Dunn family of South Australia

Charles Dunn Sr. (1770 – 17 June 1850) was the founder of a large family, many of whom were influential in the early days of the colony of South Australia. The family included three Members of Parliament, several architects and medical doctors and a host of JPs, Methodist preachers, district councillors, public benefactors and at least one businessman turned embezzler.

History

Charles Dunn, Sr. and his wife Thomasin were farmers of modest means in Devon.^[1] Six of their eleven children emigrated to South Australia and three to Victoria: first were Charles Dunn Jr. and George Dunn and their families, and James Dunn on the D'Auvergne arrived in March 1839. Next were John Dunn on the Lysander, arriving September 1840 and William Herbert Dunn and his family on the Fairfield, arrived in December 1840. Charles Dunn Sr. and his wife Thomasin arrived on the Symmetry in November 1845; a daughter Mary Paltridge and her family emigrated on the Phoebe in March 1847; Samuel Dunn arrived in 1881 with son Herbert on a ship yet to be identified; another son, Alfred, arrived sometime before 1865. This list is not exhaustive, but is intended to include all names which might be encountered in general reading and local histories.

The Family

Charles Dunn, Sr. (1770 – 17 June 1850) born in Bondleigh, Devon to the wife of Charles Dunn (1742–1846), married Thomasin Hooper (1771 – 26 April 1852) on 25 Dec 1794 in North Tawton, Devon, and emigrated in the Symmetry, arriving in November 1845. Their children are listed as Charles, William H., Mary, John, George, James, Henry, Edwin, Elizabeth, Samuel, and Richard. Of these, five emigrated to South Australia, and three (Henry (28 April 1808 – 16 October 1891), Edwin (1819 – 20 May 1891) and Elizabeth (1813 – 5 July 1858)) on the Westminster to Victoria.

