Richard Minor Dunn

[p1kef1sh]

I have a fascination for this ancestor of mine. I believe that he was born in 1753 and according to the plaque on his tomb in Ashby de La Zouch (Leicestershire) he died on 30 June 1828 in Derby. His death was also reported in the Derby Mercury on 2 July 1828. He was the son of James and Mary Dunn (nee Edson?) and born in Dudley I believe. He had several brothers one named Noah (my 4 x G grandfather). He was a wealthy man and probably a bachelor. I am looking to confirm his birth place, his parentage and his siblings. Also I would like shed some light on how he came to make his money. Any help will be most appreciated.

[MarkCDodd]

I can e-mail you a copy of his will. Send a PM with your e-mail address.

A quick read...he left Noah a 50 pounds annually.

A brother James got a single payment of 200 pounds.

There is a heap of money being handed aout and two estates.

I would have to spend a few hours transcribing it so I will leave that to you

Looks like there was a problem with who he named the executor dying before he did....

Looks like his newphwe, another RIchard Minor Dunn, might have been the lucky one.

Looks like the probate is available at the National Archives in Kew. (PROB 31/1285/2003)

It looks like either he or his newphew were cabinet makers.
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/A2A/records.aspx?cat=056-de322&cid=-1&Gsm=2008-06-18#-1

[p1kef1sh]

Thank you Mark. I have a copy of the Will and the Probate list from his nephew who was the main beneficiary. I confess that I have struggled with deciphering it. I need to learn how to translate that legal writing. He also left money to a number of women, possibly at least one of whom was a sister (Sarah Partridge?). Richard is a fascinating character simply because he "made good". I think that he may have been either a banker (money lender) or possibly what we would today call an estate agent. But I really am not certain. His nephew who he names in the Will, another Richard Minor, died a year after the elder RMD, and his wife the following year (I have her will). The younger RMD had a son also named RMD who inherited from his mother (and spent virtually all the money in his lifetime). He died aged 49 in 1879. He in turn had six children including yet another RMD (who also sired a boy of the same name) the youngest of whom was my great grandfather. I remember him slightly and somewhere there is a photo of him, my grandfather, father and myself! I also wonder where the name "Minor" comes from. Schools used to call younger brothers "Minor" but I don't think that was the case here.

I am intrigued. Did you get a copy of the Will because you have Dunn connections?

[peterd]

this is a submitted entry

RICHARD MONOR DUN
Christening: 11 MAR 1753 Dudley, Worcester,

Father: JAMES DUN
Mother: MARY


also submitted

NOAH DUNN
Christening: 08 MAY 1757 Dudley, Worcester,

Father: JAMES DUNN
Mother: MARY


poss st thomas if someone has the Pr they might be able to check them ?

[MarkCDodd]

No, I have access to the wills via TheGenealogist.

I always take a look to see if a will is available when looking at the "Brick Walls".

There are people who will transcribe the will for about 20 pounds.

It is not so much the legalise they use but the fact they do not use puntuation and construct it so it is a single sentence.

The longest I have translated is seven pages.

The Australian ones are in plain english and so much easier to read and far more usefull....

The family has a history of weird names....

http://listsearches.rootsweb.com/th/read/ENG-STS-SEDGLEY/2002-08/1028720520

[p1kef1sh]

Thank you Peter and Mark. Really helpful. I have contacted the lady that did the research linked in Mark's reply. I can't tell you how much you chaps have raised my spirits already!