James Dunneway

by

Spelled (Donaway) and referred to variously, Albany resident James Dunneway was born about 1740. Subsequent information tells us his father was named John. We seek defining information on his origins and path to Albany.

In 1767, "James Donoway" was identified as a private in an Albany militia company.

In 1766, his name appeared on the city assessment roll. In 1767, "John Doneway and son" were listed on the tax list for the second ward. In March of 1779, his lot in the first ward was valued modestly.

In November 1768, he married one Elsje Smith at the Albany Dutch church. At that time, the partners were identified as "both of Albany." By 1789, the marriage had produced at least the ten children who were christened at the Albany church.

In September 1769, he was paid £6 for "making a road on Frans Bergh next to the lot of Isaac Swits." In January 1770, he was one of 21 men appointed to the "night watch" and who were to be paid eleven shillings. In March 1772, he was paid £1:14 from the city treasury.

Probably in his mid-thirties at the outbreak of hostilities in 1775, we expect to connect him to an active part of the great struggle. In May 1775 and a year later he supported the Albany effort to supply Ticonderoga and was paid £1:4 for firewood and repairing the barracks by the Albany Committee. In August 1781, he appeared before the Albany Commissioners to report that he had been captured and released while in the woods five or six miles from Albany.

During those years, these Dunneways raised their family in the first ward - probably near or on what became South Pearl Street. In 1788 and 1799, his house and lot were valued moderately.

In 1788, the inventory of the estate of an Albany physician listed him as a debtor.

In 1790, his household was configured on the census in the first ward and included two men, two boys, and four females. A decade later, his household consisted only of himself and three young girls as residents.

In May 1789, "Jamey Dunaway's wife" was buried from the Dutch church. He died in July 1802 and was laid to rest in the new municipal cemetery.


biography in-progress


notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of James Dunneway is CAP biography number 7904. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.




first posted 6/30/15; updated 1/6/16