Thomas Moore’s Genealogy Site - Person Sheet
Thomas Moore’s Genealogy Site - Person Sheet
NameJohn Dunn 
ResidenceEssex County, Virginia
Deathabt Jan 1790
FatherWilliam Dunn (-~1732)
MotherAlice
Documentation
John Dunn was mentioned in the 5 February 1731 will of his father William Dunn, proved on 19 July 1732. “I give and bequesth unto my three youngest Sons namely John, Benjamin and Jonathan Dunne five hundred acres of land lieing and being in the County of Caroline on the South Side of Matteponie river to be equally devided amongst them to them and their heirs for ever … I give and bequeath after my wifes death or marrige again all my negros to be equaly divided amongst my five sons namely Thomas Dunn, William, John, Benjamin & Jonathan Dunn and all the rest of my estate real, and personal to be equally divided amongst my six youngest Children namely Alice Hayes, Sarah Williamson, John Dune, Benjamin Dunne, Jonathan Dune, & Anne Dunne”. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 5, pages 92–93.]
On 19 October 1736, John Rains and Francis his wife both of the parish of St. Stephens in ye County of King and Queen within the Colony of Virginia sold to John Dunn of So.farnham parish in Essex County. For £36 current money of Virginia, a parcel of land in the County of Essex and parish of So.farnham lying on the branches of Pescataway Creek the said land did formerly belong to Giles Young & bounded as followeth Begining at a corner Gum in the line of Thomas Dunn dividing this land from the land of Richard Brown Thence along the said Browns line E 290 poles to the main road to a corner Pine over the road thence along the road So20 poles & So 5d Wt. 40 poles So.5d.Et 30 poles then 20 poles to a corner Hickory on the Wt. side of the road binding on the land of Thos. Day decd. Thence Wt. 326 poles to thre corner trees divid this land from the land of Class Caston the sd corner being in or near the line of Thomas Dunn thence along the said Dunns line to the begining corner Containing two hundred acors more or less. Signed John Rains, Frances her + mark Ranes. Witnesses: John his J mark Davis, John Williamson, John his x mark Roding, Hanah her x mark Harper. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 21, pages 257–259.]
On 12 August 1737, John Dunn and Barbery Dunn his wife of the parish of Southfarnham in the County of Essex sold to James Webb of the same. For £40 good and lawful money of Virginia, a tract of land Containing two hundred acres be the Same moore or less, Begining at Browns line it being a Corner Gum Standing in a branch thence along the said Browns line East 290 poles to the maine road and to a small Corner Pine thence alonge the maine roade South 20 poles and 5d west 40 poles So 5d E30 poles thence 20 poles to a Corner hickery Standing on the west Side of the mill roade thence West 326 pols to three Corner trees Standing triangular being two red Oaks and a hickery being Corners for one Dunn Class Caston thence North 15d East along Dunns line the line being Crookedly marked 110 poles to the Begining place. Signed John Dunn, Barbery her + mark Dunn. Witnesses: Wm. Turner, Henry Atkins, Ben Johnson. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 21, pages 344–346.]
On 22 February 1739, Bibby Bush of the Parish of Southfarnham in the County of Essex was bound unto John Dunn £80 current money of Virginia. Whereas for £40 Current Money of Virginia paid by John Dunn, Bibby Bush has conveyed a piece of Land Containing 130 acres in the Parish of Southfarnham and County of Essex which said land was purchased by Bibby Bush of Capt. Wm. Beal late of the said County, now if Bush shall indemnify Dunn then this obligation to be void. Signed Bibby Bush. Witnesses: WFisher, Edwd. Hayes, Thos. Pritchett. On 21 November 1749 ordered to be recorded. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 24, pages 402–403.]
On 18 August 1760, Stephen Neal and Susanah his Wife both of the County of Essex and Parish of Southfarnham sold to John Dunn of the same. For four pounds Six shillings of Good and Lawful money of Virginia, all their Right and Dower of the said Land whereon the said John Dunn Now lives. Signed Stephen Neal, Susannah her x mark Neal. Witnesses: Wm. Dunn Junr, Henry Dunn. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 28, page 277.]
