Revised 8/17/2017. Copyright @2017; The following Documentary Timeline has been compiled and created by Paul Rhetts. It may be copied for research purposes; but it may not be reproduced for inclusion in any printed or electronic distribution of any kind without the express written permission of the author. Any requests to use this information should be sent to Paul Rhetts, LPDPress@q.com.



John Joseph DUNN (1688-1748) m. Hannah DRAKE (1681-1748)
s/o Hugh DUNN (1650-1694) and Mary (ELIZABETH) DRAKE (1654-1711)
d/o John DRAKE (1650-1741) and Rebecca TROTTER (1655-1768)
p/o Benijah DUNN (1720-1781)

Children:
1. James (1712-1751) m. Keziah Purcell, 1731
2. Martha (1714- ) m. Jonathan Martin, 1732
3. Hezekiah (1716-1769) m. Marcia Martin, 1732
4. Rachel (1718- )
5. Benijah  (1720-1781) m. Sarah Dunham, 1744
6. Joseph Jr. (1722-1749) m. Dinah Dunham, 1746
7. Elizabeth (1724-1776)
8. Hannah (1725- )


11 Dec 1666 Father Hugh DUNN granted land in Piscataway: Pioneer Settlers Of Piscataway: The first grant to new settlers was made by Governor Carteret on December 11, 1666 to DANIEL PIERCE, JOHN PIKE and seven associates from Newbury, Massachusetts to whom he transferred the tract from the Raritan River to the Rahway River for the price of 80 pounds: it comprised over 100 square miles and had ill-defined western borders. One week later, December 18, 1666 Pierce and associates sold one-third of their tract to JOHN MARTIN, CHARLES GILMAN, HUGH DUNN and HOPEWELL HULL for the sum of 30 pounds. This second sale was undoubtedly-prearranged, since one of the twelve stipulations of Pierce with Governor Carteret was the establishment of at least two settlements of 40 families each. Pierce and associates founded Woodbridge: the four pioneers founded Piscatawav. Two years later, the four were joined as Associates by Benjamin Hull, brother of Hopewell; John Gilman, brother of Charles; Robert Dennis and John Smith. These 8 men with their families removed from the area of the Piscataqua river in New Hampshire. The Piscataqua river and its estuary meet the ocean at present day Ports mouth, New Hampshire. It presents one of the best deep water harbors and thus attracted venture s o m e fishermen from England at an early period. The first grant for settlement was made in 1622 "for the purpose of rounding a plantation to cultivate the vine, discover mines and carry on fisheries and trade with natives." Settlements established after 1623 included Strawberry Bank, now the heart of Portsmouth; in 1631, the name Pascattaway occurs, as well as New Market and Durham, which reappear in Piscataway (and Strawberry Hill was the name of the old Sheep Common in Woodbridge). The area prospered greatly, mainly from lumbering, shipbuilding and fishing. Politically, it was a part of the Puritan Massachusetts Bay Company) and since the early settlers were mostly Baptists or Quakers, they did not escape the harassment of a government that combined church and state. A few random notes illustrate the spirit of in tolerance that then prevailed. The venerable Governor Bradford in 1648 discourses on the excommunication of a couple in Boston on account of the wife's pride in apparel: "She was a Godly woman but the Church's chiefest exceptions were against her wearing of some whalebone in the od ice and sleeves of the gown; he and she were willing reform the fashions of them, so far as might be without spoiling of their garment, yet it would not content (the Church) except they came full up to their size." In 1662 one Jonathan Dunham, 22 years old, was convicted a t Salem for slandering John Godfrey thus: "Is this witch on this syde of Boston gallows yet? " In 1664 laws against Baptists were passed, in 1654 four Quakers were put to death and the persecutions culminated in the Salem witch trials during which 32 persons were tortured and killed. Cotton Mather, the fiery preacher in Boston, advocated the way lay in of a ship carrying William Penn and some 100 Quakers. He proposed to sell "this lot of heretics and malignants" to Barbadoes, "where slaves fetch good prices in rum and sugar." Puritans, Quakers and Baptists alike had suffered at the hand of the state church in England. but so intensely and obstinately were they concerned with life according to their interpretation of the Gospel, that the Puritans tolerated none but their own narrow path toward their goals. Heaven and Hell, salvation and damnation were very real and of vital concern. There is little doubt that one the main springs for the migration to Piscatawav was the escape from Puritan rule. The founders were pious people to whom the promise of liberty of conscience in New Jersey was all-important. They were also enterprising, sturdy, pioneering families who were already experienced in wilderness settlement.

