Photocopy of Simeon's history?

Hello Dunn Research Crew:

I am starting to organize my information into a chronilogical, documented format. I'm hoping ultimately that I/we can come up with a detailed chronilogical documented history of Simeon A. Dunn's life.

So...first question is....does anyone have a copy of Simeon's autobiography in an original handwritten format....In otherwords, an original photocopy of what Simeon wrote? Just trying to access if it exists and it's whereabouts and how to get a copy if it does.

There are many printed versions out there...they start something like this: I was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on the third Monday in April 1839, by Elder James Dunn, in the town of VanBuren, Wayne County, Michigan, in the Huron River. I was the first man that was ever baptized in that river by Authority from Heaven and he, James Dunn, the first elder that I ever saw.



Thanks for your help,
Karen Rasmussen

Wives of Simeon Adams Dunn

I have eight wives for Simeon Adams Dunn. These are women he was married to while he was living. The women you mention that you do not have were married for time only.1. Adaline Rawson- sealed
2. Margaret Snyder-sealed
3. Jane Caldwell Waite-not sealed in life, and no record of marriage
4. Harriet Atwood Silver-sealed
5. Abigail Brandon. Married for Time only. Married 31 July 1858.Abigail Brandon married first: Lyman Stoddard 11 July 1842. They had no children. Still looking for a death date and place for her.She and Simeon were divorced 4 Apr 1864. Abigail is listed in the household of Simeon Adams Dunn in the 1860 Census.
6. Keziah Fowler married to Simeon Adams Dunn for Time only 14 Jan 1860 Endowment House.Keziah Fowler married first: George Washington Brandon (Brother of Abigail Brandon Stoddard) 6 Oct 1831.I wonder how much time she and Simeon actually lived together. In the 1860 Census she is listed in Brigham City with three of her children. I have not found her in the 1870 Census. In the 1880 Census she is living in Ophir, Tooele County. She died in Centerville.
7. Elizabeth Wickham sealed 15 Apr 1865. Probably divorced. Although the temple record does not show a cancellation of sealing, the temple department indicates we should assume the sealing was cancelled.Elizabeth and Simeon had two children:Ephriam Wickham Dunn and Lorenzo Dunn.Elizabeth Wickham married and was sealed to Richard Jones 8 Feb 1870. They had 7 children.
8. Mary McCree married Simeon Adams Dunn for time only 22 Feb 1868 in the endowment house.She married first: George Black who died in 1845 of Malaria in Nauvoo. She married second James Brown. James Brown was the Captain of Company C. of the Mormon Batallion and Mary crossed the plains with the Mormon Batallion. They had 5 children. Third she married Simeon Adams Dunn. She is listed with Simeon and his family in the 1870 census.She is not listed with Simeon in the 1880 Census, so she probably returned to living with one of her children. She died in Ogden, Utah in 1907.
I would enjoy knowing if anyone has any additional information.
Paula Paradise

Information on the various James Dunns

But we do know that a child was born to Jane Caldwell. Joseph Moroni went by the name of Kelsey until he was half grown. But as a young adult was taken into Simeon's family and helped his father in Brigham City while Simeon went on one of his missions. At that time he took the Dunn name.

So, my sister, who lives in Brigham City, finally chased down a Waite who lives up in the same area. They give a similar story-but no proof. So here we stay stuck. Why, why, why did Simeon never mention that part of his life? Who knows!

But on to the brother James. This story gets very complicated for everybody but I have proven it. You have to graph out the family for a couple of generations to get the picture.
There were three James Dunns.
born in 1788-James born to Thomas Dunn and Susannah Swayze (great-uncle and great-aunt to Simeon Adams--Thomas son of William Dunn and Esther
born in 1793-James born to Samuel Dunn and Phoebe Coykendall (great-uncle and great-aunt to Simeon Adams--Samuel son of William and Esther
born in 1810-James born to Simeon Dunn and Sally Bath (grandchild of Simeon Dunn and Ann Gustin, brother to Simeon Adams

The second James (1793) was the other James in Nauvoo, the one who wrote the diary, was in the Mormon Battalion, and settled in Cache County, Utah. He was the one who worked with the lyme or brick building. The church records on James Dunn combines this one with ours. You have to be extremely careful with their records. When you visit Nauvoo, go to the old cemetery to the sextants office and they will show you the listing of OUR James Dunn's burial. There is no headstone but they have him recorded.

The brother James is the one who converted Simeon. There has got to be quite a record for him. Wish he had a journal. Luckily the cousin James wrote his beautiful diary which confirms so beautifully the family connections.

- Susan Vowels Smith

Is the James Dunn from the Mormon Battalion Simeon's brother?