Dear Dady, I am now taken very Ill with I believe the sickness that has killeed all my neighbours, & knowing myself to be mortal Expect to shear with them in mortallity I men to hasten to the brown shads of Elison whear the dead are Quickly forgot. And as I have no will by me pray Dady let this letter be my will & fulfill it in yours, in Regard to my land in Caroline which is as follows Vizt First I will that my whole Estate Real & personal be lent to my wife Sarah Dunn so long ashe Remains my widdow and at her death or marriage in case of the latter only wt the law alow her, then I will that my lands be Equally divided amongst my three sons namely Larkin Dunn Tolla Dunn, & Dabney Dunn to them & their Heirs lawfully begotten; but in case either Die without such Heir then will is that his part go to the other Two as above mentioned but in case either of them Die without such heir then my will is that my Daughter Mary Dunn own one Part & her Heirs lawfully begotten in case they all die without such heir then my will is my three Daughters namely Mary Dunn Faney Dunn & Jaley Dunn should share an Equal Division in the whole mention as above but in case my sons live & Possess my land then my will is that my Daughters Shear the rest of my estate as may make them as near Equal as it will allow & as the old Partriarks Bought them a certain Buriing place for them all to be together & as I should be glad to lie near you the times are difficul I must leave it to Pore Distressed family to make the Best shift they can which I am afraid will be very bad I add no more by sincear love to you & all my Realations as well knowing I am to meet in Eternity may God in mercy Preserve you all in unity is the lastest[?] wish of Sir your ever Dutifull & Loving son. Amen
Signed James Dunn. Witnesses: John Dowles, C. Cook. 21 April 1781
To Mr. John Dunn Senr. in Essex County.
At a Court held for Essex County at Tappa. on the 20th Day of August 1781 This Instrument of writing purporting the last will & testament of James Dunn Decd was Proved to be the proper Hand writing of the Said James Dunn by John Dunn his Father and admitted to record.
[Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 13, pages 354–355.]
On 16 October 1786, an account of Rice Cauthorn’s and Richard Cauthorn’s executorship of the estate of Henry Cauthorn, deceased, was returned to court, settled by Thos. Evans, Thos. Johnson, and Richd. Cauthen [sic] Senr. Consistent with the will, the accounting shows a distribution of £5 each to Richard Cauthorn jr. and Vincent Cauthorn, and £4 to Elizabeth Cauthorn. An equal distribution of £46.13.3 was made to Rice Cauthorn, John Dunn Senr., Wm. Gest, Thos Ussey, and Mildred Cauthorn. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 14, pages 61–62.]
On 3 October 1787, a John Dunn witnessed a deed from Samuel Croxton and Anne his wife of the Parish of Southfarnham and County of Essex to Thomas Wood of the same. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 33, pages 93–94.]
On 30 January 1787, the inventory of the estate of Richard Brown was made by Wm Dunn, James Banks and a John Dunn. Ordered recorded 21 July 1788. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 7, pages 76–78.]
“In the name of God Amen I John Dunn Senr of the County of Essex being in perfect Sence & memory do think fit to make this may Last Will and Testament in the following manner First I rejoyn my soul To allmighty God Who Gave it me in Sure and Curtain hopes of a Joyfull Resurerction and touching such Estate as the Lord in his mercy has bestowed upon me I give the same as followeth I lend to my Beloved wife an Dunn all the land Where on I now live dureing her Widderhood and after her Death I give it to my son John Dunn I lend to my Wife one negro Boy Dureing her life named Cupit and at her Death to be Equally Devided among her Children I give and bequeave to my Son John dunn a negro Girl named hanner to him and his Eyrs for ever and in Case he dy Without Eyr it is my Desire that my son Jame Dunn shall have her I give to my son Janes Dunn one hundread for forty for acors of Land Liing in Caroline County and one negro Girl named Jane an in Case he Dy without Eyr it is my Desire that my son John dunn shall have his part I give to my gran Childred the Children of my son John dunn Deseassed one hundread and forty fore acros of Land lying Caroline County and Twenty pound Cash to be Equally Devided among them I giv to my Grand Children the Children of my son Jomes Dunn Desease one hundread and forty fore acros of Land liing in Caryline County and Twenty pound Cash to Be Equally Devidead among them I give to my son William Dunn the land Where on he now lives and Sixty six acors in Caryline