The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
State of Service: MA
Qualifying Service: Civil Service / Patriotic Service / Private
Birth: 22 Aug 1740 Stoughton / Suffolk / MA Death: 25 Oct 1814 Stoughton / Norfolk / MA
Additional References:
56th-77th Annual Reports DAR. Senate documents (United States Congress, Senate). Government Printing Office: Washington, DC
Spouse: Sarah Hunt Children: Elijah; Marcy;
Members Who Share This Ancestor
None*
*This means that the NSSAR has no applications for this Patriot on file.
Instead the information provided is best effort, and from volunteers who have either researched grave sites, service records, or something similar. There is no documentation available at NSSAR HQ to order.
Photo used with permission of Compatriot Mitchell Anderson, 229001, KYSSAR
Directions to Cemetery / Gravesite:
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Author: James Edward Mitchell
Elijah Dunbar was born 22 Aug 1740 at his home in Canton (formed 1797 from Stoughton) Massachusetts (MA). His parents were Reverend Samuel Dunbar (1704-1783) – 1st Parish Church 1741-1797 of Stoughton and Hannah Danforth, a daughter of John Danforth, a resident of Dorchester who married them on 22 Oct 1729; source, http://www.stoughtonhistory.com/clergy1.htm
An online search produced a hand written, ink and quill record that Rev. Samuel Dunbar, 1st Parish Church of Stoughton married his daughter Mehetable Dunbar to Reverend John Searle (1721-1787) of Stoneham, MA on Sept 7, 1762. The second journal entry for Rev. Samuel Dunbar was the Dec 29, 1762 marriage of Elijah Dunbar, age 22 and Sarah Hunt both of Stoughton; source, Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988 for Elijah Dunbar, Stoughton, Marriages, pg 16. Elijah and Sarah had the following children: Elijah b. 7 Jul 1773; Thomas b. 25 Jul 1775; Dorothy b. 13 Feb 1778; William b. 15 Aug 1780; Hannah b. 21 Aug 1784; James b. 2 Feb 1787, and Sarah b. 25 Jun 1793; source, Massachusetts Town and Vital Records, 1620 to 1988 for Elijah Dunbar, Stoughton, Birth, Marriages and Deaths, pg 156.
Mehetable Dunbar’s husband, [John Searle (SAR Patriot Ancestor # P-286529) was found by the writer, to relocate from 1st Parish Church of Stoneham, to accept a call from both the town and church as Pastor with the 1st Church of Royalton, Vermont (VT). From there, Pastor Searle served in the Revolutionary War as a chaplain for considerable time, while Mehetable resided at Royalton, VT.]
Elijah Dunbar, at age 35, was appointed as a member of Committee of Correspondence for Stoughton, MA. He was recorded to enlist on 13 Jul 1775 as a Private in the Massachusetts militia company raised for Stoughton, MA. Elijah served in Capt. Caleb Turner’s company of Col. Theophilus Cotton’s regt.; his service tour between Jul 1775 and 31 Dec 1775, totaled 6 mos. 3 days, in defense of seacoast. The company roll was sworn to at Bristol County, MA; sources, Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in the War of the Revolution, Vol 5, pg 27 – Elijah Dunbar; and North America, Family Histories, 1500-2000 for Elijah Dunbar, Daughters of the American Revolution, (NSDAR) Vol 163:1921. Elijah Dunbar’s SAR Patriot Ancestor # was determined to be P-151015.
Elijah’s death was recorded at age 75 on 25 Oct 1814 at Canton, Norfolk County, MA. His upright headstone can be found at Canton Corner Cemetery, Washington Street, Canton, MA, bearing a Latin inscription, photographed online at Find A Grave Memorial # 27219680. His devoted wife, Sarah Hunt Dunbar’s upright headstone, located adjacent to her spouse, appears inscribed, “departed this life Jun 21, 1818”; source, Find A Grave Memorial # 27998228. Canton Cemetery is mapped at Latitude: 42.177045 and Longitude: -71.130813. Elijah’s parents are also buried and their graves are impressively, marked and photographed (Find A Grave) at the same cemetery.
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