• Charles Dunn (1796 – 3 June 1881) married Mary Jasper (1801 – 4 November 1882) around 1825. They migrated to South Australia on the D'Auvergne arriving in March 1839. Settled at Nairne, then moved to Mount Charles 1853, founded the town of Charleston.
  • Grace Dunn (1827 – 7 February 1912) born in Launceston, Cornwall, died in Charleston.
  • George Dunn (1829 – 23 September 1922) born in Launceston, Cornwall, married cousin 'Thamsin Dunn (1833–1926) on 18 March 1851, celebrated 70th wedding anniversary;^[2] had residence "Underwood", died at McHarg's Creek.
    • Elizabeth Dunn (4 February 1852 – 8 December 1878)^[3] born in Charleston, married Thomas McDonald ( – ) on 5 October 1870; died at Woodchester.
    • Jane Dunn (5 October 1855 – 7 January 1956)
    • George Alfred Dunn (31 August 1857 – 14 April 1863), born in Charleston, died after scalding accident
    • Charles Henry Dunn (27 June 1859 – 15 September 1936) born in Charleston, lived at Woodchester, married Hannah Jane Maidment (19 April 1857 – 1936) on 1 July 1879. Charles was an eminent horse breeder and Show judge.^[4]
      • Percy Henry Dunn (21 April 1881 – 25 September 1948) born in Strathalbyn, married cousin Elsie Clair Bradford ( – 14 September 1983) on 11 February 1925, lived at Mount Gambier. Elsie was a daughter of Francis John Bradford (1847–1922) and Julie Bradford née Maidment.^[5]
      • Herbert Charles Dunn MP (6 March 1883 – 11 September 1952), born in Woodchester, married Ethel May Hillier (1885–1955) on 29 March 1906. He was born at Woodchester, died at "Viewbank".
      • Gertrude Hannah "Gertie" Dunn (6 October 1885 – June 1925) married Thomas Crowd ( – ), lived in Western Australia
    • Margaret Dunn (8 November 1862 – 3 June 1935) born in in McHargs Creek, married George Alfred Maidment (30 August 1858 – 17 September 1947) on 22 November 1882. He was declared a lunatic in 1913.
    • Alice Mary Dunn (1 January 1865 – 10 February 1949) born at "Underwood", Willunga, South Australia
    • Florence Marion "Florrie" Dunn (2 April? 2 August? 1867 – 27 October 1934) born at Bull Creek, married Walter Stephen Joyce Tucker (1 November 1872 – 1956) on 29 March 1899
    • Edith Adelaide Dunn (17 August 1869 – 24 May 1947) married John James Spencer (1872 – 9 May 1910), lived at Gawler River
    • Adeline Jasper Dunn (13 September 1871 – 26 April 1944) married Lloyd George Hanham Tucker (1 November 1872 – 1956) on 30 August 1899
    • Lloyd Ernest Lavington Dunn (14 November 1873 – 1968) born in McHargs Creek married (Emily) Loretta Brooks (1881–1964) on 6 August 1904
      • Anne Thamsin Dunn (1923 – ) married Ernest Morgan ( – ) on 14 September 1946
    • Albert Leslie Dunn (30 September 1877 – 19 January 1952) married Marian Edith Brown (29 November 1879 – 1 March 1952) lived McHargs Creek, where he founded the Black Poll cattle stud.
  • Mary Dunn (1831 – 25 October 1925) born in Launceston, Cornwall
  • Elizabeth Dunn (1834 – 23 September 1884) born in Launceston, Cornwall, married her cousin John Dunn (1832–1916) in 1853.
  • Charles Dunn Jr. JP (9 September 1841 – 4 October 1920) of Charleston married cousin Eliza Dunn (1847–1873) on 13 October 1864. He married again to Annie Kelly (c. 1846 – 1 November 1881) on 2 April 1874 lived Charleston. He married again to Catherine "Kate" Temby (c. 1851 – 20 April 1929) on 4 June 1889. Moved to St. Peters around 1910.^[6] His children included:
    • Elizabeth Mary Dunn (11 April 1867 – 22 November 1903) born in Charleston, married Alexander Joel "Alex" Davis (1864 – 5 July 1940) on 28 September 1887^[7] He married again to her sister Agnes Jane Dunn (1871–1925), below.
    • Charles Alfred Esau Dunn (17 June 1869 – 11 January 1950) married Edith Norton (c. 1869 – 13 July 1935) on 10 October 1894 left SA for England March 1908
    • Agnes Jane Dunn (13 May 1871 – 6 March 1925) born in Charleston, married Alexander Joel "Alex" Davis (1864 – 5 July 1940), her sister Elizabeth's widower, on 10 October 1906. They farmed "Kingsford" then retired to nearby Gawler.
      • Stanley Charles William "S. C." Davis (1888 – 2002), son of Elizabeth, was mayor of Mount Gambier 1939–1941.
    • Rev. William Arthur Dunn (11 March 1875 – 30 October 1947) born in Charleston, married cousin^[8] Janet Mabel Kelly (21 February 1879 – 22 June 1962), daughter of Robert Kelly (1845 – 26 October 1920) on 4 September 1901.
      • Jessie Roberta Dunn (1905–1994) married Henry "Harry" Wotton (1905–1984) on 18 February 1933. His father, Harry Hardess Wotton (c. 1883–1943), was a teacher of singing at Elder Conservatorium.
      • Dorothy Dunn (1907–1992) married Lewis Albert Dawe (1909–1981) in 1931
      • Charles Dunn (1909 – ) studied for Methodist ministry^[9]