County and Twenty pounds worth of pursanall Estate It is my Desire that my wife shall have as much meate and Corn as shall be thout sufcient to serve her and her Children for one Year and the rest of my astate to be devided into six Equal parts not before mentioned one of the six parts I lend to my Daughter Mary Cauththorn in during of her life and at her death it is Desire it may be Equally deivded among her Children But in Case my astate Should Suffer on a Count of her administration on Leonard Brookes Estate that much shall Com out her part I lend one part to my daughter An hardee indeureing of her life and then I give it to be Equally devided among her Children I give to my Gran Dauter An Williams one part of the six to her and her Children I lend to my Dauter Barbra Crow one part of the six in deureing of her life and to her Children in Case she should have any but in Case she have none then her part to be Equally divided among the other five before mentioned one part of the six I lend to my Wife an dunn in dewring of her Widderhood and at her death or or marag I give it to her too small children not named I give one part to my two small Children not named It is my will and Desir that my loving wife an dunn and my son William Dunn and Richard Phillips Should be my hole and sole Executors of this my last Will Testament in witness my hand this 21the of Desember 1789”. Signed John Dunn. Witnesses: Richard Phillips, Millycene Cauthorn, Curtis his x mark Dunn. On 15 February 1790, proved by Richard Phillips, Millycene Cauthorn, and Curtis Dunn. “See original will for Certificate granting Adm with the will annexed to Henry Dunn, Jany 18th 1819.” “See original Will for certificate granting admn with the Will annexed to James Dunn — March 22nd 1825”. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 14, pages 178–179.]
On 17 August 1793, commissioners appointed by Essex County court divided the Caroline County lands of John Dunn the Elder of Essex. This action was the result of a suit in which orators and oratrices were William Dunn, James Dunn an infant under the age of twenty one years by Ann Dunn his guardian, Joshua Dunn, Henry Dunn, Thomas Dunn & Godfrey Dunn, the two last infants under the age of twenty one years by George Martin their next friend, George Martin & Joanna his wife, Charles Bennett and Patty his wife, Patsey Dunn & Tolly Dunn & Dabney Dunn the two last infants under the age of twenty one years by George Page their next friend, and George Page & Molly his wife & Jaily Dunn, and defendants were John Dunn and Larkin Dunn. The complainants alleged that John Dunn senr. late of the county of Essex made his last will & testament bearing date the 21st day of december 1789, bequeathing to your orator James Dunn one hundred & forty four acres of land lying in Caroline County (the said testator being at that time seized of a tract of land in that county), and in case he died without heir, that it was his desire that the sd. testator’s son John Dunn should have his part, that he willed 144 acres of land to his grandchildren the son of John Dunn decd., which said children are orators and oratrices Joshua Dunn, Henry Dunn, Thomas Dunn, Godfrey Dunn, Joanna the wife of your orator George Martin, Patty the wife of your orator Charles Bennett & Patsey Dunn & John Dunn, and the said testator gave to his grandchildren the children of his son James Dunn decd. 144 acres, which said children are Larkin Dunn and your orators Tolly Dunn and Dabney Dunn & oratrices Molly the wife of George Page & Jaily Dunn, and also gave to your orator Wm. Dunn by the style of his son Wm. Dunn 66 acres, all of which was part of one tract of land in Caroline County. That a decree is necessary to divide the land, and to the end therefore that John Dunn, who was one of the children of John Dunn decd. in the said testator’s will and testament mentioned, and Larkin Dunn, who is one of the children of the said James Dunn decd. may be made defendants, to which the defendants answered in agreement for a division of the land. The division provided lots to the children of John Dunn, deceased (Joannah Martin (15-1/4 acres), Patsey Dunn (15-1/4 acres), Godfrey Dunn (15-1/4 acres), John Dunn (15-1/4 acres), Pattey Bennet (15-1/4 acres), Joshua Dunn (15-1/4 acres), Henry Dunn (21 acres), and Thomas Dunn (21 acres)); to James Dunn, an infant (133 acres)); to the children of James Dunn, deceased (Tolley Dunn (28-1/2 acres), Mary Page (28-1/2 acres), Larkin Dunn (39 acres), Dabney Dunn (39 acres), and Jaley Dunn (39 acres)); and to William Dunn Elder (62 acres); with one lot of 10 acres unassigned and not included in the will. [Essex County, Virginia, Chancery Papers, Dunn vs. Dunn, 1793.]
