JONATHAN SINGLETARY
by
Audrey (Shields) Hancock
April, 2000

Jonathan DUNHAM of Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., NJ started out life as Jonathan SINGLETARY, eldest son of Richard SINGLETARY and possibly a son of a first wife known as "Goodwife Singletary" or his mother could have been 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..., or perhaps the victim of religious and political unrest among the Quakers, Puritans, and other religious groups of that time period.

Jonathan SINGLETARY, s/o Richard SINGLETARY and either "Goodwife SINGLETARY" who died or Susanna COOKE, was born 1639/40 at Newbury, Essex County, Massachusetts (or Salibury, Essex County, 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 County, New Jersey 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. Yet, it appears that he continued to be recognized among the population of the day as Jonathan Dunham, alias Singletary.

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] continues to serve 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 by some researchers. Perhaps as time elapsed Jonathon mellowed in his attitudes and behaviors, and became a man of respectability.

On 16 April 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: I am trying to gather together information on Jonathan and his descendants. If anyone has any information or documents that they would like to share, please contact me. If you have any additions or deletions, please feel free to contact me. Hopefully by working together we can separate our DUNHAM families from the Mayflower DUNHAM families. Audrey]

• Married: ABT. 1657 in Haverhill, Essex Co., MA ^{15 16}

1. Richard Singletary DUNHAM b: 1657
2. Esther DUNHAM b: 1659
3. Mary (#1) DUNHAM b: 29 DEC 1661
4. Mary (#2) DUNHAM b: 3 FEB 1662/63 in Haverhill, Essex Co., MA
5. Sarah DUNHAM b: 23 FEB 1662/63 in Haverhill, Essex Co., MA
6. Ruth DUNHAM b: 1666 in Haverhill, Essex Co., MA
7. Eunice DUNHAM b: 1668
8. Jonathan DUNHAM b: 24 SEP 1672 in Woodbridge, Middlesex County, New Jersey
9. David DUNHAM b: 10 MAR 1673/74 in Woodbridge, Middlesex County, New Jersey or New York
10. Joanna Singletary DUNHAM b: 1675
11. Nathaniel (#1) DUNHAM b: 8 FEB 1676/77
12. Nathaniel (#2) DUNHAM b: 10 APR 1679 in Woodbridge, Middlesex County, New Jersey
13. Benjamin DUNHAM b: 22 AUG 1681 in Woodbridge, Middlesex County, New Jersey

1. Title: Descendants of Jonathan Dunham
   Author: Jacqueline DOUGHERTY at Tazdough@aol.com
   Publication: 13 March 2001
   Note: Internet Correspondence and Mail: Descendancy Chart
   
   Repository:
   Note: Audrey (Shields) Hancock
   Media: Letter
   Text: Jonathan was born 17 Nov 1639 in Salisbury or Plymoth, MA, and died 6 Sep 1724 Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., NJ. He married Mary BLOOMFIELD 1660 in Haverhill, Essex Co., MA, dau/o Thomas BLOOMFIELD and Mary WITHERS. Mary was born 15 Jan 1641-42 Newbury, Plymouth, MA, & died 1708 Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., NJ.
   
