Person:John Dunn (106)

  Featured Page: Week of January 6, 2014

Mulltiple John Dunns

There were at least two John Dunns in Hendricks County in 1825 when both registered their stock marks.
One John Dunn registered his stock mark on the 18th of January, at the same time as Joseph Dunn and Abner Dunn.
The other John Dunn registered his stock mark on the 27th of May.
One of these John Dunns was, presumably, the brother of James, Zephaniah and Robert Dunn; the other may, speculatively, may be the brother of Joseph Dunn.

The John Dunn who was the brother of James, Zephaniah and Robert Dunn was born about 1770 in Maryland, and died about about March 1857 in Lewis County, Missouri.
The John Dunn who married Rosannah Matlock in 1833 presumably died before 1842, when Rosannah herself died, leaving a will, which she could not have done if her husband was still living. He cannot, therefore, be the brother of James, Zephaniah and Robert.
Neither of these John Dunns appears in the 1830 Census in Hendricks County, Indiana.
There is another John Dunn, who married Sally Myers in Hendricks County, Indiana on 13 February 1830, who appears in the 1830 Census in Clinton County, Indiana. He was born between 1800 and 1810, and with his wife Sally, sold property in Clinton County in 1837. He is neither the John Dunn who married Rosannah Matlock, nor the brother of James, Zephaniah and Robert Dunn. He cannot be the John Dunn who married Rosannah Matlock, however, as he and his wife Sally sold land in Clinton County, Indiana in 1837.

The John Dunn who married Rosannah Matlock had extensive education, as suggested both by his signature, and by his assumption of store ownership after Rosannah Matlock's first husband died.
The brothers James, Zephaniah and Robert Dunn seems to have had little more than basic education. James frequently signed his name with an X, while Robert's signature has the roughness expected of someone with rudimentary education who does not write frequently.
There are hints that Joseph Dunn, or at least his son, Samuel Mitchell Dunn, may have had an education which enabled them to take on at least minor leadership roles in their communities, such as a minister or a sheriff.

If the John Dunn who married Rosannah Matlock had family affiliations with other Dunns in Hendricks County, then it seems most likely to have been with Joseph Dunn. How the John Dunn who married Sally Myers fits into family relationships remains, at this point, unknown, although he might have been an unaccounted for son of either Joseph or one of the older John Dunns. There is no evidence, however that he is a son of the John Dunn who was a brother of James, Zephaniah, and Robert, based on their probate records.

Also open to question is whether or not the John Dunn who married Rosannah Lindsey was previously married, with a wife named Nancy. Based on land records, the two wives do not overlap in time, and it seems more reasonable to assume that Rosannah's second marriage was to a man who, like herself, was widowed, rather than to postulate yet another unrelated John Dunn living in the community at the same time.

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 History of Hendricks County, Indiana: her people, industries and institutions. (Indianapolis, Ind.: B.F. Bowen & Co., 1914).

   p. 50 - 1st settlement of Center Township was in 1823; voters on 7 Aug 1826 inc. Nathaniel Kirk, Thomas B. Clark, Joseph Dunn, Stephen Cook, Jesse Cook, Daniel Clark, B. Dunn, John Dunn, Nimrod Harrison
   p. 113 - In 1826-27, John Dunn was Sheriff

2. ↑ Vol 1-3, 1824-1835; FHL #0488425, in Hendricks County (Indiana). Recorder. Deed records, 1825-1889. (Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1982)
   Vol 1-3, 1824-1835; FHL #0488425.

   - Volume 1, p. 53
   Indenture 29 Oct 1825
   Between Thomas Henton Agent, Hendricks County, Indiana
   and John Dunn of same place
   who paid $33.00
   for land in the town of Danville, Lot # 7, Square #29
   - Vol. 1, p. 54
   Indenture 29 October 1825
   Between Thomas Henton, Agent, Hendricks County, Indiana
   and John Dunn of same place
   who paid $9.31 and 1/4
   for Lot #6, Square 29, in Town of Danville
   - Vol 1, p. 317
   Indenture 17 April 1830
   Between John Dunn and Nancy his wife of Hendricks County, Indiana
   and Lewis Martin of the same place
   who paid $22 for Lot 6, Square 9, and Lot 7 Square 29 in the Town of Danville
   Signed John Dunn, Nancy x her mark Dunn
   Witness Jesse Linden, Clark [Week], JP

3. ↑ Index to Stock Marks Registered in Hendricks County (1824-1848)
   accessed 5 Dec 2013.

