Thomas Moore’s Genealogy Site - Person Sheet
Thomas Moore’s Genealogy Site - Person Sheet
NameWilliam Dunn (Black) 
Deathabt Oct 1799
ResidenceEssex County, Virginia
FatherWilliam Dunn (-1767)
MotherWinifred “Winney” Waters (-1793)
Documentation
On 7 April 1743, an inventory of the estate of Richard Jones Tayler deceased was made by Wm Covington, Richd Gatewood, and a Wm Dunn. Edwd Hayes, executor. Total valuation £95.13.3[page torn]. Ordered recorded 21 June 1743. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 7, pages 12–15.]
On 18 September 1750, Richard Jones, a Wm Dunn and James Banks were bound £500 sterling for Richard Jones’s administration with the will annexed of Richard Jones. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 8, pages 362–363.]
On 11 August 1752, a William Dunn witnessed a deed from Richard Tyler to Richard Gatewood. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 26, pages 110–113.]
On 31 August 1753, a William Dunn Senr of Essex County, planter, sold to James McCall, merchant. For £56, slaves. Signed Wm Dunn. Witnesses: Archibald Mccall, J. Edmondson, Robt Loury. Recorded 16 October 1753. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 26, pages 361–363.]
On 4 December 1755, a William Dunn Sr. cast votes for Mr. John Upshaw and Colonel Francis Smith for burgesses of Essex County. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 27, pages 248–252.]
On 4 December 1755, a William Dunn Jr. cast votes for Mr. John Upshaw and Colonel Francis Smith for burgesses of Essex County. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 27, pages 248–252.]
On 5 December 1755, a William Dunn Junr witnessed a deed from Berry Taylor and Rachel his wife of the County of Essex and Parish of Southfarnham to Thomas Dennett of the same. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 27, pages 187–189.]
On 14 March 1757, a Willm Dunn junr witnessed a deed from James Turner to his son Thomas Turner. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 27, page 276.]
On 19 April 1758, a William Dunn was mentioned in the will of Joseph Greenhill of the County of Essex. He was to be co-executor. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 11, pages 116–117.]
On 18 July 1758, a William Dunn and John Edmondson bound £500 current money for William Dunn’s execution of the last will and testament of Joseph Greenhill. Signed Wm Dunn, John Edmondson. [Essex County, Will Book 11, pages 117–118.]
On 5 December 1767, an appraisal of the estate of a Mr Wm Dunn was made by James Banks, Thos Dennett and a Wm Dunn whit. Total valuation £138.9.6. Recorded 15 May 1769. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 12, pages 361–362.]
An appraisal of the estate of Jonathan Dunn made by James Banks, William Dunn B, and Luke Covington, sworn on 10 December 1768. Total valuation £38.5.2. Ordered recorded 21 May 1770. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 12, pages 388–389.]
On 17 July 1769, by order of the November Court 1768, an inventory and appraisal of the estate of Catherine Gatewood was returned, made by J. Edmondson, James Banks and William Dunn B. Total valuation £42.2.0-1/2. Ordered recorded 17 July 1769. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 12, pages 366–367.]
On 2 February 1771, an appraisal of the estate of Thomas Dunn was made by a J. Edmondson, James Banks and William Dunn B. Total valuation £473.2.5. Recorded 16 March 1772. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 12, pages 454–456.]
On 15 December 1773, the appraisal of the estate of John Edmondson deceased was made by James Booker, James Banks, a William Dunn and Thomas Wood. No total. Recorded 17 October 1774. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 12, pages 597–599.]
On 19 September 1774, William Dunn B witnessed a deed from James Boughan and Amy his wife of the Parish of South Farnham to Thomas Wood of the Parish of South Farnham. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 31, pages 195–196.]
William Dunn B was named an executor in the 11 June 1775 will of his nephew James Sale of Caroline County. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 13, pages 28–29.]
On 22 December 1785, an inventory of the estate of a William Dunn, W, was made by Thomas Crutcher, Wm Dunn and Frances Dennett by order of December 1785. Recorded 16 Febtruary 1789. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 14, pages 143–145.]
On 23 March 1787, Francis Boughan aged about seventy years old deposed that he lived with William Dunn (B) in the year 1785. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 5, item 5-G-29.]
On 30 January 1787, the inventory of the estate of Richard Brown was made by a Wm Dunn, James Banks and John Dunn. Ordered recorded 21 July 1788. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 7, pages 76–78.]
On 17 February 1794, William Dunn, B, and Diannah his wife of the parish of South Farnham and County of Essex sold to Thomas Wood Senior of the same. For £150, half part of that mill commonly called and known by the name of Dunn’s Mill, and also the dam, pond, land and running gear. Signed Wm Dunn, Diannah her + mark Dunn. Witnesses: Robert Yarrington, [illegible, including to the clerk] Dunn, Elizabeth her + mark Emerson. Ordered recorded 16 June 1794. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 34, pages 62–63.]
