| Notes |
- NOTE 1./
After moving to Woodbridge, NJ, Jonathan used the surname Dunham and signed numerous legal documents as Jonathan Dunham alias " Singletary". I have found no reason for the change of name. His descendants continue to use the surname of Dunham. He built the first grist mill in NJ, and received 213 acres in land for building it. In 1670 he was chosen "Overseer of Highways". In 1672 and 1675, he was Township Clerk,1674 and 1684, he was " Ratemaker" (Tax Assessor).He was an attorney and represented Woodbridge over disputed land with Piscataway, NJ. He was a member of the Assembly of New Jersey under the Propriety Government in 1673, and, in 1701 represented Woodbridge under Governor Carteret. Jonathan was a respected citizen in NJ and served his community.
NOTE 2./
JONATHAN SINGLETARY by Audrey (Shields) Hancock April, 2000 at Roots Web.com ; JONATHAN SINGLETARY-DUNHAM FAMILY LINE : <>
<<http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=grannyapple1939&id=I049>>
Jonathan DUNHAM of Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., NJ started out life as Jonathan SINGLETARY, eldest son of Richard SINGLETARY and Susanna COOKE of Haverhill, Massachusetts. He was no relation to the "Mayflower" DUNHAM Family of Plymouth, Massachusetts, even though attempts to connect him have been made at times. Previous books and genealogies often allude to this connection, and plant him among the descendants of Deacon John DUNHAM. Our Jonathan ended life as Jonathan DUNHAM (alias SINGLETARY). He appears to have had a dual personality having led a stormy life in Haverhill, Massachusetts...perhaps a scoundrel, a notorious vagabond, an antagonizer of the Puritan leaders, etc..
Jonathan SINGLETARY, s/o Richard SINGLETARY and Susanna COOKE, was born 1639/40 at Salisbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts where he appears to have been living at the time of his marriage. Jonathan married about 1660-1661 to Mary BLOOMFIELD, daughter of Thomas and Mary BLOOMFIELD.
At about age 23 in 1662, Jonathan got into court trouble with John GODFREY, accusing John of witchcraft. In return, John GODFREY sued Jonathan for defamation and slander. This was followed by Jonathan being found guilty and having to pay a fine or having to make a public apology.
Jonathan SINGLETARY, appears to have been placed in prison for his erring ways. He evidently had disputes with the Plymouth government for some sort of rebellion. In government records he was described as being a "ranter" and "disseminating corrupt religious principles among his neighbors."
Also, in 1662, Richard and Susanna SINGLETARY conveyed to 150 acres of land in Haverhill to Mary, wife of Jonathan SINGLETARY...not to Jonathan. Perhaps this reflected the fact that Jonathan was not yet settled due to his erring ways, and his parents felt it best to place the land in the hands of his wife, Mary.
Then around 1665/1666, Jonathan and Mary removed to Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., NJ with the BLOOMFIELD family. With the move came a surname change to DUNHAM, perhaps for anonymity and a different way of life. Perhaps it was to re-establish or reclaim the DUNHAM surname of his ancestors. However, even after marriage he appears to have continued to lead a separate life at times when he returned to Massachusetts temporarily.
In New Jersey, Jonathan erected a grain mill in 1670, and here he appears to have led a respectable life. His brick home is said to have been built in 1671 which after some renovation now [2000] serves as a church rectory. His home and a millstone can be see at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~grannyapple/NJCh-Cem/MiddlesexCoNJWoodbridgeHOME/TrinityEpiscopalChHOME.html .
Stephen Kent, Jr. of Woodbridge deeded on 20 Jul 1673 to Jonathan DUNHAM "alias SINGLETARY of the same place, for part of his house-lot meadows of Papyack Creek, adjoining grantee, S. of the road to grantee's mill etc." Again, we note that Jonathan is referred to as being "alias SINGLETARY," and records of him in New Jersey appear to always indicate an alias.
According to Kenneth Royal DUNHAM in his "DUNHAM-SINGLETARY GENEALOGY," Jonathan was not just an "ordinary miller," but one of the founders of Woodbridge, a New Jersey legislature representative, and a community and church leader. However, with his infamous background his respectably lies in question. Perhaps as time elapsed Jonathon mellowed in his attitudes and behaviors, and became a man of respectability.
On 16 Apr 1702, Jonathan was given Power of Attorney by his wife and children to dispose of lands held in Haverhill, Massachusetts. It appears that this was land given to them by Jonathan's parents, Richard & Susannah SINGLETARY, as they are mentioned in the Power of Attorney letter. All sons and one daughter signed "DONHAM alias SINGLETARY" and one daughter signed "Mary ELLISON."
There seems to be overwhelming evidence that for whatever reason, Jonathan SINGLETARY of Massachusetts, was, in fact, the one and same Jonathan DUNHAM of Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., NJ.
NOTE 3./
Dunham descendant needs help
I am a direct descendant of Jonathan Singletary Dunham, who built a grist mill in Woodbridge in 1670. Our research group found the long-lost site.
The Army Corps of Engineers hired the Hunter Archaeology team, and they verified the site. The Army Corps spokeswoman, at a meeting with us, said it is definitely the site and the Hunter Research Team will terminate the search because they are no longer going to build on the site.
Then they had a secret meeting. We were not invited. Then they had a meeting at Woodbridge Town Hall last Thursday, which we heard of by word of mouth. We went to the meeting and found out that they plan to build a canoe dock on top of one of the oldest historical sites in New Jersey.
What can we do, who can we turn to? This must be stopped.
RICHARD E. CROWLEY
Manville: from the Courier News website www.c-n.com
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1640 - 1709 (68 years)
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