   Index to Stock Marks Registered in Hendricks County (1824-1848)
   Dunn Abner January 18, 1825 A crop and a slit in the left ear.
   Dunn Alvin February 18, 1825 A swallowfork and an underbit in the right ear, and a crop and slit in the left ear
   Dunn Buriah January 26, 1825 A swallowfork in the right ear and an overbit in the left ear
   Dunn James November 27, 1824 A smooth crop off the left ear
   Dunn John January 18, 1825 A swallowfork in the left ear and a crop and a slit in the right ear
   Dunn John May 27, 1825 An underslope in the right ear
   Dunn Joseph January 18, 1825 A crop and a slit in each ear, and an underbit in the left ear

4. ↑ ^4.0 4.1 Indiana. Circuit Court (Hendricks County). Complete records of the Hendricks Circuit Court from the organization, 1824-1841. (Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 19--?).

   Vol. 1, p. 423, October Term 1833
   John Dunn vs. Faught: Appeal
   On 9 Jan 1833 Job Osborn a JP for Center Township filed docket of proceedings of John Dunn and John C. Julien vs William Faught on charges of trespass, because William Faught was indebted to John Dunn and John C. Julien for $3.50 for goods and service received prior to 30 Aug 1832 (shoes, tobacco, iron, lace, powder, broom, e.g. - total = $4.50); but William Faught declared on 26 Nov 1832 that he had paid $5.50 to John C. Julian. Defendant demanded a jury trial -- 2 juries called, neither could agree, both parties agreed to leave case to court. [Judges apparently decided in favour of defendant, ordered plaintiffs to pay court costs, but writing is very blurry, hard to read.]
   Vol. 1, p. 428
   - John Dunn vs Richard Cruise: Scire Facias on Transcript
   [in Center Township, Richard Cruise defaulted on a note for $8.67 and 1/2; judgment eventually awarded to Dunn]

5. ↑ Clinton, Indiana, United States. Probate Order Book
   Vol. 1, 1833-1846, p. 97-120; FHL #2259823.

   Estate of Roland Lindsay
   James Maxwell Appealed in May Term 1834, with John Dunn providing surety bond.

6. ↑ United States. Bureau of Land Management, General Land Office Records
   accessed 4 Apr 2007.

   JOHN DUNN of Hendricks County, Indiana
   40 acres W1/2NE Sec 21/ T17-N R1-W IN Hendricks
   Issued 9/10/1838 Crawfordsville Sale-Cash Entry (3 Stat. 566)
   Document: 32395 Accession/Serial Nr.: IN3270__.063
   
   JOHN DUNN
   80 acres E1/2NE Sec 21/ T17-N R1-W IN Hendricks
   Issued 9/10/1838 Crawfordsville Sale-Cash Entry (3 Stat. 566)
   Document: 32420 Accession/Serial Nr. IN3270__.087
   
   JOHN DUNN
   80 acres W1/2SE Sec 21/ T17-N R1-W IN Hendricks
   Issued 9/10/1838 Crawfordsville Sale-Cash Entry (3 Stat. 566)
   Document: 32403 Accession/Serial Nr. IN3270__.070
   Notes, Family Maps of Hendricks County, Indiana; LDS #977.253 E7b
   Neighbors include William L. Matlock (Patent 1840); nearest Cemetery is Grover Cemetery.

7. ↑ Hendricks County (Indiana). Recorder. Deed records, 1825-1889. (Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1982)
   Vol 2, p. 207; FHL #0488425.