This is the information from my notes on James Dunn who served in the Mormon Battalion. There are various birthdates for him but he was born abt 1788. So far I have not found any relationship to our Dunn Family. We have a copy of the pension record from Microfilm at the FHL. After Thanksgiving, Karen may be able to e-mail it to you if you are really interested. This James Dunn was b. in Pennsylvania, married and had children there. Later he was in Nauvoo. He married Thirza Shupe in 1846 and they had several children.

MILITARY: pension record: James Dunn pvt. Co. C. Brown's Co. Mormon Battalion. On 28 Nov 1853, James Dunn aged sixty-six years appeared. Resident of Great Salt Lake County. He was a private in Co. C., Capt Brown, Mormon Battalion. Enlisted 16 July 1846 at Council Bluffs, Iowa. Mustered out at Los Angeles, California on the 16th day of July 1847. Applied for an invalid pension./ Also listed in the Sick group with Captain Willis

CENSUS: 1820 United States Census/ Census Place: Drumore, Lancaster, Pennsylvania/ Source: www.heritagequestonline.com/ NARA M33/ roll 106 page 164/

James Dunn/ 1 male under 10 (1810-1820)/ 1 male 26 and less than 45 (1775-1794)/ 1 female 26 and less than 45 (1775-1794)

CENSUS: 1840 United States Census/ Census Place: Little Britain, Lancaster, Pennsylvania/ Source: www.heritagequestonline.com/ NARA M704/ Roll 466/ page 210

James Dunn/ 2 males under 5 (1835-1840) / 1 male 5 and less than 10 (1830-1835)/ 1 male 10 and less than 15 (1825-1830) / 2 males 15 and less than 20 ( 1820-1825/ 1 male 20 and less than 30 (1810-1820)/ 1 male 50 and less than 60 ( 1780-1790)/ 1 female under 5 (1835-1840)/ 1 female 5 and less than 10 (1830-1835)/ 1 female 10 and less than 15 (1825-1830)/ 1 female 30 and less than 40 (1800-1810)/ 1 female 50 and less than 60 (1780-1790)

CENSUS: 1850 United States Census [taken in the spring of 1851]/ Source: www.pilot.familysearch.org/ Location: Utah County/

James Dunn/ age 64/ Born: Pennsylvania

Robert Dunn/ age 37/ Born: Pennsylvania

Thirza Dunn/ age 29/ Born: Virginia

John Dunn/ age 24/ Born: Pennsylvania

Joseph Dunn/ age 19/ Born: Pennsylvania

Sarah Jane Dunn/ age 1 Born: Deseret

Andrew Rose/ age 14 mo.

NOTE: other possible father: Emmanuel Dunn

NOTE: have the following children for James Dunn by his first wife [unknown]

1. Robert b. abt 1813 [appears in the 1850 Census. Could be a son or a brother]

a large gap with no known children

2. possible daughter: Elizabeth Ann Dunn b. 20 Sep 1823/28. Married to William Garner 3 Feb 1846 Nauvoo, Illinois. [She was endowed the same day as James Dunn b. 1788/1791 in Nauvoo. No proof she is his daughter.]

3. John Dunn b. abt 1826

4. James H. Dunn b. abt 1829

5. Joseph Dunn b. abt 1831

Robert, John, and Joseph appear in the census/ James H. Dunn appears on the earlyldschurchmembers website. No proof.

MARRIAGE: only source IGI.

SEALING: The sealing record for James Dunn and Thurza Shupe appears three times on the IGI. Twice in the world Miscellaneous group and one time in North America. They indicate the sealing was in the President's office 29 April 1855. One of those three gives birthdates for James and Thurza. James Dunn b. 26 September 1791 Little Britain, Lancaster, Pennsylvania and Thursey Shupe b. 13 April 1821 Gracin County, Virginia. Extracted A183380/ Film 183380 page 10

PARENTS: Someone listed the parents of James as being: Robert Dunn and Agnes.

1790 Census Pennsylvania Lancaster County Michael Dunn

Luzerne County Robert Dunn

York County Robert Dunn

1800 Census Pennsylvania Lancaster County no DunnLuzerne County Robert Dunn

Dauphin County Robert Dunn

Franklin County Robert Dunn

1810 Census Pennsylvania Lancaster County Drumore- Robert Dunn

This Robert was young with a young child

1820 Census Pennsylvania Lancaster County Drumore- James Dunn in Drumore [see above notes]

I hope this will clarify some about this James Dunn. Be aware that there are multiple James Dunn's in the early church years and information on several of them are mixed together on the IGI and on various websites. This is one of the things my sister, Karen, and I have been trying to work on. We still do not feel like we have clearly identified James Dunn, the brother of Simeon Adams Dunn. It is difficult in the Journal History of the Church to identify just how many James Dunns there were.

