The Dunnings of Wolstanton

[noman]

Hello,

I'm trying to trace information on one of my Great Great Grandfathers. He was Thomas Dunning who married Alice Onions in 1815 in Wellington Shropshire. According to the 1851 Census, he was born in Wolstanton, Shropshire about 1790. The 1861 Census records him as being born about 1788 in Staffordshire. Just to be different, the 1841 Census entry, which has a number of other errors in it, records him as being born in Shropshire!

Most of my rellies come from either south Staffordshire or Shropshire. It's just this one who's being awkward.

Can anyone throw any light on the Dunnings from the Wolstanton area please.

Thanks in anticipation

noman

[Richard Knott]

This site believes that he was born in Wellington:
http://www.thelordfamily.org/tree/indiI1323.html

Richard

[noman]

Hi Richard,

Thanks for your reply.

I was aware of Richard Lords site and we have had  a number of discussions and exchanges of information in the past. There was a large Dunning family in the Wellington area which can be traced back to the early 1600s.

My problem is the 1851 census information which records him as being born in Wolstanton, Staffordshire or the 1861 census which simply states Staffordshire. A quick check of Family Search shows there were Dunnings in Wolstanton in the 1700's but sadly no Thomas is listed.

Thanks again

noman

[ggrocott]

I am interested in the links between the Dunnings of Wolstanton and the Dunnings of Wellington.  I have the Thomas you are talking about as the son of Joseph Dunning and Grace Porter bp Wellington 3 May 1795 but I may be wrong. 

I am also interested in James Dunning who married Rebecca Tunks in Wellington in 1730 and John Dunning who married Martha Lane in Wellington in 1722.  Interestingly two brothers of about the same age and with the same names were baptised in Wolstanton in 1705 and 1703, the sons of Joseph and Maria Dunning.  There are no marriages in Wolstanton which would be likely and no baptisms in Wellington at about the right time either - it is very tempting to tie up the baptisms in Wolstanton with the weddings in Wellington but is it right?

[noman]

Hello

I am interested in the links between the Dunnings of Wolstanton and the Dunnings of Wellington.  I have the Thomas you are talking about as the son of Joseph Dunning and Grace Porter bp Wellington 3 May 1795 but I may be wrong. 

I have this relationship as a vague possibility. The problem is that I believe Joseph Dunning married Grace Porter on 5 August 1803 at Wellington All Saints according to two secondary sources. Since Thomas married Alice Onions on 24 July 1815, I believe he was born in or before 1795 your quoted date for his baptism is quite reasonable. Could I ask where you got this date from, please.

I must admit I haven't been researching this part of my family tree for some time and, having a quick look through them, realise my Dunning notes are badly out of date. I note, however, that a Joseph Dunning was buried 7 January 1816, aged 44, in Lawley Bank (south of Wellington, Shropshire) and that a Grace Dunning can be found in the 1821, 1841 and 1851 censuses as a widow.

I am also interested in James Dunning who married Rebecca Tunks in Wellington in 1730 and John Dunning who married Martha Lane in Wellington in 1722.  Interestingly two brothers of about the same age and with the same names were baptised in Wolstanton in 1705 and 1703, the sons of Joseph and Maria Dunning.  There are no marriages in Wolstanton which would be likely and no baptisms in Wellington at about the right time either - it is very tempting to tie up the baptisms in Wolstanton with the weddings in Wellington but is it right?

It would be certainly correct to note that the possibility exists. More research is needed ( ) Why did the brothers move the Wellington? Work? As an aside, I have a reference to a Joseph Dunning marrying a Mary Baslow (or Barlow) in Wolstanton on 1 February 1701 according to the IGI, if this helps.

I've never tried to connect the Dunnings of Wolstanton and the Dunnings of Wellington but it does seem to be an avenue worth travelling down.

noman

[ggrocott]

Need to go back to my files to check my sources - it is several years since I did the initial research but I have Grace Porter and Joseph marrying on 5th August 1793!  This will also be from secondary sources as I have not been able to get to Shropshire yet. 

I have also got the marriage of Joseph and Mary in Wolstanton - I believe they are the parents of the James and John baptised in Wolstanton who may, or may not, have moved to Wellington.

[ggrocott]

Here is the marriage of Joseph and Grace in Wellington.

"England, Marriages, 1538–1973 ," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/NKHL-65S : accessed 11 Mar 2013), Joseph Dunning and Grace Porter, 05 Aug 1793

[ggrocott]

And here is the baptism of Thomas
Thomas Dunning, 3 May 1795. Wellington, Shrops   
Father's Name:   Joseph Dunning   
Mother's Name:   Grace

"England, Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/J37N-YPJ : accessed 11 Mar 2013), Thomas Dunning, 03 May 1795.

[noman]

Hello, and my apologies for the delay in replying.

Many thanks for the information you've supplied.

I've been going through some of my old Dunning notes and, so far, can find little connection between the Wolstanton and Wellington Dunnings. (The '51 Census for Wellington records a William Dunning and a John Dunning, both born in Staffordshire and living, or at least present, in Shropshire.)

There are also a couple of references to Tonks or Tunks which might prove interesting.

I'll continue investigating and thanks again.

Regards

Andrew