Thread: Dunn Family Ashby de la Zouch (Leics)

I would be grateful for some help please. I am trying to establish an address, birth date and occupation for the following: Noah DUNN. All I have is that he married Mary ADAMS on 14 Aug 1785 at St Helen's Church Ashby de la Zouch (IGI; which also has detail about their children). I am pretty certain that Mary came from Ashby, but I am not sure about Noah. His brother was based in Derby (Richard Minor Dunn). Any help or information would be gratefully received.



Thank you



P1kef1sh

Hi Pikefish

Have you got his burial which gives you an approximate birth date -

Noah Dunn buried 24 Feb 1833 Ashby de la Zouch St Helen age 75

I can have a look in the Ashby parish records for you to see if he was born there (and if the marriage record gives any more detail)

Gillian

Hi Gillian



Sorry. I should have said that I do know his burial date, but that is about it. If my arithmetic is right he should have been born in 1758. I have a copy of his brother's will (Richard Minor Dunn) which states that he is "of Ashby de la Zouch", however that is all that I have. His wife's father is listed as a "Gent", so I assume that it is likely that Noah is from a similar background - but knowing where he lived, occupation or business interests would help solve that little matter. I also note that in the Court Leet there is a George DUNN registered (Noah is there in 1817 and 1830 too). He may be a brother, father or no relation at all. I got this detail from a family historian at Ashby Museum, unfortunately he only had an index and no further transcript. The Library, where much of this data is held was closed for refurbishment when I was last in Ashby 3 weeks ago (I think that it re-opened this week).



Thanks for your help.



P1kef1sh

Hi again Gillian,



I should have added to my last reply that I would very much appreciate your looking at the Ashby Parish Records for me. Any information about Dunn's (there seems to be a family name of Minor Dunn which has been somewhere in every generation of Dunns until the 1930s) pre-1800 would be very gratefully received.



Thank you



P1kef1sh

Hi Pikefish

Sorry but a totally unsuccessful search!

You were right - no birth record for Noah in Ashby or any other Dunns at around that time (1750-1800) There is a marriage between Thomas Dunn & Ann Peerson in 1745 but no signs of children

I had a look in trade directories - the only Dunn was a Richard (I guess a son) listed under Perfumers and Hairdressers on Kilwary St. Also had a look at poll books - nothing. And wills - nothing (apart from Richard Minor Dunn which you have)

Any other ideas?

Gillian

Hello Gillian,



Firstly, thank you very much for taking the trouble to do the look ups, I do appreciate it. I think that Noah must have been the first Dunn to live in Ashby. His brother, Richard Minor, is of Derby and died aged 74 in 1828. Frustratingly, his will makes no reference to where his family live other than Ashby. I have deciphered most of his will and he seems to leave non-family bequests to people in London and to a Uttoxeter based barrister. He may be from either London or Staffordshire therefore, or it they may have just been business contacts. However, Noah was certainly his brother, and it is possible that Thomas was their father or (very) much older brother. Noah's wife Mary was local, and they had several children and I suspect that Ann Peerson was too - I shall have to see what I can find. Richard the perfumer and hairdresser inherited Richard Minor's money on the death of his mother in 1830. He subsequently went on to own a manor house and mill in Gresley (Swadlincote) before moving back to Ashby (and losing most of his money).



I think that I shall have to make greater efforts in the Derby area and see if I can find a Thomas and Ann somewhere other than Ashby.



Thank you once again.



P1kef1sh

Hi Pikefish

I think it may be Dudley (where there is a record of at least one other Noah Dunn) where you should be looking.

Have just found index reference for Leics Quarter Sessions - Settlement Exam - 1787 - Noah Dunn - 1st parish Ashby de la Zouch - 2nd parish Dudley Worcestershire!

I was really excited when I found it!!

Gillian

Hello Gillian



I have just been talking to a relative and saying that it looks like the trail has dried up and you send this wonderful news. Thank you so much! I am excited too!! Did the records give an address in either location by any chance. I think that Dudley was in Staffs. A hunting I will go.



Thank you again



P1kef1sh

Gillian



So silly of me, Dudley was, as you say, Worcestershire.



P1kef1sh

Hi Pikefish

No address I'm afraid - it's just an index. I'll have a look at the Records Office to see if they have anything more on the original record - it's unlikely to be before next weekend though.

I was surprised Dudley was in Worcestershire too!

Gillian