The will of William Dunn of South Farnham Parish was dated 1 December 1795. “In the name of god amen: I William Dunn of the Parish of southfarnham & County of Essex being of disposing mind and memory revoking all former Wills & testaments heretofore made by me, do ordain this my last Will & testament in manner and form following. to wit: Imprimis, I do Lend unto my beloved Wife Diana Dunn during her natural life or widowhood in lieu of & in bar to any right she may have in or to the whole or any part of my Estate real or personal for dower thirds or in any other manner whatsoever, part of the tract of Land whereon I now live and bounded as follows, beginning at the corner between the Land of the widow Bank’s James Croxton & my own, thence along the said Croxton’s Line to Nathaniel Dunn’s & and [sic] Capt. Thomas Wood’s Corner, from thence down the branch between the said Dunn’s land & mine to the Corner between his Lane and mine, thence down the said Branch to the place where my Spring run empties into the said branch, thence up the said Spring run to the Spring, thence in a direct Course up the bottom to the Road which Leads from the gate to the house thence along the Road to the Gate thence along the fence by the Young peach & apple orchard to the main Road thence along the main Road to the Swamp which divides Barker Minter’s Land from mine thence up the Swamp to the line of Thomas Wood Junr. thence along his line & mine to the Corner thence along his line & mine to the Widow Bank’s Corner thence along the line between the widow Banks’s Land and mine to the beginning, also two of the best Beds & furniture the best horse & saddle, 2 Cows & Calves, 5 head of Sheep, 1/2 Dozen of the best Chairs one Dozen pewter Plates and two Dozen Earthen Plates and the following Negroes to Wit, Sam, Dick, Jenny & Lew and after the death or marriage of my wife I give the said Land to my son John Dunn & his heirs heirs [sic] forever, and the Negroes and personal Estate I give to my son John Dunn & to my daughters Winney Dunn, Nancy Croxton, Caty Dunn, & Betsey Sullivan to them and their heirs forever to be Equally divided between them and all the residue of the lands of which I may die Seised possessed or entitled to I give to my son John Dunn and his heirs forever. and also give to my son John Dunn & his heirs my moity of a water grist Mill & my Still with all the appendages Appurtinences & heroditaments [sic] appertaining to Either — Item: my Will and desire are such that at my death my wife Dianna Dunn Shall have Five hundred Pounds of neat Pork and Twenty five barrels of Corn Ten bushels of wheat and a Sufficiency of fodder to Support her Stock one winter, which Pork Corn wheat and fodder I give to her &c — Item I bequeath to my Grand Children Peachey Wm Smith, Lucy & Betsey Dunn & their heirs forever the following negroes, to Wit. Milley, Jenny, James, Dick, Sam & John & their future increase to be Equally divided betweem [sic] them but incase [sic] Either of them should die without Leaving a Child or Children Living at the time of his, her or their death then I give the proportion of him her or them so dying without Child or Children to the survivors or survivor & in case all of my said grand Children should so die without Leaving a Child or Children Living at the time of their respective deaths then I give the said Negroes & their future increase to my Son John Dunn and my daughters Winney Dunn Nancy Croxton, Caty Dunn, and Betsey Sullivan & their heirs forever to be equally divided between them, and in case either of my said Children shall die before such event shall happen it is my will that the Child or Children of such of my Chilren as may so die Shall take the part which its or their father or mother would have taken in Case he she or they should have been alive. — Item I give to my daughter Winney Dunn & her heirs forever the following Negroes. To Wit, Dicey, Winney & Patty now in her Possession and their increase both at this time & to come. — Item I Give to my Daughter Nancy Croxton the following Negroes to Wit., Amey, Esther & Dixon & their increase both at this time & to Come, to her & her heirs forever — Item I give to my Daughter Caty Dunn & her heirs forever the followg [sic] Negroes: to Wit, Siller, Jack & Richmond & their increase both at this time & to come. — Item I give to my daughter Betsey Sullivan to following Negroes to Wit, Phillis, Minter [Mintus?] & Tom and their increase both at this time & to Come, to her & her heirs forever, But where I have given herein negroes by name, altho, any of them should happen to be increase of any of the Negroes herein given to either of my said daughters, it is not my will that my said daughters or either of them should have such Negro or Negroes by virtue of the words which speak of increase happened before this time. Item. I give and bequeath to my daughters Winny Dunn, Nancy Croxton, Caty Dunn, and Betsey Sullivan and their heirs forever, all the Negroes that I shall died possessed of which I have not already disposed off, to be equally divided between them. — Item I give to my son John Dunn, daughters Winney Dunn, Nancy Croxton, Caty Dunn, and Betsey Sullivan and their heirs forever, all the rest and residue of my Estate of what nature or kind so ever, to be equally divided between them — and I hereby declare it to be my will that in case my son John Dunn or either of my daughters shall die & Leave to Child or Childlen [sic] living at the time of his, her or their death, that the sd [?] portion or Estate which I have herein given such Child or Children so dying shall go to the Survivors or Survivor of my said son & daughters. — Lastly I appoint my son John Dunn my son in law Carter Croxton & my friend Capt. Lewis Booker executors of this my Last will & testament. Witness my hand & seal this first day of December one thousand Seven hundred and Ninety five”
Wm. Dunn
Witnesses: Wm. Edmondson, John Mann, LBooker, Abraham [X] Williamson
On 21 October 1799, the will was produced in court by Carter Croxton and was proved by the oaths of William Edmondson, John Mann, and Abraham Williamson. Certificate granted to Carter Croxton in order of his obtaining probate.
[Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 15, pages 504–506.]
On 1 December 1798, Rickard Burke provided a deposition: The deposition of Rickard Burk being of lawfull age taken at the house of the said Rickard Burk in a suit depending between Cary Griggs pltff and William Purkins and William Dunn B executors of Henry Purkins decd who was executor of John Griggs decd defendants this 1st day of December 1798 This deponant being first sworn saith that when John Grigg’s the father of the pltff’s estate was sold he this deponant cryed it and before it was all sold he heard Capt. Thomas Edmondson ask Henry Purkins what John Griggs Estate sold for who answered upwards of Six hundred pounds Quistian by the pltff attorney what has become of John Griggs children answer John Griggs Cary Griggs & Fanny Dudley I believe to be a live the other are all dead and farther this deponant saith not
Signed Rickard Burke
Witnesses: JBohannan, Thos Dix [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 15, item 15-A-13.]
On 21 October 1799, executorship of the estate of William Dunn, deceased, was granted to Carter Croxton. Carter Croxton and Lewis Booker acknowledge their bond in the penalty of $7,000. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 15, page 507.]
On 20 March 1801, Caty Edmondson, William Purkins and William Edmondson complained in court against Carter Croxton, executor of William Dunn (B). They stated that their complaint was in response to a judgement delivered against them the previous day in favor of Carter Croxton on a bond dated in 1775. That soon after the date of the bond, a deed of gift was made for a mill on Matthews Swamp commonly called Dunns Mill, from Winney Dunn, Caty’s mother, to Caty. The mill had been devised to Winney by her husband William Dunn, and was a running mill at the time. That William Dunn, brother of Caty, was in possession of the mill at the time of the deed of gift and continued in possession, never paying Caty any corn or other necessary. That she was averse to litigation against her own brother, and she assumed that since he never asked for payment of the bond that she would not ask for compensation for the mill. That William Dunn (B) knew well the right of Winney Dunn to the mill and that Winney Dunn died about nine years ago. That when Carter Croxton requested payment of the bond that Caty Edmondson told him that her brother, William Dunn (B) was largely indebted to her. That Carter Croxton has contrived and confederated with persons to injure and oppress Caty Edmondson. Notes on the jacket indicate that this case went on for several years. In 1803, during which there were several dates listed, one reads: May 19th abates as to Wm Edmondson by his death & Contd for Depons. The prior date had been April 19th. The first entry for 1804 reads: 1804 Jany 17th abates as to Caty Edmondson by her death & Contd for Depos. The prior date had been 1803 Decr 20th. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 22, item 22-K-19.]
