Person:Seth Gunn (1)

Seth A. Gunn
m. Abt 22 Jun 1827
  1. Alanson King Gunn1829 - 1862
  2. Lucy Ann Gunn1830 - 1903
  3. Seth A. Gunn1831 - Aft 1886
  4. Martha Ann Gunn1834 -
m. Est 1850
  1. Alonzo Gunn1851 - 1882
  2. Seth C. Gunn1853 - 1919
  3. Esther Ann Gunn1855 - 1858
  4. John J. Gunn1856 - 1923
  5. Mary R. Gunn1859 - 1859
m. 26 Jun 1859
  1. Cynthia Ann Gunn1860 - 1863
  2. Wilbur Gunn1862 - 1863
  3. Chauncy Edward Gunn1864 - 1933
  4. Dietta "Etta" J. Gunn1865 - 1931
  5. Viola Gunn1867 - 1936
  6. Nellie Rose Gunn1869 - 1917
  7. Estella Gunn1871 - 1872
  8. Chester Arthur Gunn1873 - 1916
Facts and Events
Name Seth A. Gunn
Gender Male
Birth? 9 Feb 1831 Ashtabula, Ohio, United States
Marriage Est 1850 Ohio, United Statesto Matilda Jackson
Marriage 26 Jun 1859 Irving, Barry, Michigan, United Statesto Clotilda Ann Hooker
Military? 17 Jul 1863 Vermontville, Eaton, Michigan, United StatesRegistered for Civil War service at age of 32
Death? Aft 1886 Michigan, United States

Seth A. Gunn probably came to Michigan with brother and parents about mid 1850s. Seth married twice. Lived in Vermontville or Lansing. Had numerous children, most of whom stayed in Michigan. Two sons moved to Colorado after his widow married Elijah Bottomley.

In 1873 his nephews, Joshua and Orrin, were placed under his guardianship. (Sons of brother, Alonson died in Civil War)

In 1860 and 1880 census, Eaton County, Vermontville, pg 849.

Seth owned a hotel on the main road in Vermontville, Eaton county, which had a ballroom in it. It was torn down in the 1950s. Evidently in about 1886 Seth ran off with the chambermaid from his hotel--a Mary Fairfax, perhaps. Clotilda then married Elijah Bottomley. [Matt Lipsey]

"The hotel now known as the 'Follett House,' which is the principal one in the place, was the first and is the only one built expressly for hotel purposes, and was erected in 1855 by James Tufford. It was first called the 'New England Hotel.' It has several times been extensively repaired, and is now managed by S. A. Gunn, who has been its proprietor since Feb. 15, 1877. Mr. Gunn removed here in February, 1855, from Wayne, Ashtabula Co, Ohio."

"Early in the history of Vermontville, Wells R. Martin started the first hotel. In 1855 James Tufford built the New England Hotel, which later became known as the Follett House and which for many years was ably managed by S.A Gunn, a native of Ashtabula County, Ohio." (http://www.vermontville-mi.gov)

Seth A. Gunn's father was Noble King Gunn, and his mother was Esther (Oatley). Noble King was b. in Connecticut ca. 1802. Esther was b. in Cortland, Ohio, in 1809. They lived in Chester, MI, and Seth's grandparents (Edward Oatley & Hannah Bailey) are buried at the Gresham Cemetery in Eaton Co.

Seth's grandfather, Noble Gunn, fought in the American Revolution. His occupation was that of a miller. He was born in Sheffield, Mass., and would later move his family to NY, and thence to Ashtabula Co., OH. Lucy Gleason was Seth A.'s grandmother, and her family owned the mill in Canaan, CT, where Noble likely worked. Canaan is a mere 5 miles from Sheffield.

1860 Census:
Name: Seth A Gunn
Age in 1860: 29
Birth Year: abt 1831
Birthplace: Ohio
Home in 1860: Vermontville, Eaton, Michigan
Post Office: Charlotte
Household Members:
Amon Hooker 62
Seth A Gunn 29
Clotilda Gunn 20
Alonzo Gunn 8
Seth Gunn 7
John Gunn 3

1870 Census:
Name: Seth Gann [Seth Gunn]
Birth Year: abt 1830
Age in 1870: 40
Birthplace: Ohio
Home in 1870: Vermontville, Eaton, Michigan
Household Members:
Seth Gann 40
Clotilda Gann 31
Alenge Gann 18 = Alonso
John Gann 14
Chauncy Gann 7
Deette Gann 5
Viola Gann 3
Rosa Gann 9/12

1880 Census:
Name: Seth A Gunn
Home in 1880: Vermontville, Eaton, Michigan
Age: 52
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1828
Birthplace: Ohio
Relation to Head of Household: Self (Head)
Spouse's Name: Clotilad
Father's birthplace: New York
Mother's birthplace: Ohio
Occupation: Hotel Keeper
Household Members:
Seth A Gunn 52
Clotilda Gunn 48
Chauney Gunn 16 = Chauncy
de Ett Gunn 15 = Dietta
Viola Gunn 12
Rosa Gunn 11 = Nellie Rose
Chester Gunn 6
Mary Fairfax 23

Seth runs off and disappears, it's said with the hotel maid Mary Fairfax.

References
  1.   Durant, Samuel W. History of Ingham and Eaton Counties, Michigan: with illustrations and biographical sketches of their prominent men and pioneers. (Philadelphia: D.W. Ensign & Co., 1880)
    p. 522.

    Hotels. The first hotel-keeper in the village [Vermontville] was Wells R. Martin, who entertained travelers in the house he occupied for a dwelling. Licenses given him are recorded in 1846--47, at two dollars per annum. The hotel now known as the";Follett House," which is the principal one in the place, was the first and is the only one built expressly for hotel purposes, and was erected in 1855 by James Tufford. It was first called the ";New England Hotel."; It has several times been extensively repaired, and is now managed by S. A. Gunn, who has been its proprietor since Feb. 15, 1877. Mr. Gunn removed here in February, 1855, from Wayne, Ashtabula Co., Ohio.

  2.   Approximate ages and birth dates for Alonzo, Seth Jr, and John Gunn (children of Seth Sr and Matilda) taken from the 1860 Federal Census for Vermontville, MI. Same source information for Aaron Hooker, fa of Clotilda, who is listed as head of household.