In 1843, orators and oratrices James William infant of James Dunn decd who sued by Virginia F. Dunn his mother and next friend, Peter T. Duff and Olivia Duff his wife who was Olivia D. Dunn daughter of the said James Dunn decd, Thomas Parron and Julia D. his wife who was Julia D. Dunn another daughter of James Dunn decd, Charles C. Smith and Emily his wife who was Emily Dunn another daughter of James Dunn decd, William R. Allen who married Drusilla another daughter of James Dunn since dead, Arthur F. Allen an infant of William R. Allen and Drusilla by his father and next friend, Cordelia Dunn another daughter of James Dunn, and Dorinda M. Dunn another daughter of James Dunn an infant who sued by James A. Dunn her next friend, complained that James Dunn died about __ January 1843, testate. For division of his estate. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 40, item 40-D-7.]

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

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.]

The estate of James Dunn, deceased, in account with James A. Dunn, administrator, from 1853 to 1854 was ordered recorded on 16 October 1854. Includes equal disbursements of $112.67-3/7 to Z Street, Guardian of James Parron, Polly C. L. E. & S. E. Parron; Peter T. Duff; John J Cauthorn; James A Dunn Gdn of A. J. Allen [sic]; Charles C Smith; James A Dunn Gdn J W Dunn; and Cordelia Dunn. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 27, pages 462–463.]

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

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.]

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