Making a Home
A Community in Conflict
Working for a Living
Farming in the Great Corn Belt
Abraham Lincoln in McLean County

A Cosmopolitan Place – Duff Family

Fannie E. Walker was born into slavery in Kentucky in January of 1865. 

After the Civil War many African Americans came north searching for jobs, less discrimination, and a better life.

Until the Civil War ended, Fannie, her parents Julia Hawkins Walker and Charles Walker, and her older brother Charles were enslaved by their owners George and Mary Green.

Fannie was identified as mulatto in census records, indicating that she had mixed parentage. Both her mother and father were also considered mulatto, a common label enslaved people who were fathered by their owners or overseers.

Black and white photo of a Black woman looking confidently into the camera. Her hair is parted down the middle and pulled back. Her dress comes up to her neck and is silk or another kind of shiny fabric, with many ironed pleats.

Fannie Walker Duff

Black and white photo of a Black woman looking confidently into the camera. Her hair is parted down the middle and pulled back. Her dress comes up to her neck and is silk or another kind of shiny fabric, with many ironed pleats.

After the Civil War and the death of her father, Fannie, her mother, and her siblings had nowhere to go. They may have decided to stay on with the Greens because they were comparatively well treated.

Fannie’s mother kept this picture of Marion Green, the son of her owner. Marion was most likely the father of Fannie’s three step-siblings Mary, Thomas, and George Green. Fannie’s mother remarried in 1873, at which time they left the Green household.

Photograph of a white man with dark hair and a goatee. He is wearing a dark suit jacket.

Marion Green

Photograph of a white man with dark hair and a goatee. He is wearing a dark suit jacket.

With few work opportunities in the South, Fannie’s family decided in 1881 to move to Normal. There Fannie met Peter Duff, an educated Black man who worked for the Fell family.

Peter was born enslaved in Perry, Kentucky in 1856. He came to Normal in 1870 where he found work as a carpenter and handy man for Jesse Fell.

Peter was required by Fell to learn to read, write, and understand the fundamentals of arithmetic in order to work for him. Peter took classes at the public schools and, according to Fell family history, had much assistance from the Fell children in his studies. In 1878 he was living with the Fells.

Photo of a young Black man with short dark hair and wearing a dark jacket, tie and collard shirt. There appear to be hints of a mustache at the corners of his lips. His hair is dark and wavy and parted on the side.

Peter Duff

Photo of a young Black man with short dark hair and wearing a dark jacket, tie and collard shirt. There appear to be hints of a mustache at the corners of his lips. His hair is dark and wavy and parted on the side.

Peter Duff’s wallet, circa 1895

Donated by: the estate of Julia Duff
867.1623

Fannie and Peter Duff married in 1883.

Silk bodice, circa 1883

A deep purple long-sleeved women's top with a floral pattern. Silver-colored buttons go from neck to waist down the front.

View this object in Matterport

It is believed that Fannie wore this bodice when she married Peter Duff.

Donated by: the estate of Julia Duff
864.3934

A deep purple long-sleeved women's top with a floral pattern. Silver-colored buttons go from neck to waist down the front.

Crocheted Purse, circa 1883

Black pouch with drawstring closure. Fringe hangs from the bottom.

It is believed that Fannie carried this purse when she married Peter.

Donated by: the estate of Julia Duff
864.3935

Black pouch with drawstring closure. Fringe hangs from the bottom.
Black and white image of a single-story light colored frame house with small front porch and chimney.

Peter was a skilled carpenter. After purchasing land from his former employer, Jesse Fell, Peter built a new home, a Victorian cottage, for his family at 107 W. Poplar Street in Normal. As he prospered, Peter improved the home, converting it into an Arts & Crafts style bungalow.

Black and white image of a single-story light colored frame house with small front porch and chimney.

Peter updated the kitchen to fit the progressive ideas of the time. This included wall cabinets and counters, a pass-through door to the dining room, a cistern-pump, and a wall-hung sink. You can see these cabinets on display in our exhibit here.

Black and white photo of a kitchen. It is almost entirely wood paneling, with a vertical pattern. There are white curtains in the upper left corner and the handle of a well pump is just visible on the left edge. There are several cabinet doors and a paper towel holder.

Kitchen cabinets, circa 1910.

Black and white photo of a kitchen. It is almost entirely wood paneling, with a vertical pattern. There are white curtains in the upper left corner and the handle of a well pump is just visible on the left edge. There are several cabinet doors and a paper towel holder.

Hand painted porcelain bowl, circa 1888

White bowl with ruffled edges, painted with yellow flowers.

Though Peter no longer worked for or lived with the Fell family, he and Fannie were still considered friends. Alice Fell hand painted this porcelain bowl and gave it to the Duff family in 1888. Alice had helped Peter study when he was receiving his education.

Donated by: the Estate of Julia Duff
863.1528

White bowl with ruffled edges, painted with yellow flowers.

Tableware set, circa 1925

These dishes are white with gold trim and an ornate gold.

For special occasions, the Duff family might have used dishes like these, which originally belonged to Blanche and Harry Bell. The Bells only used the dishes for holidays and special occasions. When the dishes were passed down to their son Howard, he and his wife Elaine continued that tradition.

Donated by: Howard and Elaine Bell
864.3934

These dishes are white with gold trim and an ornate gold.

Ironstone platter, circa 1860

An oval white platter

This ironstone platter belonged to Fannie's mother who passed it on to her. In time, Fannie gave it to her daughter Julia Duff.

Donated by: the Estate of Julia Duff
863.1526

An oval white platter

Flow blue ironstone sugar bowl, circa 1895

This bowl and lid is cobalt blue on top and fades to white with a delicate floral pattern in the middle. One of the handles has broken off.

Donated by: the Estate of Julia Duff
863.1527

This bowl and lid is cobalt blue on top and fades to white with a delicate floral pattern in the middle. One of the handles has broken off.

Fannie and Peter had seven children — Alverta, John Walker, Julia Edith, Janie, Rollie, George, and Cordelia (who died at birth).

Black and white photo of an infant wearing a white frilly cap and long white dress.

Alverta Duff

Black and white photo of an infant wearing a white frilly cap and long white dress.
Black and white portrait of a young Black man with short hair, large ears, and wearing a dark striped suit and white shirt.

John Walker Duff

Black and white portrait of a young Black man with short hair, large ears, and wearing a dark striped suit and white shirt.
Portrait of a young Black girl wearing a striped dress. Her hands are together on her lap

Julia Duff

Portrait of a young Black girl wearing a striped dress. Her hands are together on her lap
Black and white photo of a Black man in a suit and hat. His head is tilted to one side and his right elbow is propped up on something, right hand hanging down.

Rollie Duff

Black and white photo of a Black man in a suit and hat. His head is tilted to one side and his right elbow is propped up on something, right hand hanging down.
Black and white portrait of a Black man in a white shirt, tie and dark jacket.

George Thomas Duff

Black and white portrait of a Black man in a white shirt, tie and dark jacket.
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