Benjamin Dunning

• General Notes
  • In explanation of the curious fact that the brothers, Benjamin and John Dunning, who came to Stratford, Conn., about 1700, were not baptized until they were adults, we submit the following report on the condition of Long Island from 1683 to 1700; contributed by S. Wright Dunning:
    
    The first settlers, 1638, were Dutch. It was nearly depopulated by an Indian rising in 1643. A colony from Connecticut came in 1652, under a charger from Gov. Stuyvesant and called the place where they settled Middlebury. When the English first took possession, they professed allegiance to Connecticut, whither nearly the whole colony had gone in 1643 because of the Indians. After the establishment of English rule in 1664, it was named New Towne. When the Dutch resumed possession in 1673, only 23 our of 99 male adults took the oath of allegiance. Rev. Francis Doughty, who, with associates, claimed 13,332 acres of land in Newtown, was made minister of Flushing (adjoining Newtown) by Gov Stuyvesant. He was an Englishman, banished from Massachuesetts for his views on baptisms. He went first to Long Island in 1642 and went with the Quakers in 1656. In 1702 the Governor attempted to establish an Episcopal minister in a parish icluding Jamaica, Newtown and Flushing. Wm. Urquhart, rector from 1704 to 1709, said that 'most of the inhabitants are Quakers who roam through the country from one village to another, talk blashphemy, corrupt the youth and do much mischief.' if Benjamin Dunning were one of these it would explain why his sons were unbaptized until they became adults."
    In a publication called the Town Records of Jamaica, L.I., from 1656 to 1748, Vol. I., p. 143, it is mentioned that "Daniell Downing, in Mar. 1693, sold a brown horse to John Harresson of Jamica." From the same source, Vol. III., p. 133, a deed was made by John Foster to John Messinger, one of the witnesses of which was "Machel Duning." The date of this deed is May 20, 1714, and the witness referred to doubtless was Michael Dunning who was part of the part which founded Goshen, Orange Co., N.Y., in 1719. From another source, "Benj. Downing of Hempstead, L.I., (adjoining Jamaica) Apr. 28, 1755, had one female slave."
    
    We have now reached a point where it is necessary to divide the family we are considering into 3 main divisions, these divisions being founded by the 3 sons of Benjamin Dunning of Jamaica, L.I. The given names in the families of these brothers are quite similar for several generations and each of the three men had a son named "Michael". While we do not know the order of birth of these brothers, the entry of their names on the baptismal record in Stratfield Church was "Benjamin and John Dunning" which is pretty good evidence of their relative ages; hence we suppose Benjamin to have been the eldest, and according to the Boston record was born Mar. 3, 1679; John, who accompanied Benjamin to Connecticut, being the second; and Michael who remained in Long Island, the youngest. As all were 3rd in lie of descent from Theop1 we describe them gealogically as "Benj3", "John3", and "Michael3". However they are also often spoken of in these records as follows: "Benj3" is also known as "Sergt. Benj." or "Benj. Sr.; "John3" is known as John(1), because he had a son John and a grandson John; and "Michael3" is known as Michael of Orange Co., N.Y., or Michael, founder of the Orange Co., branch.
    
    One of the most interesting groups of all the Dunnings in America is the one which had its origin in Fairfield Co., Conn., comprising the descendants of Benjamin and John Dunning who first appeared at Stratford, Con, about 1700, were baptized together (as adults) May 40, 1703 by the Rev. Charles Chauncey in Stratfield Church (now 1st Church of Bridgeport, Conn.). The record still exists, and that the brothers were adults at the time of the baptism is proven by the fact that the same record does not name parents, but records the baptism of a daughter of Benjamin in 1707, and twin sons of John in 1713. In 1711, we find that Benjamin and John were of the party that first settled Newtown, Conn., about 20 mi. n.w. of Bridgeport, in that part of which has since been made the town of Brookfield. They were both named in the early town records of Newtown where they held town offices. Benjamin lived in Newtown all his life and d. Mar 21, 1739. John moved to Norwalk about 1717 and d. there Jan 1, 1734.

Click here for details of Benjamin's family with Sarah Seeley

Click here for details of Benjamin's family with Mary Seeley

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