Jane Gatewood was mentioned, as Janey, in the 1765 will of her father Isaac Gatewood. At that time she was under 18. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 12, pages 225–226.]

Jane was mentioned in the 27 June 1798 will of her mother, Mary Gatewood, proved 21 January 1799. “…and one fourth part to my Daughter Jane Dunn. Item I give to my daughter Jane Dunn my Bell-mettle Skillet, my spice mortar & half a dozen china Plates…Item I give unto my daughter Jane my Trunk and all my wearing Cloths…one fourth part to my daughter Mary Kay…my will and desire is that all the rest of my estate shall be sold and equally divided amongst my Children to wit Andrew, Gatewood, Augustin, Richard, William, Sarah, Tabatha, Mary and Jane…” [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 15, page 436.]

Jane Dunn was mentioned, but not by name, in the 5 January 1810 will of his husband, Thomas Dunn, which was proved on 24 November 1810. Billlington was not of age. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 17, pages 247–248.]

On 20 November 1810, Jane Dunn relinquished her right as executrix and renounced any provision made for her in the will of her late husband, Thomas Dunn. Signed Jane her x mark Dunn. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 17, page 251.]

On 17 December 1810, Jane Dunn and William Fisher were bound $3,300 for Jane Dunn’s guardianship of Maria Dunn, Robert Dunn, Thomas Dunn and Billington Dunn, orphans of Thomas Dunn. [Essex County, Virginia, Guardian Book 3, pages 240–241.]

On 23 January 1811, the land of Thomas Dunn was divided among his wife and children. A paper in Dunn vs. Dunn, filed on 18 February 1811, concerned division of land of Thomas Dunn, including a map. Lot 1 to Maria Dunn, lot 2 to Robert Dunn, lot 3 to Billington Dunn, lot 4 to Thomas Dunn, lot 5 to Vincent Dyke, plus a widow’s lot. Division made on 23 January 1811 by Sthreshly Rennolds, Micajah Munday, Ben H. Munday; TK Noel, surveyor. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 21, item 21-C-10] Another paper adds that Thomas’s widow was Jane Dunn, that Thomas died in 1810, and that Vincent Dyke’s wife is named Susan. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 21, item 21-C-7.]

In an undated petition, probably from the early 1830s, orators and oratrices Vincent Dyke and Susan his wife who was Susan Dunn a daughter of Thomas Dunn deceased, Moredecai Rouse trustee for Maria Rouse and her children, which said Maria was Maria Dunn a daughter of Thomas Dunn deceased, Billington Dunn, Robert Rennolds orphan of Sthreshley Rennolds by Edmund F. Noel his next friend, and Robert Clarke and Mary his wife, complained that Jane Dunn widow of Thomas Dunn holds dower slaves. Sthreshley Rennolds purchased the interest of Thomas F. Dunn, a son of Thomas Dunn. Robert Clark holds interest through a deed from Billington Dunn to his wife Mary Anne, which Billington had purchased of Vincent Dyke who purchased it from Robert W. Dunn another son of Thomas Dunn. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 44, item 44-J-26.]

For general information about Jane Gatewood, see: Gothberg, Carol J., John and Amy Gatewood, and Their Descendants 1666–1986. Baltimore: Gateway Press Inc., 1987, pages 13 and 20.