You can count the steps!

Several folks have inquired why the re-positioned Duncan House is sitting so high up off the ground. The answer is in 1862 it originally was sitting up that high. When it was moved to the other side of the block in the early 20th century, it was placed very close to the ground. We are attempting to restore its original appearance. This old photograph should help explain the height issue. It was made in 1914 on the steps in front of the Duncan House, before the house was moved. If you count the steps, you can get a rough idea of the house's 19th Century height.

In 1914, the house was owned by W. Thomas and Lillian Young. and the two adorable girls are Estelle and Marjorie, daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Young.  Estelle was about five years old and Marjorie was about three when the photo was taken. Descendants of the Young family owned the house for well over 100 years.

Estelle grew up and married Buddy Vaughan, and 'Telle and Buddy had three daughters; Lillian Vaughan Yoakum, Rosemary Vaughan Tweedle Aldridge, and Janet Vaughan Krohn. The three girls grew up in the Duncan House.

Thankfully, Janet is interested in history and has the brainpower to keep it all straight. She has been and will continue to be a great resource for information about their old family home. And, yes, we thank her for sharing this cute photo of her mom and aunt.  

Thomas D. Duncan's book for less than a buck

I previously mentioned Thomas D. Duncan’s brilliant book about his experiences in the Civil War, which the old soldier wrote while living in the Duncan House.

I just bought the Kindle version of this book for $.99 on Amazon. It went to my iPad (I have the free Kindle app) and I'm pleased to say it reads just perfectly on the iPad. I just searched for "Thomas D. Duncan, Recollections" on Amazon and several things popped up.

And they put WHAT in the mortar?

Below is a piece of 'mortar' I picked up from inside the wall of the Duncan House while the interior of the wall was exposed. I think it would be called mortar or stucco, or maybe 'chinking'.

If you look closely at the photo of this old 1858 mortar you can see many strands of hair protruding out.

If they’d left this decision up to me I wouldn’t be doing this, but…

The newly prepared form for the outbuilding foundation now awaits its load of concrete. This pad is located on the north side of the Duncan House. The outbuilding will align north and south, with the doors located on the north end.

You ask, "But why go to the trouble of saving an old shed like that?" Well, I asked the same question, and the answer is, even though this building (probably a very early car garage) was not associated

Thomas Duncan Quote Highlights New Mississippi Monument on Shiloh Battlefield

Unveiled this past Saturday, Shiloh’s magnificent new Mississippi monument features a quote by battle veteran Thomas D. Duncan, who lived right here in Corinth at his family home, the historic Duncan House.

New Mississippi Monument at Shiloh Battlefield has Corinth Connection

You have read and heard much about the new Mississippi Monument unveiled at Shiloh Battlefield, 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 10th, 2015. What you likely don't know is we in Corinth have a very close connection with the monument. Its design incorporates two quotes chiseled into the granite base. One of these quotes is from a soldier named Thomas D. Duncan.