On 21 June 1802, Carter Croxton filed an ansewr to the bill exhibited against him by Caty Edmondson and others: The answer of Carter Croxton exr &c of Wm Dunn decd to the bill of complaint exhibited against him by Caty Edmondson, Wm Purkins & Wm Edmondson in Essex county court—This deft saving to himself all benifit of exception to every error in the said bill contained for answer to so much thereof as he is advised is material for him to answer to, he answereth & saith that he believes Winney Dunn died about the 20th day of July 1793, but he does not know or believe that his testator ever did hold any mill in which the plt Caty Edmondson was interested except for a very short time. That this deft is totally ignorant of every thing respecting the mill in the bill mentioned as to him own knowledge, but he hath been informed & believes that Winney Dunn never had any interest in the mill of which this Deft’s testator was possessessed [sic] during his life; that this deft believes that the father of his testator died sometime in the year 1767 and previous thereto his testator purchased from one John Tyler the land whereon the mill stood of which his testator was possessed during his life, as this deft hath been informed, & which purchase will appear by a copy of the deed hereto annexed as part of this his answer, and after the deed last mentioned this deft’s testator built the mill, of which he was possessed in his lifetime, pursuant to a petition in his own name & order of court authorising the same, which will appear by a transcript of the record hereto annexed as part of his answer. This deft hath heard that after his testator had built the mill there was some agreement between him & John Edmondson, the husband of the plt Caty, in his lifetime that the said Edmondson should have some interest in the said mill so long as she continued to be in grinding order or until she should want rebuilding, or during the said Edmondson’s life, but the purport of the said agreement is unknown to this deft, and this deft hath understood that the said John Edmondson died in the year 1773 and very soon thereafter the mill run down & was rebuilt by his testator, but after the said John Edmondson’s death until the mill was run down the plt used to get corn from the mill & this deft supposes that if she was entitled to any thing he [sic] recd her full share. And this deft further answering saith that he knows nothing of the deed of gift from Winny Dunn to the plt in the bill mentioned, nor does he know whether or not his testator knew anything of it, and he saith, that the testator afterwards about the year 1788 sold a moity of the said mill to the plt Wm Edmondson, a son of the plt Caty’s, and this deft believes with her privity & knowledge & she never objected to it or made any claim to the mill. And this deft further answering saith, that he denies that the plt Caty told him that his testator was indebted to her on acct of the said mill or on any other acct at the time this deft applied to her for payment of the bond in the bill mentioned, but at first she had supposed it had been paid, but after a little consideration she said she recollected the bond was given for hogs at the breaking up of the mill & that it had not been paid, and that her son Wm had all her effects & must pay it, and on this deft’s urging payment she said she would sell a cow & pay off the bond. And this deft denying all unlawful combination & confederacy without that, that &c prays to be hence dismissed with his reasonable costs in this behalf most wrongfully sustained &c[.] Essex county to wit: Carter Croxton this day made oath to this answer before me in due form of law. Given under my hand this 21st day of June 1802. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 22, item 22-K-18.]
On 15 July 1803, James Croxton provided an affidavit: in a suit in chancery between Caty Edmondson & Wm Purkins and William Edmondson plts & Carter Croxton exr of Wm Dunn (B) deft in Essex county court—This deponent saith that some short time before the said exr of Wm Dunn brought suit on a bond of Mrs Caty Edmondson & Wm Purkins this Deponent was at Mrs Dunns & Carter Croxton asked him the Deponent if he would go with him to Mrs Edmondson’s (but the precise time this deponent does not recollect) that when they got to Mrs Edmondson’s she was sick in bed and after some conversation not relative to business, Carter Croxton presented to Mrs Caty Edmondson the bond of herself & Wm Purkins to Wm Dunn, the testator of Carter Croxton, & asked her if she owed the money, and at first she said she did not believe it was due but believed it was paid and then Carter Croxton read the bond to her & she said that it had not been paid and that her son William would have all her effets & he must pay it, but when Carter Croxton told her it must be paid & he could not wait longer, she said she would sell a cow and pay it off as soon as she got well & she said that the bond was given for hogs purchased by her from her brother William when the mill was broke up. And this Deponent saith that Caty Edmondson was the widow of John Edmondson, and that he lived very near to the mill called Dunn’s mill, which name it bore ever since he can remember, and when he first knew it, it belonged to Wm Dunn & John Edmondson & after John Edmondson’s death the mill run down & some time thereafter, but how long this deft [sic] does not recollect, Wm Dunn, Carter Croxton’s testator, rebuilt her & afterwards sold a moity of her to Wm Edmondson, a son of the said John & one of the plts; and he saith that there is an old dam about a quarter of a mile up the pond from where the mill now stands & he has always understood from the old people in the neighborhood that the said mill stood there in the lifetime of Wm Dunn, the father of Carter Croxton’s testator, and afterwards the mill was moved down to where she now stands, but he does not recollect to have heard whether Carter Croxton’s testator or his father moved her down And he saith that before Wm Dunn rebuilt the mill he knows that the plt Caty Edmondson used to get corn from the mill very frequently, and this deponent was well acquainted with her situation & believes that she never did made corn for the support of herself & her family and after the mill was rebuilt he has known her people very frequently to carry corn from Mr Dunn’s house & he used to complain of her being very troublesome in sending so often after for corn & brandy (both of which he has known to be carried by her people from thence very often) & which he could not get over sending altho’ it was very inconvenient & this deponent conceived it was because she was his sister. [signed] James Coxton [sic—poor handwriting, original signature] [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 22, item 22-K-12.]
On 16 June 1806, an inventory and appraisal of the estate of William Dunn, deceased, made pursuant to an order of court dated 22 August 1792 by James Croxton, James Dix, and James Davis, was returned to court. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 16, pages 419–420.]
On 19 August 1807, orator Gabriel Purkins executor of Mary Purkins issued a bill of complaint that states that in 17__ your orator’s testatrix and mother became indebted to her mother Winnefred Dunn. After Winnifred’s death her son Henry Dunn obtained administration of her estate. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 19, item 19-G-51.] Henry’s response adds that Winnifred had a son William Dunn. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 19, item 19-G-49.]
