DJD-45-Eleazer-3

LINE OF DEACON JOHN DUNHAM OF PLYMOUTH

THIRD GENERATION IN AMERICA

45. ELEAZER 3 DUNHAM (Joseph 2 John 1), born in Plymouth say 1659. [1] There is no death record and no probate for Eleazer, but he died after 24 September 1713 (license to sell liquor) and probably after 17 March 1719/20. [2] Eleazer married say 1682 BATHSHEBA WHISTON [3] daughter of John and Susanna (Hanford) Whiston. [4]

Bathsheba was baptized 1 July 1660 in Scituate. She died after March 1740/1 when a suit brought by Samuel Kempton for assistance in the support of his aged mother-in-law, Bathshua Donham, widow, was settled.

“The children and grandchildren of Bathshua were ordered to pay Kempton their portions of her maintenance at the rate of £36 a year, commencing 1 Oct. 1739 and apportioned as follows: Cornelius Clark, who married her daughter Susanna, £6; Nathaniel Donham and Ezekiel Donham, her grandsons, £6; Silvanus and Cornelius Dunham, the two sons of her son Israel Donham, deceased, £6; Elisha Donham in Casco Bay, £6; John Colling, who married her daughter Bathshua, £6; and Samuel Kempton £6.” [5]

Eleazer Dunham was called “of Plymouth,” but his property was actually located very near or adjacent to his brother Nathaniel Dunham who lived in Plympton. The reason for this is that when the line was drawn separating the two towns, Eleazer’s property actually fell within the Plymouth bounds while that of the other family members fell within Plympton. [6]

Eleazer and his brother Nathaniel, were left property “at Wellingsly” by their grandfather Nathaniel Morton in 1685. They probably soon sold this inheritance to move to the Plympton area where they are later found.

Eleazer Dunham (and his father Joseph 2) were witnesses to the prenuptial agreement between Persis 2 (Dunham) Pratt, and Jonathan 2 Shaw in August 1683. [7]

The three following Plymouth Colony Court Records pertaining to Eleazer Dunham demonstrate one way he earned his livelihood.

Plymouth Colony Court Records, Vol. 1:276—Persons licensed to sell liquor include Eleazer Dunham (Innholder). The reference to licensed to sell liquor is under date of General Sessions, September 1704.

Plymouth Colony Court Records, Vol. 1: 283, Gen., Sessions June 1713.

“John Gibbs appeared by a warrant for ‘putting off the Eleazer Dunham of Plymouth and counterfeiting or altering a Two shilling Province Bill to a Ten shilling bill’.”

Plymouth Colony Court Records, Vol. 1:286, licensed to sell liquor; Eleazer Dunham, (Innholder) under date of Court of Gen. Sessions Sept. 1713 (this Court Session began 24 September 1713).

Children of Eleazer and Bathsheba (Whiston) Dunham born in Plymouth: [8]

249. i. ELEAZER 4 DUNHAM, b. 15 January 1682

ii. NATHANIEL 4 DUNHAM, b. 20 March 1685; died before March 1740/1, unmarried.

He was not on the support agreement of Bathsheba, widow of Eleazer 3 Dunham. [9]

250. iii. MERCY/MARCY 4 DUNHAM, b. 10 December 1686

251. iv. ISRAEL 4 DUNHAM, b. October 1689

252. v. ELISHA 4 DUNHAM, b. August 1692

253. vi. JOSIAH 4 DUNHAM, b. June 1694

254. vii. BATHSHEBA/BARSHUA 4 DUNHAM, b. 26 April 1696

255. viii. SUSANNA 4 DUNHAM, b. June 1698

256. ix. JOSHUA 4 DUNHAM, b. 1 April 1701

References:

1. TAG 30:154.

2. Plymouth County Court Records, Vol. 1:286; Plymouth County LR 23:112.

3. TAG 30:154.

4. TGMB Vol. 3:1974-5; NEHGR 57:86

5. TAG 62:10-11.

6. TAG 62:6

7. NEHGR 151:276

8. Plymouth VR p. 2.

9. TAG 62:13