Paula Paradise

Anyone live near Salt Lake City?

I just found out about the Pioneer Memorial Museum in Salt Lake City. The Pioneer Memorial Museum (also known as DUP Museum) located in Salt Lake City, Utah, houses the world's largest collection of artifacts on one subject and features displays and collections of memorabilia from the time the earliest settlers entered the Valley of the Great Salt Lake until the joining of the railroads at a location known as Promontory Point, Utah, on May 10, 1869.

Among other things, it has photos and histories of early Utah pioneers. I looked for Dunn photos in their index and found the following. These are all photos of Simeon Adams Dunn, his wives, and his children. There are also histories there. Is there anyone who can drop by and take a look? I would be willing to pay for digital copies of the photos if they are different or of better quality than what I have (See http://www.dkwilde.com/Genealogy/Dunn/Photos/).

Last Name	Given Name	Maiden Name	Birth Date	Death Date
Dunn	Charles Oscar		13 Oct 1855	3 Mar 1939
Dunn	Harriett Atwood	Silver	22 Jul 1919	2 Jan 1858
Dunn	Joseph Moroni		12 Feb 1847	3 Aug 1912
Dunn	Simeon Adams		7 Aug 1803	22 Feb 1883
Ensign	Mary Adeline	Dunn	2 Nov 1833	8 Nov 1920
Waite	Jane	Caldwell	27 Mar 1809	27 Sep 1891
Brown	Mary Ann	McRee	28 Oct 1820-21	1 Nov 1907

A new letter from Simeon has surfaced

Nancy Dunn has brought to my attention another letter (other than the ones stored at BYU). I am adding it to the Dunn/Silver Correspondance collection and will post it soon. Nancy is creating a new Dunn web page and will post the digital copies of the letter there. Enjoy!!!

Letter from Simeon A. Dunn
To Sophia E. Silver (Harriet Atwood Silver’s Mother)

[Written about 1859}

Dear Mother – Agreeable to Harriett’s request I would fain lay before you the plan of our holy religion that Harriet Esteemed so highly if I could see in your writing a spirit of inquiry I would direct you to that peaceful home that Harriet is now in possession of, through her obedience and careful adherence to the principals of the gospel of Salvation without which no one can enter that rest; this is my testimony which is faithful and true. My little Henry is also gone with his mate Little Harriet A to rest in the bosom of his Mother to wate the resurrection of the just, which if I am faithful I shall receive with all those little ones that I have parted with in this life, with their mothers at their sides to dwell with me on this Earth when wickedness and death shall be known no more on this earth; David says the righteous shall inherit Earth; This is a blessing that will attend the Righteous when the wicked shall not be.

N.B. Serve the Cause of godliness;

S. A. Dunn

I in my last conversation with Harriet I asked her if she would name the Babys. She said you better name them. I called them Harriet Atwood and Henry Silver. She said she would like to have that their names; She also wished me to get what was owing to her from her Father’s estate and use it in raising and schooling her children this is the reason that I have written in relation to it; you say that it is not agreeable to the Law of that State unless I would give bale that the money should be kept for the children when they become of age; it is but a small sum but if I had it now it somewhat to the comfort of the Children in their present condition; if it is that necessary to give bonds for the faithful payment of that amount to be divided to each of them as they become of age I am willing to do so. It will place the money in my hands; I can use it for their comfort; also be bound to them for principal and interest.

As it regards what you have paid or what we have rec, I am ignorant but I presume you are correct; I presume we have rec all that you have sent as far as you have given an account of therefore I am willing to sign the receipt; if you will procure it there among your friends for me I will sign a bond and you can have it made out and send it to me; I will sign it and return it to you. A check can be forwarded to me payable in N.Y. or St. Lewis. I can draw the money here on the for the check; all this is in your own hands as I shall take no steps to collect it myself against your will; Enough of that.

As it regards the difficulty between us and the US it is all settled; yet whereas we had all good order and good will towards all men we now have in our midst disorder of all kinds; drinking, gambling, ling, hordom, rapepine and murder… This is the way US introduces sivilization in the lands of the heathen as they term it.

As we were obliged to leave our homes last spring and flee before our enemies in order to evade collision with the US and for the safety of our wives and children we have been deprived of raising any crops this year; Altho we are all back in our homes yet we are destitute of many of the comforts of life that we might have had if we could have stayed at home in peace. Yet we trust in our God for deliverance. He has delivered us so far; and he has said that it is his business to provide for his Saints; & WE KNOW THAT WE ARE HIS SAINTS –

My family is now enjoying good health at present. The children are all going to school that is old enough. Aimeon A is learning very fast. He is a bright boy. They all send their love to their grandmother, uncles, ants, & cousins. I have got me another woman. She is an elderly woman; has but one child and she is married. My woman proves to be a good and a feeling mother to my children and a comfort to me.

