The information in this document is subject to change as better information or more reliable sources are discovered. A revision date will be placed at the bottom of each section.
Research into the Dunham ancestors has been ongoing for many years by many persons. Some of the older research is being replaced with more recent research and will continue into the forseeable future. In addition, recent Y-chromosome DNA testing is assisting in the confirmation or denial of relationships.
This description is not intended to consider the entire range of Dunham's in the United States; rather, it is intended to trace my (Paul C. Dunham) direct ancestors. I maintain a sizeable data base of information about Dunham's in general and there are several2 other good ones available. This lineage extends backwards for 11 generations to Deacon John Dunham.
Deacon John Dunham was born 25 July 1588/89, perhaps in Scrooby, Nottingham, England. Paul C. Reed disputes this birthplace and suggests future research should concentrate on the "area of Bedfordshire where Deacon John Dunham is known to have resided."3 His parentage is not completely known but it is believed his father may have been Richard Dunham. Recent research debunks the notion he was of royal lineage. His first wife was Susan Kaino,4 whom he married on Aug 17, 1611/12 in Clophill, Bedfordshire, England. It is known that he traveled to Leyden, Holland and his first wife apparently died there. There were three children of this marriage, all born in Holland: John, Humility and Thomas. Susan Kaino died prior to 7 October 1622. He married his second wife, Abigail Ballou, in Leyden, Holland on Oct. 22, 1621-22. There were 8 children of this marriage, all believed to have been born in Plymouth, Massachusetts: Samuel, Jonathon, Abigail, Hannah, Persis, Benajah, Joseph and Daniel. Deacon John Dunham died March 2, 1668-69 in Plymouth, Massachusetts.Joseph Dunham, the next to last son of the marriage of Deacon John Dunham and Abigail Ballou, was born in Plymouth, Massachusetts on Nov. 18, 1636-37. He first married Mercy Morton on Nov 18, 1657 and second, Hester Wormall, on August 20, 1668/69 in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
Children born of the first marriage were: Eleazer, Mercy and Nathaniel. The second marriage produced 5 more children, all born in Plymouth, also: Micajah, Joseph, Benajah, Daniel, and Esther.
Joseph Dunham died Jun 16, 1702/03. His first wife had died Feb 16, 1666/67 and his second wife, Hester Wormall, died sometime after Joseph's death.
At this point one might note a difference in genealogical research which is important. Isaac Watson Dunham's work indicates that Lemuel Dunham was descended from Eleazar Dunham. However, recent research belies this conclusion. An article by John Dunham Duguid demonstrates the currently held belief that Lemuel Dunham was a descendant of Nathaniel Dunham.5
Nathaniel Dunham was born in 1664/65 in Plymouth, Massachusetts. He was married twice. His first wife was Mary Tilson whom he married on Jan 21, 1691/92 in Plymouth, Massachusetts and his second, Elizabeth Pratt, whose marriage was Dec 8, 1713/1714 in Norton, Connecticut.
There were four children of the first marriage: Ephraim, Nathaniel, Isaac and Lemuel. There were no children from the second marriage, although one source suggests a son by the name of Nathaniel.
1Prepared by: Paul C. Dunham
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