Dunham Surname

Richard Singletary was born circa 1599 in England. He died on October 25, 1681 in Haverhill, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

I do not know much of the details of Richard's life, but he came as a young man to Massachusetts. He was married there in about 1639 to Susannah Cooke. They had 6 children: Jonathan (see next generation), Eunice, Nathaniel, Lydia, Amos, and Benjamin. Richard first settled at Salisbury, Massachusetts, but eventually settled at Haverhill, Mass., where he died on October 25, 1681.

They had the following children:

1	Jonathan Singletary/Dunham
2	Eunice Singletary was born on January 7, 1640/1.
3	Nathaniel Singletary was born on August 28, 1644.
4	Lydia Singletary was born on April 30, 1648.
5	Amos Singletary was born in April 1651.
6	Benjamin Singletary was born on April 4, 1656.

Jonathan Singletary/Dunham was born on or about January 17, 1638/9 in Salisbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts. He died on September 6, 1706 in Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., New Jersey.

Father: Richard Singletary
Mother: Susannah Cooke

Jonathan was raised in Massachusetts and would have moved with his family to Haverhill, Massachusetts. Sometime in his youth, Jonathan moved and settled in Woodbridge, New Jersey. He was married there to Mary Bloomfield and had about 8 children: Mary, Ruth, Eunice, Esther, Jonathan, David, Nathaniel, and Benjamin.

Sometime in his adulthood, Jonathan changed his name to Dunham. In 1670, Jonathan built the first grist mill in Woodbridge and received a bonus of 203 acres for erecting this. That same year he built his brick house in Woodbridge, which supposively is still standing today and is the rectory of the Trinity Episcopal Church in Woodbridge. Jonathan was a farmer and held many civic and religious positions. He died in Woodbridge, New Jersey on September 6, 1706.

They had the following children:

1	Mary Dunham was born on February 3, 1662/3.
2	Ruth Dunham was born circa 1666.
3	Eunice Dunham was born circa 1667.
4	Esther Dunham was born circa 1669.
5	Jonathan Dunham was born on September 24, 1672. President Barack Obama is a direct descendant of Jonathan Dunham (his mother's maiden name was Dunham).
6	David Dunham
7	Nathaniel Dunham was born on April 10, 1679.
8	Benjamin Dunham was born circa 1686.

David Dunham was born on March 10, 1673/4 in Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., New Jersey. David died between 1753-1758 in Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., New Jersey.

Father: Jonathan (Singletary) Dunham
Mother: Mary Bloomfield

David was raised in Woodbridge and was married in about 1699 to Mary Ilsley. Together they had at least 3 children: Joseph (see next generation), David, and Daniel. David died between 1753 and 1758 in Woodbridge, New Jersey.

They had the following children:

1	Joseph Dunham
2	David Dunham was born circa 1705.
3	Daniel Dunham was born circa 1715.

Joseph Dunham was born on October 7, 1700 in Woodbridge, New Jersey. He died before December 27, 1771 in Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., New Jersey.

Father: David Dunham
Mother: Mary Ilsley

There is not much known of Joseph's life. He apparently lived in Woodbridge for his entire life and his wife's name was Elizabeth. His children were: Daniel, Abigail, Phebe, James, Moses, Jonathan, Sarah, Elisha (see next generation), and Joseph. Joseph died before December 27, 1771 in Woodbridge, New Jersey.

They had the following children:

1	Elisha Dunham
2	Joseph Dunham was born circa 1735.
3	Daniel Dunham
4	Abigail Dunham
5	Phebe Dunham
6	James Dunham
7	Moses Dunham
8	Jonathan Dunham
9	Sarah Dunham

Elisha Dunham was born on October 11, 1732 in Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., New Jersey. He died before March 6, 1783 in Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., New Jersey.

Father: Joseph Dunham
Mother: Elizabeth

The details of Elisha's life remain unclear, as it appears he was often confused with other Dunhams that lived in the same time and place. Many sources provide his wife's name as Mary Ferguson, however that's unlikely - unless Mary was an earlier first wife that died young. Many records also indicate that he was a captain in the American Revolution - but that was a different Elisha Dunham who had a son named John.

Elisha appears to have spent his entire life in Woodbridge, New Jersey. He was married to Elizabeth Freeman in 1752 and remained married to her until his death. Elisha had "patriotic service" in the Revolutionary War because he sustained material losses in 1777. Elisha wrote his will in 1771, which was proven on March 6, 1783; which means he probably died in late 1782 or early 1783. His will mentions his wife Elizabeth; children Josiah, Freeman, David, Enuas [Eunice], and Henry; and brother-in-law Isaac Freeman. He also had a son named Amos, who was probably born after he wrote his will in 1771.

