Robert Kerr Dunlap, Sr. was the first son of Madison Dunlap and Martha Hanna McKee Dunlap. Plus he was the grandson of immigrants Robert Dunlap and Margaret Kerr. He was born 23 Dec 1834 in Rockbridge Co., Virginia and died 6 Nov 1909. He was an elder at New Monmouth Presbyterian Church for 42 years and was also their sexton for a shorter time.

On the 1850 Dist. 51, Rockbridge Co., Virginia, I found farmer Madison Dunlap, 42 with $13K in real estate; other Dunlaps: R.K., 15; John M., 13; Samuel M., 7; Wm M., 3; Mrs. M., 38; Margaret, 11 and Nannie, 5, plus 3 workers, all Virginia born.

In early Feb 2018, there were 2 old envelopes addressed to Robert K Dunlap on eBay in 1854 and the 1850's. One includes a 3 page letter from his "Mother." It was titled ""Kerrs Creek July 25th" 1854 Virginia 3+pg letter to Robert Dunlap in Staunton." It mentions Dunlaps: Robert's brothers Milton, Walter, another Robert with James Dunlap and brother in law, Dr. Strain. Stamped handwritten envelope says:

(From) Kerrs Creek

July 25th VA

(To) Mr Robert H Dunlap

Stanton (sic)

Agusta (sic)

Va

He received a personal 3 page letter, dated 24 Nov 1854, in Staunton from Kerr's Creek, where he had a lot of Dunlap and other kin. It is in the Library of Virginia, in Richmond call #41172. Discussed teaching, etc.

He served in Company I, 4th Virginia Infantry Regiment for the Confederacy in Rockbridge. He is on the rosters.

On the 1860 Irish Grove P.O., Clark, Atchison Co., Missouri census, I found farmer R K Dunlap, 25 with $4K in real estate, residing with the farmer, Wm T Thompson's family of 5, all 6, Virginia born.

Robert K. Dunlap, age 32, single, born and lives in Rockbridge, merchant, the son of Mad. and Martha A. Dunlap, & Sarah E. Moore, age 25, single, born and lives in Rockbridge, the daughter of Thos. S. and Eliz. L. Moore, were married on 26 March 1867, by Saml. Brown. Louise M. Perkins's Rockbridge County Marriages, 1851-1885, 1989, p 108.

On the 1870 Kerrs Creek, Rockbridge Co., Virginia census (unindexed on Ancestry, same page with M. Dunlap), I found dry good merchant, Ro K Dunlap, 36, with $12,800 in personal property; Sarah E, 28; Mattie M, 2; Thomas M, 4/12, all Virginia born. He lived near his parents.

He married second to Mary "Lizzie" Bear, the daughter of Christian Bear and Margaret Trimble, on 16 Aug 1888 in Churchville, Augusta Co., Virginia, after his first wife's death (FS).

On 17 Mar 1938, Robert K Dunlap's home was surveyed by James Wilson McClung for the W.P.A. A full report is at the Library of Virginia, It includes a full description, history and 1938 photo of the home that Robert built. The original log construction was built in 1775 and located 6 miles west of Lexington. It was first deeded to Edward and Jno Gaylor. Later it was owned by Jas W Walkup, Saml Barley, and then Thos S Moore & wife Mary A. After she was widowed, Mary deeded it to son in law Robert K Dunlap on 9 Jan 1877 in Rockbridge Co. Deed Book 53, p 204. He built the present 10 room, 2 story "T" shaped home, about 36' away from the original. Robert died on 6 Nov 1909. On 7 Dec 1910, his daughter Mattie Moore Dunlap Moore, and siblings deeded it to brothers Thomas Madison Moore and Harry Alexander Moore, in Rockbridge Co Deed Book 124, p 393, It continued to stay in the family, as Thomas M Moore deeded it to his brother, Harry A Moore on 25 Feb 1927. Harry died in 1929, and deeded it to his wife and children, the present owners in 1938. It was then in great shape and well taken care of. Robert was a farmer, raised cattle and was an elder in the New Monmouth church. Later, his son Thomas was a church deacon there. Works Progress Administration of Virginia Historical Inventory #398.

On the 16 Jun 1880 Kerrs Creek, Rockbridge Co., Virginia census, I found "general store" proprietor, R. K. Dunlap, 45; wife Sarah E, 37; daughters/sons: Mattie M, 12; Thomas M, 10; Addie W, 8; John M, 6; Mary O, 4; Robert K, 2 and Harry Alx., 7/12, all Virginia born.

He had moved, on the 1900 Buffalo, Rockbridge Co., Virginia census, I found Robert K Dunlap, 65, born Dec 1834, married 12 years to (2nd) wife Elizabeth, 55, Jan 1845, she had 6 kids, all living (but not the Dunlaps); sons/daughters: Thomas M, 29, May 1871; Addie, 27, Jun 1873; John M, 26, Jan 1873; Mary O, 24, Nov 1875; Robert K, 22, Jul 1878 and Harry E, 20, Jun 1880, all Virginia born. No street address was listed.