   He received 213 acres of land for erecting the first grist mill in Woodbridge, NJ area in 1670. He erected a brick residence that was still in use as the rectory of of the Trinity Episcopal Church (aka the White Church) of Woodbridge on Rahway Avenue. He was buried on the side of the house which is now known as the Trinity Episcopal Church rectory.
2. Title: Historic Trinity Episcopal Church, Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., NJ
   Author: HANCOCK, Audrey Shields
   Repository:
   Note: Internet Web Page
   Media: Electronic
   Page: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~grannyapple/NJCh-Cem/MiddlesexCoNJWoodbridgeHOME/TrinityEpiscopalChHOME.html
3. Title: Re: #414 David E. Dunham b Jan 1775 NJ
   Author: MAHONY, Gratia Dunham
   Publication: FTM GenForum: DUNHAM Family Genealogy Forum at http://genforum.genealogy.com/dunham/all.html
   Repository:
   Note: Internet, 16 Apr 1999, Message #414
   Media: Electronic
4. Title: Re: Dunham Family (New Brunswick, Canada and Mass)
   Author: STOTT, Greg at gstott@xcelco.on.ca
   Publication: FTM GenForum: DUNHAM Family Genealogy Forum
   Repository:
   Note: Internet 16 Oct 1998, Message # 216
   Media: Electronic
   Text: "Jonathan Dunham alias Singletary (c.1640-c.1722) and his wife, Mary Bloomfield (c.1642-alive 1708) were the parents of David Donham Sr., and came from Haverhill and Newbury, MA to New Jersey around 1650."
5. Title: DUNHAM Lineage of David M. SHIELDS at DMS59Dart@aol.com
   Author: SHIELDS, David M. (Jr.)
   Note: " I have two DUNHAM lines and two CRANE lines.
   Dave (LI)"
   
   Richard SINGLETARY and Susanna COOKE
   Jonathan SINGLETARY/DUNHAM and Mary BLOOMFIELD
   Nathaniel DUNHAM and Joanna THORNELL
   David DUNHAM and Esther CRANE
   David DUNHAM and Anna CRANE (2nd wife)
   Catherine (Caty) DUNHAM and James ROLL
   Betsey "Elizabeth" ROLL and David M. DUNHAM (Cranford NJ, parents unknown)
   Sarah Ann DUNHAM and John LEBER
   Charles Henry LEBER and Rose Ann McMANUS
   Rosemary Elizabeth LEBER and David Malcolm SHIELDS
   David Malcolm SHIELDS, Jr. and Pamela Townsend DAVIS
   
   Dave says, "Any information shared, should be double checked for correctness."
   Repository:
   Note: E-mail 31 Mar 2001 to: Audrey Shields Hancock
   Media: Electronic
6. Title: DUNHAM-SINGLETARY GENEALOGY, Descendants of Richard Singletary Of Salem, Newbury, and Haverhill, Massachusetts And Deacon John Dunham of Plymouth, Mas
   Author: DUNHAM, Kenneth Royal
   Publication: Royal Press, Rochester, NY, 1987
   Repository:
   Note: Private Collection of Audrey (Shields) Hancock
   Media: Book
   Page: p. 51
   Text: "Jonathan Dunham's mill provided flour for the citizens of Woodbridge, New Jersey, but Jonathan was no ordinary miller. He was one of the original founders of Woodbridge, a representative in the New Jersey legislature and a community and church leader. This respected and energetic man provided leadership in founding a new community and shaping its growth into a prosperous town."
7. Title: History of the Dunham-Donham Family in America--Founded 20 Mar 1997
   Author: STREETER, James A. at james@rootsquest.com
   Publication: Internet Web Page
   Repository:
   Note: http://www.rootsquest.com/~sirjames/dunham/dunham1b.htm
   Media: Electronic
   Page: http://www.usroots.com/~sirjames/dunham/dunham1b.htm
8. Title: Lineage of Bea (DUNHAM) WEBB
   Author: WEBB, Bea (DUNHAM)
   Publication: E-mail to ASH
   Note: Bea's gg-grandfarther was Almon DUNHAM of Petoskey, MI and then Wolverine, where his son, Ernest Deward DUNHAM, cared for him until his death. Bea grew up on the farm, which still stands. Her lineage includes: Almon DUNHAM (9); William Lee Bration DUNHAM (8); William Lee Bration DUNHAM (7); David DUNHAM (6); Nathaniel DUNHAM (5); Nathaniel DUNHAM (4); Jonathan SINGLETARY-DUNHAM (3); Richard SINGLETARY (2); Francis SINGLETARY (1). [NOTE: Francis has not been proven as an ancestor of this family.
   Repository:
   Note: Internet, 11 Apr 2001, E-mail
   Media: Electronic
9. Title: Lineage of Beatrice (Dunham) Webb
   Author: WEBB, Bea (DUNHAM) at beaw@gtlakes.com
   Publication: E-mail to ASH
   Note: Joseph m #1 Mary ??? and #2 Anna WOOD
   Repository:
   Note: Internet, 14 Apr 2001, E-mail Manuscript
   Media: Manuscript
   Text: Jonathan
   b 17 Jan 1639/40 Newbury, Essex Co., NJ
   d abt. 1724 Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., NJ
10. Title: Researcher, 2001: W. Charlene CONKLIN of Galesburg, IL
    Author: CONKLIN, W. Charlene at conklin@gallatinriver.net
    Repository:
    Note: Internet, 24 Apr 2001, E-mail to ASH
    Media: Electronic
    Text: Jonathan SINGLETARY-DUNHAM>Nathaniel DUNHAM>David DUNHAM>John DUNHAM, Sr.>Esther (DUNHAM) HIGH>Mary (HIGH) CONKLIN>James Dunham CONKLIN>James Fountain CONKLIN>Ralph Fountain CONKLIN>Dwight Emerson CONKLIN
11. Title: Lloyd Dunham's SINGLETARY-DUNHAM Lineages
    Note: First Line:
    Richard Singletary (1) and possible first wife.
    Jonathan Dunham (2) Singletary/alias dunham
    David Dunham (3) married Mary Ilsley
    David Dunham (4) married Mary Freeman
    Isaac Dunham (5) b. abt. 1759 married Ann Gage/Gach
    
