Back to my Roots

I have tried to make a connection between my 6 x great grandfather, Azariah Dunn, and the larger Dunn families of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, but have thus far been unable to prove anything.

Azariah Dunn was born on Saturday, 1 October 1757 (some records say in Monmouth, New Jersey, United States, but I cannot find proof). Azariah died on Saturday, 11 May 1833, aged 75, in Robertson County, Tennessee, USA. He was married to Hannah Conyers. I have a little more information on her family line. Hannah Conyers (Conniers/Connyrs) was born on Saturday, 12 November 1763, in Fauquier, Virginia, United States to John Conyers and Alice ?. Hannah died on Friday, 22 April 1831, aged 67, in Robertson County, Tennessee, USA.

Here's some facts...

• In 1780, Azariah Dunn & a Samuel Dunn signed a petition to back up a resolution from the General Assembly of the State of Pennsylvania asking the Continental Congress for protection on the frontier lands.

• In 1781, Azariah, Samuel and a number of "Connyrs" men show up in the Pennsylvania Militia muster rolls of Chester County, PA.

• In 1781-82, Azariah Dunn is listed as an ensign in the Washington County Pennsylvania Militia.

• Azariah Dunn and Hannah Connyers Dunn arrive in the Springfield, TN area in the 1790's and settle there.

• Azariah and Hannah sign as witnesses for a Thomas Conyers' request for his Revolutionary War pension in 1828 & 1831. There was a Thomas Conyers also listed in the 1781 Chester County Militia.

Here's my theory...

Azariah met Hannah through her brothers (or met them all about the same time). They met, married and migrated to Tennessee along with at least one of her brothers if not more.

There was more than one Azariah marrying into the Dunn families of New Jersey and Pennsylvania around the time of Azariah birth. There is a possibility that he was named after one of them, but I have no recorded proof of this.

If anyone has any additional information and happen upon this blog on one of your searches, please feel free to comment here. I'll post more here when time allows.