Write often.

Sophia E. Silver Simeon A Dunn

Simeon A. Dunn's genealogy trip back East

Prior to his death, Simeon Adams Dunn, wrote a short autobiography.
[Gee, does anyone know who has the original?
Does anyone have a photocopy of the handwritten document?]
In this autobiography he states:
"On October 19, 1871, I left Brigham City on a mission to look up the genealogy of my dead friends, which proved to be a very successful mission. I returned home July 19,1874, having traveled 10,000 miles on rail. On November 1, 1877, I was privileged with a mission to St. George, Utah, to officiate for my dead in the holy Temple of our God. On January 27, 1878, I returned home, having accomplished the desire of my heart for this time in this direction."
I assume that Simeon Adams Dunn, like most LDS patriarchs of this time period kept two important documents: a personal journal or diary, and a temple book.
[Gee, does anyone know where Simeon Dunn’s personal journal went? Have a photocopy?
Does anyone know where Simeon Dunn’s temple book went? Have a photocopy?]
Anyway, about two years ago when I decided to start working on the Dunn line, I had an impression that the best way to pursue research was to focus on the names Simeon collected on his trip mentioned above. Since his journal and temple book seem to be lost, myself and others have tried to reconstruct the list based on the IGI and/or ordinance index records and temple records left behind.
I have completed an updated excell table with about 165 of the names I have so far of people who Simeon was connected to. The first column is the person’s name. The second column is the data Simeon provided to the temple—the exception being a few of the wives he was married to which I just added to the list. The third column is my current understanding of how Simeon is related to the person. And the fourth column is my current understanding of where these people lived.
Myself, my sister, and neice—as well as perhaps many of you—have analyzed this data in several different formats. I would be interested in other people’s "lists" of who Simeon found on his trip if they are out there. If you would like a copy of the excell spreadsheet or the text extracted from the temple films, please email me at karenrasmus@yahoo.com as I could not figure out how to post a spreadsheet.

Sim and Annie Dunn Blog

I ran across this blog today: http://simandannie.blogspot.com/. They are descendants of Simeon Adams Dunn and Eunice Emily Harmon.

Wives of Simeon Adams Dunn

Does anyone have any photos of the EIGHT wives of Simeon Adams Dunn?

I only have 2/8:
1) Adaline Rawson
2) Margaret Snyder
3) Jane Caldwell
4) Harriet Silver Dunn

5) Abigail Brandon
6) Kezia Fowler
7) Elizabeth Wickham
8) Mary McRee

Known Silver Photos

Here are the known Silver Photos I have. Does anyone have additional photos or know any information about these photos? Does anyone have a better quality photo?

Arad Silver:


Sophia E. Nichols Silver:


Harriett Atwood Silver Dunn and Girls:

Photo taken about 1852 (while Simeon was serving in the South Sea Islands Mission)
Back row: Susannah Dunn (b. 1843 – age 9); Harriet Atwood Silver; Mary Dunn (b. 1833 – age 19); Betsy Dunn (b. 1838 – age 14)
Front row: Simeon A. Dunn (b. 1851 – age 1); Samual*; Sarah Sophia Dunn (b. 1849 – age 3)

Known Photos of Simeon Adams Dunn

Below are the known photos of Simeon Adams Dunn. Does anyone have any information about them (when they were taken, where, ....)? Does anyone have a better quality photo? Does anyone have a photo not included here?

Crossroads of Groveland

Crossroads of Groveland
Dunns/ Harrisons/ Acres/ Kiser
Karen Rasmussen
A brief explanation of how the Dunn, Harrison, Acre, and Kiser families intertwine.

Dunn Family:
Who were the ancestors and relatives of Simeon Adams Dunn born 1803 in Groveland, then Ontario County, New York? The current family theory is that his earliest Dunn ancestors [James, then William] started out in Connecticut in the Windham County area. By 1743, William Dunn and his wife, Esther, had moved to Enfield, Hartford Connecticut where they had at least their first 7 children. Then we believe William and Esther moved down to New Jersey (perhaps Middlesex or Sussex Counties) before they eventually find themselves in Pennsylvania at the Wyoming Valley Massacre in July 1778.