On 17 November 1828, orators and oratrices Samuel Johnson and Catharine his wife, Henry Dunn, George Martin and Joanna his wife, Dabney Dunn, Thomas Harper and Eliza his wife, Reuben Ware and Sally his wife, Polly Hardy, John Hardy, Mary Dunn, John Dunn, Patsy Dunn, William Dunn, Alexander Dunn, Lewis Dunn, Washington Dunn, Edmund Dunn, Mary Dunn, Fanny Moore, Jane Moore, George Moore, Samuel Broocks, Polly Newbill, William Cox and Lilly his wife, John Cooper and Constant his wife filed a complaint with the chancery court in Essex County, Virginia. “That John Dunn the father of your oratrice Catharine Johnson & of John Dunn who is deac’sd left the said Henry Dunn & Joanna Dunn, his only children & heirs at law, of James Dunn who is also decd & left your orator Dabney Dunn & Tolla Dunn decd, the father of Eliza Harper his only children & heirs at law, of Ann Dunn, who married Joseph Hardy, who is decd & left an only son, Joseph who is also decd & left your oratrice & orators Sally Ware, Polly Hardy & John Hardy his only children & heirs at Law, of Wm Dunn who is also decd & left your oratrices & orators, Mary Dunn, John Dunn & Curtis Dunn who is since decd, & left your orators & oratrices Patsy, William, Alexander, Lewis, Washington, Edmund & Mary his only children & heirs at Law, of Fanny, who married George Moore, both of whom are now decd & left your oratrices & orator Fanny, Jane [June?], & George Moore their only children & heirs at Law, of Mary Brooks, who afterwards married Rice Cauthorn, the mother of your orator & oratrice named Broocks, Polly Newbill, & Sally Cox, who are entitled to distribution as heirs at Law of said Mary Brooks; of Polly Broocks, who left your oratrice Constant Cooper her heir at Law and now residing of Va. who have not been heard from for the last five years also heirs”. That John Dunn “departed this life some time in the year [blank] having made his last Will & Testament, dated 21st December 1789 & duly recorded…He devised to his wife during her widowhood all the land whereon he resided, and after her death, he gave the same to John Dunn his son, who was a brother of the whole blood to the said Catharine Johnson, your oratrice, & of the whole blood to James Dunn, who the said complainants pray may be made deft: hereto & of the whole blood to Henry Dunn, who is decd and left James H. & Roberta his only children & heirs at Law & of the half blood to his other brothers & sisters herein before mentioned, that the said John Dunn afterwards died intestate, an infant under twenty one years of age & without issue…That the said James Dunn & James H. Dunn & Roberta Dunn may be made defendants…” [Essex County, Virginia, Box 146, Deeds and Wills, 1828–1829, loose paper.]
On 19 October 1736, John Rains and Francis his wife both of the parish of St. Stephens in ye County of King and Queen within the Colony of Virginia sold to John Dunn of So.farnham parish in Essex County. For £36 current money of Virginia, a parcel of land in the County of Essex and parish of So.farnham lying on the branches of Pescataway Creek the said land did formerly belong to Giles Young & bounded as followeth Begining at a corner Gum in the line of Thomas Dunn dividing this land from the land of Richard Brown Thence along the said Browns line E 290 poles to the main road to a corner Pine over the road thence along the road So20 poles & So 5d Wt. 40 poles So.5d.Et 30 poles then 20 poles to a corner Hickory on the Wt. side of the road binding on the land of Thos. Day decd. Thence Wt. 326 poles to thre corner trees divid this land from the land of Class Caston the sd corner being in or near the line of Thomas Dunn thence along the said Dunns line to the begining corner Containing two hundred acors more or less. Signed John Rains, Frances her + mark Ranes. Witnesses: John his J mark Davis, John Williamson, John his x mark Roding, Hanah her x mark Harper. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 21, pages 257–259.]
On 12 August 1737, John Dunn and Barbery Dunn his wife of the parish of Southfarnham in the County of Essex sold to James Webb of the same. For £40 good and lawful money of Virginia, a tract of land Containing two hundred acres be the Same moore or less, Begining at Browns line it being a Corner Gum Standing in a branch thence along the said Browns line East 290 poles to the maine road and to a small Corner Pine thence alonge the maine roade South 20 poles and 5d west 40 poles So 5d E30 poles thence 20 poles to a Corner hickery Standing on the west Side of the mill roade thence West 326 pols to three Corner trees Standing triangular being two red Oaks and a hickery being Corners for one Dunn Class Caston thence North 15d East along Dunns line the line being Crookedly marked 110 poles to the Begining place. Signed John Dunn, Barbery her + mark Dunn. Witnesses: Wm. Turner, Henry Atkins, Ben Johnson. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 21, pages 344–346.]
