John Wesley Dunbar

  General Notes:

John Wesley Dunbar was a Confederate soldier in the 30th Battalion VAS harpshooters.

History of Henry Co., In 1822-1906
J.W. Dunbar was born in Giles Co., West Virginia, May 11, 1832, son o f William and Cynthia (DeJournet) Dunbar, the former born in Botetour t Co., VA, in 1787, a son of Joseph Dunbar, and the latter being borni n Augusta Co., VA abt 1800, a daughter of Richard DeJournet. He was re ared in Virginia and in 1863 came to Indiana and settled in Henry Coun ty, working at the carpenters trade. In 1870 he opened the first hote l in Mt. Summit. He married June 28, 1853, to Sarah D., daughter of Ch arles and Catherine (Howe) Houchins. To them have been born ten childr en, seven whom are living - Mahala, born August 14, 1854, was marriedO ctober 17, 1875 to Allen Crandall Spell: Charles W., born October 2,18 56, was married October 17, 1878 to Nellie Carroll; Virginia, born Mar ch 3, 1862; Minta, born April 16, 1868; Bertie, born December 2, 1870 ; Gertie, born December 21, 1873; Belle, born November 28, 1877. Mr.an d Mrs. Dunbar are members of the Christian Church. Politically he is a Democrat. He has held several offices of trust in the township, and at the present is serving as Justice of the Peace.
Mt. Summit Christian church, organized by Elder J.B. Ludwig, April 24 , 1873 - John Wesley served as Elder, pg. 748. The first hotel was kep t by W.S. Dunbar who is still in the business. (written in 1884, his f ather would be 97 years old.

Hazzard's History of Henry Co., Indiana, pg 43, J.W. Dunbar served asJ ustice of the Peace, 1883-84, Mt. Summit, Indiana.

New Castle Courier. 1/10/1896 pg. 8c.4
J.W. Dunbar, whose decling health has been noted from time to time, di ed last Sunday, aged 63 years, 7 months, and 24 days. He was born in G iles Co., W.VA. Mr. Dunbar was well known and will be sadly missed. H e was a good neighbor and friend, and an earnest worker in the Church , of which he had been a member for several years. He was a postmaste r and Justice of the Peace at the time of his death. The latter offic e he had faithfully filled for several years. Funeral services were he ld at the church Tuesday, Rev. Jaynes delivering the address, and wasb uried in the cemetary east of town. He leaves a widow, six daughters, one brother and one sister, several grandchildren, and many friendsto mourn thier loss.

Henry Co., Will Records 1822-1899:
Dunbar, John W. Bk - G, pp358,359,360, dated June 6, 1895, Recorded Se ptember 1896: Wife Sarah to have all real estate and personal property , at the death of said wife the following have certain amounts, daught ers Jennie Sowash, Mintie Caldwell, Bertie Burgess, 2 youngest daughte rs, Girtie and Bell Dunbar, daughter Hallie Spell, grandaughter Lillia n Dunbar. Executor-none. Wit. Lewis Glaescher, Earl Hamilton.

WPA Death records 1882-1920:
Dunbar, J.W... - M, age 63, January 5, 1896, Mt. Summit CCS-2 113
Dunbar, Gertrude - F W age 23, October 22, 1897, Mt. Summit, CSS-2 14 1 (Our family records show January 6, 1896) Died of T.B. as did Charle s W., Mahala. Not sure how Gert died.

Letter written by Ida Belle Dunbar, youngest daughter of John Wesley D unbar, to Hallie Shirk sometime in the 1950's.

My paternal Great grandfathers:
Joseph Dunbar and Richard DeJournet
Grandfather William Dunbar was born in Botetourt Co., VA in 1787, he m arried Cynthia DeJournet, born in Augusta Co., VA abt 1800. Their chil dren were: Alexander, William S., Susan, Richard who married Lydia Ker lin, John Wesley, my father married Sarah E. Houchins. Agnes, Jennie m arried Alexander Personette
Maternal grandparents:
Charles William Houchins married Catherine Hobbs, their children were:
Mahala married William Mann, Sarah Elizabeth, (my mother), Agnes, (no t sure whether there was one by this name), Harvey, James, Louise marr ied Richard Martin, and Jennie married John Vest.

