Genealogical Notes on the
Dunnings in America
- PAGE 9 -

From this point, the narrative of the family becomes too voluminous
to compress within the confines of a single essay. Not many of the sons
of the two brothers, Benjamin and John, moved far from the home locality
in Fairfield Co., Conn., but many of their grandsons did so, giving rise to
numerous settlements of Dunnings in the states north and west. however
it will be noted that Michael (1730-1810) son of Serjt. Benj., moved to
Pownal, Vt., in 1762; and Michael (1726-1813) son of John (1), moved to Sar-
atoga Co., N. Y., in 1770, both of them leaving Connecticut before the
Revolution. A little later, when the tide of immigration to the newly
opened country in New York and elsewhere, set in in earnest, many of the
Fairfield Co., Conn., Dunnings followed, and to illustrate this exodus a
note is here submitted by S. Wright Dunning, describing what took place
in one of the families of the 2nd generation:
"It is notable that no less than 6 of the 13 children of DAVID. b. 1711,
(2d son of Sergt. Benj.) lived in the southern part of Vermont and in adjacent
parts of New York. They were:
    Ann, b. 1737; m. Francis Barnum, lived in Bennington, Vt.
    David, b. 1738; lived in Sandgate, Vt., about 20 miles north of Bennington,
         next to the New York line.
    Gideon, b. 1742; lived in Galway, N. Y., a few miles west of Saratoga.
    Richard. b. 1747; lived in Dorset, Vt., some 10 miles north of Sandgate.
    Abigail, m._____ Murray; lived in Orwell, Vt., 6 mi. west of Ticonderoga.
    Silas, b. 1755; lived in Salem, N. Y., adjacent to Sandgate.
    Hanna, b._____? m._____ Hurd; lived in Moncton, Vt., much further
         north__about 15 miles from Lake Champlain at Vergennes.

At the same time, Matthew (son of John 1st) was in Williamstown,
Mass., the town next to Pownal, Vt., on the south; Michael (son of Sergt.
Benj.) was in Pownal; and Deacon Michael (son of John 1st) was in Still-
water and Malta (Dunning Street), N.Y. To understand this we must
remember that this country was first opened for settlement by the close of
the War which made Canada English; that an exceptionally large propor-
tion of the Colonial troops. who had campaigned in this country were from
Connecticut, and were therefore informed as to its attractions. People
swarmed there from Connecticut as they did between 1850-60 to Iowa, be-
tween 1865-70 to Kansas and Nebraska, and after 1880 to the Dakotas,
from states further east. I never heard it intimated that the children and
grandchildren of Michael of Pownal, Vt., were aware that they were re-
lated to any of these other Dunnings,-- yet Michael of Pownal. Vt., and
Matthew of Williamstown, Mass, were first cousins."

The above note merely illustrates how numerous and how widely distri-
buted are the modern descendants of the old Connecticut stock of the
Dunning family. To go into the matter much further would be to write
a book, giving under proper classification, the descendants of each son of
the three brothers, Benjamin, John and Michael Dunning. We are satis-
fied that the foundation for such a work exists and with a united effort on
the part of' all the Dunnings interested, could be carried to completion.
We desire, therefore, to make a definite call upon all who receive this pub-
lication, to furnish the records of their families as indicated on the at-
tached blank, to the representative of the branch to which they belong;
for the Fairfield Co., Conn. family to M. B. Dunning, M. D., Bedford,
Iowa; for the Orange Co., N. Y. family to Mrs. Ella May Smith, Jeffer-
son Ave., Columbus, Ohio; for all other branches of the Dunning family
in America, please communicate with the authors.

Recently two groups of Dunnings in New York state have engaged the
attention and study of the writer in trying to locate their ancestry from
the Fairfield Co., Conn., family, and are as follows.

