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Tunis Dolson

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Tunis Dolson

Birth
Death
1799 (aged 69–70)
Big Flats, Chemung County, New York, USA
Burial
Big Flats, Chemung County, New York, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
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The date of birth and date of death are approximates. His Will was dated 29 Aug 1795 and probated 9 May 1799, his death occurring sometime between those dates.

This Tunis (Teunis) Dolson (born c. 1729) was the son of Johannes Dolson (c. 1702 - living 1783) and his wife Elizabeth Buys. He has been confused with his double first-cousin Tunis Dolson (1735-living 1776), son of Jacobus Dolson and Marytje Buys. The latter Tunis was baptized October 6, 1735 Reformed Dutch Church, Fishkill, New York as "Thunes Dalson" son of Jacob Dolson and Marya Buys. There is no surviving baptismal record for Tunis Dolson, son of Johannes Dolson (c. 1702 - living 1783) and Elizabeth Buys (born c. 1708). The records for the Fishkill and Poughkeepsie Reformed Dutch Churches, served by the same minister, are missing from about 1727 to 1731. Some children born in this part of Dutchess County, New York during this period do turn up in the records of the New York City Lutheran Church, whose minister made regular visits to the area, but unfortunately not the Dolsons. The birth year of Tunis is judged to be about 1729 (the eldest child of his parents), based on the fact that he was a Constable in Beekman Precinct in 1751, when he was assaulted by Lewis Hunt and three others "in the execution of his duties" (Dutchess County Ancient Documents #2392). His younger sister Maria was born 1732. Note that his double first cousin Tunis Dolson (born 1735), son of Jacob Dolson and Maria Buys, could not possibly have been the Beekman Constable in 1751, as that Tunis Dolson was then barely sixteen years old. Moreover, Tunis Dolson (born c. 1729) and his first wife Rachel (probably Rachel Crankheit) named their eldest son Johannes (born 1754) and their eldest daughter Elizabeth (born 1756). Sponsors at the baptism of Elizabeth were Johannes Dolson and Elizabeth Buys, without a doubt the child's paternal grandparents.

The biography of his grandson Moses C. Dolson in History of Crawford and Clark Counties, Illinois, indicates that Tunis took an active role in the American Revolution. It further states that -"Tunis was married twice, his second wife being Mary A. Crose. He raised seventeen children. His son John raised twenty-six children."

Son, John Dolson indicated in his pension deposition that he was born in Newburgh, Orange County, New York. Newburgh is on the west side of the Hudson River and across the river from the Beekman area. The Dolson family evidently removed from Dutchess County, New York to the Newburgh area of Orange County, New York and thence to Northampton County, Pennsylvania where they were residing at the time of the American Revolution. Northampton County was a much larger geographic area than currently exists. They perhaps resided at or near Easton (pension depositions). They removed to Tioga Point (present area of Athens, Pennsylvania) where Tunis appears as a mason on a ledger of a store there owned by Matthias Hollenbeck in 1787-88. It would appear that son John Dolson and family and daughters Catherine and Sarah and their families and probably other family members removed with Tunis at or nearly the same time.

Lot 118 of 390 acres, was surveyed November 1, 1788 for Tunis Dolson in what is now the town of Big Flats, Chemung County, New York.

Enumerated in Chemung, Montgomery County (Tioga County and thence Chemung County had not yet been formed) with one male of age sixteen and over (born before 1774), three males under age sixteen (b 1775-90), and three females. Son, John Dolson and family, and son-in-law, Henry Bush, and family, were enumerated in neighboring households.

His Will was dated 29 Aug 1795 Newtown (the name that predated Elmira), Tioga County, New York, probated 9 May 1799 in Tioga County (Chemung County had not yet been formed), New York. Inventory filed 6 Jan 1800. In the name of God amen I Tunis Dolston of Newtown in the County of Tioga and State of New York being weak in body but of sound memory, Blessed be God, do this day the twenty ninth day of August in year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety five publish this my last Will and testament in a manner following, that is to say. First, I give to my son John Dolston, one dollar. I give to my daughter Rachel, one dollar. I give to my daughter Catherine, one dollar. I give to my daughter Sarah, one dollar. I give to my son Stephen, one dollar. I give to my daughter Mary, one dollar, which several sums of money is to be paid when my son James is twenty one years of age. Also, I give all my lands and tenements, that I am now in possession of and which belong to me, to my dear wife Mary Dolston, during her natural life and while she remains my widow. She making no waste or destruction thereon from and after her decease I give and devise the same to my two sons, that is to say, to Moses Dolston and James Dolston, forever. And, all the rest and residue of my goods, chattels and personal estate whatsoever I give to my said wife Mary Dolston. And I make and constitute my said wife executrix and John Miller, Esquire, of Newtow, aforesaid, executor of this for my wife, in trust of, for the intent and purposes in this my wife contained. And, make my loving friends, Mary Dolston and John Miller, overseer of this my Will to take care and see the same performed according to my true intent and meaning and to take the tuition of Moses and James, my infant children. In witness whereof I the said Tunis Dolston have to this my last Will and testament set my hand and seal the day and year before written. Signed Tunis Dolston. Signed, sealed and delivered by the said Tunis Dolston, and for his last Will and testament in the presence of us who were present at the signing and sealing thereof - Christian Minier, Jacob Minier.