My father, John Wesley Dunbar was born in Giles Co., West Virginia, Ma y 11th 1832, was married June 28, 1853 to Sarah Elizabeth Houchins, da ughter of Charles William Houchins, she was born in Mercer Co., VA, Ja nuary 20, 1835.
Children:
Mahala Susan married Allen Crandall Spell. Charles William married Nel lie Carroll, James and Pembroke died in infancy. Virginia (Jennie) mar ried Albert Sowash, Emma died at the age of eight, Arminta Lee marrie d Charles Caldwell, Mary Alberta (Bert) married John K. Burgess, Gertr ude May, died at the age of 23. Ida Belle married Frank J. Houchkirch.

Dear Hallie,

I asked Ernest Martin if he knew whether our mothers had a sister Agne s and he said he didn't remember any. I thought if she lived near Hint on he might know, he is 8 yrs younger then me so he may not know. I ne ver knew very many of my Aunts and Uncles. I had so many cousins aroun d Sulphur Springs but the most of them were so much older than me, so I wasn't with them as much as of they were of the same age.
My grandfather Dunbar and Uncle Richard Dunbar were buried in a smallc emetary north of Sulphur Springs (Bethal cemetry). Uncle Richard's dau ghter, Laura (Dunbar) Harvey lived in New Castle on Grand Ave. for yea rs, perhaps you heard your mamma speak of her. Aunt Jennie (Dunbar) Pe rsonette, was the only one I knew of my father's family, I know two o f my mother's sisters, Aunt Louisa Martin and Aunt Jennie Vest. I vist ed them, I think it was in 1907. I remember Uncle Jim Houchins, he vis ited us in Mt. Summit and also in New Castle. He lived in Kansas City . Just have a slight rememberance of Uncle Harvey Houchins, he lived i n Sulphur Springs then moved to Minnesota. I knew 3 of his children, t hey visited us, Granville, Mary, and Charles. When I see you maybe I c an think of more to tell you.
Hope all is well. Love, Aunt Belle

1860 census: Raleigh Co., VA Flat Top pg 72, 7th of August 1860:
#562-511 Austin Williams age 24, Wesley Dunbar, age 28, occ. farmer, S arah Dunbar, age 24 illit., Mahala S. Dunbar, age 7, Charles Dunbar, a ge 5, Pembroke age 2 1/2

1850 census: Mercer Co., VA (transcribed by Nettie Schreiner Yantis)
family #223 William Dunbar age 60 est. m. occ. carpenter
Alexander, age 26, occ. farmer, value of real estate at 200.
Cintha A., age 21, Richard, age 19, occ. carpenter, Westley, age 18, o cc.
laborer, Adaline, age 18, Susan, age 16, Virginia, age 12.
*Note the oldest brother William Sewell had already married.

1880 Census for Henry County, Village of Mt. Summit lists Wesley Dunba r, 48, carpenter, unemployed for 9 months; wife Sarah, 45, keeping hou se, Virginia, 18 occ: millimer? unemployed for 9 months. Araminta 12,A lberti 9, iliterate,
Gertie 6, Belle, 2. Julian Williams 50, boarder, farm laborer b, in NC . Heart Disease.
John Wesley Dunbar was a Confederate soldier in the 30th Battalion VAS harpshooters.

History of Henry Co., In 1822-1906
J.W. Dunbar was born in Giles Co., West Virginia, May 11, 1832, son o f William and Cynthia (DeJournet) Dunbar, the former born in Botetour t Co., VA, in 1787, a son of Joseph Dunbar, and the latter being borni n Augusta Co., VA abt 1800, a daughter of Richard DeJournet. He was re ared in Virginia and in 1863 came to Indiana and settled in Henry Coun ty, working at the carpenters trade. In 1870 he opened the first hote l in Mt. Summit. He married June 28, 1853, to Sarah D., daughter of Ch arles and Catherine (Howe) Houchins. To them have been born ten childr en, seven whom are living - Mahala, born August 14, 1854, was marriedO ctober 17, 1875 to Allen Crandall Spell: Charles W., born October 2,18 56, was married October 17, 1878 to Nellie Carroll; Virginia, born Mar ch 3, 1862; Minta, born April 16, 1868; Bertie, born December 2, 1870 ; Gertie, born December 21, 1873; Belle, born November 28, 1877. Mr.an d Mrs. Dunbar are members of the Christian Church. Politically he is a Democrat. He has held several offices of trust in the township, and at the present is serving as Justice of the Peace.
Mt. Summit Christian church, organized by Elder J.B. Ludwig, April 24 , 1873 - John Wesley served as Elder, pg. 748. The first hotel was kep t by W.S. Dunbar who is still in the business. (written in 1884, his f ather would be 97 years old.