Dunnings in Yates Co., N. Y., are descended from a Lemon (or Leman)
Dunning, (b; 1781; d. 1853); his father is said to have been a Samuel Dun-
ning (b. 1753; d. about 1701), who married Desire Bradley in 1776. After
the death of Samuel, his wife Desire married Abel Pulling in Conn., pre-
sumably in the vicinity of Newtown, and soon after brought her family to
Saratoga Co.. N. Y., from which locality, Lemon, mentioned above, moved
in 1816 to Yates Co., N.Y. Our records seem to indicate that Samuel
(1753-1791?) was of the family, (possibly a grandson), of John, b. 1710 (one
of the twin sons of John 1st).
Dunnings in Wyoming Co., N. Y., and vicinity, are descended from a
David Dunning, b. in Conn.; m. in Conn., to Susannah _____; came to N. Y.,
in 1802 with 3 children and settled in Wethersfield, Wyoming Co., N. Y.,
where he ran a blacksmith shop for about 25 years: he then moved to
Ohio with a son, Samuel, and settled at Fairview, Ohio, where he d. about
1858-60; had a family of 10 children of which a very good record exists. By
the most careful analysis of our records, we are, as yet, unable to say to
which Connecticut family this David belongs.
In conclusion we desire to urge all Dunnings who may peruse these
notes, to begin a systematic classification of their families and communi-
cate the results to the persons mentioned above. Records and information
on any particular branch will be gladly furnished on request.

Respectfully submitted,

Bedford, Iowa, June 25, 1915.

M. B. DUNNING, M. D.
S. WRIGHT DUNNING.

NOTABLE DUNNINGS IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.

JOSIAH DUNNING5 (Michael4, Benj3, Benj2, Theop1), b. Oct. 7, 1755
    in Newtown, Conn.; moved to Pownal, Vt., 1762; was a soldier of the
    Revolution and took part in the battles of Bennington, Ticonderoga
    and Saratoga; d. Feb. 27, 1842, in Sodus, N. Y.; monument in Pleasant
    View cemetery, Williamson, N. Y.

ELIAS DUNNING5 (Richard4, John3, Benj2, Theop1), Capt. of the
    5th Co., of the 13th Conn. Militia, which marched to and garrisoned
    Ticonderoga after its capture: entered service Aug. 12, discharged
    Sept. 16, 1776; Capt. Elias is buried in Woodbury, Conn., and the
    probate records contain his will.

MICHAEL DUNNING5 (Michael4, John3, Benj2, Theop1), b. May 20,
    1750, Newtown, Conn.; moved to Saratoga Co., N. Y., about 1770; en-
    listed in 1777 at Stillwater, N. Y., in Capt. McCuen's Co., of Seth
    Warner's Regt; in the fall of 1779, while a Lieut., was captured by
    the British and confined in Montreal for 3 years; promoted Capt.,
    Nov. 12, 1779 to rank from July 16, but never served with that rank;
    engaged in battle at Bennington and Hubbardton; placed on pen-
    sion rolls, Mar. 25, 1835, and died Sep. 28, 1837, at Enfield, Tompkins
    (now Schuyler) Co., N. Y.

MATTHEW DUNNING5 (Matthew4, John3, Benj2, Theop1), was a
    private in Capt. Sam Clark's Co., of Col. Benj. Simond's Berkshire
    Regt., in 1777, also Corporal in 1777 and Sergt. in 1781 of same Company;
    took part in the battle of Bennington and was said to have
    been at the capture of Ticonderoga; he lived at Williamstown, Mass.

NOTABLE DUNNINGS DECEASED.

MICHAEL DUNNING4 (Benj3, Benj2, Theop1), b. July 20, 1730, Newtown,
    Conn.; moved about 1762 to Pownal, Vt., where he became
    town clerk and selectman and is often mentioned in the town records;
    was the father of Josiah, the Revolutionary soldier; d. Feb. 28, 1810,
    and is buried in Pownal, Vt., where his headstone says, "Honest and
    industrious in life, a friend to the poor, a patriot of '70". Many of
    his descendants became prominent in public life.

REV. BENJAMIN DUNNING5 (Capt. Benj4, Benj3, Benj2, Theop1),
    b. June 17, 1740, Newtown, Conn.; received A. B. from Yale in 1759;
    licensed to preach 1760: preached in Marlboro, Ct., and later during
    the Revolution at Pettipog (now Essex), Conn.: d. May 12, 1785, monument
    in old Essex Cemetery.