There was an assessment roll or descriptive list of the houses, lots, etc., in the 6th assessment district of the 9th division of the State of New York, under the Act levying a direct Tax, as they existed on the 1st October 1798, made by Guy Maxwell, principal assessor, aided by John Miller, John Konkle, Samuel Tinkham, Isaiah Sluyter and George Harper, which shows the names of all the property holders in the now County of Chemung. Tunis does not appear on the list nor does any Dolson family member appear on the list. His neighbor Christian Minier appears on the list. Perhaps Tunis was deceased by that date. Sons, John and Stephen appear on the 1799 assessment list of Canisteo, Steuben County, New York. His widow Mary appears on the 1799 assessment list of Newtown with no real estate and a personal estate of $20.00.

The 1869 atlas depicts Dolson Island in the Chemung River.

Children:
1. Johannes (John) Dolson June 16, 1754 Newburgh, Orange County, New York (pension application of John).
2. Elizabeth Dolson born January 22, 1756 baptized November 23, 1758 Zion Lutheran Church, Loonenberg, Greene County, New York.
3. Catherine Dolson born November 22, 1757 baptized November 23, 1758 Zion Lutheran Church, Loonenberg, Greene County, New York, married November 14, 1780 in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, Henry Bush.
4. Rachel Dolson.
5. Sarah Dolson born May 15, 1766.
6. Stephen Dolson born January 18, 1768.
7. Mary Dolson.
8. Moses Dolson.
9. James Dolson b. c. 1783.
The date of birth and date of death are approximates. His Will was dated 29 Aug 1795 and probated 9 May 1799, his death occurring sometime between those dates.

This Tunis (Teunis) Dolson (born c. 1729) was the son of Johannes Dolson (c. 1702 - living 1783) and his wife Elizabeth Buys. He has been confused with his double first-cousin Tunis Dolson (1735-living 1776), son of Jacobus Dolson and Marytje Buys. The latter Tunis was baptized October 6, 1735 Reformed Dutch Church, Fishkill, New York as "Thunes Dalson" son of Jacob Dolson and Marya Buys. There is no surviving baptismal record for Tunis Dolson, son of Johannes Dolson (c. 1702 - living 1783) and Elizabeth Buys (born c. 1708). The records for the Fishkill and Poughkeepsie Reformed Dutch Churches, served by the same minister, are missing from about 1727 to 1731. Some children born in this part of Dutchess County, New York during this period do turn up in the records of the New York City Lutheran Church, whose minister made regular visits to the area, but unfortunately not the Dolsons. The birth year of Tunis is judged to be about 1729 (the eldest child of his parents), based on the fact that he was a Constable in Beekman Precinct in 1751, when he was assaulted by Lewis Hunt and three others "in the execution of his duties" (Dutchess County Ancient Documents #2392). His younger sister Maria was born 1732. Note that his double first cousin Tunis Dolson (born 1735), son of Jacob Dolson and Maria Buys, could not possibly have been the Beekman Constable in 1751, as that Tunis Dolson was then barely sixteen years old. Moreover, Tunis Dolson (born c. 1729) and his first wife Rachel (probably Rachel Crankheit) named their eldest son Johannes (born 1754) and their eldest daughter Elizabeth (born 1756). Sponsors at the baptism of Elizabeth were Johannes Dolson and Elizabeth Buys, without a doubt the child's paternal grandparents.

The biography of his grandson Moses C. Dolson in History of Crawford and Clark Counties, Illinois, indicates that Tunis took an active role in the American Revolution. It further states that -"Tunis was married twice, his second wife being Mary A. Crose. He raised seventeen children. His son John raised twenty-six children."