They had the following children:

1	Josiah Dunham was born on April 1, 1753 in Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., New Jersey. He died in March 1816 in Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., New Jersey. He married Anna Williams circa 1774. (She was born circa 1755 and died on March 20, 1829 in Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., New Jersey.) They had the following children: Joseph Dunham (c. 1775-???) Azariah Dunham (1776-1807) md. Phebe S. Blackney Elizabeth Dunham (c. 1780-???) md. Joseph Dunham John Dunham (c. 1780-???) Elijah Dunham (c. 1782-???) Samuel Dunham (1787-1822) md. Ann V. H. Mezeroll Josiah Dunham (1788-???)
2	Freeman Dunham was born circa 1755 in Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., New Jersey. He died after 1771. No further information.
3	David Dunham was born on March 2, 1762 in Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., New Jersey. He died on September 20, 1840 in Anderson Twp., Madison Co., Indiana. He is buried in the Nelson Cemetery, Richland Twp., Madison Co., Indiana. He married first Eleanor Hollinshead on August 14, 1796 in Essex Co., New Jersey. (She was born on August 14, 1772 in New Jersey and died on February 13, 1802 in Monongalia Co., Virginia (now West Virginia.) They had the following children: Ira Hollinshead Dunham (1797-1863) md. Elizabeth Holland Elisha Dunham (1798-1865) md. Frances S. Hunter Elizabeth Dunham (1801-bef. 1821) infant Dunham (1802-1802) He married second Hannah Brummage on September 1, 1802 in Monongalia Co., Virginia (now West Virginia). (She was born on October 21, 1783 in Virginia and died on September 21, 1844 in Anderson Twp., Madison Co., Indiana. She is buried in the Nelson Cemetery, Richland Twp., Madison Co., Indiana.) They had the following children: John Brummage Dunham (1803-1865) md. Sarah Willis Quinton Dunham (1804-1804) Eleanor Olive Dunham (1805-1868) md. Richard Arnold Quentin Dunham (1808-1839) David Freeman Dunham (1810-1851) md. Eleanor Shepherd Valentine O. Dunham (1812-1882) md. Cynthia Ann Crist Azwell Dunham (1814-1841) md. Eliza Jane Henry Dunham (1817-1867) md. Mary Jane Walker Elizabeth Dunham (1821-aft. 1870) md. Marcus Bonner Olean Dunham (1824-???) md. Henry Macy Wesley Dunham (1826-1910) md. 1st. Lucinda Elizabeth Longacre md. 2nd. Nancy
4	Eunice Dunham was born on July 28, 1765 in Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., New Jersey. She died on February 3, 1834 in New Garden Twp., Wayne Co., Indiana. She is buried in the Chester Cemetery, Wayne Twp., Wayne Co., Indiana. She married Jacob Hampton on March 2, 1783 in Essex Co., New Jersey. (He was born on February 5, 1769 in Essex Co., New Jersey and died on April 20, 1842 in New Garden Twp., Wayne Co., Indiana. He is buried in the Chester Cemetery, Wayne Twp., Wayne Co., Indiana.) They had the following children: Andrew Hampton (1785-1859) md. 1st. Sarah Mills md. 2nd. Rachel Miller Crampton Mary Hampton (1787-1827) md. Daniel Votaw Abraham Hampton (1789-1877) md. Rebecca Harlan Anna Hampton (1791-1851) md. Samuel Crampton Jehiel Hampton (1793-1859) md. Mary Haines David Dunham Hampton (1795-1855) md. Jane Moon Elizabeth Hampton (1797-???) md. 1st. Jonathan Votaw md. 2nd. Benjamin Samms Jacob Hampton (1800-1848) md. Sarah Henderson Elisha Hampton (1803-???) md. Elizabeth Jessop Eleanor Hampton (1805-???) md. Moses Rhodes Eunice Hampton (1809-???) Sarah Hampton (1809-???)
5	Henry Dunham
6	Amos Dunham was born between 1771 and 1783 in Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., New Jersey. He died after 1809, probably in New Jersey. He married Mary Ellison before 1807. It is unknown if they had any children. Amos was not described in his father's will of August 1771, so it is assumed he was born after that date. In 1807 and 1809, Amos was described as a resident of the state of New Jersey in deeds regarding the estate of John Ellison of New York City (who was an ancestor of his wife). Other than those citations, there is no definitive documentation of this couple. At the time, there were quite a few Amos Dunhams and at least two different Amos and Mary Dunham couples.

Henry* Dunham was born circa 1770-1774 in Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., New Jersey **. He died before October 2, 1833 in Wayne Co., Indiana **. He is buried in the Old Centerville Cemetery, Centerville, Wayne Co., Indiana.

Father: Elisha Dunham
Mother: Elizabeth Freeman

* Henry is usually listed with the middle name Dayton. However, I can find no evidence in contemporary records that he ever used a middle initial or name. My guess is because he had a grandson named Henry Dayton Dunham, that a past researcher made the assumption that they had the same name.

** Henry's birth and death dates are unclear. The only direct known source is his tombstone, which clearly lists his death date as September 7, 1855 and his age at death as 59 years, 4 months and [18?] days (which calculates to a birthdate of approximately April 20, 1796). However, Henry definitely died sometime between November 1831 and October 1833, thus the information on the stone is incorrect and none of it can be considered reliable. My guess is that the 5's on the stone were typos for 3's, in which case he would have been born in 1774 and died on September 7, 1833. That agrees with the timeline that his sons Alanson and John were appointed administrators of his estate on October 2, 1833. His estate records also include receipts in September 1833; one dated September 18, 1833 for digging his grave and another on September 6, 1833, to hire a horse to go to Ohio so that his son Dayton (who was apparently in Ohio) could see his father. The supposed 1774 birth date also agrees with census enumerations: the 1820 census, which indicates he was born before 1775 and the 1830 census, which indicates he was born between 1770 and 1780. However when his father wrote his will in August 1771, Henry was described as his son. Clearly then he was born before August 1771 and not in 1774. Although it is definitely possible that there were two sons named Henry and that this Henry was named after his deceased older brother who had been born before 1771. Finally, another source indicates that he died at the age of sixty (no years given) ²¹. Given all of this, he was probably born in the early 1770s and died in the fall of 1833. Many sources also indicate that he died in Centerville, Indiana. However, it is more likely that he died in the nearby city of Richmond, where he lived and worked as a tailor.