RALPH DUNNING7 (Tertius6, Rev. Benj5, Capt. Benj4, Benj3, Benj2,
    Theop1); b. 1811 in Middletown, Conn.; entered the engineering
    branch of the U. S. Army when Andrew Jackson was President, and
    long its chief clerk; assisted in building many fortifications at
    Savannah, Charleston and on the Pacific Coast; retired about 1880;
    d. May 4, 1905, at Brooklyn, N. Y.

MICHAEL DUNNING4 (John3, Benj2, Theop1), b. 1726, Newtown,
    Conn.; moved about 177O with 6 sons to Saratoga Co., N. Y., settling
    first at Stillwater (on the Hudson) and later founding the hamlet
    "Dunning Street," now Malta, N, Y.; d. Nov. 29, 1813, and is buried
    in Dunning Street Cemetery which contains 37 Dunning graves; was
    the father of Capt. Michael, the Revolutionary soldier, and is notable
    for very many descendants.

REV. CHARLES URBANE DUNNING7 (Urbane6, Capt. Michael5,
    Michael4, John3, Benj2, Theop1), b. July 31, 1829, Ithaca, N. Y.;
    educated at Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., and at M. E. Biblical
    Institute (now Boston University), Concord, N. H., where he graduated
    in 1855; ordained minister of the M.E. Church and served in the
    ministry and as presiding elder in New Hampshire and Mass.: d. July
    H, 1905, Winchester, Mass.

REV. HOMER NORTHRUP DUNNING, D. D.8 (Herman7, Michael6,
    John5, John4, John3, Benj2, Theop1), b. July 17, 1824, Brookfield,
    Conn,; received A. B. from Yale in 1848; Congregational pastor at
    Gloversville, N. Y., and at South Norwalk, Conn.; graduated at
    Union Theological Seminary in 1852: translated many Greek plays,
    the Old High German Nibelungen Lied and made a poetical paraphrase
    of the Book of Job; he died Mar. 21, 1896, in South Norwalk,
    Conn.

BENJAMIN DUNNING5 (John4, John3, Benj2. Theop1), b. about 1745
    at Newtown, Conn.; moved about 1767 to Warren. Litchfield Co.,
    Conn., where he had 12 children by two wives; called "Benj. of Warren";
    died before 1795 and chiefly notable for numerous descendants;
    his widow, Mercy Shove, and 12 children moved to Cayuga Co., N. Y.,
    before 1800.

LEHMAN HERBERT DUNNING, M. D.8 (Oscar M.7, Isaac6, Benj5,
    John4, John3, Benj2 Theop1), b. Apr. 2, 1850) in Edwardsburg,
    Mich.; graduated Rush Med. College, 1872; elected Professor of Gynecology,
    Med. Coll. of Indiana, 1890; abdominal surgeon and author;
    Pres. Amer. Assoc. Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 1903: died Jan.
    6, 1906, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

REV. CHARLES SEELY DUNNING D. D.8, (Henry7, John6 ,John 5,
    Jacob4, Michael3, Benj2, Theop1), b. 1828 Wallkill, Orange Co.
    N. Y; A. B., Williams College, 1848: graduated Union Theological
    Seminary, 1852, and instructor in Hebrew there for a year; pastor of
    churches in Franklin N. Y., and Honesdale, Pa; d. June 1, 1886 in
    Metuchen, N. J.
BENJAMIN F. DUNNING7 (Benj6, John5, Jacob4, Michael3, Benj2,
    Theop1), of Warwick, Orange Co., N.Y. A. B., Union College; an
    eminent lawyer in the city of N. Y., and for a time the partner of
    Charles O'Conor.

NOTABLE LIVING DUNNINGS.