      • Mary Dunn (1912 – ) served as a nurse with the 2nd AIF in Palestine
      • Anne Mabel "Annie" Dunn (1916 – ) married Herbert Edwin "Bert" Rasch (1909–2006) on 15 February 1939
    • Annie Jane Dunn (30 October 1881 – 1956) born in Alma, South Australia, married Frederick James ( – ) on 13 November 1918
• William Herbert Dunn (28 February 1798 – 12 April 1879) was born in Bondleigh, Devon, married Elizabeth Herd (c. 1805 – 25 November 1875), died in Charleston. They emigrated on the Fairfield, arriving in December 1840.
  • Mary Dunn (18 June 1826 – 3 August 1893) born in Dolton, Devon
  • John Dunn, sen. (1832 – 22 March 1916)^[10] born in Dolton, arrived in 1841, farmed at Charleston, Woodchester (near Strathalbyn), Mt. Templeton, Deniliquin, married cousin Elizabeth Dunn (1834–1884) in 1853. In 1876 they moved to Mount Gambier, where she died.^[11] His health was poor and he was unable to find steady work. Nevertheless, he married again, to Mary Ann Hogan (1861–1896), who already had a child and health problems of her own.^[12] They had a child, whom he was unable to support.^[13] He died in poverty.^[14]
    • Mary Dunn (c. 1854 – 28 November 1923) married Leslie Herbert Lockwood (c. 1852 – 17 February 1933) on 29 October 1874
      • Alfred Ernest Albert Lockwood (c. 1876 – 19 August 1953) of Williamstown, near Mount Gambier
    • Louisa Dunn (1857– )
    • Elizabeth H. Dunn (1860– ) married Alexander Hastings (1859–1912) in 1882, lived at Peweena, South Australia.
    • Eliza Dunn (c. 1864 – 10 December 1939) married William Herbert Arthur (19 June 1863 – 20 April 1928) on 12 May 1883
    • Ellen Dunn (2 November 1869 – 6 February 1913)
    • Charles John Dunn (8 June 1874 – 1941) of Mount Gambier
    • Arthur Samuel James Dunn (1877–1952) lived in Adelaide
    • Una Ruby Dunn (c. 1885– )^[13]
  • Thamsin (or Thomasin) Dunn (1833 – 26 November 1926) born in Dolton, emigrated with her parents; married cousin George Dunn (1829–1922) on 18 March 1851, died at McHargs Creek.
  • George Dunn (1843? 1844? – 18 April 1906) married Eliza Jane Disher (c. September 1851 – 8 May 1924)^[15] on 11 May 1870; lived at "Gumbank", Charleston. He was a noted sheep breeder.^[16]
    • Lionel William Garie Dunn (15 July 1872 – 5 February 1951) born in Charleston, married Ethel Sarah Crase (4 April 1875 – 1929) on 7 April 1900, lived at Blumberg (now Birdwood)
      • George Maxwell Dunn (c. January 1902 – 30 June 1906)
      • Douglas Wardlaw Dunn (2 December 1904 – 1986)
    • James Wardlaw Dunn (16 December 1873 – 31 August 1956), born in Charleston, married Amana Matilda Salmon (c. 1879 – 7 March 1962) on 14 September 1907
      • George Wardlaw Dunn (c. 1911 – 3 December 1986) married Christobel Joan ?? (c. 1914 – 26 September 2003) lived at Tynte Street, North Adelaide
      • Mary Patricia Dunn (16 May 1916 – 27 October 1970) married Kenneth Sulzmann Clarke (c. 1905 – 27 July 1992) on 21 August 1937
      • parents of Robert Clarke, Peter Clarke, and David Clarke
      • William Wardlaw "Bill" Dunn (27 April 1918 – 22 July 1948) d. at Charleston
    • Douglas Robert Dunn (30 May 1875 – 9 August 1885) died in Charleston
    • Helen Marion Dunn (17 January 1878 – 1955), born in Charleston, married Gerald A. W. Pope ( – ) on 12 April 1905, lived at Prospect
    • Victor Ernest Dunn (8 September 1879 – 24 December 1962) born in Charleston, married Kathleen M. Disher (c. 1886 – 26 September 1985) on 9 March 1910
      • Joan Margaret Dunn (11 January 1914 – )
      • John Mackinnon Dunn (6 February 1917 – 1944)
      • David Malcolm Dunn (12 August 1923 – 2001)
    • Laura Amelia Dunn (1883–1965)
    • Ruby Violet Dunn (21 July 1886 – 24 October 1938) born in Charleston, married cousin Andrew Smillie Hughes ( – ) on 27 October 1921, lived "Bleakside", Woodside. Andrew was the son of Laurence Stodart Hughes (c. 1860 – 30 May 1945) and Amy Hughes née Paltridge ( – 18 February 1923).
      • Richard Andrew Hughes
      • Elizabeth Jane Hughes
  • Eliza Dunn (2 January? 2 April? 1847 – 23 July 1873) married cousin Charles Dunn (1841–1920) q.v. on 13 October 1864.
  • Robert Dunn (28 May 1848 – 6 April 1914) born in Charleston, married Louisa Headland (c. 1847 – 27 October 1915) both of Charleston, on 11 March 1869. They had 4 sons and 2 daughters.
• Mary Paltridge, née Dunn, (1799 – 4 September 1882)^[17] born in Bondleigh, Devon, married Thomas Paltridge (25 February 1800 – 24 July 1883).^[18] They emigrated on the Phoebe, arriving in March 1847.^[19] She died in Mount Barker.
  • Elizabeth Paltridge (1826–1867)
  • Thomas Paltridge jun. (12 October 1828 – 18 September 1905) married Lucinda Brady on 3 January 1870
