REVOLUTIONARY BROTHERS

Joseph served during the American Revolution from 1776 to 1781. He was first drafted into the North Carolina militia and then volunteered, joining a “light horse company”. He and his brother, Andres, were involved in a battle in North Carolina led by General Charles McDowell. During that battle, Joseph’s brother, Andrew was killed.

FOLLOWING THE WAR

He married Jane Long in 1778 between his tours of duty and following his discharge, his family moved from North Carolina to Georgia. They lived in Georgia for 14 years before permanently settling in Caldwell County, Kentucky. They had 13 children, all but one were born in North Carolina.

The Georgia Dunns split up. Some stayed in Georgia while our line moved on to Kentucky. One online account claims Joseph’s wife, Jane Long, died during that trek. I have not yet found evidence of that.

QUAKERS?

There is a record of a North Carolina Quaker meeting during which William, Joseph’s son, was removed from the church because he “appeared in a war-like state”. Are these our Dunns? The names, places, and dates fit. Do we know for certain this William is our 3rd great-granduncle? No.

NATIVE AMERICAN CONNECTION?

If there is a Cherokee connection, it would likely have been when the family lived in Georgia. Are there any connections in our direct line? I don’t know.

What is possible is an indigenous people connection through Granddaddy’s mother, Lucy Crow.

SHELLEY’S GREAT GRANDFATHER

It is possible Shelley’s great grandfather, Moses Crow, was a “freebooter” (a pirate), running from Jamaica to South Carolina. Online family stories suggest Moses brought a Jamaican woman home – the woman who was Shelley’s great grandmother.

Whether Cherokee or not. Whether Carribbean connections or not, Shelley believed he had “Indian” blood – who am I to question Granddaddy? 🙂

SHELLEY’S LEGACY

Without a doubt, Dunn Funeral Home forms the core of Grandaddy’s legacy. In 1900-1910, he was employed as a retail clerk in a local furniture store. The early funeral business saw furniture makers contracted to build coffins and the furniture store might be used for services if the family didn’t have space at home. It was a rather natural progression from furniture to the funeral business.

The story is Granddaddy wanted to provide quality funeral service regardless of social or economic level of the families and that is the reason he started his own funeral home. The story continues he nearly went bankrupt providing low/no-cost services. Then Rowena came into his life. Together they turned the business into a profitable venture that, as of August 2024, is still family owned and operated.

WALKING TALL

Granddaddy seemed to be taller than any other human in our world. I really thought he was about 6’5″. When I discovered his WWII draft registration card, I was surprised to see his self reported height of 5’11”. Then as I examined photos, I could see our memories of him were taller than the man himself. As a matter of fact, every time I mention on social media that he was under 6′, I get texts and calls from extended family members arguing the point. Like me, they remember the man who always carried himself with dignity, compassion, and strength.