Descendants of Benj3, Benj2, Theop1;
DAVID MONTGOMERY DUNNING8, b. 1844, _____, Pres. Auburn Savings
    Bank, Auburn, N. Y; also his brothers, WILLIAM B., b. 1S54,_____,
    formerly in U. S. Navy, now a banker at Oakland, Calif; and
    SAMUEL W., b. 1858,_____, Col. U. S. Army, retired, 1914.
JOSHUA DUNNING8, b. 1843, petroleum producer of Bolivar, N. Y.
LYMAN ALLEN DUNNING7, b. 1860,_____, of Macrorie, Saskatchewan,
    Canada, formerly County Judge of Sheridan Co. North Dakota.
NELSON MAX DUNNING9, b. 187-,_____,architect. 35 S. Dearborn St.,
    Chicago. Ill.
CHARLES MOOAR DUNNING8. b., architect, Oklahoma, Okla;
    was on the battleship Oregon in 1908.
WILLIS MILLER DUNNING8, b. 1860,_____, Pres. Nat. Bank, Logan,
    Kansas.

GRANT HENRY DUNNING8, b. 1865,_____, of Howell, Mich; Civ.Eng.,
    U. of M., 1893: County Surveyor of Livingston Co., Mich.
CHARLES REYNOLDS DUNNING8, b. 1846,_____, of 3414 Wallace St.,
    Philadelphia, Penna.
ELLSWORTH E. DUNNING, b. 1861,_____, VicePres., R. J. Schwab &
    Sons Co., Milwaukee, Wis., son of Rev. Sidney Walter. b. Penfield
    (now Webster N. Y., and probably descended from the same line
    through Michael4.

    Descendants of John3, Benj2, Theop1:
REV. ALBERT ELIJAH DUNNING, D. D.8, b. 1844,_____, noted divine
    and editor of "The Congregationalist"; retired 1912, address,
    Brookline, Mass.
STEWART NORTHRUP DUNNING9, b. 1876,_____, atty-at-law, 50 State
    St., Hartford, Conn:
MELVIN P. DUNNING8, b. 1836,_____, Pres. Dunning & Stephens Commission
    Co., Buffalo, N. Y.
FRANK DUNNING8, b. 1845,_____, Pres. Citizens Bank, Bedford. Iowa;
EDWARD L. DUNNING8, b. 1862;_____, of Winchester, Mass., also his
    brother, CHARLES H., b, 1868,_____, of firm of Dunning Bros,
    Winchester, Mass;
REV. HENRY N. DUNNING8 b._____, of Regina, Sask., Canada. Presbyterian
    minister.
FRANK WALLACE DUNNING8, b. 1857,_____, of Winthrop. Mass: and
    his brother, JAMES CZAR, b. 1859,_____, of Bay City, Mich.

    Descendants of Michael3, Benj2, Theop1:
HENRY WHITE DUNNING9, b. 1858,_____, lawyer in Wilkesbarre, Pa.
PROF. JOHN C. DUNNING, Professor of Political Science and International
    law at Brown University, Providence, R. I.
    Descendants of the Brunswick, Maine, Family:
GEORGE ANDREW DUNNING6, b. 1828,_____, Princeton Univ. 1880;
    Treas. and Gen. Manager of Standard Ice Mfg. Co., address, 15 S. 21
    St. Philadelphia. Pa.
GEORGE L. DUNNING6, b. -- --, of Stratfield, Oregon.

    descendants of Kent Co., Delaware, Family;
THOMAS STEPHENSON DUNNING, M. D.5. b. 1848,___, homeopathic
    physician, 1328 N. 15th St. Philadelphia, Pa.

REV. CHARLES THOMPSON DUNNING, D. D.5, b. 1852,____, graduate
    Dickinson College, 1872, from same school, A. M., 1875, D. D.,
    1901: entered M. E. ministry, 1880, member Central Penna. Conference,
    address, Hollidaysburg, Pa; also his sons, CHARLES CREVER 6, b.
    1881,____, Science Dept., Peabody High School, Pittsburgh, Pa.;
    and REV. JAMES EDWIN6, b. 1886,___, member Central Penna.
    Conference, M. E. church, address, Howard, Pa.

    Of Irish Descent:

PROF. WILL1AM ARCHIBALD DUNNING, of Columbia University,
    N. Y. City: is a distinguished scholar, author of several historical
    works, and perhaps the most widely known of contemporary Dunnings;
    his grand father, Patrick Dunning, came to New York from
    Glasgow, about 1795.