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FAMILY OF DE DUNHAM
E have already suggested that the head of the Saxon Clan or family who first settled here was called Duna, and that the settlement became known as Duna's estate or ham, and consequently the members and their descendents as de Dunham.
An early mention of a de Dunham is in the Red Book of the Exchequer, which dates from the time of Henry II. The date of the following entry is 1155: (Translation) "For land given to the Count of Flanders in Dunham £40. Robert son of Hugo de Dunham £112 clear". "The same (Count of Flanders) £7 for land in Darlton."
Again, "Galfar, Archdeacon of Canterbury, rendered an account of £880 etc and in lands given to Yuoni (John) de Dunham Xs, 17 Henry II. (1171). And in lands given to the son of Hugo (de Dunham) 112s precisely in Clayworth (a neighboring village). And (of lands given) to the Count of Boulogne £60 in Dunham".
The same sheriff rendered an account of £10 of the farm of Darlton, a part of Dunham. "And in lands given to Yuoni de Dunham 10s".
In 1166, "Ranulfus filius Constantini et Recardus de Dunham has to provide two horsemen for his overlord in the service of the King."
Also from the Red Book 1210-1212, "Reginald de Dunham dedit domino suo Willielmo de Caisnet 7 marc ad exercitam Wales", (before 1212).
"John de Dunham hold a third part in Dunham and Stockton of the honor of de Lascy," (1210).
In 1276, Henricus de Dunham subscribes 11s towards Crusades to Holy Lands.
In the Fine Rolls, which commence in the reign of King John, and contain accounts of fines paid to the Crown for licenses to alienate land, for freedom from knight's service, there is mention in 1200 of Richard de Dunham. He paid to the King 100 silver marks. In the same year Thomas and Will de Dunham paid 45 marks, and in 1205 Alexander de Dunham paid 5 marks.
In the Rotuli Hundredorum (temp Edward I.) mention is made that Clement de Dunham paid 4s and scutage for land. John de Dunham held one messuage and 20 acres of land for 2/6. William de Dunham and Mable daughter of Roger held 2 messuages and half a rood for 2/3. John de Dunham held one messuage and croft containing 22 acres of land for 14/-. Robert de Dunham paid fine in capitate to William de Valence of Gainsborough for right of use of the river Trent.
In Testa de Nevill, Hoiis de Dunham is mentioned in the reign of Henry III.
The Close Rolls state, Sept 24, 1336, that John de Dunham was granted "exemption for life from juries, assize, or recognizances for appointment as mayor, sheriff, etc., against his wish." In 1337 the same privileges were granted to Robert de Dunham. These exemptions may have been granted for some special service rendered for the King, or on payment of a sum of money.
There are in the British Museum a number of charters referring to members of the de Dunham family, either as purchasing or selling land, or as witnesses to the transactions of others.
During the reign of Henry III., there is mention of Richard son of Oliver de Dunham, John son of Ada de Dunham, Reginald son of Ede de Dunham.
Early in the 14th century mention is made of John de Dunham and Robert his brother, these would be the same as the John and Robert mentioned in the Close Rolls as being granted certain privileges. In 1331 there is a Richard de Dunham, and in 1334 there is Robert son of Richard. Between 1340 and 1351 John is mentioned five times and Robert once.
Between 1357 and 1379 John son of Walter is mentioned 21 times. He left Dunham, sold his property, and went to Eakring which is nine miles southwest of Dunham. We gather this information from charters as follows:—No. 53216. "Grant by John son of Walter de Dunham and Isabella his wife to Richard Seman of Ragnall, John de Glentham, chaplains, and John de Hull of Torksey, co Lincs, of all their lands, tenements, etc and goods and chattels in Dunham, Ragnall, Wympton, and Darlton. Date, 19 January, 1377."
No. 5401. "Covenant, John son of Walter de Dunham and Alicia his wife (evidently he was twice married) granted to William Longespy of Ragnall all his tenements and lands in Ragnall, Wympton and Derletone (co Notts). Day before feast of St. Lawrence, 1372."