On 22 February 1739, Bibby Bush of the Parish of Southfarnham in the County of Essex was bound unto John Dunn £80 current money of Virginia. Whereas for £40 Current Money of Virginia paid by John Dunn, Bibby Bush has conveyed a piece of Land Containing 130 acres in the Parish of Southfarnham and County of Essex which said land was purchased by Bibby Bush of Capt. Wm. Beal late of the said County, now if Bush shall indemnify Dunn then this obligation to be void. Signed Bibby Bush. Witnesses: WFisher, Edwd. Hayes, Thos. Pritchett. On 21 November 1749 ordered to be recorded. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 24, pages 402–403.]
On 18 August 1760, Stephen Neal and Susanah his Wife both of the County of Essex and Parish of Southfarnham sold to John Dunn of the same. For four pounds Six shillings of Good and Lawful money of Virginia, all their Right and Dower of the said Land whereon the said John Dunn Now lives. Signed Stephen Neal, Susannah her x mark Neal. Witnesses: Wm. Dunn Junr, Henry Dunn. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 28, page 277.]
Dear Dady, I am now taken very Ill with I believe the sickness that has killeed all my neighbours, & knowing myself to be mortal Expect to shear with them in mortallity I men to hasten to the brown shads of Elison whear the dead are Quickly forgot. And as I have no will by me pray Dady let this letter be my will & fulfill it in yours, in Regard to my land in Caroline which is as follows Vizt First I will that my whole Estate Real & personal be lent to my wife Sarah Dunn so long ashe Remains my widdow and at her death or marriage in case of the latter only wt the law alow her, then I will that my lands be Equally divided amongst my three sons namely Larkin Dunn Tolla Dunn, & Dabney Dunn to them & their Heirs lawfully begotten; but in case either Die without such Heir then will is that his part go to the other Two as above mentioned but in case either of them Die without such heir then my will is that my Daughter Mary Dunn own one Part & her Heirs lawfully begotten in case they all die without such heir then my will is my three Daughters namely Mary Dunn Faney Dunn & Jaley Dunn should share an Equal Division in the whole mention as above but in case my sons live & Possess my land then my will is that my Daughters Shear the rest of my estate as may make them as near Equal as it will allow & as the old Partriarks Bought them a certain Buriing place for them all to be together & as I should be glad to lie near you the times are difficul I must leave it to Pore Distressed family to make the Best shift they can which I am afraid will be very bad I add no more by sincear love to you & all my Realations as well knowing I am to meet in Eternity may God in mercy Preserve you all in unity is the lastest[?] wish of Sir your ever Dutifull & Loving son. Amen
Signed James Dunn. Witnesses: John Dowles, C. Cook. 21 April 1781
To Mr. John Dunn Senr. in Essex County.
At a Court held for Essex County at Tappa. on the 20th Day of August 1781 This Instrument of writing purporting the last will & testament of James Dunn Decd was Proved to be the proper Hand writing of the Said James Dunn by John Dunn his Father and admitted to record.
[Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 13, pages 354–355.]
On 16 October 1786, an account of Rice Cauthorn’s and Richard Cauthorn’s executorship of the estate of Henry Cauthorn, deceased, was returned to court, settled by Thos. Evans, Thos. Johnson, and Richd. Cauthen [sic] Senr. Consistent with the will, the accounting shows a distribution of £5 each to Richard Cauthorn jr. and Vincent Cauthorn, and £4 to Elizabeth Cauthorn. An equal distribution of £46.13.3 was made to Rice Cauthorn, John Dunn Senr., Wm. Gest, Thos Ussey, and Mildred Cauthorn. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 14, pages 61–62.]
On 3 October 1787, a John Dunn witnessed a deed from Samuel Croxton and Anne his wife of the Parish of Southfarnham and County of Essex to Thomas Wood of the same. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 33, pages 93–94.]
On 30 January 1787, the inventory of the estate of Richard Brown was made by Wm Dunn, James Banks and a John Dunn. Ordered recorded 21 July 1788. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 7, pages 76–78.]
