52 Ancestors #22: The Almost Civil War Deserter, Joseph Dunn
Last week, I wrote about Lucy Jane Land and her long-lived life. While researching Lucy and her husband, Joseph, I found Joseph Dunn. Joseph is Lucy’s father-in-law and my 3rd great grandfather.
Joseph Dunn was born around 1812 in Ohio, although various documents from census records to military records put his birth anywhere from 1809 to 1818, which is quite a range. I’m not versed enough in how the census was taken, etc, to even speculate whether the age was written incorrectly or Joseph didn’t really know how old he was.
Joseph was born to Robert and Comfort Dunn. Joseph’s father moved the family from Kentucky to Clermont County, Ohio by 1810 … they lived near Cincinnati. While Comfort shows up as Mama Dunn in census records, I have been unable to locate her origins or even a marriage record for her and Robert.
Joseph married Lucinda Lipscomb on March 18, 1833 in Campbell County, Kentucky. They resided in Joseph’s family home of Ohio, however. Together, they had eight children:
Robert (1834-1910)
Sara Jane (1839-1900)
Charles Henry (1840-1915)
Mary (b. 1844)
Elizabeth (1847-1900)
Joseph (1850-1930, who married Lucy Jane Land)
Maria (b. 1854)
Minisota (1857-1919)
Until the Civil War, Joseph made his living as a shoe maker … my kind of man!
Corporal Joseph Dunn
Joseph enlisted in Company G of the 89th Ohio Infantry on August 15, 1862. He is listed as Corporal on the roster for the 89th.
For some yet unknown reason, Joseph returned home on January 22, 1863. Thinking he was a deserter, Joseph was captured by Colonel Sidney Burbank and sent to the Second Street Prison. Joseph was released a few days later and sent on to meet the 89th. His description of the prison, found in the January 24, 1863 Cincinnati Enquirer, made me chuckle, “… the vermin came near devouring [me] body and breeches.”
Honestly, I can almost see this man saying these words with a tinge of mischief in his eyes, although I have no reason to believe he was mischievous!
Joseph was wounded then discharged on May 22, 1863 at Louisville, Kentucky on a surgeon’s certificate of disability.
I am still searching for information as to what caused the wound.
Moving from Ohio to Illinois
Not long after Joseph reunited with his family, everyone packed up and migrated roughly 300 miles west to Saline County, Illinois. Joseph and Lucinda’s adult children and their families also made the trek, which would have taken about a week. I’m not sure what caused them to pull up their Ohio roots and head west, but it’s on my “to find out” list.
Once in Illinois, Joseph traded his shoe making trade for that of farmer, and the rest of the Dunn men followed suit.
Joseph lived out the rest of his life in Saline County. He died sometime between 1870 and 1880, as he appears on the 1870 census then Lucinda appears widowed in 1880 census. I have yet to find a death record or grave site for Joseph, but I have no reason to believe he ever left Saline County. He’s there somewhere, I just have to find him.
Thank you so much for this article! I was interested to learn a little bit more of my family history. However, I am more grateful for the genealogy crumbs you included. First, Charles H W Dunn was my great-great grandfather on my paternal grandmother’s side. Thanks to your article, I was able to confirm his parents and siblings. I had been researching that line, but hit a wall at Charles.
I’m so glad you found it helpful!
Not sure how far you have gotten or how much of an interest the family tree is, but after some researching, I found his DOB to about 1810, according to the 1850 census. https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MX3L-GHL
Thanks! I’ve just recently started on that line. I’ve seen his birth date listed in different years on different records. Gotta love it!
I enjoyed reading your writing on Joseph Dunn. I am a descendant of Robert and Comfort Dunn also. they had another son Benjamin who was my grandfather (4 times). I am determined to find more about Robert and Comfort I know she was born in New Jersey and the census listed Robert as being born in Ireland. should you find any more information on them I hope you will share it with me
thanks
Thanks for stopping by … and for the additional information. I’ll be sure to let you know if I’m able to track anything down. I’m an Ancestry user, so feel free to connect with me there if you are subscribed.
Hello Niki, I hope you are still monitoring this page.
I am a descendant of Joseph DUNN & Lucinda (LIPSCOMB) thru their
daughter, Sarah Jane Dunn. would love to correspond with you.
Hi Kay, thanks for reaching out. I’ll connect with you over email.
OK, Thanks. Asking if you are collecting genealogical data only on Joseph Dunn & Lucy LAND family or on all the children of Robert & Comfort Dunn ?
Joseph’s sister ( My great grandmother ) Sarah Jane Dunn married a LIPSCOMB.
My great grandmother, Sarah Jane ( Dunn) Lipscomb. Last found in 1880 census Saline Co., IL.
I found a second marriage for her husband but haven’t found if Sarah Jane died or if they just divorced. if you have found that information, I would appreciate so much if you would share
Hi Kay! I spent some time looking for a clue – unfortunately, I haven’t researched this side enough to be able to help you. Feel free to reach out over email and we can stay connected that way. You can also reach out on Ancestry if you’re there.