1850 U.S. Census, Essex County, Virginia
Dwelling 535, Family 535
Dunn, William, 50, male, carpenter, $230 real estate, born in Virginia
Dunn, Mildred, 36, female, born in Virginia
Dunn, Margaret, 18, female, born in Virginia
Dunn, Frances, 16, female, born in Virginia
Dunn, Mary, 14, female, born in Virginia, attended school
Dunn, Louisa, 12, female, born in Virginia, attended school
Dunn, Franklin, 10, male, born in Virginia, attended school
Dunn, William, 8, male, born in Virginia
Dunn, John, 6, male, born in Virginia
Dunn, James, 3, male, born in Virginia

On 7 November 1872 in Essex County, Virginia, John L. Dunn was married to Lucy A. McKendree by J. D. Jank. He was 27, single, born and residing in Essex County, son of William Dunn and Mildred Harper, occupation farmer; she was 28, widowed, born and residing in Essex County, daughter of Edmund Dunn and Mary Ursery. [Essex County, Virginia, Marriage Register 1, page 31.]

On 7 July 1883, an agreement was drawn up by the heirs of Edmund Dunn, deceased. His children were Thomas H. Dunn (who married Mary E. Dunn), Indiana Dunn (who married John Hay), and Lucy Dunn (who married John J. Dunn). [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 54, pages 205–206.]