“In the name of God Amen I John Dunn Senr of the County of Essex being in perfect Sence & memory do think fit to make this may Last Will and Testament in the following manner First I rejoyn my soul To allmighty God Who Gave it me in Sure and Curtain hopes of a Joyfull Resurerction and touching such Estate as the Lord in his mercy has bestowed upon me I give the same as followeth I lend to my Beloved wife an Dunn all the land Where on I now live dureing her Widderhood and after her Death I give it to my son John Dunn I lend to my Wife one negro Boy Dureing her life named Cupit and at her Death to be Equally Devided among her Children I give and bequeave to my Son John dunn a negro Girl named hanner to him and his Eyrs for ever and in Case he dy Without Eyr it is my Desire that my son Jame Dunn shall have her I give to my son Janes Dunn one hundread for forty for acors of Land Liing in Caroline County and one negro Girl named Jane an in Case he Dy without Eyr it is my Desire that my son John dunn shall have his part I give to my gran Childred the Children of my son John dunn Deseassed one hundread and forty fore acros of Land lying Caroline County and Twenty pound Cash to be Equally Devided among them I giv to my Grand Children the Children of my son Jomes Dunn Desease one hundread and forty fore acros of Land liing in Caryline County and Twenty pound Cash to Be Equally Devidead among them I give to my son William Dunn the land Where on he now lives and Sixty six acors in Caryline County and Twenty pounds worth of pursanall Estate It is my Desire that my wife shall have as much meate and Corn as shall be thout sufcient to serve her and her Children for one Year and the rest of my astate to be devided into six Equal parts not before mentioned one of the six parts I lend to my Daughter Mary Cauththorn in during of her life and at her death it is Desire it may be Equally deivded among her Children But in Case my astate Should Suffer on a Count of her administration on Leonard Brookes Estate that much shall Com out her part I lend one part to my daughter An hardee indeureing of her life and then I give it to be Equally devided among her Children I give to my Gran Dauter An Williams one part of the six to her and her Children I lend to my Dauter Barbra Crow one part of the six in deureing of her life and to her Children in Case she should have any but in Case she have none then her part to be Equally divided among the other five before mentioned one part of the six I lend to my Wife an dunn in dewring of her Widderhood and at her death or or marag I give it to her too small children not named I give one part to my two small Children not named It is my will and Desir that my loving wife an dunn and my son William Dunn and Richard Phillips Should be my hole and sole Executors of this my last Will Testament in witness my hand this 21the of Desember 1789”. Signed John Dunn. Witnesses: Richard Phillips, Millycene Cauthorn, Curtis his x mark Dunn. On 15 February 1790, proved by Richard Phillips, Millycene Cauthorn, and Curtis Dunn. “See original will for Certificate granting Adm with the will annexed to Henry Dunn, Jany 18th 1819.” “See original Will for certificate granting admn with the Will annexed to James Dunn — March 22nd 1825”. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 14, pages 178–179.]
On 17 August 1793, commissioners appointed by Essex County court divided the Caroline County lands of John Dunn the Elder of Essex. This action was the result of a suit in which orators and oratrices were William Dunn, James Dunn an infant under the age of twenty one years by Ann Dunn his guardian, Joshua Dunn, Henry Dunn, Thomas Dunn & Godfrey Dunn, the two last infants under the age of twenty one years by George Martin their next friend, George Martin & Joanna his wife, Charles Bennett and Patty his wife, Patsey Dunn & Tolly Dunn & Dabney Dunn the two last infants under the age of twenty one years by George Page their next friend, and George Page & Molly his wife & Jaily Dunn, and defendants were John Dunn and Larkin Dunn. The complainants alleged that John Dunn senr. late of the county of Essex made his last will & testament bearing date the 21st day of december 1789, bequeathing to your orator James Dunn one hundred & forty four acres of land lying in Caroline County (the said testator being at that time seized of a tract of land in that county), and in case he died without heir, that it was his desire that the sd. testator’s son John Dunn