Notes for Samuel Dunham

Notes for Samuel Dunham

!FROM web page of ancestry.com on Samuel DUNHAM by David Lee Dunham-2002:
Samuel Dunham born 11 May 1742 is believed by David Lee Dunham to be the missing son of Jonathan Dunham and Mary Smith of Woodbridge, NJ. Jonathan Dunham is said to be the s/o Benjamin Dunham & Mary Rolph. Benjamin Dunham was the son of Jonathan Dunham (aka Jonathan Singletary) and Mary Bloomfield. Jonathan Singletary-Dunham was s/o Richard Singletary.
David Lee Dunham and another person carrying the Singletary surname have had DNA testing in October 2002. It is now proven that the DNA of both men are the same, thus the evidence that David as a descendant of Samuel Dunham of New Jersey and Virginia is descended from Jonathan Dunham (alias Singletary).
Samuel Dunham settled in the Back Creek Valley of Frederick Co., VA. Nine generations of his descendants have lived continuously in Berkeley Co. (previously called Frederick Co., VA), VA since 1781. That's 221 years! Many of them are still farmers. Samuel was a farmer all his life, having a total of 611 acres of land in his estate. He had nine children (6 boys & 3 girls). Eighty grandchildren have been found.
Samuel Dunham's (of Berkeley County) first two recorded land purchases were made from men 'of Washington County, PA.' A land office treasury warrant #377 was issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia and recorded in Berkeley County, Virginia on March 11, 1794 to one Samuel Dunham as an assignee of 'Smith Slaughter.' The warrant describes the metes and bounds of the eleven acre 3 rods parcel, referencing amonth other adjoining properties land owned by Samuel Dunham of Berkeley Co.
Samuel Dunham was a Baptist.
Samuel's wife was Hannah, who is believed to have been the daughter of David Ruble of Washington County, PA, as a deed recorded in Berkeley Co., VA in 1791 reads:
'David Ruble of Washington Co., PA sells to Samuel Dunham of Berkeley Co., VA for 100? VA currency and for other just causes and circumstances.' This was a common phrase used in those days to indicate that there was a close relationship between the two parties. Sarah Ruble, daughter of David Ruble married Isaac Chenowith who also had a deed recorded in Berkeley Co., VA, for land which adjoined the parcel purchased by Samuel. David Ruble had sold that parcel to Isaac Chenowith using the same clause 'and other just causes and circumstances.' This would appear to indicate that David Ruble sold land in Berkeley Co., VA to his two sons-in-law. Samuel and Hannah named their first born son, David, perhaps for Hannah's father, David Ruble.
1671
This DUNHAM FAMILY ancestors are said to have come to America in 1671 according to family legend, but no proof of this has yet been found.
1730
Jeremiah Smith and two friends explored Back Creek Valley, Frederick Co., VA in 1730 and returned to New Jersey to prepare their families for emigration.
1732-1735
Back Creek Valley, Frederick Co., VA was settled.
1742
Samuel is believed to have possibly been the Samuel Dunham born 11 May 1742 to Jonathan Dunham & Mary Smith of NJ.
ca 1760
Samuel perhaps marries and has a son, Jacob, then appears to depart from New Jersey. [Both Samuel and his son, Jacob, were mentioned in his paternal grandmother's, Mary (Smith) Dunham's will in 1784.]
Possibly Samuel's first wife died. Possibly his first born son, Jacob, died also, since some 30 years later Samuel names another son, Jacob.
ca 1770
Perhaps Samuel marries again in Washington Co., PA to Hannah Ruble, and evidently goes to Frederick Co., VA.
1772
Federick Co., VA becomes Berkley Co., VA.
Abt. 1773
1st child, a daughter, Sarah Mary Dunham, was born in Frederick Co., VA to Samuel & Hannah, and she was apparently named for her paternal grandmother, Mary (Smith) Dunham.
Abt. 1774
2nd child, a son, Samuel was born to Samuel & Hannah.
Abt. 1776
3rd child, a son, David was born to Samuel & Hannah.
1777
Samuel Dunham is NOT listed in the 1777 Berkeley Co. tax record.
1778-1783
Samuel and his family settle in Back Creek Valley, Berkeley Co., VA.
This area was formerly Frederick Co., VA, but became Berkeley Co., VA in 1772.
Abt. 1779
4th child, a daughter, Hannah was born to Samuel & Hannah.
1781
5th child, a son, Amos, was born to Samuel & Hannah.
1783
Samuel Dunham was listed on tax records in Berkeley Co., VA in 1783.
Samuel Dunham 1 white tithable, 3 horses and 1 cow.
1784
6th child, a daughter, Sina, was born to Samuel & Hannah.
1784
Samuel is possibly the son, Samuel, mentioned in the 1784 will of Mary (Smith) Dunham of NJ, widow of Jonathan Dunham. Mary left to son, Samuel noting that he was "away" and might not return. In that case the legacy was to be given to Samuel's son named Jacob, if Samuel had not returned in 10 years to claim his inheritance.
1785
7th child, Benjamin Washington, was born to Samuel & Hannah.
1787
Samuel Dunham listed in 1787 Virginia Census of Berkeley Co., VA.
Samuel Dunham; four hourse, five cattle.
Abt. 1790
8th child, Aaron, was born to Samuel & Hannah.
1791
David Ruble of Washington County, PA is believed to be the father of Hannah (Ruble) Dunham, wf/o Samuel Dunham from NJ. Deed recorded in Berkeley County, VA in 1791 reads: "David Ruble of Washington Co., PA sells to Samuel Dunham of Berkeley Co., VA for 100 VA currency and for other just causes and circumstances."
1792
Samuel advertises that his horse was stolen from his stable at Mills Gap, Berkeley Co., VA.
1794
Land office treasury warrant issued by Commonwealth of VA & recorded in Berkeley Co., VA to one Samuel Dunham (assignee of Smith Slaughter).
1795
9th child, Jacob, was born to Samuel & Hannah.
1810
Berkeley Co., VA Census, p. 553
Samuel Dunham [b 1765 or before 1765]
1 male 10-16 [Jacob age 15]
1 male 16-26 [Benjamin Washington age 25];
1 male 45 & over [Samuel]
1 female 45 & over [Hannah]
2 slaves.
1820
Berkeley Co., VA Census, p. 195
Samuel Dunham
1 male over 45 [Samuel]
1 female over 45 [Hannah]
1824
Samuel Dunham dies at Back Creek Valley, Berkeley Co., VA.
1826
Hannah (Ruble) Dunham dies possibly at Hamilton Co., OH.