2024); NARA microfilm publication T132.
17. Ohio, Preble County. Deeds, 1805-1963. Film #564939 DGS 8588017. Benjamin A Duggins, 27 aug 1878; Vol. 71-72: page 320 (image 172); digital image, Family Search http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 16 September 2024.
18. Preble County, Ohio 1880 Census. (Uttica, KY: McDowell Publications, 1983) p. 248 (Duggins.OH.031)
19. 1880 U.S. Census, Preble County, Ohio, population schedule, Eaton, Preble County, Ohio, ED 205, page 3, Image 3 of 44, family 34, Benj Duggins; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 14 September 2024); NARA microfilm publication T9
20. U.S., Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934, Benjamin A Duggins, 12 March 1890; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 16 September 2024). Original Source: NARA microfilm publication T288.
21. Special Schedules of the Eleventh Census (1890) Enumerating Union Veterans and Widows of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Benjamin A. Duggins, 1890; database with images, Ancestry.com http://www.ancestry.com : viewed online 16 September 2024). Original Source: Special Schedules of the Eleventh Census (1890) Enumerating Union Veterans and Widows of Union Veterans of the Civil War.
22. Preble County Ohio Deaths 1867-1907. (Utica, KY: McDowell Publications, 1987) p. 45 (Duggins.OH.090)
23. “Preble County Farmer Dead,” The Richmond Item Richmond, Indiana), 30 March 1906, page 4; digital images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 13 September 2024).
24. “Ohio, Compiled Marriage Index, 1803-1900,” , Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 14 September 2024), Benjamin A. Duggins.
25. U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 database, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com). : viewed online 14 September 2024.
26. “Preble Count, Ohio Marriage Index, 1808-2000,” web link, Ancestry.com, http://www.ancestry.com (: viewed online 14 September 2024), Benjamin A Duggins.
27. Genealogical & Historical Records of Preble County, Ohio (http://gen2.pcdl.lib.oh.us : viewed online 14 September 2024), Benjamin A. Duggins.
28. “Ohio, County Marriages, 1774-1993,” Ancestry.com, (www.ancestry.com : Preble County, Ohio, viewed online (16 September 2024), Benjamin A. Duggins.