Elsie Smith Dunneway

Future Albany resident Elsie Smith appears to have been born in 1747 (not 1749). Thus, she would have been the daughter of Thomas and Maria Barrett (or Bergen) Smith. However, we seek defining information on her precise origins and path to Albany.

In November 1768, she married "James Donneway" at the Albany Dutch church. At that time, the partners were "both of Albany." By 1789, ten children had been christened in Albany churches.

Over the next three decades, these Dunneways were first ward mainstays. James served the municipal government in a number of ways and was reimbursed for various tasks from the city treasury.

The life of Elsie Smith Dunneway had ended by May 1799 when James paid eleven shillings for his wife's pall and hearse. Dunneway lived on in their Southside home with his still growing family until his passing three years later.

Sources: The life of Elsie Smith Dunneway is CAP biography number 1513. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.