   Thomas F. Weathers of Hendricks County, Indiana have sold to
   John Dunn of same place
   one grey mare and 18 head of hogs
   for $30 debts and costs of suits in cases wherein I was sued and which debts remained unsatisfied in the office of John C. Julian Esq. the payment of which the said Dunn assumes therefore I have sold and delivered unto the said Dunn the above mentioned for the sum mentioned
   7 April 1832
   Signed Thomas F. Wethers
   Witness Clark Davis

8. ↑ Hendricks County (Indiana). Recorder. Deed records, 1825-1889. (Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1982)
   Vols 2-3; FHL #0488425.

   - Vol 2, p. 189 - Indenture 18 April 1832
   Between Edward F Johnston and Mary Jane his wife of Hendricks County, IN and John Dunn of same place
   who paid [Five?] hundred dollars [following text is dark and unreadable] Block 19
   Signed in Danville, Edward F. Johnston, Mary Jane x her mark Johnston, Witness J. C. Julien JP
   - Vol. 2, p. 304 - Indenture 28 Sept 1832
   Between William Beerman and Susanna his wife of Hendricks County, IN and John Dunn of same place
   who paid $140 for land in the Town of Danville, W1/2 of Lot 6, Block 13, said lot is divided by a North and South line
   Signed Wm Beerman, Susanna x her mark Beerman, Witness S. T. Harding, Recorder
   - Vol 2, p. 138 - Indenture 20 Oct 1832
   Between James T. Hadley Agent of Hendricks County, IN and John Dunn, of same place
   who paid $20 for land in Danville, Lot 5, Square 19
   Signed Jas. T. Hadley, Witness S. T. Hadley
   - Vol 3, p. 8 - Indenture 11 Feb 1834
   Between James T. Hadley Agent of Hendricks County, IN and John Dunn of same place
   who paid $25 for land in Town of Danville, Lot 8, Block 19
   Signed James T. Hadley, Witness J. M. Gregg
   - Vol. 3, p. 9- Indentured 13 Feb 1834
   Between John Dunn and Rosannah his wife of Hendricks County, Indiana and Blake & Epperson of same place
   who paid $200 for land in the Town of Danville, the W1/2 of Lot 16, Block 13, which is divided by a North and South line
   Signed John Dunn, Rosannah Dunn, Witness S. T. Hadley, Recorder
   - Vol. 3, p. 100 - Indenture 4 July 1834
   Between Wilson Shelton and Polly Shelton his wife of Hendricks County, Indiana and John Dunn of same place
   who paid $62.50 for land in Danville, Hendricks County, Lot 1, Block 19
   Signed Wilson Shelton, Polly x her mark Shelton, Witness S. T. Hadley, recorder
   - Vol 3, p. 247 - Indenture 2 January 1835
   Between John Dunn and Rosannah his wife of Hendricks County, Indiana and George Baley of the same place
   who paid $100 for land in town of Danville, Lot 8, Block 19
   Signed John Dunn, Rosanna Dunn, Witness S. T. Hadley, recorder, recorded 6 Jan 1835
   - Vol 3, p. 381 - Indenture 16 July 1835
   Between John Dunn & Rosanna his wife of Hendricks County, IN and Henry C. Todd of the same place
   who paid $135 for land in Town of Danville, Lot 1, Block 19
   Signed John Dunn, Rosanna Dunn, Witness S. T. Hadley, Recorder, Recorded 16 July 1835
   - Vol 3, p. 385 - Indenture 20 July 1835
   Between John Dunn & Rosanna his wife of Hendricks County, IN and John M. Smith of same place
   who paid $350 for land in the Town of Danville, Hendricks County, Lot 2, Block 19; N1/2 of Lot 6, Block 19
   Signed John Dunn, Rosanna Dunn, Witness S. T. Hadley Recorder, Recorded 23 July 1835

9. ↑ Clinton County Probate Court Nov. Term 1834, in Clinton, Indiana, United States. Guardianship Files. Clinton County Court Archives, Franfort community Public Library, Frankfort, Indiana
   Guardianship Box 11A, file 2, John Dunn.