Henry's whereabouts during the 1780s and 1790s are unknown, although he likely remained in his hometown of Woodbridge, New Jersey. He was absent from the 1793 militia census for Woodbridge, but if he was born in 1774 he would have been under legal age. Sometime in the the mid 1790s, Henry married Sarah Ellison. They settled in Woodbridge, New Jersey, where they first purchased land in 1801. There, Henry worked as a tailor and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, where he served as a sexton.

In September 1818, Henry and Sarah sold their land in Woodbridge. In 1819 ^20,22, they moved to Wayne County, Indiana. Some sources indicate that they moved to Indiana from Ohio ¹⁹ or New York ²¹, which may be an indication that they lived in one or both of those states briefly in late 1818 or 1819. Given that, he was probably the tailor named Henry Dunham who appeared on New York City's 1819 jury census. There he was listed at 8 Leonard Street and was adjacent to "Widow White", who was probably his wife's aunt Rachel Ellison White. After moving to Wayne County, Indiana, they lived in the city of Richmond in Wayne Township. Henry was a tailor and had a shop in Richmond at the corner of Pearl and Front streets. In 1822, Henry served as a trustee for the city of Richmond ²⁰. Henry was last found in November 1831, when he was living in Richmond and dissolved a tailor business he had with his son Alanson. He died before October 2, 1833, when his sons John and Alanson were appointed administrators of his estate. In August 1834, John and Alanson indicated they were having a public sale of items from his estate. He apparently died from cholera ²¹. There must have been a cholera epidemic at the time, because the newspapers from Richmond, Indiana reported that almost everyone that died in the town during the fall of 1833 died from cholera.

The names of Sarah's parents are currently unknown, but an educated guess is that they were John Ellison Jr. and Phebe Coddington. They were likely the parents of two children: Sarah Ellison (who married Henry Dunham) and Mary Ellison (who married Henry's brother Amos Dunham).

In November 1807, Sarah was described as one of the legal heirs of John Ellison of New York City, who was deceased. That John Ellison was married to Rachel Wessels and his documented children were baptized between 1746 and 1760. Based on the names of all the heirs identified in 1807, and their known birthdates and other known details, the only possibility is that Sarah was a granddaughter of John and Rachel Ellison. John and Rachel had two known sons: John and William. Their son William's life is well-documented and he only had one child: Mary Ellison Fay. Their son John Ellison (Jr.) then is the most likely candidate for Sarah's father (note, of course, that Sarah's second son was named John Ellison Dunham). However details about John Jr's life remains hazy. In October 1774, a bond was issued in New Jersey for a John Ellison to marry Phebe Coddington of Woodbridge, New Jersey. One of the bondsmen was William Ellison of New York City. John and Phebe were next found in October 1784, when they were living in New York City and sold land there. Presumably they moved away from New York City in 1784, and their whereabouts after this are unknown. However they had probably returned to Woodbridge, New Jersey, and John died there soon after. In 1786, Phebe Ellison was listed on the tax list for Woodbridge, New Jersey, the inference is that she was a widow. By 1787, Phebe had remarried to a man named John Dobbs (John Dobbs was her neighbor and also one of the bondsmen for her 1774 marriage to John Ellison - or his son of the same name). Phebe Dobbs remained in Woodbridge where she was last located in 1806. John Dobbs is documented as having children named Thomas, Isabel and Elizabeth. It is unclear if they were children of Phebe (and thus half-siblings to Sarah and Mary) or his children by a different marriage (and thus step-siblings).

Sarah wrote her will on September 22, 1845, in which she only described her children Aziel [Azel] and Elanson [Alanson]. She acknowledged having lived with, and been supported by, her son Elanson for the previous nine years. Her will was proven on September 16, 1864. Sarah was living with her son Alanson's family in 1840 and 1850. In 1860, she was living with her daughter Eliza

