Esther (Crane) Dunham (abt. 1707 - bef. 1773)

Born about 1707 in Westfield, Essex, New Jersey

Ancestors

Descendants

Died before 2 Mar 1773 before about age 66 in Elizabethtown, Essex, New Jersey

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Biography

Esther, daughter of John Crane and Esther Williams, was born about 1704-1707, however the actual date is unknown. She was of the Crane family from which the town of Cranford and Cranford Township in Union County, New Jersey, derived their names. One John Crane built a mill in 1720 along the Rahway River. David⁵ Dunham's grandfather, Jonathan² Dunham, alias Singletary, had built a mill in Woodbridge, Middlesex County, NJ.^[1]

Esther Crane married David Dunham in Elizabeth, Essex (present-day Union County), New Jersey. David⁵ Dunham was the son of Nathaniel⁴ Dunham and Johanna Thornell.^[2]

Esther (Crane) Dunham wrote her will on 3 September 1772 and named her children James, Sarah, Abigal, & Mary as legatees of her estate. Son John was to be executor.^[3]

She died before 2 March 1773 in Elizabethtown, Essex, New Jersey when her will was probated.^[4]

Will of Esther Dunham of Elizabeth Town, Essex Co.; proved 2 March 1773^[5]
Son James Dunham, my late husband's apparel.
Daughters, Sarah Littell, Abigal Lose and Mary Terrel, the rest of my estate; but Abigal is not to have the care of her part, but my Executors are to deal it out to her as they see fit.
Executors -- son, John Dunham and Abraham Terril.
Witnesses -- John Crane, Melyn Miller, John Crane, Jr.

It is not known where Esther actually died nor where she is buried.^[6]

David Dunham and Esther Crane were the parents of these given children:^[7]

1. James Dunham (1722-7 June 1796), m. Sarah (d.1820)
2. John Dunham (1732?-12 November 1811 Westfield, Union, NJ), m. Keziah Marsh (1737-1809)
3. Joseph Dunham (1735-27 December 1776 Westfield, Union, NJ), m. Hannah (maiden name unknown) (1738?-1781) [Note: This Hannah was not Hannah Conyer/Conger.]
4. Sarah Dunham ( - ), m. Mr. Littell
5. Abigail Dunham ( - ), m. Mr. Lose
6. Mary "Polly" Dunham (12 November 1746 Westfield, Union, NJ-8 September 1812 Rahway, Union, NJ), m. Abraham Terrill (1735-1791)
7. David Dunham (18 December 1751 Westfield, Union, NJ-1826), m. Freelove Decamp (1758-1784)

Research Notes

Scott T. S. Trimble, Genealogy Donham Family History 1995-2000 Genealogy Donham Family History; Authorization Required; citing the following sources:
Donham Family History, © 1995
DUNHAM / DONHAM Ancestries in 1600s America
The DeLUCCHIs and DONHAMs of Novato, CA
Chart Showing Fourfold DONHAM Descendency
Chart of Some RECTOR / RICHTER Family Lines
The Will of George BROWN, Rush County, IN
The SINGLETARY Family Legend
Chart Showing Some of the Many Nathaniel DONHAMs
Will of Nathaniel DONHAM Jr., Clermont County, OH
Students at Washington School, Clay County, IN, 1893
Margaret (DONHAM) BENNETT, Court Dispute

Sources

1. ↑ Hancock, Audrey (Shields) Hancock, "DUNHAMs of Cranford, New Jersey".
2. ↑ Patty Barthell Myers, "Ancestors and Descendants of Lewis Ross Freeman", 1995. p. 543: Nathaniel Dunham. Also, "Family of Nathaniel Donham alias Singletary and Joannah THORNELL.
3. ↑ Last Will and Testament of Esther (Crane) Dunham.
4. ↑ Calendar of New Jersey Wills, p. 153. probate of Esther Dunham's will.
5. ↑ Last Will and Testament of Esther (Crane) Dunham
6. ↑ Find A Grave memorial 152973287.
7. ↑ Myers, Patty Barthell. "Ancestors and Descendants of Lewis Ross Freeman", 1995. pp. 551-552: David Dunham

• Find A Grave memorial page for Esther Crane Dunham (unknown–2 Mar 1773), Memorial ID 152973287; maintained by Jim Kimble (contributor 47587114); unknown burial site.
• Doug Wilson, Singletary Family Reports, Family of David Dunham and Esther Crane.
• Ancestry Family Trees.

Acknowledgments

• Kristin Schmidt.