Hazzard's History of Henry Co., Indiana, pg 43, J.W. Dunbar served asJ ustice of the Peace, 1883-84, Mt. Summit, Indiana.

New Castle Courier. 1/10/1896 pg. 8c.4
J.W. Dunbar, whose decling health has been noted from time to time, di ed last Sunday, aged 63 years, 7 months, and 24 days. He was born in G iles Co., W.VA. Mr. Dunbar was well known and will be sadly missed. H e was a godd neighbor and friend, and an earnest worker in the Church , of which he had been a member for several years. He was a postmaste r and Justice of the Peace at the time of his death. The latter offic e he had faithfully filled for several years. Funeral services were he ld at the church Tuesday, Rev. Jaynes delivering the address, and wasb uried in the cemetary east of town. He leaves a widow, six daughters, one brother and one sister, several grandchildren, and many friendsto mourn thier loss.

Henry Co., Will Records 1822-1899:
Dunbar, John W. Bk - G, pp358,359,360, dated June 6, 1895, Recorded Se ptember 1896: Wife Sarah to have all real estate and personal property , at the death of said wife the following have certain amounts, daught ers Jennie Sowash, Mintie Caldwell, Bertie Burgess, 2 youngest daughte rs, Girtie and Bell Dunbar, daughter Hallie Spell, grandaughter Lillia n Dunbar. Executor-none. Wit. Lewis Glaescher, Earl Hamilton.

WPA Death records 1882-1920:
Dunbar, J.W... - M, age 63, January 5, 1896, Mt. Summit CCS-2 113
Dunbar, Gertrude - F W age 23, October 22, 1897, Mt. Summit, CSS-2 14 1 (Our family records show Janaury 6, 1896) Died of T.B. as did Charle s W., Mahala. Not sure how Gert died.

Letter written by Ida Belle Dunbar, youngest daughter of John Wesley D unbar, to Hallie Shirk sometime in the 1950's.

My paternal Great grandfathers:
Joseph Dunbar and Richard DeJournet
Grandfather William Dunbar was born in Botetourt Co., VA in 1787, he m arried Cynthia DeJournet, born in Augusta Co., VA abt 1800. Their chil dren were: Alexander, William S., Susan, Richard who married Lydia Ker lin, John Wesley, my father married Sarah E. Houchins. Agnes, Jennie m arried Alexander Personette
Maternal grandparents:
Charles William Houchins married Catherine Hobbs, their children were:
Mahala married William Mann, Sarah Elizabeth, (my mother), Agnes, (no t sure whether there was one by this name), Harvey, James, Louise marr ied Richard Martin, and Jennie married John Vest.

My father, John Wesley Dunbar was born in Giles Co., West Virginia, Ma y 11th 1832, was married June 28, 1853 to Sarah Elizabeth Houchins, da ughter of Charles William Houchins, she was born in Mercer Co., VA, Ja nuary 20, 1835.
Children:
Mahala Susan married Allen Crandall Spell. Charles William married Nel lie Carroll, James and Pembroke died in infancy. Virginia (Jennie) mar ried Albert Sowash, Emma died at the age of eight, Arminta Lee marrie d Charles Caldwell, Mary Alberta (Bert) married John K. Burgess, Gertr ude May, died at the age of 23. Ida Belle married Frank J. Houchkirch.

Dear Hallie,

I asked Ernest Martin if he knew whether our mothers had a sister Agne s and he said he didn't remember any. I thought if she lived near Hint on he might know, he is 8 yrs younger then me so he may not know. I ne ver knew very many of my Aunts and Uncles. I had so many cousins aroun d Sulphur Springs but the most of them were so much older than me, so I wasn't with them as much as of they were of the same age.
My grandfather Dunbar and Uncle Richard Dunbar were buried in a smallc emetary north of Sulphur Springs (Bethal cemetry). Uncle Richard's dau ghter, Laura (Dunbar) Harvey lived in New Castle on Grand Ave. for yea rs, perhaps you heard your mamma speak of her. Aunt Jennie (Dunbar) Pe rsonette, was the only one I knew of my father's family, I know two o f my mother's sisters, Aunt Louisa Martin and Aunt Jennie Vest. I vist ed them, I think it was in 1907. I remember Uncle Jim Houchins, he vis ited us in Mt. Summit and also in New Castle. He lived in Kansas City . Just have a slight rememberance of Uncle Harvey Houchins, he lived i n Sulphur Springs then moved to Minnesota. I knew 3 of his children, t hey visited us, Granville, Mary, and Charles. When I see you maybe I c an think of more to tell you.
Hope all is well. Love, Aunt Belle