1	Elizabeth "Eliza" Dunham was born on January 3, 1797 in Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., New Jersey. She died on December 26, 1863 in Centerville, Wayne Co., Indiana 23. She married first William Pugh on March 20, 1822 in Wayne Co., Indiana 3. (He was born on May 7, 1796 11 and died on June 3, 1829 11 in Centerville, Wayne Co., Indiana. He is buried in the Old Centerville Cemetery, Centerville, Wayne Co., Indiana.) They had the following children: Warren D. Pugh (1823-1829) John E. Pugh (c. 1825-1877) md. 1st. Elvonia Railsback md. 2nd. Louisa Irvin William Henry Pugh (1827-1828) Rush Pugh (1828-1830) She married second David Jenkins on October 10, 1839 in Wayne Co., Indiana 3.(He was born circa 1796 in Newberry Co., South Carolina and died on June 14, 1844 in Centre Twp., Wayne Co., Indiana.) They had no children. Centerville True Republican, Dec. 31, 1863, Pg. 1: "DIED...On Saturday evening the 26th inst. Mrs. Eliza Jenkins of this place. Her first husband was Dr. William Pugh one of the first physicians of Wayne county."
2	Azel Dunham was born on January 31, 1798 in Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., New Jersey. He died on April 21, 1856, possibly in Orange Co., Indiana. He is buried in the Crown Hill Cemetery, Centerville, Wayne Co., Indiana. In his father's estate records, he was listed as "Gustavus A. Dunham", but otherwise the name Gustavus appears on no other records and he always went by Azel. In 1850, he was living in Orange County, Indiana; working as a hatter.
3	John Ellison Dunham
4	Cyrus Dunham was born on October 2, 1801 in Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., New Jersey 6. He died on September 2, 1803 in Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., New Jersey 6. He is buried in the First Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., New Jersey.
5	Mathias Dunham was born on January 2, 1804 in Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., New Jersey 6. He died on August 25, 1805 in Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., New Jersey 6. He is buried in the First Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., New Jersey.
6	Alanson Francis Dunham was born on November 10, 1805 (or 1808 or 1809?) in Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., New Jersey. He died on June 23, 1884 in Richmond, Wayne Co., Indiana 7. He is buried in the Earlham Cemetery, Richmond, Wayne Co., Indiana. He married Hannahretta Cheesman on April 8, 1830 in Wayne Co., Indiana 3. (She was born circa 1814 in New Jersey and died on August 24, 1894 in Richmond, Wayne Co., Indiana. She is buried in the Earlham Cemetery, Richmond, Wayne Co., Indiana.) They had the following children: Sarah Elizabeth Dunham (1832-1910) md. Alfred Watts Conningham Henry F. Dunham (1838-1862) Eliza Pugh Dunham (c. 1843-1872) md. Moses James Grooms The Richmond Sun, Jun 26, 1884, Pg. 3: "Alanson F. Dunham, died at his residence, on North Ninth street, Monday afternoon, at the age of 79 years. He was one of Wayne county's pioneers. The funeral took place on Wednesday morning at 9 o'clock."
7	Mary Jane Dunham was born on November 10, 1808 13 or 1809 12 in Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., New Jersey. She died on March 3, 1888 in Brownstown, Jackson Co., Indiana 12,13. She is buried in the Fairview Cemetery, Brownstown, Jackson Co., Indiana. She married Giles Chapman Smith on April 11, 1832 in Richmond, Wayne Co., Indiana 3. (He was born on July 9, 1805 in South Carolina 12 and died on April 12, 1870 in Brownstown, Jackson Co., Indiana 12,13. He is buried in the Fairview Cemetery, Brownstown, Jackson Co., Indiana.) They had the following children: Matilda Jane Smith (1835-1917) md. George L. Curtis Hamlin Smith (1838-1913) md. Phebe Ann Brenton Leslie Smith (1840-1851) Elnora Smith Giles was a Methodist minister and the family frequently moved to different locations in Indiana so that he could preach gospel. Jackson County Banner [Brownstown, IN], Mar. 8, 1888, Pg. 8: "Died On last Saturday morning, at 2 o'clock, the grim monster, death, called from this world Mrs. Mary J. Smith, wife of the late lamented Rev. Giles Smith. Mrs. Smith had been in declining health for some time, but was able to go about until about three weeks ago, when she suffered a stroke of paralysis. At first her sufferings were intense, but toward the close of her useful life, she grew more restful and passed the grim portals in perfect peace. Hers was a long and noble life, being born in Woodbury (sic), New Jersey, November 10, 1808. She was married to the Rev. Giles S. Smith at Richdmond, Indiana, April 10, 1842, she went with him and assisted him in his duties as a Methodist minister until his death, April 12, 1870. She leaves behind two children, Dr. Hamlin Smith, of this place, and Mrs. Curtis, wife of the Rev. Dr. Curtis, of Greencastle. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. B. W. Cooper, who delivered an appropriate and impressive sermon from 1st Corinthians, 5th chapter and 1st verse. The remains were then conducted to the new cemetery and carefully laid to rest, there to await the call of her Blessed Master. The bereaved relatives and friends have the consoling knowledge that she is not lost, but gone to that "home, not made by hands, eternally in the heavens," there to await their coming."
8	Rufus Dunham was born on November 18, 1811 in Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., New Jersey 6. He died on October 21, 1812 in Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., New Jersey 6. He is buried in the First Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., New Jersey.
9	William Dunham was born on September 26, 1813 in Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., New Jersey 6. He died on October 9, 1813 in Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., New Jersey 6. He is buried in the First Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., New Jersey.
10	Dayton Francis Dunham was born on November 12, 1814 in Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., New Jersey 21,24. He died on September 5, 1894 in Decatur, Macon Co., Illinois. He is buried in the Greenwood Cemetery, Decatur, Macon Co., Illinois. He married Marilla Robinson on July 9, 1837 in Macon Co., Illinois 8. (She was born on December 20, 1817 in Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont and died on November 10, 1897 in Decatur, Macon Co., Illinois. She is buried in the Greenwood Cemetery, Decatur, Macon Co., Illinois.) They had the following children: Henry Dayton Dunham (1838-1934) md. Emma Kramer Sarah Elizabeth Dunham (1840-1928) md. William Dailey Amos R. Dunham (1843-1862) Orrin Dunham (1846-1846) Orvis Dunham (1846-1847) Caroline Elizabeth Dunham (1849-1932) md. James Asbury Bullard Hannahretta Dunham (1851-1926) md. 1st. Robert Lee Perry md. 2nd. Isaac F. Pharo Marietta Dunham (1851-1924) Charles Edward Dunham (1854-1917) md. Anna Phillips Hartwell Robinson Dunham (1856-1916) md. Nellie Outes Decatur Daily Republican, Sep. 5, 1894, Pg. 1: "Dayton Dunham Dead He Quietly Passes Away After a Sojourn of Eighty Years - Biographical Sketch. Dayton Dunham quietly passed away at 11:10 o'clock yesterday morning at his home, 1409 West Main Street in his eightieth year. His death was not unexpected at the time it occurred, as he had been feeble for some years. Eight years ago he suffered a slight stroke of paralysis, which affected his right side and impaled his intellect to a considerable extent. Since that time he had a second stroke and the third came last Wednesday, and from that time until death came he was perfectly helpless and altogether unconscious until death ended all. Mr. Dunham was a faithful and devoted member of the First M. E. church. He was a man who had the esteem of all who knew him, and his acquaintance was not a limited one by any means, he having lived in Illinois since 1836. The deceased was born in Essex county (sic), N.J., Nov. 12, 1814. Henry Dunham, his father, was a tailor and was the father of eleven children. He died of cholera at Ft. Wayne, Ind., at the age of 60 years. Dayton Dunham was a hatter by trade. July 9, 1837, he married Marilla Robinson, whose parents were native of Vermont. To the couple were born ten children, six sons and four daughters. The living children are Henry D. Dunham, Mrs. Sarah E. Dalley, Mrs. Caroline E. Bulliard, Mrs. R. L. Perry, Charles E. Dunham, Marietta and Hartwell R. Dunham. Among the sons who died was Amos Dunham, who was killed in the war during the battle of Ft. Donelson. Mr. Dunham came to Macon county in 1836, when Decatur was but a small hamlet. He followed his trade for awhile, did teaming, and finally purchased the home place, twenty eight acres, and engaged in farming pursuits. When the war broke out Mr. Dunham enlisted in Company B, Eighth Illinois regiment, which was first commanded by Governor Oglesby. He served until after the battle of Ft. Donelson, in which engagement he was so badly wounded that he was rendered unfit for further duty. He was on crutches three years after he was injured. His health improving Mr. Dunham then began the work of gardening, which he followed for some years, and for many years Mrs. Dunham, who survives her husband, carried on a greenhouse. In May, 1886, the deceased suffered a paralytic stroke. The deceased was a member of the Dunham post, 141, G. A. R., which was named in memory of his son Amos, who was the first Macon county volunteer killed in the service. The time of the funeral will be announced tomorrow."
11	Hiram Dunham was born circa 1814 and 1820 in New Jersey, New York or Indiana. He died after 1820. My guess is that Hiram was born after the family moved away from Woodbridge, New Jersey in September 1818 and before the enumeration of the 1820 census. Most researchers think he was one of the three 15-20 year old males in his father's household in 1830, yet it's possible that one or more of them could have been apprentices, relatives, or servants - and not necessarily sons.