The estate of William Dunn, deceased, in account with Carter Croxton, executor, from 1799 to 1821 was settled on 17 February 1821 by Wm. A. Garnett, Graves Burke, and Henry H. Boughan. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 19, pages 177–180.]
On 19 July 1830, the estate of William Dunn in account with Carter Croxton from 1799 to 1827 was recorded. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 22, pages 133–144.]
On 18 September 1750, Richard Jones, a Wm Dunn and James Banks were bound £500 sterling for Richard Jones’s administration with the will annexed of Richard Jones. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 8, pages 362–363.]
On 11 August 1752, a William Dunn witnessed a deed from Richard Tyler to Richard Gatewood. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 26, pages 110–113.]
On 31 August 1753, a William Dunn Senr of Essex County, planter, sold to James McCall, merchant. For £56, slaves. Signed Wm Dunn. Witnesses: Archibald Mccall, J. Edmondson, Robt Loury. Recorded 16 October 1753. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 26, pages 361–363.]
On 4 December 1755, a William Dunn Sr. cast votes for Mr. John Upshaw and Colonel Francis Smith for burgesses of Essex County. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 27, pages 248–252.]
On 4 December 1755, a William Dunn Jr. cast votes for Mr. John Upshaw and Colonel Francis Smith for burgesses of Essex County. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 27, pages 248–252.]
On 5 December 1755, a William Dunn Junr witnessed a deed from Berry Taylor and Rachel his wife of the County of Essex and Parish of Southfarnham to Thomas Dennett of the same. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 27, pages 187–189.]
On 14 March 1757, a Willm Dunn junr witnessed a deed from James Turner to his son Thomas Turner. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 27, page 276.]
On 19 April 1758, a William Dunn was mentioned in the will of Joseph Greenhill of the County of Essex. He was to be co-executor. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 11, pages 116–117.]
On 18 July 1758, a William Dunn and John Edmondson bound £500 current money for William Dunn’s execution of the last will and testament of Joseph Greenhill. Signed Wm Dunn, John Edmondson. [Essex County, Will Book 11, pages 117–118.]
On 5 December 1767, an appraisal of the estate of a Mr Wm Dunn was made by James Banks, Thos Dennett and a Wm Dunn whit. Total valuation £138.9.6. Recorded 15 May 1769. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 12, pages 361–362.]
An appraisal of the estate of Jonathan Dunn made by James Banks, William Dunn B, and Luke Covington, sworn on 10 December 1768. Total valuation £38.5.2. Ordered recorded 21 May 1770. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 12, pages 388–389.]
On 17 July 1769, by order of the November Court 1768, an inventory and appraisal of the estate of Catherine Gatewood was returned, made by J. Edmondson, James Banks and William Dunn B. Total valuation £42.2.0-1/2. Ordered recorded 17 July 1769. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 12, pages 366–367.]
On 2 February 1771, an appraisal of the estate of Thomas Dunn was made by a J. Edmondson, James Banks and William Dunn B. Total valuation £473.2.5. Recorded 16 March 1772. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 12, pages 454–456.]
On 15 December 1773, the appraisal of the estate of John Edmondson deceased was made by James Booker, James Banks, a William Dunn and Thomas Wood. No total. Recorded 17 October 1774. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 12, pages 597–599.]
On 19 September 1774, William Dunn B witnessed a deed from James Boughan and Amy his wife of the Parish of South Farnham to Thomas Wood of the Parish of South Farnham. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 31, pages 195–196.]
William Dunn B was named an executor in the 11 June 1775 will of his nephew James Sale of Caroline County. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 13, pages 28–29.]
On 22 December 1785, an inventory of the estate of a William Dunn, W, was made by Thomas Crutcher, Wm Dunn and Frances Dennett by order of December 1785. Recorded 16 Febtruary 1789. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 14, pages 143–145.]
On 23 March 1787, Francis Boughan aged about seventy years old deposed that he lived with William Dunn (B) in the year 1785. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 5, item 5-G-29.]
On 30 January 1787, the inventory of the estate of Richard Brown was made by a Wm Dunn, James Banks and John Dunn. Ordered recorded 21 July 1788. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 7, pages 76–78.]
On 17 February 1794, William Dunn, B, and Diannah his wife of the parish of South Farnham and County of Essex sold to Thomas Wood Senior of the same. For £150, half part of that mill commonly called and known by the name of Dunn’s Mill, and also the dam, pond, land and running gear. Signed Wm Dunn, Diannah her + mark Dunn. Witnesses: Robert Yarrington, [illegible, including to the clerk] Dunn, Elizabeth her + mark Emerson. Ordered recorded 16 June 1794. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 34, pages 62–63.]