20 Jan 1688 John Joseph DUNN born at Piscataway, NJ

3 Sep 1681 Hannah DRAKE born at Piscataway, NJ

1711 John Joseph DUNN and Hannah DRAKE married (they were first cousins)

3 Sep 1712 son James DUNN born at Piscataway, Middlesex, New Jersey; died 1751 at Woodbridge, Middlesex, New Jersey; married Keziah PURCELL in 1731

23 Aug 1714 dau Martha DUNN born at Piscataway, Middlesex, New Jersey; died at Piscataway, Middlesex, New Jersey; married Jonathan MARTIN on 11 May 1732 at Piscataway, Middlesex, New Jersey

21 Jun 1716 son Hezekiah DUNN born at Piscataway, Middlesex, New Jersey; died Dec 1769 at Newton, Sussex, New Jersey; married Mercy MARTIN/Marcia Budd? in 1732 in NJ

18 Jul 1718 dau Rachel DUNN born at Piscataway, Middlesex, New Jersey

13 Jun 1720 son Benijah DUNN born at Piscataway, Middlesex, New Jersey; died 19 Feb 1781 at Jefferson, Greene, Pennsylvania; married Sarah DUNHAM on 29 Mar 1744 at Chester, PA [will dated 19 Feb 1781; filed Washington Co. PA 1781]

29 Jul 1722 son Joseph Jr DUNN born at Piscataway, Middlesex, New Jersey; died 1749 at Peapack, Somerset, New Jersey; married Dinah DUNHAM on 19 Dec 1746 at Piscataway, Middlesex, New Jersey

1724 dau Elizabeth DUNN born at Piscataway, Middlesex, New Jersey; died 1776

1725 dau Hannah DUNN born at Piscataway, Middlesex, New Jersey

31 Jan 1736 Father Hugh DUNN will (doc)

1746 Joseph DUNN listed on Piscataway, Middlesex, NJ Early Census Index

20 Dec 1748 Hannah DRAKE died at Piscataway, NJ; died in NJ

20 Dec 1748 John Joseph DUNN died at Piscataway, NJ [Will: Joseph Dunn's Will 20 Dec 1748, Essex Co, New Jersey Page: 156 Name: Joseph Dunn Date: 20 Dec 1748 Location: Essex Co. will of. Wife, Hannah. Children--James, Hezekiah, Benajah, Benjamin (at 21), Joseph, Martha, Rachel, Elizabeth and Hannah. Real and personal estate. Executor--son Joseph. Witnesses--John Bescherer, Jonathan Dunn. Proved Jan. 2, 1748. Lib. E,p. 236.] (doc) [Will left 50 pounds money at 8 schillings the ounce to his wife Hannah
To his son James, six shillings "as a Bar Cut him and his Heirs forever from any Part of my Estate Hereafter"
To son Hezekiah, seven shillings
to son Benajah, five Shillings
to son Benjamin one bay horse
to son Joseph five shillings
to daughter Martha five Shillings
to daughter Rachel five Shillings
to daughter Elizabeth thirty Shillings
to daughter Hannah five Shillings
If wife Hannah dies before the 50 pounds given to her is expended, the Remainder to be paid to son Benjamin if living till he comes of age Twenty-one, and if not then to be equally divided among surviving children
Son Joseph Dunn to be whole and sole Executor
Signed 20 Dec 1748, Joseph X his mark Dunn
Witnesses John Buchanan, Jonathan Dunn]