John Ellison Dunham was born on January 26, 1800 in Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., New Jersey. He died after 1871, probably in New Mexico.

Father: Henry Dunham
Mother: Sarah Ellison

He was probably named after his maternal grandfather John Ellison (although his grandfather's identity is unproven). John was raised in Woodbridge, New Jersey. Between 1818 and 1819, they possibly lived briefly in New York City. In 1819, John moved with his family west to Richmond in Wayne County, Indiana. John was married there on September 26, 1826 to Vashti Willits. John first lived in the city of Richmond before moving to the nearby city of Centerville in 1827.

John was a tailor like his father, and worked as one of the first tailors of Centerville, Indiana ²⁰. However it seems that he was primarily a farmer. John was postmaster for Centerville, Indiana from 1832 to 1843 ²⁰. Until 1855, John lived in or in the vicinity of Centerville, Indiana. In 1839, he was living in Centerville, but owned 250 acres of farmland east of town. In 1853, he was living on farmland outside of town. Most likely he lived in Centerville while serving as postmaster from 1832 to 1843, but otherwise lived on his farm out of town. While serving as postmaster, the post office was apparently colocated with John's tailor business. While living in Indiana, John was involved in civic and political matters. In 1838, John was a member of the Wayne County Convention and also attended public meetings for Center Township, where he lived. In 1844, John was nominated for election as Wayne County Sheriff, but was not elected. John was politically affiliated with the Whig party.

In 1855, John moved with his family west to Iowa. They apparently lived in Jefferson County, Iowa; but had a civic presence in neighboring Henry County, Iowa. In 1858, they moved to Linn County, Kansas, where they lived near the town of Potosi. They remained there for two years and moved back to Iowa in 1860, where they probably lived in Henry County. Sometime between 1863 and 1865, they moved back to Kansas, this time settling at Delaware Township, in Leavenworth County.