The remnants of the Dunn family seem to flee back to Sussex County, New Jersey to Newtown (that portion that later became Frankford). William & Esther’s oldest child, Esther, marries Francis Price who becomes a justice of the peace in Frankford. He performs the marriage of several of her siblings (Hannah, Sarah, Joseph). While some of the family may have stayed in New Jersey, others determined to move further out on the frontier by about 1800, specifically New York. These include at least: Thomas, the wife and children of Simeon b. 1751, Samuel, and Sarah.

Thomas Dunn b. 1747 moved to what was known as Lumberland, Ulster County, New York (later known as Big Eddy, Tusten, Sullivan County, New York). Samuel Dunn b. 1791 and Sarah Dunn Adams b. 1767 moved to Phelps, Ontario County, New York. And Simeon Dunn’s family moved to Groveland, then Ontario County, New York.

We assume that Simeon Dunn b. 1751 died in New Jersey prior to coming to New York. And that his wife, Ann Gustin Dunn, was brought to the Sparta/Groveland area by her children (Levi, Simeon, and Betsey) who all lived here. We do not know if son, William, stayed in New Jersey where he was married or continued on to New York. And there is a question about a daughter named Mary.

Levi Dunn b. 6 May 1773 settled in Sparta. His first wife, Mary Parker died, and he married a second wife, Sarah Holtzlander. Levi lived the remainder of his life in Sparta. He is buried in the Groveland Pioneer Cemetery. After his death, his wife and many of her children moved to Michigan along with many of their neighbors.

Simeon is said to have settled in Williamsburg or Groveland area. Both he and his wife are said to have died while the children were still young. Most of his descendants (Mary, Simeon) move onto Michigan like many of their neighbors. Son, William, moves to Canada. It is still unknown exactly where James went.

Betsey Adams Dunn marries Isaac Kiser, probably while the family is still in New Jersey. However, they too are living in Groveland from approximately 1815-1835. Prior to 1840 they and their children leave the area and move to Ohio and Indiana. Two of their daughters have married brothers. Sarah Kiser marries Nathan Acre and Catharine Kiser marries Samuel Acre, both from the Groveland area. Daughter, Ann Kiser, marries Refford Harrison from Groveland. What becomes of the other children (Peter, Isaac, Jane) is still unknown. This is the point where the Dunns become connected to the Kiser, Harrison, and Acre families.

Harrison Family:
So, who are the ancestor’s of Refford Harrison who marries Betsey Adams Dunn? The Harrison family emigrated from England in the early 1700’s. Elias Harrison was born in Pennsylvania in 1739. He married Hannah Baxter 22 Jul 1772 at Tinicum, Bucks, Pennsylvania. While living in Pennsylvania, their 9 children were born. However, like many other families by 1800 they had moved to the Sparta/Groveland area in Ontario County, New York. By this time, many of his older children were at an age to marry and began establishing their own households and having children. I presume that one of these children was Refford Harrison. My best guess is that he is a child of John Harrison, son of Elias Harrison. But this has yet to be proved. (I saw that Abraham Harrison, another son, has a will in Will Book 3, page 125. I will try to get a look at it in a few weeks when I go to SLC.) Refford Harrison stayed in Groveland, now Livingston County, New York the remainder of his life. He married Ann Kiser and had at least four known children (Walter, Frances, Olivia, and Marion).

Simeon Adams Dunn, born 1803, towards the end of his life took a trip back East to collect genealogical data. It is obvious that he knew these families as among the names of the people he recorded are: Refford (he called Kaffara) Harrison, Ann Kiser Harrison, John Harrison, Isaac Kiser, Betsey Adams Dunn, Sarah Kiser, Peter Kiser, Catharine Kiser, Samuel Acre, Henry Acre as well as others. Many of those listed would have been his contemporaries.

Kiser Family:
As has been mentioned, it seems like Simeon Adams Dunn was familiar with his Kiser cousins, the children of Isaac Kiser and Betsey Adams Dunn. It is possible that Isaac Kiser and Betsey Dunn married in New Jersey, possibly Sussex County. As their children consistently report being born in New Jersey in later census records.

The family first appears in Groveland in the 1820 Census. By 1840 Isaac and Betsey have left Groveland and moved to Dover, Ohio. Where I assume they lived the remainder of their lives. Nevertheless, while living in Groveland, two of their daughters (Sarah and Catharine) marry two brothers Nathan Acre and Samuel Acre, sons of Albert Acre. These young families leave Groveland presumeably at the same time. Nathan and Sarah move to Parma, Ohio. Samuel and Catharine move to St. Mary’s Township, Adams, Indiana. It is unknown what became of the other children (Peter, Isaac, Jane, ?others)

Acre Family:
As was mentioned above, Nathan and Samuel Acre married sisters, Sarah and Catharine Kiser. Nathan and Samuel came from a large family of at least 12 children. Their parents were Albert Acre and Sarah Hart. It appears that this family may also may come to New York from the Frankford, Sussex, New Jersey area.

