Several Dunbar families came to the American colonies from Scotland during the seventeenth century.

The Albany Dunbar family begins with John Dunbar, who settled in the community by the early 1700s. His two marriages produced several children who established the family chiefly in Albany and Schenectady. Particularly during the earlier years, the family name was spelled variously (Dunbar, Dunbaarr, Dumbar, Tumbaar, Tumbarr) in the community record.

During the eighteenth century, the family maintained a single-household presence in Albany, Rensselaerswyck, and Schenectady.

In 1790, one Dunbar-named household was listed on the census in the city of Albany while three more were noted in surrounding Watervliet.

In 1813, the city directory listed two Dunbar households in Albany. By that time, Robert Dunbar, Jr. had embarked on what would be a three-decade career as the principal agent of the Patroon.

Sources: This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources. Basic Internet-based resources begin with the Schenectady Digital History Archive. Dunbar family ancestry resources guide.