No. 53225. "Affidavit by George de Eucryingham (Eakringham now Eakring) that John Fitz Walter (John son of Walter) on his death was not enfeoffed or seized of any lands and tenements '' presumptuous et magistris'' as did his brother Dom Reginald de Eucryingham, chivaler." (Early 15th century).
Another son of the family, the head of which was Gregory, resided at Darlton. He is mentioned in charters of 1368 and 1393. The de Dunhams held land in Darlton of the King, whose manor it was until the time of Charles I. In 1331 a Robert de Dunham in Darlton witnessed a charter.
In 1544 an inquisition states that "the lands in Darlton are held of the King (Henry VIII.) yearly value 20/-."
At this time another branch of the family was residing at Dunham, for the same inquisition states that "Thomas de Dunham of Lord Borough (lord of the Manor of Dunham) 10/ yearly fealty etc, value 10/8 yearly."
"The said manors and premises including Drayton are worth yearly beside reprises (i.e., yearly payments out of the Manors as rent, charges, etc) £16." This means that the Manor lands of Darlton were rented by John de Dunham. "They say John Dunham died 9 May, 1524, and that Sir John is his son and heir and is 50 years of age and upwards."
For several hundred years the de Dunhams were a family of position and importance in the country, and several members held the title of knight.
In 1450 Sir John de Dunham of Dunham-on-Trent married Elizabeth Bowitt, widow of William Chaworth. Her mother was Elizabeth Zouche, daughter of Sir John Zouche and Margaret de Burgh, who was a daughter of Thomas de Burgh and Lucie de Bellaque.
After her death, 20 Mar 17 Henry VII., (1502), John de Dunham became possessed of the manor of Kirklington. They had a son, Sir John, who was then 28 years of age. He
married first, Jane daughter of Sir ------ Thurland de Gamelstone, and for his second wife Benet, daughter of Sir Godfrey Fuljambe. By his first wife he had issue John, who died young, and four daughters, viz, Katherine who married Rad Okeover, Frances (or Elizabeth) who married John Hazlewood to whom passed the manor of Kirklington, and in whose family it remained for four generations, and was then sold to John More, doctor of physic. There were three other daughters, Margaret unmarried, Ann wife of George Newell, and Mary wife of Thomas Grantham.
In a deed of Newark, date March 1502, it is stated "The manor of Kirklington was granted to John de Dunham and Elizabeth his wife, heir and remainder from Sir John Zouche, knight. Sir John died at Kirklington 1525, the year after his father. Thoroton says "I find that John Dunham esq, 3 Henry VIII. (1511), suffered a recovery of the manors of Kirklington, Rughagh, and great quantities of land in Kirklington, Rughagh, Hockerton, Halam, Edingley, Osmundthorp, Normanton, Middlethorp, Caunton, Harlesey, Kirsall, Darleton, Drayton, Dunham, Ragnall and Wympton, and called to warrant John Dunham, knight."
Sir John had a sister, Elizabeth, who married Sir Richard Bassett lord of the manor of Fledborough.
In 1511 Sir John de Dunham was Sheriff of Nottingham.
The family subsequently went to Scrooby, from whence a John Dunham went to Plymouth, Massachusetts, with the Pilgrim Fathers in 1620, and became deputy of the colony.
Unfortunately the old Dunham registers have been lost, the earliest preserved commences 1654, so that no information can be obtained from that source with regard to the Dunhams. And among the old Wills of Dunham proved at Southwell, now in the Probate Office in Nottingham, of which there are a considerable number subsequent to 1560 and a few earlier, there are none of the Dunham family. It would appear, therefore, that the family removed about the middle of the 16th century, the date of the last mention of the family in Dunham being 1564. There are numerous descendants of the family in the U. S. A., one of whom is Mr. Otis Emerson Dunham, president of the firm of Messrs. Page & Shaw, Candy Manufacturers, Boston, Mass.