    • Archer Dunn Paltridge (c. 1879 – 9 March 1953)
      • Sir Shane Dunne Paltridge KBE MP (11 January 1910 – 21 January 1966)
  • John Paltridge (c. 1831 – October 1917) auctioneer of Mount Barker married Elizabeth Chapman ( – )
    • Harry Paltridge (1855 – ) married Hannah Wilson ( – ) on 14 October 1880
    • Amelia Paltridge (1857 – ) married Charles M. R. Dumas ( – ) on 1 August 1883
    • Frederick/Fredrick Paltridge (1861 – ) married Mary Stephenson ( – ) on 4 April 1900
    • Amy Paltridge (17 May 1864 – 19 February 1921) married Laurence Stodart Hughes (8 April 1861 – 30 May 1945) on 25 October 1902.
      • Andrew Smillie Hughes ( – ) married his cousin Ruby Violet Dunn (1886–1938) on 27 October 1921
  • Samuel Paltridge (c. 1833 – 26 March 1879)
  • William Paltridge MP (1834 – 8 May 1890) married his cousin Elizabeth Dunn (c. 1835–1928) q.v. on 24 August 1854
    • Harry Paltridge (1855–1910) married Hannah Wilson Richardson in 1880
    • Eliza Dunn Paltridge (1856 – 39 January 1943) married John Livingston (c. 1862 – 4 September 1935) on 11 June 1884. He was the first in South Australia to ship frozen lamb to England.^[20]
    • Frank Paltridge (1858– ) perhaps Francis John Paltridge who died 1953
    • John Dunn Paltridge (1860–1890)
    • Ann Elizabeth Paltridge (1863– ) married Henry F. M. Kessal in 1884
    • Walter Thomas Paltridge (1866– )
    • William Arthur Paltridge (1866–1939) married Maude Vivien Williams in 1900
    • Clara Mary Paltridge (1867– ) married Charles Bruce Flint in 1891
  • Mary Paltridge (1839 – 17 August 1931) married Roderick Murdoch McKenzie (1829 – 22 March 1890) on 19 May 1859. They had two sons and seven daughters.
• John Dunn Sr. (13 February 1802 – 13 October 1894) born in Bondleigh, Devon, married Ann Rowe (1802 – 24 November 1870) in 1828. They emigrated on the Lysander arriving September 1840. On 27 February 1872 he married again, to Jane Cork Williams (c. 1834 – 7 June 1929), the eldest daughter of John Williams. (John Dunn Jr. had married her sister Elizabeth.) Find partners W. Hill, G. Shorney.
  • John Dunn Jr. (21 January 1830 – 6 February 1892), aka Rev. John Dunn, born in Bidford, Devon, married Elizabeth Williams (10 June 1835 – 21 May 1928)^[21] on 25 July 1855. Park View House, Hackney Road, was built for them. Their children included:
    • Edith Mary Dunn (28 August 1857 – 5 September 1929) born in Mount Barker, married Dr. James Thomas Mitchell (c. 1856 – 15 September 1945) on 9 July 1884, lived in Melbourne
    • Frederick Williams Dunn (14 August 1863 – 30 October 1946) born in Fiji, married Annie Jane Victoria Humble ( – 25 October 1933) on 10 May 1893; he was an executive with AMP Society.
    • Hedley Allen Dunn (27 October 1865 – 5 June 1942)^[22] married Annie Elizabeth Powis Jordan (1863 – 7 April 1936) in Queensland on 3 April 1893. He was architect of Stock Exchange building, lived in Kensington Gardens. She was a poet and daughter of Henry Jordan MLA.
    • Alfred Calvert Dunn (2 July 1867 – 21 May 1957), milling engineer, married Ethel Annie Newman (18 March 1870 – 6 May 1909) on 25 April 1894. She was daughter of Rev. Charles Thomas Newman.
    • Eustace Alexandria Andrew Dunn (28 January 1869 – 27 October 1928) was a prolific composer,^[23] lived in Ballarat
    • Leonora Eleanor Newman Dunn (12 November 1879 – 1960) was a notable student at the Advanced School for Girls.
    • Gertrude Lillian Dunn (20 February 1881 – c. 25 April 1985) of Austral Terrace, Malvern, was a pianoforte teacher, and noted socialite and Alliance Française
  • Mary Ann Dunn (11 May 1832 – 9 May 1912), born in Devon, married William Hill (c. 1831 – 11 September 1885) on 6 April 1853, lived at "Glenara", Glenelg
  • Elizabeth Dunn (c. 1835 – 20 August 1928) married her cousin William Paltridge MP (1834–1890) q.v. on 24 August 1854
  • Eliza Dunn (1838 – 19 March 1856)
  • William Henry Dunn MP (5 February 1841 – 7 July 1891) married Mary Matthews (c. 1844 – 10 June 1929) on 21 December 1865
    • Berkley William Rowe Dunn (10 October 1866 – 21 October 1932), born in Mount Barker, married Mary Elizabeth Lewis ( – 1924) in 1898. He married again, to widow Amy Susannah Hale Brown née Hosken ( – 1956) on 18 February 1929, lived at Dutton Terrace, Medindie. He was editor of the Port Pirie Standard 1893–1895.
    • Olive Mary Dunn (2 January 1873 – 20 September 1950) born in Mount Barker, married Arthur Chapman Dobbie ( – 10 August 1950) on 20 November 1894
    • Una Lucy Matthews Dunn (1879 – 24 April 1951) married S(imeon) Ernest Amsberg (1876–1955) at Penang on 25 June 1907