The will of William Dunn of South Farnham Parish was dated 1 December 1795. “In the name of god amen: I William Dunn of the Parish of southfarnham & County of Essex being of disposing mind and memory revoking all former Wills & testaments heretofore made by me, do ordain this my last Will & testament in manner and form following. to wit: Imprimis, I do Lend unto my beloved Wife Diana Dunn during her natural life or widowhood in lieu of & in bar to any right she may have in or to the whole or any part of my Estate real or personal for dower thirds or in any other manner whatsoever, part of the tract of Land whereon I now live and bounded as follows, beginning at the corner between the Land of the widow Bank’s James Croxton & my own, thence along the said Croxton’s Line to Nathaniel Dunn’s & and [sic] Capt. Thomas Wood’s Corner, from thence down the branch between the said Dunn’s land & mine to the Corner between his Lane and mine, thence down the said Branch to the place where my Spring run empties into the said branch, thence up the said Spring run to the Spring, thence in a direct Course up the bottom to the Road which Leads from the gate to the house thence along the Road to the Gate thence along the fence by the Young peach & apple orchard to the main Road thence along the main Road to the Swamp which divides Barker Minter’s Land from mine thence up the Swamp to the line of Thomas Wood Junr. thence along his line & mine to the Corner thence along his line & mine to the Widow Bank’s Corner thence along the line between the widow Banks’s Land and mine to the beginning, also two of the best Beds & furniture the best horse & saddle, 2 Cows & Calves, 5 head of Sheep, 1/2 Dozen of the best Chairs one Dozen pewter Plates and two Dozen Earthen Plates and the following Negroes to Wit, Sam, Dick, Jenny & Lew and after the death or marriage of my wife I give the said Land to my son John Dunn & his heirs heirs [sic] forever, and the Negroes and personal Estate I give to my son John Dunn & to my daughters Winney Dunn, Nancy Croxton, Caty Dunn, & Betsey Sullivan to them and their heirs forever to be Equally divided between them and all the residue of the lands of which I may die Seised possessed or entitled to I give to my son John Dunn and his heirs forever. and also give to my son John Dunn & his heirs my moity of a water grist Mill & my Still with all the appendages Appurtinences & heroditaments [sic] appertaining to Either — Item: my Will and desire are such that at my death my wife Dianna Dunn Shall have Five hundred Pounds of neat Pork and Twenty five barrels of Corn Ten bushels of wheat and a Sufficiency of fodder to Support her Stock one winter, which Pork Corn wheat and fodder I give to her &c — Item I bequeath to my Grand Children Peachey Wm Smith, Lucy & Betsey Dunn & their heirs forever the following negroes, to Wit. Milley, Jenny, James, Dick, Sam & John & their future increase to be Equally divided betweem [sic] them but incase [sic] Either of them should die without Leaving a Child or Children Living at the time of his, her or their death then I give the proportion of him her or them so dying without Child or Children to the survivors or survivor & in case all of my said grand Children should so die without Leaving a Child or Children Living at the time of their respective deaths then I give the said Negroes & their future increase to my Son John Dunn and my daughters Winney Dunn Nancy Croxton, Caty Dunn, and Betsey Sullivan & their heirs forever to be equally divided between them, and in case either of my said Children shall die before such event shall happen it is my will that the Child or Children of such of my Chilren as may so die Shall take the part which its or their father or mother would have taken in Case he she or they should have been alive. — Item I give to my daughter Winney Dunn & her heirs forever the following Negroes. To Wit, Dicey, Winney & Patty now in her Possession and their increase both at this time & to come. — Item I Give to my Daughter Nancy Croxton the following Negroes to Wit., Amey, Esther & Dixon & their increase both at this time & to Come, to her & her heirs forever — Item I give to my Daughter Caty Dunn & her heirs forever the followg [sic] Negroes: to Wit, Siller, Jack & Richmond & their increase both at this time & to come. — Item I give to my daughter Betsey Sullivan to following Negroes to Wit, Phillis, Minter [Mintus?] & Tom and their increase both at this time & to Come, to her & her heirs forever, But where I have given herein negroes by name, altho, any of them should happen to be increase of any of the Negroes herein given to either of my said daughters, it is not my will that my said daughters or either of them should have such Negro or Negroes by virtue of the words which speak of increase happened before this time. Item. I give and bequeath to my daughters Winny Dunn, Nancy Croxton, Caty Dunn, and Betsey Sullivan and their heirs forever, all the Negroes that I shall died possessed of which I have not already disposed off, to be equally divided between them. — Item I give to my son John Dunn, daughters Winney Dunn, Nancy Croxton, Caty Dunn, and Betsey Sullivan and their heirs forever, all the rest and residue of my Estate of what nature or kind so ever, to be equally divided between them — and I hereby declare it to be my will that in case my son John Dunn or either of my daughters shall die & Leave to Child or Childlen [sic] living at the time of his, her or their death, that the sd [?] portion or Estate which I have herein given such Child or Children so dying shall go to the Survivors or Survivor of my said son & daughters. — Lastly I appoint my son John Dunn my son in law Carter Croxton & my friend Capt. Lewis Booker executors of this my Last will & testament. Witness my hand & seal this first day of December one thousand Seven hundred and Ninety five”
Wm. Dunn
Witnesses: Wm. Edmondson, John Mann, LBooker, Abraham [X] Williamson
On 21 October 1799, the will was produced in court by Carter Croxton and was proved by the oaths of William Edmondson, John Mann, and Abraham Williamson. Certificate granted to Carter Croxton in order of his obtaining probate.
[Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 15, pages 504–506.]
On 1 December 1798, Rickard Burke provided a deposition: The deposition of Rickard Burk being of lawfull age taken at the house of the said Rickard Burk in a suit depending between Cary Griggs pltff and William Purkins and William Dunn B executors of Henry Purkins decd who was executor of John Griggs decd defendants this 1st day of December 1798 This deponant being first sworn saith that when John Grigg’s the father of the pltff’s estate was sold he this deponant cryed it and before it was all sold he heard Capt. Thomas Edmondson ask Henry Purkins what John Griggs Estate sold for who answered upwards of Six hundred pounds Quistian by the pltff attorney what has become of John Griggs children answer John Griggs Cary Griggs & Fanny Dudley I believe to be a live the other are all dead and farther this deponant saith not
Signed Rickard Burke
Witnesses: JBohannan, Thos Dix [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 15, item 15-A-13.]
On 21 October 1799, executorship of the estate of William Dunn, deceased, was granted to Carter Croxton. Carter Croxton and Lewis Booker acknowledge their bond in the penalty of $7,000. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 15, page 507.]
On 20 March 1801, Caty Edmondson, William Purkins and William Edmondson complained in court against Carter Croxton, executor of William Dunn (B). They stated that their complaint was in response to a judgement delivered against them the previous day in favor of Carter Croxton on a bond dated in 1775. That soon after the date of the bond, a deed of gift was made for a mill on Matthews Swamp commonly called Dunns Mill, from Winney Dunn, Caty’s mother, to Caty. The mill had been devised to Winney by her husband William Dunn, and was a running mill at the time. That William Dunn, brother of Caty, was in possession of the mill at the time of the deed of gift and continued in possession, never paying Caty any corn or other necessary. That she was averse to litigation against her own brother, and she assumed that since he never asked for payment of the bond that she would not ask for compensation for the mill. That William Dunn (B) knew well the right of Winney Dunn to the mill and that Winney Dunn died about nine years ago. That when Carter Croxton requested payment of the bond that Caty Edmondson told him that her brother, William Dunn (B) was largely indebted to her. That Carter Croxton has contrived and confederated with persons to injure and oppress Caty Edmondson. Notes on the jacket indicate that this case went on for several years. In 1803, during which there were several dates listed, one reads: May 19th abates as to Wm Edmondson by his death & Contd for Depons. The prior date had been April 19th. The first entry for 1804 reads: 1804 Jany 17th abates as to Caty Edmondson by her death & Contd for Depos. The prior date had been 1803 Decr 20th. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 22, item 22-K-19.]
On 21 June 1802, Carter Croxton filed an ansewr to the bill exhibited against him by Caty Edmondson and others: The answer of Carter Croxton exr &c of Wm Dunn decd to the bill of complaint exhibited against him by Caty Edmondson, Wm Purkins & Wm Edmondson in Essex county court—This deft saving to himself all benifit of exception to every error in the said bill contained for answer to so much thereof as he is advised is material for him to answer to, he answereth & saith that he believes Winney Dunn died about the 20th day of July 1793, but he does not know or believe that his testator ever did hold any mill in which the plt Caty Edmondson was interested except for a very short time. That this deft is totally ignorant of every thing respecting the mill in the bill mentioned as to him own knowledge, but he hath been informed & believes that Winney Dunn never had any interest in the mill of which this Deft’s testator was possessessed [sic] during his life; that this deft believes that the father of his testator died sometime in the year 1767 and previous thereto his testator purchased from one John Tyler the land whereon the mill stood of which his testator was possessed during his life, as this deft hath been informed, & which purchase will appear by a copy of the deed hereto annexed as part of this his answer, and after the deed last mentioned this deft’s testator built the mill, of which he was possessed in his lifetime, pursuant to a petition in his own name & order of court authorising the same, which will appear by a transcript of the record hereto annexed as part of his answer. This deft hath heard that after his testator had built the mill there was some agreement between him & John Edmondson, the husband of the plt Caty, in his lifetime that the said Edmondson should have some interest in the said mill so long as she continued to be in grinding order or until she should want rebuilding, or during the said Edmondson’s life, but the purport of the said agreement is unknown to this deft, and this deft hath understood that the said John Edmondson died in the year 1773 and very soon thereafter the mill run down & was rebuilt by his testator, but after the said John Edmondson’s death until the mill was run down the plt used to get corn from the mill & this deft supposes that if she was entitled to any thing he [sic] recd her full share. And this deft further answering saith that he knows nothing of the deed of gift from Winny Dunn to the plt in the bill mentioned, nor does he know whether or not his testator knew anything of it, and he saith, that the testator afterwards about the year 1788 sold a moity of the said mill to the plt Wm Edmondson, a son of the plt Caty’s, and this deft believes with her privity & knowledge & she never objected to it or made any claim to the mill. And this deft further answering saith, that he denies that the plt Caty told him that his testator was indebted to her on acct of the said mill or on any other acct at the time this deft applied to her for payment of the bond in the bill mentioned, but at first she had supposed it had been paid, but after a little consideration she said she recollected the bond was given for hogs at the breaking up of the mill & that it had not been paid, and that her son Wm had all her effects & must pay it, and on this deft’s urging payment she said she would sell a cow & pay off the bond. And this deft denying all unlawful combination & confederacy without that, that &c prays to be hence dismissed with his reasonable costs in this behalf most wrongfully sustained &c[.] Essex county to wit: Carter Croxton this day made oath to this answer before me in due form of law. Given under my hand this 21st day of June 1802. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 22, item 22-K-18.]
