DJD-Gen-4 William-96

LINE OF DEACON JOHN DUNHAM OF PLYMOUTH FOURTH GENERATION IN AMERICA

96. WILLIAM 4 DUNHAM (Samuel 3,2 John 1) born in Plymouth 2 February 1684, [1] died in Plymouth 12 November 1745 in his 62nd year. [2] William married 9 December 1708 ANNA NORCUT, [3] daughter of William Norcut of Marshfield.

From the Harlow Gen. p. 51; William received one fourth of the homestead and some land at “Obery” in the division of his father’s estate on 23 April 1718. On 18 March 1720/1 (acknowledged 6 March 1745), William Donham of Plymouth, yeoman, entered into a deed with his brother Ebenezer Donham concerning their father’s land. [4]

  William Donham of Plimouth, yeoman in his will dated 12 November 1745, names his wife and his two children “my poor infirm son William Donham”, and “daughter Martha Freeman, wife of Nathaniel Freeman”.  Inventory was taken 31 March 1746, totalled £223.16.6 ¾  including the north part of the house, cellar, and land; and other parcels of land. [5]

  The spelling of the surname in the will of William Donham is one of the first times we see the change in spelling of ‘DUNHAM’ to ‘DONHAM’ in the written records.  The four sons of Samuel 3 used this spelling, which probably originated with their father.  

Children of William and Anna (Norcut) Donham: [6]

i. WILLIAM 5 DUNHAM, b. 5 April 1710 (called “infirm son” in will of father); d. in Plymouth, unmarried, 21 December 1760. William bequeaths to Jonathan Churchill of Plymouth, and leaves “to the 4 children of my sister Martha Freeman, wife of Nathaniel of Connecticut” [7]

	ii.  MARTHA 5 DUNHAM, b. 8 Dec. 1713

m. Nathaniel Freeman

References:

1. Plymouth VR p. 9.  
2. ibid. p. 133.  Plymouth Co. Probate 10:325, #6887. 
3. Plymouth VR p. 89
4. Plymouth Co. LR 38:24, TAG Vol. 62:8, Harlow Gen. p. 51. 
5. Plymouth Co. Probate #6887.  
6. Plymouth VR p. 40, TAG 39:197.  
7. Plymouth Co. Probate #6888.