Stephen Duncan (1729-1794)

Stephen Duncan was born in 1729 and came to prominence in Cumberland County with a successful law practice and a thriving business as a merchant. By 1780, he was noted in county tax records as the heaviest taxpayer in the county.

He also served as Treasurer of Cumberland County until he resigned to take a seat in the Pennsylvania Assembly, from 1780 to 1783. At the founding of Dickinson College, of which he was a charter trustee, he took upon himself the unofficial task of college treasurer. Duncan served as a trustee of the College until his death.

He married Ann Fox (1732-1796) and the couple had nine children, including Robert Duncan. Several of their offspring married into prominent Carlisle families. Stephen Duncan died in Carlisle on March 30, 1794. His wife followed him that December.