The Dunlap siblings got together: From the Times Dispatch of Richmond, Virginia, dated 1 Jan 1906. The Dunlap family of Rockbridge county, held a family reunion in the home of Mr. Robert M. (sic) Dunlap, of Whistle Creek last Tuesday. There were present Mrs. Margaret Strain, of near Brownsburg, Messrs. Samuel M. Dunlap, Milton P. Dunlap, William M. Dunlap, and O.B. Dunlap, all of Rockbridge (note: Only brother Walter was missing). See photo.

Calbert T. Seebert describes his Aunt Margaret Strain Seebert, then 82 describing a Dunlap family photo, in Jan 1981. "The two men in the front row were the surviving Confederate soldiers. "Uncle Sam was in Union prisoner of war camp and Uncle Bob lost his leg at the Battle of Chancellorsville. He walked on a peg leg."

His obituary appears in the Lexington Gazette, 10 Nov 1909 issue (see PART of long obit, on the right). It says: "R.K. Dunlap Dead, A Prominent Citizen and Veteran Dead, Again we are called upon to announce the death of one of our best known citizens. All that was mortal of Robert Kerr Dunlap, was tenderly, and lovingly, laid to rest this afternoon (the 8th instant) in New Monmouth Cemetery. Mr. Dunlap had died the Saturday evening before at his residence some five miles west of Lexington. In the presence of one of the largest assemblages of people that ever was convened in Rockbridge county, for a like purpose, comprised of relations, friends and acquaintances, a burial service, in honor of Robert Kerr Du(n)lap was rendered this evening, which told in a way that words cannot tell, how highly this good man was esteemed by all who knew him. As the father of a large family of grown children he was affectionately loved and respected; as a brother, the eldest of six brothers and one sister, all the affection of his father's family centered; as a friend and neighbor, he was man without reproach; as a Christian gentlemen his life had been a power for good in his community, and judged by his daily life, of him it could be truthfully said, "behold an Iseralite (sic) indeed, in whom there is no guile." Robert Kerr Dunlap was born at the Kerr's Creek home of his parents on the 23rd day of December 1834. His parents were Madison Dunlap and Martha Hannah McKee. When a well grown youth he attended school one year in the State of Connecticut, the balance of his education was acquired in Rockbridge county, and although not a college man still he was liberally educated. Like many other young Virginians of his day, he had gone West prior to the Civil War to see his fortune, and was in the State of Misouri (sic) when the war between the States began. As a volunteer he begame (sic) a member of Gen. Stirling Price's famous Legion of Missourians. Procuring a discharge at the beginning of the year 1862, he returned to his native State, and became a member of the Liberty Hall Volunteers, Co., I, 4th Va. Regiment, Stonewall Brigade. At the second battle of Manassas in August, 1862, his right arm at the elbow was badly broken and shattered by a rifle ball. The arm was saved and sufficiently well for him to return to camp the following spring. Mr. Du(n)lap was so badly wounded at the battle of Chancellorsville in the leg, that amputation was necessary. Notwithstanding his crippled condition, Robert Dunlap, for years was the foremost business man of all the country. As merchant, farmer, and stock grazier, he carried on successfully an immense business in Virginia and West Virginia. In the year of 1867 Mr. Dunlap married Miss Sarah Elizabeth Moore, the eldest daughter of the late Dr. Thomas S. Moore of this county. To their marriage were born seven children, all of whom are living, viz.: Mrs. Mattie Moore, Misses Addie Moore and Mary Okella Dunlap, Messrs. Thomas M and Harry A. Dunlap, all of Rockbridge county, and John McKee and Robert K. Dunlap, of Linnwood, W. Va., all of whom were present at the funeral. Of his father's family of one daughter and seven sons all are now living except John M. Dunlap, who was slain in the battle of Gettysburg; and of these Mrs. Margaret Jane Strain, Messrs. Samuel M., M.P. and O.B. Dunlap of Rockbridge county, and Wm. M. Dunlap of Johnston City, Tenn. Were present at the funeral, and W.W. Dunlap, Fairfax county, who was unable to be present. The Rev. Alfred T. Graham, D.D., assisted by the Rev. D. A. Penick, D.D., conducted the funeral services. Capt. J. Preston Moore, the commander of the Lee-Jackson Camp, Gen. Scott Shipp and Comrades of town and county Thomas S. White, P.I. Huffman, A. S. Montgomery, John Sheridan, A.S. Waddell, A.M. Monroe, John H. Whitmore, David E. Moore, R.E. McCown, W.C. Stuart, H.E. Moore, S.R. Moore, Major Elhart, G.G. Tribbett, J. M. Hayslett, Wm. H. Hamilton and John A. McNeel were in attendance. Prof. A. L. Nelson and many other leading citizens of the county were also present. Robert Dunlap was for 48 years an honored elder of the church from which his remains were borne to their last resting place. No one ever went to Robert Dunlap for help, if it was in his power to render the service, that came away empty. It has been the privilege of the writer of this sketch to known Robert Dunlap for nearly 40 years. Among strangers of another State, who only knew him as a business man, years ago, his word and character was preeminent. In the year of 1883 his wife died leaving a large family of young children. As a ruling elder in his church he was the man in whom all relied for advice and directions; so fixed became this habit in the neighborhood, that no matter of importance was transacted by the church officials without first consulting Mr. Dunlap. He was once elected to the Legislature of Virginia, and for a long time served on the local school board of his county. For many years Mr. Dunlap was superintendent of New Monmouth Sabbath school. His second wife was Miss Elizabeth Bear of Churchville, Augusta county. No children were born to this marriage. For a number of years, Mr. Dunlap was practically an invalid due to an organic trouble, which finally resulted in his death. In the death of Robert Dunlap, his community has lost its foremost citizen, his county and State, one of its safest advisors; his family, an affectionate and kind parent; his church, an irreparable loss. Who shall take his place? M."