Will for William Dunn, spouse of Margaret Hershey (Death: 11 Jan 1852)

FHL Film #580596

Application No. 186
Exemplification Letters of Administration
to Margaret Dunn
Re: William A. Dunn
Late of Bertie, Yeoman, deceased

Exemplification of Letters of Administration of the personal Estate and Effects of William Dunn late of the Township of Bertie in the County of Welland, Yeoman, deceased, and which said grant of Administrations is on the words following that is to say:
Court of Probate
Province of Canada
Toronto to Wils(?)
By Secker Brough, Esquire, Official Principal office Court of Probate in and for that part of the Province of Canada, formerly constituting Upper Canada. Ye
Whereas Margaret Dunn of the Township of Bertie in the United Counties of Lincoln and Welland in the Province of Canada, Widow. By petitions to His Excellency the Right Honorable James Earl of Elgin and Kincardine Governor Gneral of the Province of Canada and Judge of the Court of Probate in and for that part of the said Province formerly constituting Upper Canada, did set forth that William Dunn late of the Township of Bertie aforesaid yeoman deceased, departed this life on or about the Eleventh day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and fifty two possessed of Goods Rights Credits or Chattels in that part of the Province of Canada formerly constituting Upper Canada: that the Said deceased died intestate leaving petitioner his wiow him surviving; of Petitioner therefore prayed that Letters of Administration of all and singular the Goods, Rights, Credits, and Chatte;s wjocj were pf the said William Dunn, deceased at the time of his death or lawfully accruing thereafter in that part of the Province of Canada formerly consituting Upper Canada might be granted unto her on giving the Security required by law.
Wherefore Administration of all deed singular, the goods, rights, credits and chattels which were of the said William Dunn deceased at the time of his death or lawfully accruing thereafter in that part of the Province of Canada formerly constituting Upper Canada is hereby granted unto the said Margaret Dunn, she having given Bond into the Registry of the siad Court of Probate and makde oath well and faithfully to administer the same according to law and to make or cause to be made a full and perfect inventory thereof the same to be ixhibited into the Registry of the said Court of Probate on or before the last Monday in September next ensuring the date here of and also to render a just and full account of her said administrations unto the said Court when thereunto lawfully required.
Given under my hand and the seal of the said Court of Probate at Toronto aforesaid this Twenty Thrid day of February in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight hundred and fifty two. Signed: Secker Brough, Official Principal

Office of the Surrogate Clerk
I Charles Fitzgibbons the Surrogate Clerk do hereby certify that the foregoing paper writing is an exemplification of the Letters of Administration to the Estate and Effect of the therein named William Dunn deceased and that the Bond given pursuant to the statute is now deposited in the Court of Chancery for Upper Canada “pursuant to the provisions of the Surrogate Court Act of 1858.”
--Charles Fitzgibbons

In the Court of Probate, Margaret Dunn of the Township of Bertie in the United Counties of Lincoln and Wlland in the Province of Canada, Widow, of William Dunn late of the same place, Yeoman, deceased, maketh oath and saith that the said William Dun departed this life on or about the Eleventh day of January in the year of our Lord one Thousand Eight hundred and fifty Two intestate and that no will or Testamentary paper was found amongst the effects of the said deceased to the best of this deponents knowledge infomration and belief. Sworn before me at Niagara in the United Counties of Lincoln and Welland this 16th day of Feby 1852. Signed: Margared Dunn

In the Court of Probate, Margared Dunn of the Township of Bertie in the United Counties of Lincoln and Welland in the Province of Canada, Widow, Administratirx of all and singular the goods, rights, credits, and chattels of William Dunn late of the same place, Yeoman, deceased, maketh oath and saith that the property of the said deceased devolving at his death is of the value of about seven hundred and fifty pounds of lawful money of Canada to the best of this deponents knowledge information and belief. Signed: Margaret Dunn
Sworn before one at Niagara in the United Counties of Lincoln and Welland this Sixteenth day of February, 1852.