Sometime between 1865 and 1869, John left by himself and went out west to New Mexico to engage in silver mining. John was well into his 60s by this time and presumably went to New Mexico by himself; his reasons are unknown. His life must have been quite adventuresome there and there are letters referring to him having been "cheated and robbed" while there. The last known reference to him was in January 1871, when he was living in Fort Craig, New Mexico. There are no known records of him after this date. Family history is that he never returned to his family and died in New Mexico; the usual year provided is 1873 (with no source cited). There was a John Dunham who died on November 21, 1876 and was buried in the National Cemetery (i.e. military cemetery) in Fort Bayard, New Mexico; described as a civilian. Many researchers have accepted that this was the same person. However, besides the same first and last name, there is nothing that proves that these were the same people - but it's certainly possible. John had definitely died prior to August 1879. On August 13, 1879, his son Peyton was appointed administrator of his estate in Chariton County, Missouri so that they could sell land that he owned there to pay his debts. Later, his real estate was sold and his estate was finally settled in May 1883, in which a total residue of $127.08 was distributed between his heirs.

They had the following children:

1	Mary Elizabeth Dunham was born on July 17, 1827 in Wayne Co., Indiana. She died on March 25, 1906 in Omaha, Douglas Co., Nebraska. She is buried in the Forest Lawn Cemetery, Omaha, Douglas Co., Nebraska. She married first Gilbert Moziena Dunn on December 11, 1851 in Wayne Co., Indiana. (He was born on May 26, 1825 in Poland, Androscoggin Co., Maine 2 and died on January 20, 1853 in Centerville, Wayne Co., Indiana. He is buried in the Crown Hill Cemetery, Centerville, Wayne Co., Indiana.) They had no children. She married second James P. Southard on July 22, 1857 in Greencastle, Putnam Co., Indiana 9. (He was born circa 1810 in Ohio 5 and died before November 8, 1893 in Omaha, Douglas Co., Nebraska. He is buried in the Forest Lawn Cemetery, Omaha, Douglas Co., Nebraska.) They had the following children: Clara Southard (1860-1950) Charles P. Southard (1864-1922) md. 1st Delena "Lena" A. Kelly, ex-wife of Charles R. Simmerman md. 2nd Blanche Vincent, widow of Sewall A. Allen In 1850 or 1851, Mary began attending school at Brookville College (an all female college) in Brookville, Indiana. In December 1851, she married Gilbert Dunn who was the principal and a professor at that school. During their brief marriage, they lived together in Brookville, Indiana. Her husband died in January 1853 while visiting her parents. Mary's whereabouts after her husband died are unknown. She might have spent time with her parents in Centerville, Wayne County, Indiana. However she eventually went to Indianapolis, Indiana (where her sister Margaret lived) and there was the matron of the "Institution for the Deaf" [Indiana Asylum for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb]. Mary then married James Southard, a widower with four children, in 1857 in Greencastle, Indiana. They lived together in Indianapolis, Indiana, from 1857 to 1873. The family moved to Omaha, Nebraska in 1873, where they remained. Obituary of Mary Southard, Omaha World Herald, March 27, 1906, Pg. 5: "DEATH OF MRS. J. P. SOUTHARD. Mrs. Mary E. Southard, widow of the late Joseph P. Southard, died of apoplexy Sunday, after an illness of three hours' at her apartments on Park avenue and Mason street. Mrs. Southard was one of the old residents of Omaha, having come here with her husband and family in April, 1873. There are surviving, George Southard of Indianapolis, Mrs. J. B. Southard of Denver, Miss Clara Southard and Charles P. Southard of Omaha. A particularly sad feature is the serious illness of Miss Clara Southard, who is now in Missouri for her health and has not yet been heard from. No arrangements have been made for the funeral other than it will be held from the residence of Charles P. Southard, 1506 North Seventeenth street."
2	Margaret Ann Dunham was born on May 1, 1829 14 or May 2, 1829 in Wayne Co., Indiana. She died on July 17, 1863 14 in Vermilion Co., Illinois. She is buried in the Mann's Chapel Cemetery, Rossville, Vermilion Co., Illinois. She married William Pugh Hannah on November 20, 1850 in Wayne Co., Indiana 3. (He was born on August 23, 1827 in Indiana 2 and died on March 14, 1901 in Vermilion Co., Illinois 2. He is buried in the Mann's Chapel Cemetery, Vermilion Co., Illinois.) They had the following children: Eleanor Hannah (1851-1922) md. Irvin Bruce Peters Richard H. Hannah (1853-1919) md. Mary Wilson Samuel Hannah (1855-1903) md. Mary Ann Dees William Hannah (1858-1901) Anna Meredith Hannah (1860-1921) md. Grant J. Wight James Hannah (1862-1922) After their marriage, Margaret and her husband spent the winter of 1850-1851 in Iowa looking for a place to settle, but were unsuccessful and returned to Indiana. From 1851 to 1856 they lived in Indianapolis, Indiana. From 1856 to 1857, they lived in Davenport, Iowa. From 1857 to 1858, they lived in Blue Earth County, Minnesota. Then from 1858 to 1860, they lived in Linn County, Kansas. They lived in Kansas City, Missouri over the winter of 1860-1861 and in the spring of 1861, moved to Vermilion County Illinois, where they remained.
