Duncan, John

The Old Nail Factory on North Bedford Street, Carlisle, PA

Andrew Kerr’s “old nail factory” houses that stood on the east side of North Bedford Street between E. High and E. Louther streets.

In the 1780s, John Duncan and Lewis Foulk both operated nail factories in Carlisle. Cask nails and sprigs of any size, flooring brads, shingle nails, and Double Tens Lathing were all hand wrought at their factories. Duncan advertised that he sought "a few good nailors” and offered them "generous wages. Lewis Foulk also advertised that he wanted a number of nailors who would be paid “generous wages,” and he also wanted a “bred [sic] nailor.”

Politics, Corruption and Ethnic Rivalry in Cumberland County: The Duncan-Lamberton Duel of 1793

On Saturday morning last a duel was fought near this place by Messr. John Duncan and James Lamberton, when the former unhappily received a ball through his head, which instantly deprived him of his life. By this melancholy accident his wife has lost an affectionate husband, and his five children a tender parent, and society one of its most valuble citizens. He was honest, benevolent, generous, and brave.