Nancy was my great-grandmother. She was the granddaughter of Sevier County pioneers Adam Fox and Elizabeth Derrick. Adam and Elizabeth had their origins among German speaking communities in Pennsylvania in the 1700s. Their ancestors came to the United States seeking better opportunities and religious freedom. Nancy was the daughter of Catherine Fox and Joseph Keeler. Her parents had a large horse farm in Sevier County, where Nancy grew up, the 9th of 12 children.

Nancy married James Mitchell Duggan in July of 1843. During the Civil War, Mitchell served as a 2nd Lieutenant with Co. B, 2nd Tenn. Volunteer Cavalry (Union). Nancy and Mitchell had five sons and eight daughters: Matilda Isabella Duggan, Sarah Catherine Duggan Emert, Joseph Wilson Duggan, Mary "Polly" Duggan Blair, Susanna Duggan Banks, Malissa Elizabeth Duggan Brock, Daniel Pleasant Duggan, Mahala Duggan Romines, George Washington Duggan, Margaret Eleanor "Leah" Duggan Day, Martha Bell Duggan Webb and Phillip Sheridan Duggan.

Education was important in Nancy and Mitchell's household, Many of the children attending both high school and college. Eventually, two sons went on to become not only teachers but county superintendents of school for Blount and Knox county. Grandson Clay Duggan was a principal at several schools and a professor at New York University. at least five other grandchildren became public school teachers in the years 1900 – 1920.

Nancy's original bio at this site, written by another descendand descendant, read as follows: Nancy was the daughter of Adam Fox Jr. and Elizabeth Derrick of Sevier County, TN. Nancy was married to Captain James Mitchell Duggan on July 31, 1843 in Sevier County, TN. Children: Margaret Leah Eleanor Duggan Day (1862-1937);________;________;________.