3	William Pugh Dunham was born on March 8, 1831 in Center Twp., Wayne Co., Indiana. He died on December 16, 1864 in Savannah, Chatham Co., Georgia 17. He is buried in the Beaufort National Cemetery, Beaufort, Beaufort Co., South Carolina. He married Catherine Elizabeth Murphy on January 14, 1856 in Henry Co., Iowa 2. (She was born circa 1836 in Ohio 5 and died on March 6, 1917 in Fort Worth, Tarrant Co., Texas.) They had the following children: Mary Elizabeth Dunham (1856-1946) md. Samuel Hale Kiser Charles E. Dunham (c. 1858-1904) Luella Dunham (1860-1946) md. Frank Thomas Lee William Peyton Dunham (1862-1924) md. Susan Vermillion Whiteford William moved with his family to Iowa in about 1855. After their marriage in 1856, William and his wife lived with his parents in Jefferson County, Iowa. Then from 1857 to 1858, they lived in Garden City, Minnesota, near his sisters Margaret and Lydia. Then from 1858 to 1860, they lived in Linn County, Kansas. Then in 1860 they moved to Van Buren County, Iowa. It was while living there that William enlisted in the Civil War as a corporal on August 14, 1862. He was discharged in February 1863 and then reenlisted in June 1863 as a sergeant. William was captured in Newnan, Georgia in July 1864. He spent the last 5 months of his life as a prisoner of war in Savannah, Georgia, where he died. At some point during the 1860s, William's wife moved with their children to Leavenworth, Kansas, where they remained. Catherine never remarried and received a pension for his war service for the next 52 years.
4	Peyton Randolph Dunham was born on February 17, 1834 or February 17, 1835 18 in Centerville, Wayne Co., Indiana. He died on December 11, 1903 18 in Perry, Noble Co., Oklahoma. He is buried in the Ceres Cemetery, Noble Co., Oklahoma. He married Almarinda Davis on September 28, 1858 in Van Buren Co., Iowa 4. (She was born on June 16, 1839 in Indiana and died in 1917 in Red Rock, Noble Co., Oklahoma. She is buried in the Ceres Cemetery, Noble Co., Oklahoma.) They had the following children: Margaret Ellen Dunham (1859-1932) md. Marion Washabaugh Peyton Randolph Dunham (1861-1950) md. Anna Saunders Henry Sherman Dunham (1863-1929) md. Dora Belle Ringer John James Dunham (1866-1941) md. Lura Sophronia Conner Katie Vashti Dunham (1868-1952) md. Orville Orr Mattie Eleanor Dunham (1872-1949) md. Elwood James Waltermuir Samuel Azel Dunham (1874-1956) md. Hally C. Saunders Mary D. Dunham (1877-1870's) Laura Cook Dunham (1878-1957) md. O.E. Lovelady In his youth, Peyton learned trade as a printer, yet apparently always worked as a farmer. Peyton moved to Iowa with his family in 1855. Between 1858 and 1860, Peyton and his wife briefly lived in Linn County, Kansas, with his parents. In 1860, they moved back to Iowa. They then moved to Delaware County, Kansas in about 1864. Then in 1867, they moved to Chariton County, Missouri; where they remained for many years. Then in September 1893, Peyton moved with his family to Noble County, Oklahoma; where he and his wife remained for the duration of their lives. Daily Enterprise-Times [Perry, OK], Dec. 16, 1903, Pg. 1: "Obituary. Payton Randolph Dunham, who lived 11 miles north of Perry on Red Rock, died Dec. 11th 1903. He was born in Wayne county Ind, February 17, 1834, and was married to Miss Almarinda Davis, Sept. 26 1858. He leaves a wife and eight children to mourn his loss. He was converted during a revival meeting held at the Bowden school house March 1899 and was baptized and united with the Baptist church March 15, 1899. The funeral took place at the Ceres Baptist church conducted by the pastor, Jas. R. Eldridge in the presence of a large congregation. The church loses a faithful member, the home, a devoted husband and loving father. We will miss him in our gatherings but he has gone home to heaven where sad partings come no more. God bless all the bereft ones."
5	Lydia Ellen Dunham
6	John Henry Dunham was born on January 3, 1840 in Centerville, Wayne Co., Indiana. He died on March 5, 1917 in Mammoth Springs, Fulton Co., Arkansas 15. He is buried in the Field Creek Cemetery, Mammoth Springs, Fulton Co., Arkansas. He married first to Cynthia Rose Chadwick on December 28, 1861. (She was born on November 16, 1840 in Licking Co., Ohio and died on January 3, 1905 in Mammoth Springs, Fulton Co., Arkansas 16.) They had the following children: Irvin Henry Dunham (1862-1892) md. Avis Gertrude Williams Lura Grant Dunham (1872-1946) md. Edward Jay French Robert Franklin Dunham (1877-1939) md. Dona Jane Longley He married second to Nannie Dickerson on December 19, 1913 in Fulton Co., Arkansas. She was born circa 1860. They had no children. John moved with his family to Iowa in 1855. He then lived with his family in Linn Co., Kansas from 1858 to 1860. In late 1860, most of his family returned to Iowa, and John apparently went to Blue Earth Co., Minnesota where his sister Lydia was living. It was probably there that he married Cynthia Chadwick in 1861, who was the first cousin of his sister's husband, Irvin Thurston. After this, they apparently moved to Verona, in nearby Faribault Co., Minnesota. It was while living there that John enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War in August 1862. He served continuously until being discharged in June 1865 St. Paul, Minnesota. In 1870 and 1872, John and his family were then living in Jasper Co., Missouri. Then between at least 1876 and 1883, they were living in Chariton Co., Missouri, where his brother Peyton was living. Sometime between 1883 and 1890, they moved to Mammoth Springs, Arkansas. It was while living there that his wife died in 1905. In 1907, John lived in the National Soldiers Home in Dayton, Ohio. Then from 1907 to 1910 he lived in the National Soldiers Home in Johnson City, Tennessee. He afterwards moved back to Mammoth Springs, Arkansas and continued living there until his death. Daily Arkansas Gazette [Little Rock, AR], Mar, 8, 1917, Pg. 9: "J. H. DUNHAM Special to the Gazette. Mammoth Spring, March 7. - J. H. Dunham, aged about 74 years, a Federal veteran, who had been a farmer near here, died at his home Monday from the effects of a stroke of paralysis."
7	Robert Field Dunham was born on May 19, 1847 in Center Twp., Wayne Co., Indiana. He died on February 23, 1864 in Vicksburg, Warren Co., Mississippi 17. He is buried in the Vicksburg National Cemetery, Vicksburg, Warren Co., Mississippi. He married Nancy E. Mendenhall on July 4, 1863 in Clark Co., Missouri. (She was born in May 1846 in Illinois and died sometime between 1910-1920 in Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa.) They had one child: Robert Luther Dunham (1864-1927) md. Lenora Addie McIntire Robert enlisted in the Union Army out of Iowa in the Civil War and died one month later of measles. His son was born 4 months later. His widow remarried to William Huggins.