should have his part, that he willed 144 acres of land to his grandchildren the son of John Dunn decd., which said children are orators and oratrices Joshua Dunn, Henry Dunn, Thomas Dunn, Godfrey Dunn, Joanna the wife of your orator George Martin, Patty the wife of your orator Charles Bennett & Patsey Dunn & John Dunn, and the said testator gave to his grandchildren the children of his son James Dunn decd. 144 acres, which said children are Larkin Dunn and your orators Tolly Dunn and Dabney Dunn & oratrices Molly the wife of George Page & Jaily Dunn, and also gave to your orator Wm. Dunn by the style of his son Wm. Dunn 66 acres, all of which was part of one tract of land in Caroline County. That a decree is necessary to divide the land, and to the end therefore that John Dunn, who was one of the children of John Dunn decd. in the said testator’s will and testament mentioned, and Larkin Dunn, who is one of the children of the said James Dunn decd. may be made defendants, to which the defendants answered in agreement for a division of the land. The division provided lots to the children of John Dunn, deceased (Joannah Martin (15-1/4 acres), Patsey Dunn (15-1/4 acres), Godfrey Dunn (15-1/4 acres), John Dunn (15-1/4 acres), Pattey Bennet (15-1/4 acres), Joshua Dunn (15-1/4 acres), Henry Dunn (21 acres), and Thomas Dunn (21 acres)); to James Dunn, an infant (133 acres)); to the children of James Dunn, deceased (Tolley Dunn (28-1/2 acres), Mary Page (28-1/2 acres), Larkin Dunn (39 acres), Dabney Dunn (39 acres), and Jaley Dunn (39 acres)); and to William Dunn Elder (62 acres); with one lot of 10 acres unassigned and not included in the will. [Essex County, Virginia, Chancery Papers, Dunn vs. Dunn, 1793.]
On 17 November 1828, orators and oratrices Samuel Johnson and Catharine his wife, Henry Dunn, George Martin and Joanna his wife, Dabney Dunn, Thomas Harper and Eliza his wife, Reuben Ware and Sally his wife, Polly Hardy, John Hardy, Mary Dunn, John Dunn, Patsy Dunn, William Dunn, Alexander Dunn, Lewis Dunn, Washington Dunn, Edmund Dunn, Mary Dunn, Fanny Moore, Jane Moore, George Moore, Samuel Broocks, Polly Newbill, William Cox and Lilly his wife, John Cooper and Constant his wife filed a complaint with the chancery court in Essex County, Virginia. “That John Dunn the father of your oratrice Catharine Johnson & of John Dunn who is deac’sd left the said Henry Dunn & Joanna Dunn, his only children & heirs at law, of James Dunn who is also decd & left your orator Dabney Dunn & Tolla Dunn decd, the father of Eliza Harper his only children & heirs at law, of Ann Dunn, who married Joseph Hardy, who is decd & left an only son, Joseph who is also decd & left your oratrice & orators Sally Ware, Polly Hardy & John Hardy his only children & heirs at Law, of Wm Dunn who is also decd & left your oratrices & orators, Mary Dunn, John Dunn & Curtis Dunn who is since decd, & left your orators & oratrices Patsy, William, Alexander, Lewis, Washington, Edmund & Mary his only children & heirs at Law, of Fanny, who married George Moore, both of whom are now decd & left your oratrices & orator Fanny, Jane [June?], & George Moore their only children & heirs at Law, of Mary Brooks, who afterwards married Rice Cauthorn, the mother of your orator & oratrice named Broocks, Polly Newbill, & Sally Cox, who are entitled to distribution as heirs at Law of said Mary Brooks; of Polly Broocks, who left your oratrice Constant Cooper her heir at Law and now residing of Va. who have not been heard from for the last five years also heirs”. That John Dunn “departed this life some time in the year [blank] having made his last Will & Testament, dated 21st December 1789 & duly recorded…He devised to his wife during her widowhood all the land whereon he resided, and after her death, he gave the same to John Dunn his son, who was a brother of the whole blood to the said Catharine Johnson, your oratrice, & of the whole blood to James Dunn, who the said complainants pray may be made deft: hereto & of the whole blood to Henry Dunn, who is decd and left James H. & Roberta his only children & heirs at Law & of the half blood to his other brothers & sisters herein before mentioned, that the said John Dunn afterwards died intestate, an infant under twenty one years of age & without issue…That the said James Dunn & James H. Dunn & Roberta Dunn may be made defendants…” [Essex County, Virginia, Box 146, Deeds and Wills, 1828–1829, loose paper.]
Spouses
Marriage30 Sep 1782, Middlesex County, Virginia