Surrogate Court,
Upper Canada
County of Welland
Victoria by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Defender of the Faith,
Write this Sheriff of the County of Welland or unto the Apparitor of the said Court.
We strictly asjoin and command yhou that you presentptorily cite or cause to be cited Margaret Harris (formerly Margaret Dunn) the Administratrix of all and singular and personal estate and effects, rights, and credits of William A. Dunn late of this Township of Bertie in the County of Welland, Yeoman, deceased, to be and appear in her own propes person before Our Judge of Our said Surrogate Court at his Chambers at the Village of Welland in the County of Welland aforesaid on Saturday this Seventh day of May AD 1864 at eh hour of ten of the clock in this June and to bring in with her and deposit in the siad Court at the said time and place, this original Letter of Administration granted to her of the said personal estate and effects, rights and credits of the said Intestate: and also bring in with her and ___ the same unto this said Court at theis time and place aforesaid a true and perfect Inventory of all and singular this good, chattels, personal estate, and effects of this said deceased which have come unto her hands paper and knowledge and then and thereby to render unto the said Court a just and true account of her administration of this said estate and affects.
And you will cause the said Margaret Harris to take notice that she will be at this said time and place called upon to she cause why the said Letters of Administration of this said personal Estate and effects rights and credits of the said deceased shall not be cancelled and why William H. Dunn of the said Twonship of Bertie being a person having an interest in the Goods of the said deceased shall not be appointed Administrator of the said Estate in her place and stead. And also then and there to shew cause why the Bond or Bonds given by her and her sureties as such Administrators shall not be assigned to this said William H. Dunn for the benefit of the estate of the said William A. Dunn deceased. And further to do, perform, observe and keep all such orders, decrees, matters and things as shall then and thereto or whenever this said matter shall come on to be heard, be made and given in this premises by our said Judge.
__ Harvey Williams Price, Esquire, Judge of our Said Court. 21 April 1864

Children and Grandchildren of Simeon Dunn (b. 1774) and Sally Bath

1) Highlights of what we know about the children and grandchildren of Simeon Dunn b. 1774 and Sally Bath.

A. Mary Dunn b. 1800
--Assumed birth 10 Oct 1800, (Williamsburg or Wiliamstown, Hermitage, Groveland, Sparta), Ontario (later Livingston), New York Other than Simeon A. Dunn's records, does anyone have any other documentation for this date or place? An alternate birth place for Mary that shows up in the IGI and Hosmer biographis is "Black Rock, New York." Has anyone been able to identify any documents that place the family in this area?

--Mary seems to be one of the very earliest relatives to have that moved from New York to Michigan. The Dibean collection gives their marriage as Wayne, Michigan. Does anyone know how to find a source from this collection or have another source document for this marriage in 1819? My question is how did Mary get to Michigan and with whom? Did she go there with the Hosmers in 1818? Did she travel there alone? With someone? Did she take some of younger brothers (Simeon, James, Francis, etc. with her? Does anyone have any thoughts or documentation on this? The wiki.familysearch on Michigan history mentions that 1818-1832 settlement in Michigan was encouraged by improvements in transportation, including the establishment of steamship operation on the Great Lakes from Buffalo to Detroit in 1818, and the completion of the Erie Canal to Buffalo in 1825. The Chicago Road linking Detroit to Chicago was completed in 1832.

--The rest of Mary's life in the Huron, Wayne, Michigan area seems well documented (census, land, probate, etc). If you need any of this documentation, just let us know.

B. Francis Gustin Dunn b. 1802. (Male/Female)
--First, does anyone have a definitive source labeling this person as male or female? I think most of us believe he was a male. The temple work has been done as a male and a female. Simeon A. Dunn did his endowment as a male, and then sealed himself to "him" as a female. Any thoughts?

Francis Gustin Dunn/ Male/ Birth: 1802 , Ontario, New York/ Death: 1821/ Endowment: 23 Nov 1877 SGEOR/ Relative Proxy: Simeon Adams Dunn/ Source: Film #170542/ Page 372/ Ref. #6283

Frances Gustin Dunn/ Female/ Birth: 1802 , Ontario, New York/ Sealing to Spouse: 19 Dec 1877 SGEOR , Simeon Adams Dunn/ Marriage: Spouse: Simeon Adams Dunn, Sealing to Spouse: 19 Dec 1877, Saint George, Washington, Utah/ Source: Film #170596, Page # , Ref #289[Problem, endowment lists this person as a male]

--Assumed birthdate for Francis of 1802, (Williamsburgh or Williamstown, Hermitage, Groveland), Ontario (later Livingston), New York. Other than Simeon A. Dunn's records, does anyone have any other documentation for this date or place?

--Death date for Francis, I have seen 1820 and 1826. Where was he at the time, does anyone know? Did he go with Mary to Michigan? Did he go with William to Canada? Did he go somewhere else? The first time I see a death date show up is in the 1923 temple sealing to parents, does anyone have an earlier source?

C. Simeon Adams Dunn, b. 1803
--Same issues on assumed birthdate for Simeon Dunn of 7 Aug 1803, (Williamsburgh or Williamstown, Hermitage, Groveland), Ontario (later Livingston), New York. Other than Simeon A. Dunn's records, does anyone have any other documentation for this date or place?