    Second Line:
    Richard Singletary (1) and possible first wife
    Jonathan Dunham (2) Singletary/alias Dunham
    David Dunham (3) married Mary Ilsley
    Daniel Dunham (4) married Mary Dennis
    Daniel Dunham (5) married Catherine Campbell
    
    Daniel (5) is my 5 gr. grandfather and was born in 1730.
    Repository:
    Note: Internet, 7 Jan 2003, E-mail to ASH
    Media: Electronic
12. Title: Researcher: Peg Rufner at Rufpeg@aol.com
    Note: This is my family who came to Lebanon, Warren, OH before 1800. David [LOLLAR/LOHLER/LOHLAR/LAWLER] died and the Warren Co. Probate court made Phebe and her brother Joseph [DUNHAM], who, also, lived in Warren Co., the guardians of all her children.
    
    
    Repository:
    Note: Internet, 31 Mar 2001; 21 Jan 2003, 22 Jan 2003 (GEDCOM) E-mail to ASH
    Media: Electronic
    Page: GEDCOM
13. Title: Descendants of Richard Singletary
    Author: David Lee Dunham at DelcyD@aol.com
    Publication: Nov. 2002: 20 pages
    Repository:
    Note: Sent to ASH
    Media: Manuscript
14. Title: DUNHAM-SINGLETARY GENEALOGY, Descendants of Richard Singletary Of Salem, Newbury, and Haverhill, Massachusetts And Deacon John Dunham of Plymouth, Mas
    Author: DUNHAM, Kenneth Royal
    Publication: Royal Press, Rochester, NY, 1987
    Repository:
    Note: Private Collection of Audrey (Shields) Hancock
    Media: Book
15. Title: Researcher: 2002, 2003, David Lee Dunham of Tulsa, OK at DelcyD@aol.com
    Repository:
    Media: Electronic
16. Title: Descendants of Jonathan Dunham
    Author: Jacqueline DOUGHERTY at Tazdough@aol.com
    Publication: 13 March 2001
    Note: Internet Correspondence and Mail: Descendancy Chart
    
    Repository:
    Note: Audrey (Shields) Hancock
    Media: Letter
    Text: Married 1660 Haverhill, Essex Co., MA