• George Dunn (1803 – 19 June 1877) was born in High Bickington, Bondleigh, Devon, married Mary Turner (21 April 1801 – 16 September 1875) on 4 March 1828 (judicial separation 1860). They emigrated on the D'Auvergne with their two sons and three daughters, arriving March 1839, founded the township of Mount Torrens, was publican of the "Cornish Arms" 1848– , also postmaster 1849–, Mount Torrens Inn 1850–.
  • George Dunn Jr. (c. 1826 – 3 May 1906) married Mary Williams ( – 24 March 1914) on 5 October 1854 (double wedding with brother Philip)
    • Emma Ann Maria Dunn (c. 1863 – 4 October 1943) married John Sinkinson (c. 1858 – 2 July 1935) of Mount Torrens on 12 June 1883
    • Ellen Williams Dunn (c. 1867 – 22 June 1947) married Joseph Warner ( – ), lived at "Estaire", Park Terrace, Bowden
    • Mary Ann Dunn (c. 1864 – 30 December 1951) married Thomas Sims (c. 1853 – 19 March 1930) lived at Mount Torrens, then St. Peters.
    • William Charles Dunn (29 January 1869 – 17 September 1952) born in Talia, married Ethel May Cox (1877 – 1958) in 1900, lived at Kenton Valley, died at Mount Torrens
      • Alfred Dunn (c. 1913 – 25 October 1943) killed in WWII.
    • Susan Marguerite Dunn (c. 1874 – 7 March 1953) married Mathias Joseph Hansberry (c. 1863 – 25 June 1943) in 1892
  • Philip Turner Dunn (c. 1828 – 16 Oct 1875) married Charlotte Lintern ( – 1910) on 5 October 1854 (double wedding with brother George)
  • Ann Dunn (c. 1832 – 29 May 1898) married Thomas Corkhill (c. 1828 – 14 October 1905) in 1852
  • Mary Dunn (10 May 1837 – 7 Jul 1919), born in Devon, married Richard Bolt (c. 1832 – 6 April 1918), lived in Mannum
    • Elizabeth Bolt married Charles Forbes Bax on 15 February 1886; two sons killed in WWI.
  • Emma Dunn (c. 1841 – 3 January 1923) married Robert Alexander (c. 1831 – 25 May 1876) of Gorge Mills, Normanville on 21 November 1865. She married again, to Robert Geekie (c. 1827 – 23 November 1911) of Clinton, on 27 September 1881.
• James Dunn (1811 – 8 February 1862) born in Bondleigh, Devon, emigrated on the D'Auvergne arriving March 1839, lived at Onkaparinga, died at Mount Torrens; he never married.
• Samuel Dunn (31 December 1815 – 24 March 1893) was born and died in Devon. He married Joanna Fulford (1812– ) arrived in South Australia with son Herbert Samuel Dunn (1854-1926) in 1881 and about three years later returned to England, but details remain elusive. Two men have been described as cousins of Hon John Dunn Jr., nephews of John Dunn (miller) and sons of sons of Samuel Dunn Esq.:^[24]
  • Alfred Henry Dunn (c. 1845 – 7 July 1904) was born in North Tawton, Devon, the oldest son of Samuel Dunn Esq., arrived in South Australia before 1865.
    He was manager of John Dunn's mill at Nairne 1865–1876 when he left the district, and was presented with a gold watch. He took over J. H. Bowker's feed store at Glenelg, but by 1878 he had returned to the district and was appointed Clerk of the Nairne District Council.
    He began meanwhile operating as auctioneer in 1882. He married Susanna Ryder (c. 1841 – 21 February 1918), daughter of the Nairne schoolmaster,^[25] on 30 January 1867; they had at least two sons and three daughters. He left a paid position as secretary for Nairne Oddfellows under a cloud; the building subsequently burned down 20 January 1884; worked as clerk for Nairne Council, left SA after embezzling a substantial sum;^[26] later lived in Buckley Street, Essendon,^[27] then Waltham Street, Flemington.
    • Alfred Herbert Dunn (10 May 1869 – 5 August 1954) married Ettie, lived at Coburg, Victoria^[28]
    • Minnie Gertrude Dunn (8 October 1870 – ) married William Alexander Anderson ( – 18 July 1953) of Salisbury, South Australia on 15 July 1897 in Victoria. Later of Gilgandra, New South Wales^[29]
  • Herbert Samuel Dunn (1855 – 10 December 1926) was born in Winkleigh, Devon, the youngest son of Samuel Dunn Esq., he studied at Tawton and at Exeter College, worked on his father's farm, emigrated with his father, arrived in SA 1881 or perhaps 1882 and for a time lived with his uncle John Dunn, senior.^[30] His father returned to England around 1884.^[31] He married Lilias (her tombstone says Lillias) Grace Downing ( – 3 October 1956) on 26 April 1893. He farmed at the Bremer near Callington, then took a grazing property near Burra. He sold up to return to England but came back, taking over the home block of Narracoorte Station, after it had been subdivided by the government, naming it Dartmoor Estate. He and Lilias took an active interest in local affairs and were prominent members of the Liberal Union. He was a member of Mt. Barker Council and Chairman for two years. In 1913 he sold up to H. Pluckhahn, and moved to "Ormidale" farm, Mount Barker. They had no children. Lilias was a generous donor to the Mount Barker Hospital.

