Emily J. Dunn1

b. 30 April 1836, d. 13 January 1909
FatherDr. Samuel Dunn2 b. 18 Feb 1805, d. 27 Nov 1888
MotherJane Beattie Ryburn Edmiston2 b. 24 Aug 1807, d. 23 May 1861
Birth30 Apr 1836 Emily J. Dunn was born on 30 Apr 1836.3,2 
Residence Emily and her sister Florence grew up in the Dunn family home on Forest Hill Drive and Dabney Road. Neither sister married; they lived together in the old home their entire lives.4 
Cens-19009 Jun 1900  They were enumerated there together when the 1900 census for Washington County was recorded. By then Emily was 64 and Florence was 70. Their 23 year old niece, Estella Rogers was also present.5 
  Estella was the daughter of Emily and Florence's deceased sister Sally who had died 16 years earlier. 
Will23 Jan 1883 Emily wrote her will in 1883, 26 years before her death. She left her entire estate, including both her real and personal property, to her sister Florence. A codicil added the same day clarified that Florence was to receive a life interest in the land, after which it was to be shared equally between Emily's siblings or their heirs.6 
  Florence executed an identical will and codicil the same day, leaving her estate to Emily, whom she referred to as "Emma." 
Death13 Jan 1909 Emily died on 13 Jan 1909 at age 72 at the old homestead near Glade Spring where she was born.3,7 
Will-Recd27 Jan 1909 Emily's will was recorded on 27 Jan 1909 in Washington County. 
  She was survived by her sister Florence and her brother William. Another brother, Samuel, died just a few months before Emily. 
Burial She was buried at Old Glade Spring Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.3 
Obituary Emily's obituary described her as a woman who had read much and could talk fluently on many intricate subjects.7 

Related Links and Images:

Images from Emily's Bible8
Click here for photos and more information on the old Dunn log house where Emily and her sister Florence spent their entire lives
Emily's will
Emily's headstone
Other interments in Old Glade Spring Cemetery
Last Edited3 May 2011

Citations

  1. [S87] "Dunn Family Reunion Booklet," compiled for the 3rd Dunn Family Reunion, 7 Aug. 1988 by Eva Dunn Counts, Knoxville, TN, p. 24. Family group sheet for Samuel Dunn and Jane Beattie Ryburn Edmondson.
  2. [S65] Emily Dunn Bible.
  3. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 179. Emily J. Dunn, 30 Apr 1836-13 Jan 1909.
  4. [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.
  5. [S574] Florence Dunn household, 1900 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Glade Spring District, ED 108, sheet 8B, dwelling 141, family 146, viewed online at Genealogy.com, April 2003, image 16 of 70. Florence Dunn, 70, b. May 1830, VA, sgl; Emma, sister, 64, b. Apr 1836, sgl; Estella Rodgers, niece, 23, b. March 1877 Texas, sgl; also an 18 year old servant.
  6. [S818] Emma Dunn will (27 Jan. 1909), Washington Co., Virginia, Will Book 30 (E): 74.
  7. [S52] Letter, Carolyn Ryburn to Diana Powell, 15 Nov. 2000. Obituary of Miss Emily Dunn, clipping from an unnamed and undated newspaper.
  8. [S1376] Bible images courtesy of Carolyn Ryburn.