James Arthur Dunn was mentioned in the 11 January 1831 will of his brother-in-law, Richard C. Segar, proved 21 November 1832. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 23, pages 9–10.]

James A Dunn was mentioned in the 8 January 1843 will of his father, James Dunn, proved 16 January 1843. 3d: I give to my son James A Dunn the plantation I now reside on, the Mill and land adjoining the Mill, my man Billy the present Miller, the land I have heretofore deeded to my son James A is to be returned to my estate — lastly I leave my son James A Dunn and Dr Jones C Clopton my Executors to this my last Will & Testament. On 16 January 1843, presented in court and proved by William C Hughes and Francis G W Smith. James A Dunn and Jones C Clopton renounced their rights as executors, and a certificate is issued to Jones C Clopton in order to his obtaining letters of administration. Interlined note: On 16 December 1850, on the motion of James A Dunn a certificate granted him in order to his obtaining letters of administration on the Estate of James Dunn decd. with this his last Will and Testament annexed. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 25, pages 49–50.]

1850 U.S. Census, Essex County, Virginia
Page 68
Dwelling 45, Family 45
Dunn, James A., 39, male, farmer, value of real estate $5,000, born in Virginia
Dunn, Elizabeth, 23, female, born in Virginia
Dunn, James, 1, male, born in Virginia
Parron, James, 12, male, born in Virginia, in school
Allen, Arthur, 7, male, born in Virginia, in school
Dunn, James, 7, male, born in Virginia

On 16 December 1850, James A. Dunn, Charles C Smith and Muscoe Garnett were bound $1,500 for James A. Dunn’s administration de bonis non with the will annexed of James Dunn deceased. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 26, page 662.]

The estate of James Dunn, deceased, in account with James A. Dunn, admor de bonis non with the Will annexed, from 1851 to 1852 was ordered recorded on 20 December 1852. On 1 July 1852, a balance of $210.41 shows a division in seven equal parts to: Chas C. Smith & wife, Peter T. Duff & wife, John. J. Cauthorn & wife, children of Thos. Parron decd., Cordelia Dunn, A. F. Allen, and James W. Dunn, implying that not all are of legal age. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 27, pages 255–256.]

On 23 February 1859, Smith Young and Margaret R. Young his wife of the first part sold to James A. Dunn, trustee for Olivia Duff, wife of Peter T. Duff of the second part. For $175, the Youngs sell 13 acres, more or less, adjoining the land of James Croxton deceased, it being the same tract Smith Young purchased of John A. Parker and by Parker of George Taylor deceased. Signed Smith Young, Margaret R. Young. Recorded 7 September 1868.

On 13 July 1858, Ann Taylor sold to James A. Dunn Trustee in a certain Deed from Peter T. Duff for the benefit of Olivia D. Duff his wife and children bearing the date of [blank]. For $50 cash, Ann Taylor sells all of her right tittle [sic] and interest in the Land of George Taylor her late her late [sic] husband deceased. Signed Ann Taylor. On 18 July 1858, acknowledged before Elzer Fogg J.P. On 7 September 1868, ordered recorded.
[Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 52, pages 83–84.]

1860 U.S. Census, Essex County, Virginia
Page 52
Dwelling 503, Family 489
Dunn, Jas. A., 49, male, farmer, value of real estate $8,000, value of personal estate $4,485, born in Virginia
Dunn, Elizabeth C., 30, female, born in Virginia
Rodgers, Polly, 50, female, born in Virginia
Family 490
Dunn, James E., 11, male, born in Virginia
Allen, Arthur F., 17, male, value of personal estate $5,023, born in Virginia
Dunn, James W., 17, male, value of personal estate $5,300, born in Virginia

On 19 December 1864, James A Dunn and William Newbill were bound $40,000 for James A Dunn’s administration of the estate of James W Dunn. Signed Jas A Dunn, Wim G Newbill. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 28, pages 480–481.]

In 1865, orators and oratrices Charles C. Smith and Emily C. his wife, Peter T. Duff and Olivia Duff his wife, Christopher Newbill and Mary Newbill his wife, Dorinda M. Cauthorn, Arthur F. Allen, James W. Parron, Lucy E. Parron, Cordelia Dunn and Edwin Hundley complained to the Chancery Court. That James W. Dunn died in 1864 intestate unmarried leaving Emily, Olivia, Mary, Dorinda, Cordelia all 1/2 sisters, James A. Dunn and Edwin Hundley 1/2 brothers, and Arthur F. Allen son of a 1/2 sister, James W. Parron and Lucy E. Parron children of another 1/2 sister his only heirs. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 42, item 42-F-10.]

The estate of James W. Dunn in account with James A. Dunn for the year 1865 was recorded on 16 July 1866. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 28, 623.]

On 2 February 1866, an inventory and appraisal of the personal estate of Andrew Hundley was made by Jno F Sadler, R Saunders, James A Dunn, and Robt L Ware. Total $2,818.19. Presented by Martha E Hundley, executrix. Ordered recorded 18 March 1867. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 28, page 672.]

1870 U.S. Census, Essex County, Virginia
Page 140
Dunn, James A., 59, male, white, farmer, value of real estate $3,300, value of personal estate $500, born in Virginia
Dunn, Bettie C., 41, female, white, keeping house, born in Virginia
Dunn, James E., 21, male, white, attending college, born in Virginia
Dunn, Bettie A., 8, female, white, at home, born in Virginia
Dunn, Henry H., 4, male, white, at home, born in Virginia
Allen, Arthur, 26, male, white, farm laborer, born in Virginia

We regret to say that our much esteemed citizen, Mr. James A. Dunn, has been quite sick, but we are glad to learn is improving. [Tidewater Index, 16 April 1886, page 4.]

The will of James A. Dunn was dated 11 August 1890. Son H. W. Dunn. Daughter Bettie A. Dunn. Son J. Elmore Dunn. Signed J. A. Dunn. Witnesses: E. M. Ware, Wm Campbell. Proved 21 November 1892. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 30, page 746.]