On 15 July 1803, James Croxton provided an affidavit: in a suit in chancery between Caty Edmondson & Wm Purkins and William Edmondson plts & Carter Croxton exr of Wm Dunn (B) deft in Essex county court—This deponent saith that some short time before the said exr of Wm Dunn brought suit on a bond of Mrs Caty Edmondson & Wm Purkins this Deponent was at Mrs Dunns & Carter Croxton asked him the Deponent if he would go with him to Mrs Edmondson’s (but the precise time this deponent does not recollect) that when they got to Mrs Edmondson’s she was sick in bed and after some conversation not relative to business, Carter Croxton presented to Mrs Caty Edmondson the bond of herself & Wm Purkins to Wm Dunn, the testator of Carter Croxton, & asked her if she owed the money, and at first she said she did not believe it was due but believed it was paid and then Carter Croxton read the bond to her & she said that it had not been paid and that her son William would have all her effets & he must pay it, but when Carter Croxton told her it must be paid & he could not wait longer, she said she would sell a cow and pay it off as soon as she got well & she said that the bond was given for hogs purchased by her from her brother William when the mill was broke up. And this Deponent saith that Caty Edmondson was the widow of John Edmondson, and that he lived very near to the mill called Dunn’s mill, which name it bore ever since he can remember, and when he first knew it, it belonged to Wm Dunn & John Edmondson & after John Edmondson’s death the mill run down & some time thereafter, but how long this deft [sic] does not recollect, Wm Dunn, Carter Croxton’s testator, rebuilt her & afterwards sold a moity of her to Wm Edmondson, a son of the said John & one of the plts; and he saith that there is an old dam about a quarter of a mile up the pond from where the mill now stands & he has always understood from the old people in the neighborhood that the said mill stood there in the lifetime of Wm Dunn, the father of Carter Croxton’s testator, and afterwards the mill was moved down to where she now stands, but he does not recollect to have heard whether Carter Croxton’s testator or his father moved her down And he saith that before Wm Dunn rebuilt the mill he knows that the plt Caty Edmondson used to get corn from the mill very frequently, and this deponent was well acquainted with her situation & believes that she never did made corn for the support of herself & her family and after the mill was rebuilt he has known her people very frequently to carry corn from Mr Dunn’s house & he used to complain of her being very troublesome in sending so often after for corn & brandy (both of which he has known to be carried by her people from thence very often) & which he could not get over sending altho’ it was very inconvenient & this deponent conceived it was because she was his sister. [signed] James Coxton [sic—poor handwriting, original signature] [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 22, item 22-K-12.]
On 16 June 1806, an inventory and appraisal of the estate of William Dunn, deceased, made pursuant to an order of court dated 22 August 1792 by James Croxton, James Dix, and James Davis, was returned to court. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 16, pages 419–420.]
On 19 August 1807, orator Gabriel Purkins executor of Mary Purkins issued a bill of complaint that states that in 17__ your orator’s testatrix and mother became indebted to her mother Winnefred Dunn. After Winnifred’s death her son Henry Dunn obtained administration of her estate. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 19, item 19-G-51.] Henry’s response adds that Winnifred had a son William Dunn. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 19, item 19-G-49.]
The estate of William Dunn, deceased, in account with Carter Croxton, executor, from 1799 to 1821 was settled on 17 February 1821 by Wm. A. Garnett, Graves Burke, and Henry H. Boughan. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 19, pages 177–180.]
On 19 July 1830, the estate of William Dunn in account with Carter Croxton from 1799 to 1827 was recorded. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 22, pages 133–144.]
Spouses