William Dunn1

d. 1819
Birth William Dunn was born in Ireland as indicated by his son on the 1880 census.2 
Marriage7 Oct 1788 He married Lydia Musgrave on 7 Oct 1788 in Washington County, Virginia.3,4 
Land-Buy9 Nov 1790 On 9 Nov 1790 William bought 211 acres of land in the Rich Valley of Washington County from Moses Keewood and his wife. The land abutted James Logan and crossed a creek feeding the north fork of the Holston River. Years later two of William's daughters would marry sons of James Logan.5 
Will14 Jan 1819 William wrote his will on Jan 14th, 1819. He left his "beloved wife Lydia" her lawful third of his real and personal estate. He left the land on which he lived for the benefit of his children Elizabeth Logan, Rebecca Dunn, Polly Dunn, Jane Dunn, Samuel Dunn and Lydia Dunn. He requested that his sons John and William remain on the land to care for their mother and sisters, but instead of leaving them a share of the plantation he deeded them a tract of land in Kentucky. William also owned at least nine Negroes whom he divided among his children. John Dunn, his son, and William S. Logan, his son-in-law, were named executors.6 
Death1819 William died in Jan or Feb 1819.7 
Will-Recd16 Feb 1819 William's will was recorded on 16 Feb 1819.8 
Probate Recd17 Oct 1826  William's children decided that rather than sell his personal estate and Negroes and then divide the proceeds, they would keep everything in the family and reach a division amongst themselves. Therefore, in August of 1826 they signed a document stating that they had each received their fair share and relieving John Dunn and William S. Logan, the executors, from further responsibility in the matter.9 

Research Comment:

It has been suggested by some Dunn researchers that Lydia may have been William's second wife, and that his daughter Elizabeth may have been a child of this first marriage.

Related Links and Images:

William's will

Family

Lydia Musgrave d. aft 1819
Children
Last Edited24 Nov 2013

Citations

  1. [S30] Audrey Honegger, "Smyth Questions," e-mail to Diana Powell, 11 Jan 2001.
  2. [S165] Samuel Dunn household, 1880 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Glade Spring District, ED 94, page 21 (63A stamped), dwelling 180, family 181, viewed online at www.Ancestry.com, April 2003, image 21 of 54. Samuel Dunn, 75, wid, father b. Ireland, mother b. PA; Florence V., 50, dau; Emily J., 44, dau; Robert C., 34, son; Flora Clark, 32, servant; Robert Clark, 3; Elizabeth, 1; all b. VA.
  3. [S2390] William R. Wheeler, Minister's Returns 1785-1832 Washington Co., Virginia Vol. 1A, p. 9. Book contains scanned image of the ministers return which lists under 1788: Oct 7: William Dunn to Liddy Mucgrove.
  4. [S87] "Dunn Family Reunion Booklet," compiled for the 3rd Dunn Family Reunion, 7 Aug. 1988 by Eva Dunn Counts, Knoxville, TN, p. 7. This source lists the date as 17 Oct., 1789; this date and year appear to be incorrect based on the image of the minister's return.
  5. [S1046] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 1: 186.
  6. [S131] William Dunn will (1819), Washington Co., Virginia, Will Book 4: 284. Will mentions wife Lydia, daughter Elizabeth Logan, wife of Wm S. Logan, daughters Rebecca, Polly, Jane and Lydia Dunn and sons Samuel, John and William Dunn; also grandson William D. Logan.
  7. [S87] "Dunn Family Reunion Booklet," compiled for the 3rd Dunn Family Reunion, 7 Aug. 1988 by Eva Dunn Counts, Knoxville, TN, p. 7.
  8. [S131] William Dunn will (1819), Washington Co., Virginia, Will Book 4: 284. John Dunn and William S. Logan took the oath of executor with bond in the amt of $8,000; William Davis, James Kelly, William Dunn, John Logan and Caleb Logan were their securities.
  9. [S618] Agreement among heirs - John Dunn estate (1826), Washington Co., Virginia, Will Book 5: 316. The document was signed by Samuel Dunn, Caleb Logan, William Dunn, Rebecca Dunn, Jane Dunn and Lydia Dunn. John Dunn as executor also represented himself. William S. Logan was the other executor and also John Dunn's son-in-law, but his wife, Elizabeth Dunn Logan had not been included in the distribution of slaves per the will.
  10. [S86] Fridley, "Washington Co., VA Deaths 1886-1896" online database, <www.Ancestry.com>, Dr. Samuel Dunn, d. 27 Nov. 1888 of kidney disease at 83y 9m 9d; parents William and Lydia Dunn.
  11. [S1542] Lineage application worksheet of Virginia Dunn Beatie, Daughters of the American Revolution (William Dunn), dated 1974-76. Virginia was Samuel's granddaughter.