"Dunlap.--At his home in Whistle Creek, Rockbridge county, Va., on Saturday, Nov. 8, 1909. Robert K. Dunlap, for forty-two years a ruling elder of New Monmouth church, seventy-five years of age."

Published in the Presbyterian of the South, Vol 1, #47, 24 Nov 1909.

"ROBERT K. DUNLAP. At a meeting of the session of New Monmouth Church, November 28, 1909, the following minute was adopted with reference to the death of our beloved brother, Elder Robert K. Dunlap. Robert K. Dunlap, the oldest member and officer of his church was called to his reward on Saturday, November 6, 1909, and it is fitting that a record of our appreciation of him be spread upon the minutes of the session. Mr. Dunlap was born December 23, 1834. Until partly laid aside in the last few years by declining health, his life was an eventful one ana of great activity, filled with numerous and varied interests. He was tried in many ways and every trial showed the pure gold of his Christian character. In his early manhood he was burned in the fiery crucible of war and proved himself a soldier devoted to his state and of the highest type of courage. After the war his physical suffering as the result of a limb lost in the army, his family bereavements, and financial losses, instead of crushing him as they would have done most men, only served to purify and strengthen his character, and to draw him nearer to bis God. Mr. Dunlap was a man of fine judgment and great business ability. He was a successful merchant and for some years before his death was considered the most progressive and enterprising farmer, stock raiser and horticulturist in Rockbridge, and his opinion was sought from far and wide by those interested in these subjects. His financial losses, all of which were caused by his efforts to assist others, were retrieved by his successful management in the latter years of his life. He was always well informed and deeply interested in county and state affairs, and while never a politician in its unfavorable sense, he had great influence in county matters, and in 1881 was elected a member of the state legislature. This record has, however, most to do with Mr. Dunlap's work in New Monmouth Church, and this is where his life and work centered. It is difficult to state the facts and do justice to Mr. Dunlap's work in this church without seeming fulsome. He was elected a ruling elder of this church in 1867, and from 1897 to a few months before his death was clerk of the session, and for many years he was superintendent of the Sunday School. As an officer of the church he was always faithful and diligent; his associates in this body relied on his fine judgment and common sense to determine the difficult questions which they at times had to consider, and the pastor of the Church ever found him an aggressive and sympathetic supporter. His liberality as a contributor to all church causes made him the leader in the Church in this respect as in all others. No one is. need or distress ever called on him without receiving a ready response. His genial spirit made his companionship delightful both in his home and in the social circle. With the graces of the spirit in lively exercise, his uniform Christian cheerfulness was maintained to the last, and even when enduring intense suffering he was never known to murmur or complain. His unfaltering faith, the deep tone of piety which pervaded his every action, and his unfailing Christian charity made his life conspicuous in the service of his Master. It was ordered that this memorial be spread upon the minutes of the session, read to the congregation, and also that it be transmitted to Mr. Dunlap's family, with assurances of our heartfelt sympathy." Published in the Presbyterian of the South, Vol 1, #50, dated 15 Dec 1909 (see photo).

Another obit says Robert K. Dunlap, Special to the Times-Dispatch, Lexington, Virginia, November 6 -- Robert K. Dunlap, aged seventy-five years, a veteran of the Stonewall Brigade, died to-day at his home near Lexington. He lost a leg at Chancellorsville. A family of children survive him. The Times Dispatch. (Richmond, Virginia.), 07 Nov. 1909.

Bio researched and written by LSP