Misc. Notes
The family name is Duquette, commonly spelled in census and books as Dukett.
Some of his children were born in Vermont; some of the notations on other Duquettes mention “Bridgeport, VT” which I think was probably “Bridport,” which is where Harriet Graham lived.
In the 1860 census, he was living with Nancy and mother-in-law Harriet in Bridport, VT, next to brother Lewis. He was a farm laborer. The censustaker had trouble with their names.
23In the 1870 census, his name was spelled Ducant. He was 38, a farmer, real estate valued at $500, personal estate at $500, and reported having been born in Canada. With him were wife Nancy, children William, Birty (Joseph Albert?), Lydia (Louise?), Hariet? (Louise Henriette?), and Mattie. Handwriting on census was poor. I think some of the children got transposed. The one listed as possibly Hariet (and I really couldn’t read it well) was also listed as male. There may have been another child in there.
29In the 1880 census, his name was spelled Ducatt. He was listed as 40, a farmer, born in Canada. With him were wife Nancy and children William, Burt, Harriett, Lillian, and Mattie. They lived close to Corey family.
24In the 1920 federal census, he lived on Jenkins Street, Saranac Lake, town of Harrietstown, Franklin County, NY, with wife Nancy. He owned his home free, he was 94, had immigrated in 1850 and been naturalized. Year of naturalization was filled with question mark. He was able to read and write; his mother tongue was French. His parents were also born in Canada, mother tongue “Fch” (“&Eng.” was crossed out in each case.) He was able to speak English. His occupation: “too old to work.”
3Transcriptions of stones from Coreys Cemetery, Harrietstown, as follows:
DUKETT
John DUKETT 1834 - 1922
Nancy GRAHAM His Wife 1841 - 1923
Mattie Jane Daughter of John & Nancy DUKETT died Aug 23, 1880 age 9 yrs. 4 mos. & 2 D
"A precious one from us has gone
A voice we loved is stilled
A place is vacant in our home
Which never can be filled" - by her sister
728Lands of a J.S. Dukett in Bridport, VT are mentioned in the Biennial Report of the Fish Commissioners of the State of Vermont, seine licenses Fall 1904.
Wallace in his “Descriptive Guide to the Adirondacks” listed John Dukett as a Saranac guide, along with Stephen Martin, Jesse Corey, and others.
John is also mentioned in HP Smith’s “The Modern Babes in the Wood,” p. 342:
Jesse Corey's place is pleasantly located and enjoys a delightful prospect of the broad expanse of this charming lake. Corey is a time-honored guide and is thoroughly familiar with everything pertaining to woodland life and scenery. The celebrated Indian Carry, is a smooth road over a level belt of cleared land. At the other extremity of this portage, on an elevation i m from the first of the Spectacle Ponds, delightfully overlooking its waters, John Dukett's house is situated. In this vicinity, one hundred years ago, the Saranac Indians had their dwelling place, and on an eminence near Dukett's place is a moundlike seat where their chief was wont to keep his vigilant watch for the enemy. Here, too, is pointed out the impress in the solid rock of an Indian's foot-print. Cornfields, in their season, then abounded where second growth timber now covers the ground.
A fine mountain view is afforded from this spot— Seward, Ampersand and other peaks are included in the picture.
Dukett and Corey, with their teams, haul boats and baggage over the Indian Carry—price 75 cents per load.
Near the shore of the first pond, at the termination of the carry, on a smooth grassy lawn, near a crystal spring of unusual size, is a favorite camping place.”