Unrelated

None of these Dunns, notable in early South Australia, was closely related to the subjects of this article.

Thomas Dunn (died before 1889) married Jane Spiers (c. 1824 – October 1916) of Macclesfield

• George Alexander Dunn (27 March 1859 – 18 July 1925) married Catherine/Katherine Lindsay Wood JP (c. 1864 – 25 August 1943) of Melbourne on 9 October 1889. He represented Murray in the South Australian House of Assembly was not closely related to this family.

Harry Alder Dunn (1901–1991) of "Poltha", Elbow Hill, South Australia married Elsie Lilian Kestel (1903–1991) on 7 April 1934

• Henry Peter Kestel Dunn (11 September 1935 – ) MLC was born at Cowell

John Charles Dunn ( – ) married Lydia Charlotte Smithson ( –1870) in 1856

• John Millard Dunn (5 January 1865 – 3 March 1936), organist and choirmaster for St. Peter's Cathedral
• Frank Claude Dunn (5 January 1865 – 1955), banker and identical twin,^[32] married Beatrice Deneufville Lucas in 1894

Sources

• "South Australian Passenger Lists". FamilyHistorySA. 
• Tucker, Laurie; Rossiter, Lucy, (1976), The history of Charles & Mary, William & Elizabeth Dunn and descendants, 1796-1976, L.O. Tucker, ISBN 978-0-9596896-0-0  CS1 maint: Multiple names: authors list (link) not yet accessed.
• Faithe Jones. "Australian Cemeteries: Charleston Cemetery". Retrieved 26 March 2016.  A useful list.
• "Tribal Pages Surname:Dunn". Retrieved 26 March 2016.  A useful collection of names, but not totally reliable.

References