Son, John Dolson indicated in his pension deposition that he was born in Newburgh, Orange County, New York. Newburgh is on the west side of the Hudson River and across the river from the Beekman area. The Dolson family evidently removed from Dutchess County, New York to the Newburgh area of Orange County, New York and thence to Northampton County, Pennsylvania where they were residing at the time of the American Revolution. Northampton County was a much larger geographic area than currently exists. They perhaps resided at or near Easton (pension depositions). They removed to Tioga Point (present area of Athens, Pennsylvania) where Tunis appears as a mason on a ledger of a store there owned by Matthias Hollenbeck in 1787-88. It would appear that son John Dolson and family and daughters Catherine and Sarah and their families and probably other family members removed with Tunis at or nearly the same time.

Lot 118 of 390 acres, was surveyed November 1, 1788 for Tunis Dolson in what is now the town of Big Flats, Chemung County, New York.

Enumerated in Chemung, Montgomery County (Tioga County and thence Chemung County had not yet been formed) with one male of age sixteen and over (born before 1774), three males under age sixteen (b 1775-90), and three females. Son, John Dolson and family, and son-in-law, Henry Bush, and family, were enumerated in neighboring households.

His Will was dated 29 Aug 1795 Newtown (the name that predated Elmira), Tioga County, New York, probated 9 May 1799 in Tioga County (Chemung County had not yet been formed), New York. Inventory filed 6 Jan 1800. In the name of God amen I Tunis Dolston of Newtown in the County of Tioga and State of New York being weak in body but of sound memory, Blessed be God, do this day the twenty ninth day of August in year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety five publish this my last Will and testament in a manner following, that is to say. First, I give to my son John Dolston, one dollar. I give to my daughter Rachel, one dollar. I give to my daughter Catherine, one dollar. I give to my daughter Sarah, one dollar. I give to my son Stephen, one dollar. I give to my daughter Mary, one dollar, which several sums of money is to be paid when my son James is twenty one years of age. Also, I give all my lands and tenements, that I am now in possession of and which belong to me, to my dear wife Mary Dolston, during her natural life and while she remains my widow. She making no waste or destruction thereon from and after her decease I give and devise the same to my two sons, that is to say, to Moses Dolston and James Dolston, forever. And, all the rest and residue of my goods, chattels and personal estate whatsoever I give to my said wife Mary Dolston. And I make and constitute my said wife executrix and John Miller, Esquire, of Newtow, aforesaid, executor of this for my wife, in trust of, for the intent and purposes in this my wife contained. And, make my loving friends, Mary Dolston and John Miller, overseer of this my Will to take care and see the same performed according to my true intent and meaning and to take the tuition of Moses and James, my infant children. In witness whereof I the said Tunis Dolston have to this my last Will and testament set my hand and seal the day and year before written. Signed Tunis Dolston. Signed, sealed and delivered by the said Tunis Dolston, and for his last Will and testament in the presence of us who were present at the signing and sealing thereof - Christian Minier, Jacob Minier.

There was an assessment roll or descriptive list of the houses, lots, etc., in the 6th assessment district of the 9th division of the State of New York, under the Act levying a direct Tax, as they existed on the 1st October 1798, made by Guy Maxwell, principal assessor, aided by John Miller, John Konkle, Samuel Tinkham, Isaiah Sluyter and George Harper, which shows the names of all the property holders in the now County of Chemung. Tunis does not appear on the list nor does any Dolson family member appear on the list. His neighbor Christian Minier appears on the list. Perhaps Tunis was deceased by that date. Sons, John and Stephen appear on the 1799 assessment list of Canisteo, Steuben County, New York. His widow Mary appears on the 1799 assessment list of Newtown with no real estate and a personal estate of $20.00.

The 1869 atlas depicts Dolson Island in the Chemung River.

Children:
1. Johannes (John) Dolson June 16, 1754 Newburgh, Orange County, New York (pension application of John).
2. Elizabeth Dolson born January 22, 1756 baptized November 23, 1758 Zion Lutheran Church, Loonenberg, Greene County, New York.
3. Catherine Dolson born November 22, 1757 baptized November 23, 1758 Zion Lutheran Church, Loonenberg, Greene County, New York, married November 14, 1780 in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, Henry Bush.
4. Rachel Dolson.
5. Sarah Dolson born May 15, 1766.
6. Stephen Dolson born January 18, 1768.
7. Mary Dolson.
8. Moses Dolson.
9. James Dolson b. c. 1783.

Gravesite Details

This cemetery was not recorded in 1931-32 by Addie Johnston Staver who transcribed known cemeteries in Chemung County. The Minier family, who resided on adjacent property and who had a small family cemetery, was transcribed.



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