1860 census: Raleigh Co., VA Flat Top pg 72, 7th of August 1860:
#562-511 Austin Williams age 24, Wesley Dunbar, age 28, occ. farmer, S arah Dunbar, age 24 illit., Mahala S. Dunbar, age 7, Charles Dunbar, a ge 5, Pembroke age 2 1/2

1850 census: Mercer Co., VA (transcribed by Nettie Schreiner Yantis)
family #223 William Dunbar age 60 est. m. occ. carpenter
Alexander, age 26, occ. farmer, value of real estate at 200.
Cintha A., age 21, Richard, age 19, occ. carpenter, Westley, age 18, o cc.
laborer, Adaline, age 18, Susan, age 16, Virginia, age 12.
*Note the oldest brother William Sewell had already married.

1880 Census for Henry County, Village of Mt. Summit lists Wesley Dunab r 48, carpenter, unemployed for 9 months; wife Sarah, 45, keeping hous e, Virginia, 18 occ: millimer? unemployed for 9 months. Araminta 12, A lberti 9, iliterate,
Gertie 6, Belle, 2. Julian Williams 50, boarder, farm laborer b, in NC . Heart Disease.
John Wesley Dunbar was a Confederate soldier in the 30th Battalion VAS harpshooters.

History of Henry Co., In 1822-1906
J.W. Dunbar was born in Giles Co., West Virginia, May 11, 1832, son o f William and Cynthia (DeJournet) Dunbar, the former born in Botetour t Co., VA, in 1787, a son of Joseph Dunbar, and the latter being borni n Augusta Co., VA abt 1800, a daughter of Richard DeJournet. He was re ared in Virginia and in 1863 came to Indiana and settled in Henry Coun ty, working at the carpenters trade. In 1870 he opened the first hote l in Mt. Summit. He married June 28, 1853, to Sarah D., daughter of Ch arles and Catherine (Howe) Houchins. To them have been born ten childr en, seven whom are living - Mahala, born August 14, 1854, was marriedO ctober 17, 1875 to Allen Crandall Spell: Charles W., born October 2,18 56, was married October 17, 1878 to Nellie Carroll; Virginia, born Mar ch 3, 1862; Minta, born April 16, 1868; Bertie, born December 2, 1870 ; Gertie, born December 21, 1873; Belle, born November 28, 1877. Mr.an d Mrs. Dunbar are members of the Christian Church. Politically he is a Democrat. He has held several offices of trust in the township, and at the present is serving as Justice of the Peace.
Mt. Summit Christian church, organized by Elder J.B. Ludwig, April 24 , 1873 - John Wesley served as Elder, pg. 748. The first hotel was kep t by W.S. Dunbar who is still in the business. (written in 1884, his f ather would be 97 years old.

Hazzard's History of Henry Co., Indiana, pg 43, J.W. Dunbar served asJ ustice of the Peace, 1883-84, Mt. Summit, Indiana.

New Castle Courier. 1/10/1896 pg. 8c.4
J.W. Dunbar, whose decling health has been noted from time to time, di ed last Sunday, aged 63 years, 7 months, and 24 days. He was born in G iles Co., W.VA. Mr. Dunbar was well known and will be sadly missed. H e was a godd neighbor and friend, and an earnest worker in the Church , of which he had been a member for several years. He was a postmaste r and Justice of the Peace at the time of his death. The latter offic e he had faithfully filled for several years. Funeral services were he ld at the church Tuesday, Rev. Jaynes delivering the address, and wasb uried in the cemetary east of town. He leaves a widow, six daughters, one brother and one sister, several grandchildren, and many friendsto mourn thier loss.

Henry Co., Will Records 1822-1899:
Dunbar, John W. Bk - G, pp358,359,360, dated June 6, 1895, Recorded Se ptember 1896: Wife Sarah to have all real estate and personal property , at the death of said wife the following have certain amounts, daught ers Jennie Sowash, Mintie Caldwell, Bertie Burgess, 2 youngest daughte rs, Girtie and Bell Dunbar, daughter Hallie Spell, grandaughter Lillia n Dunbar. Executor-none. Wit. Lewis Glaescher, Earl Hamilton.

WPA Death records 1882-1920:
Dunbar, J.W... - M, age 63, January 5, 1896, Mt. Summit CCS-2 113
Dunbar, Gertrude - F W age 23, October 22, 1897, Mt. Summit, CSS-2 14 1 (Our family records show Janaury 6, 1896) Died of T.B. as did Charle s W., Mahala. Not sure how Gert died.