--Where was Simeon prior to showing up in Washtenaw County, Michigan on 30 Jun 1828 to marry Adeline Rawson? Did he go to Michigan on his own? Did he know the Rawson's before moving there? Rawson's moved there from New York in 1825. Has anyone found any information about this period of his life?

--The rest of Simeon's life is pretty well documented, from Michigan to Nauvoo to Utah. Many wives, many of whom preceed him in death leaving him with a household of children. If you need histories or other information, be specific, and we will gladly share what we have.

D. William Dunn b. 1806
--Once again, assumed birth of William 4 April 1806 in (Williamsburg or Wiliamstown, Hermitage, Groveland), Ontario (later Livingston), New York. Other than Simeon A. Dunn's records, does anyone have any other documentation for this date or place? Any other family histories that talk about his life? Maureen, any family lore coming up from your side of the family?

--So, where was William Dunn between his birth and 1851. We know with certainty that by the 1851 Canadian Census he was living in Bertie, Welland, Ontario, Canada with his wife and several children. His wife, Margaret Hershey and her family were from the Bertie/Willoughby area. Our assumption is that they were married in Bertie about 1828, about the same time Simeon shows up in Michigan. His children all state they were born in Bertie in the 1851 census. But does anyone have any other sources or documentation on William between birth and 1851?

He is not shown on the 1828 Bertie Census [1828 Lincoln County (later Welland County Census, included Bertie: William Dunn not found, FHL film #1414871]. Not listed in [FHL Film #170145, Title: Land records, 1796-1840, Author: Niagara District (Upper Canada). Registrar of Deeds]. Not listed in [Title: Land records, 1796-1840/ Author: Niagara District, Upper Canada, Registrar of Deeds/ Publication: Salt Lake City, Utah : Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1958/ FHL Film #170146]. Although it is evident that Margaret is in possession of land at the time of his death and the 1857 Bertie tax assessments.

--The rest of William's life is pretty well documented (census, probate, cemetery, etc.) If you need documentation, let us know.

--The one other side note here is the Haggai Skinner family. Simeon Adams Dunn did temple work for several members of this family. Some of his histories say he was raised by a Skinner family after his parents died. The Haggai Skinner family appearantly were Loyalists. They lived in Stamford, Welland, Canada (near Bertie) and came to this area supposedly in 1785. So the question is, how did Simeon Adams Dunn come to interact with this family? Any ideas?

E. James Dunn b. 1810
--Once again, assumed birth of James 27 June 1810 in (Williamsburg or Wiliamstown, Hermitage, Groveland), Ontario (later Livingston), New York. Other than Simeon A. Dunns records, does anyone have any other documentation for this date or place?

--From this point on there is a lot of confusion about James' life. There were several James Dunn's who joined the LDS church in it's early days. In my mind, we have not defined with certainty which if any were a brother to Simeon A. Dunn--including the one who baptized him--Brother James Dunn or his brother, James Dunn. Paula has been able to eliminate some of the James Dunns as definitely not Simeon's Brother. But there are still lots of questions here. Anyone have comments? I do not have any reason to believe James Dunn married during his life time, does anyone disagree?

Well, this is a review of where we have been, looking ahead I have started to refocus on the Groveland, Livingston, New York area. These are the films I am currently looking at: 591294, 1769004, 591292, 589286, 834755. I have been in touch with Larry Turner who has been the town historian in Groveland. He said it was not unusual for families to just sort of pass through this area without really buying land or settling down. Levi Dunn, brother of Simeon Dunn b. 1774 is the only family member we have found records for in the Groveland/Sparta area.

The search goes on. I am eager to hear everyone's thoughts and perceptions. Has anyone written up a story of how the family migrated from New York to Michigan or Canada?

-Karen Rasmussen

Simeon Dunn meets Joseph Smith

The artist Glen Hopkinson has decided to produce a limited edition giclee print on canvas of "Simeon Dunn meeting Joseph." The print on canvas will measure about 22x28 and will sell for $699 and will include a beautiful museum quality oil painting frame ready to hang. The edition will not be large. It will be less than 50. I am just sharing this information. Please pass along to any other Simeon Dunn descendants you may have email addresses for. This is in no way a sales presentation, but I think there may be people who are interested even though it is a sizeable investment. A picture of the print is attached. Those interested may contact Glen Hopkinson at glenhopkinson@gmail.com. You may also see a little about the print at these links:google-Simeon Dunn Hopkinson www.glenhopkinson.com/blog/2008/10/simeon-dunn-meets-joseph.html ).
- Karen Rasmussen

Welcome to the Dunn Family Research Blog

Please post your findings and any supporting documentation on the Simeon Adams Dunn line here.