   Now at this time comes John Dunn of the county of Hendricks in the state of Indiana & suggests to the Court now here that in the year 1832 Rolland Lindsey of said county deceded leaving a widow and one child called Minerva, aged about 4 years old at this time; that administration of the said estate was granted unto James A. Maxwell by the Probate Court of said county and that, there will probably be considerable personal property belonging to said estate, after settling all claims against the same. That some time after the death of Dr. Lindsey he married his widow, and took said child into his family where she has [continued] ever since, supported entirely by the said John Dun. He therefore asks to be appointed guardian of the person and estate of said Minerva Lindsey & as in duty [born] will ever pray &c
   John Dunn

10. ↑ Vols 4-6, 1835-1839; FHL #0488426, in Hendricks County (Indiana). Recorder. Deed records, 1825-1889. (Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1982).

    - Vol 5-302
    From John Dunn of Hendricks County, Indiana to Jonathon W. Powers of Montgomery County, Indiana
    who paid $1500 for land commencing at the NW corner of Sec 3, T15N, R1W then running east along the section line 20 chains to a stake where a bush 5 inches _____ diameter bears south 20deg 30 min east 29 links also an elm 18 inches in diameter bears S 69 deg 30 min west 30.5 links then south 3 deg east (allowing 6 [?] for the deviation of compass) from chain and 33 links to the [common bank] white lick creek then down said creek following the meander thereof to the south line of the North half (fractional) of the northmost quarter of said section then west with said line to the section line then north with said ____ to the place of beginning
    supposed to be 35 acres more or less
    also the S1/2 of the NW1/4 of the above section estimated to contain 80 acres
    signed John Dunn, Rosanna Dunn, Witness J. M. Gregg, S. T. Hadley recorder, Recorded 3 June 1837
    - Vol 6-12
    Mortgage of John Dunn of Hendricks County from Edward Strange, Commissioner of School Lands for T17N R1W on W1/2 of the SE1/4 of Sec 21
    to secure payment of $89.25 in 3 yrs time with 6% interest payable annually, signed 31 Aug 1837, John Dunn, Recorded 7 Oct 1837
    - Vol 6-52
    John Dunn of Hendricks County, Indiana mortgage from Edward Strange Commissioner of the School Lands of Hendricks County on NW1/4 of NE1/4, Sec 21, T17N, R1W
    for payment of $35 due in 3 years w6% interest payable each year in advance
    Signed 31 Aug 1837 John Dunn, recorded 30 Oct 1837, Paid in Full 6 Oct 1838
    - Vol 6-70
    John Dunn mtg for $75.75, signed 8 Nov 1837, repaid 6 Oct 1838
    - Vol. 6-428
    18 July 1838, John Dunn and Rosanna his wife of Hendricks County, Indiana to Charles Coffin of same place
    who paid $350 for W1/2 of the SE1/4, Sec 21, T17N, R1W, containing 80 acres more or less
    signed John Dunn, Rosanna Dunn, Witness S. T. Hadley, recorder, recorded 18 July 1838
    - Vol 6-477
    18 July 1838, Charles Coffin and Rachel his wife mortgage from John Dun for above property, $100 due on 25 Dec 1839, $100 due Dec 1840, $50 due Dec 1841
    - Vol. 6-558
    from John Dunn and Rosanna Dunn his wife of Hendricks County, Indiana
    for $533 paid by William L. Matlock of Hendricks County
    for W1/2 of the NE 1/4 and the E1/2 of the said NE1/2, Sec 21, T17N, R1W
    signed 7 Oct 1838, John Dunn, Rosanna Dunn, Witness J. M. Gregg, Benjamin Griffith, recorded 24 Oct 1838
    - Vol 6-695
    6 Oct 1838
    John Dunn of Hendricks County, Indiana mortgaged to Wm. H. Darnell, Commissioner of School Funds of T17 for $272
    NE1/4 of Sec 21, T17N, R1W, payable in 3 years with 9% interest per annum payable each year, recorded 31 Jan 1839 (repaid)

11. ↑ when wife/widow Rosannah died, w/estate. (No record of divorce found, her bro-in-law asks for guardian for children by John)
12. ↑ acepted a horse and 18 hogs in payment for store goods