Lydia Ellen Dunham was born on February 15, 1837 in Centerville, Wayne County, Indiana. She died on July 29, 1869 in Garden City, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota ¹. She is buried in the Garden City Cemetery, Garden City, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota.

Father: John Ellison Dunham
Mother: Vashti Willits

Lydia was raised in Wayne County, Indiana, where the family primarily lived in the town of Centerville. In 1855, she moved with her family out west to Iowa where they lived in Jefferson County, in southeastern Iowa. While living there, she was married to Irvin Thurston, a doctor, on February 15, 1856 in nearby Salem, Iowa. Lydia and Irvin lived in Salem, Iowa for one year. In the spring of 1857 they moved to Garden City, Blue Earth County, Minnesota.

Lydia and Irvin lived on a farm in Garden City Township, northeast of the village of Garden City. She had 5 daughters: Minnie, Cora, Nettie, Julia, and Anabel. From 1862 to 1865, Irvin served in the Civil War and was gone for the majority of the time. In 1867, her 8-year old daughter Cora died. On July 29, 1869, Lydia died of consumption (tuberculosis) at the age of 32. After her untimely death, Lydia's husband came close to breaking up his family because he could not care for their young children on his own. His fears were abated when he remarried in 1870. The details of this are referred to in three letters written to Lydia's husband and daughter by her mother Vashti Dunham.

For information on their children, see his page.

1. Thurston, Brown. Thurston Genealogies, 1635-1892, Second Edition. Brown Thurston: Portland, ME, 1892.
2. International Genealogical Index
3. Marriage records, Wayne Co., IN
4. Marriage records, Van Buren Co., IA
5. Assorted US Federal Census records
6. Online cemetery index, First Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Woodbridge, NJ
7. Wayne County, Indiana Death Records, 1882-1920. Ancestry.com
8. Illinois Marriages to 1850. Ancestry.com
9. Indiana Marriage Collection, 1800-1941. (Ancestry.com)
10. Leavenworth Co., Kansas Death Records. (Ancestry.com)
11. Tombstone inscriptions, Old Centerville Cemetery, Centerville, Wayne Co., Indiana.
12. Tombstone inscriptions, Fairview Cemetery, Brownstown, Jackson Co., Indiana.
13. Obituary of Mary Smith, Jackson County Banner [Brownstown, IN], Mar. 8, 1888, Pg. 8.
14. Tombstone inscriptions, Mann's Chapel Cemetery, Vermilion Co., IL
15. Death notice of John H. Dunham, Daily Arkansas Gazette [Little Rock, AR], Mar. 8, 1917, Pg. 9
16. Death notice of Cynthia R. Dunham, Daily Arkansas Gazette [Little Rock, AR], Jan. 13, 1905, Pg. 2
17. American Civil War Soldiers. Ancestry.com
18. Tombstone inscriptions, Ceres Cemetery, Noble Co., Oklahoma
19. Young, Andrew W. History of Wayne County, Indiana, from its first settlement... Robert & Clark Co., Cincinnati, 1872.
20. History of Wayne County, Indiana: together with sketches. Inter-State Publishing, Chicago, 1884.
21. Portrait and Biographical Record of Macon County, Illinois... Lake City Publishing, Chicago, 1893.
22. Obituary of Sarah Dunham, Centreville True Republican, Sep. 1, 1864, Pg. 3
23. Death notice of Eliza Jenkins, Centerville True Republican, Dec. 31, 1863, Pg. 1
24. Obituary of Dayton Dunham, Decatur Daily Republican, Sep. 5, 1894, Pg. 1

Links:

Dunham - Singletery Research by Audrey Hancock