Letter written by Ida Belle Dunbar, youngest daughter of John Wesley D unbar, to Hallie Shirk sometime in the 1950's.

My paternal Great grandfathers:
Joseph Dunbar and Richard DeJournet
Grandfather William Dunbar was born in Botetourt Co., VA in 1787, he m arried Cynthia DeJournet, born in Augusta Co., VA abt 1800. Their chil dren were: Alexander, William S., Susan, Richard who married Lydia Ker lin, John Wesley, my father married Sarah E. Houchins. Agnes, Jennie m arried Alexander Personette
Maternal grandparents:
Charles William Houchins married Catherine Hobbs, their children were:
Mahala married William Mann, Sarah Elizabeth, (my mother), Agnes, (no t sure whether there was one by this name), Harvey, James, Louise marr ied Richard Martin, and Jennie married John Vest.

My father, John Wesley Dunbar was born in Giles Co., West Virginia, Ma y 11th 1832, was married June 28, 1853 to Sarah Elizabeth Houchins, da ughter of Charles William Houchins, she was born in Mercer Co., VA, Ja nuary 20, 1835.
Children:
Mahala Susan married Allen Crandall Spell. Charles William married Nel lie Carroll, James and Pembroke died in infancy. Virginia (Jennie) mar ried Albert Sowash, Emma died at the age of eight, Arminta Lee marrie d Charles Caldwell, Mary Alberta (Bert) married John K. Burgess, Gertr ude May, died at the age of 23. Ida Belle married Frank J. Houchkirch.

Dear Hallie,

I asked Ernest Martin if he knew whether our mothers had a sister Agne s and he said he didn't remember any. I thought if she lived near Hint on he might know, he is 8 yrs younger then me so he may not know. I ne ver knew very many of my Aunts and Uncles. I had so many cousins aroun d Sulphur Springs but the most of them were so much older than me, so I wasn't with them as much as of they were of the same age.
My grandfather Dunbar and Uncle Richard Dunbar were buried in a smallc emetary north of Sulphur Springs (Bethal cemetry). Uncle Richard's dau ghter, Laura (Dunbar) Harvey lived in New Castle on Grand Ave. for yea rs, perhaps you heard your mamma speak of her. Aunt Jennie (Dunbar) Pe rsonette, was the only one I knew of my father's family, I know two o f my mother's sisters, Aunt Louisa Martin and Aunt Jennie Vest. I vist ed them, I think it was in 1907. I remember Uncle Jim Houchins, he vis ited us in Mt. Summit and also in New Castle. He lived in Kansas City . Just have a slight rememberance of Uncle Harvey Houchins, he lived i n Sulphur Springs then moved to Minnesota. I knew 3 of his children, t hey visited us, Granville, Mary, and Charles. When I see you maybe I c an think of more to tell you.
Hope all is well. Love, Aunt Belle

1860 census: Raleigh Co., VA Flat Top pg 72, 7th of August 1860:
#562-511 Austin Williams age 24, Wesley Dunbar, age 28, occ. farmer, S arah Dunbar, age 24 illit., Mahala S. Dunbar, age 7, Charles Dunbar, a ge 5, Pembroke age 2 1/2

1850 census: Mercer Co., VA (transcribed by Nettie Schreiner Yantis)
family #223 William Dunbar age 60 est. m. occ. carpenter
Alexander, age 26, occ. farmer, value of real estate at 200.
Cintha A., age 21, Richard, age 19, occ. carpenter, Westley, age 18, o cc.
laborer, Adaline, age 18, Susan, age 16, Virginia, age 12.
*Note the oldest brother William Sewell had already married.

1880 Census for Henry County, Village of Mt. Summit lists Wesley Dunab r 48, carpenter, unemployed for 9 months; wife Sarah, 45, keeping hous e, Virginia, 18 occ: millimer? unemployed for 9 months. Araminta 12, A lberti 9, iliterate,
Gertie 6, Belle, 2. Julian Williams 50, boarder, farm laborer b, in NC . Heart Disease.

John married Sarah Elizabeth Houchins, daughter of Charles William Houchins and Catherine Delano Hobbs, on Jun 28, 1853 in Mercer Co., VA. (Sarah Elizabeth Houchins was born on Jan 20, 1835 in Mercer Co., Virginia and died on May 12, 1904 in Mt. Summit, Henry Co., Indiana.)