He is of our grandparental lineages
rominent Men of WV (1890), pp. 883 and 885:
[WILLIAMS. DUNBAR.
CAPTAIN W. S. DUNBAR was born November 18, 1823, in Fincastle, Botetourt county, Virginia. His father, William Dunbar, was a carpenter, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. When William S. was ten or twelve years old the father moved to Giles county, and some two years later they settled in Monroe county, where they remained thirty-one years.
Captain Dunbar married in 1844, and in 1860 he located permanently in Raleigh county, where he has since continued to reside, with the exception of the war period, from 1861 to 1865. In August, 1861, he recruited a company of volunteers, and went with them to Charleston, Kanawha county, where they were mustered into the United States Army. He was unanimously elected Captain of the company (Company "H," Eighth West Virginia Infantry). His company was regularly mustered into the regiment, November 20, 1861, and he remained with it until the 23d of the following June, when, on account of ill health he was compelled to quit the service. He then located at Brownstown, Kanawha county, and engaged in mercantile pursuits until after the close of hostilities, when he returned, March 7, 1865, to his farm on Coal river, in Raleigh county.
While in the army Captain Dunbar participated in the battle of Strasburg, June 1, 1862; Harrisonburg, June 6, and Cross Keys, June 8. He was also in several other less important engagements. In October, November and December, 1861, he was a regularly detailed commander of a company of scouts sent out through the enemy's country, sometimes as far as a hundred miles, to gather information of the whereabouts and condition of the Confederate forces.
In 1863 Captain Dunbar was elected to the House of Delegates of West Virginia, which met June 23, 1863, in the city of Wheeling. This was the first Legislature of the New State. October 22d of the same year he was elected a State Senator from the Ninth district, composed of the counties of Raleigh, Fayette, Monroe, Greenbrier, Pocahontas and Webster, and served two years. He was appointed by Governor Boreman as State Agent, with means at his command and with power to act, to relieve the wants of the families of the Union soldiers of West Virginia. He was also appointed by the Governor, Paymaster of State Troops, and continued in that position two years.
Captain Dunbar took an active part in opposition to the rebellion. He was outspoken for the Union and the Stars and Stripes, and was, in consequence of such course, twice arrested by local authorities and imprisoned. This caused him to enter the volunteer service of the army. He connected himself with the Methodist Episcopal church when he was fourteen years old, and is still a member of that organization. He was arrested in 1861 because he was a class leader and an exhorter in that church of well-known abolition tendencies.
The Captain is now well up in years, but maintains the energy and earnestness of purpose peculiar to his early life.]
Contributor: 1Anonymous1 (50006409)
WV Death Register
Name: Wm.S./Dunbar
Sex: Male
Death Date: 14 Apr 1898
Death Place: Raleigh Co., West Virginia
Age at Death: 76y
Birth Place: West Virginia
Marital Status: M
Spouse: Alice/Dunbar
Occupation: Farmer
Mother: S./
Mother's Birth Place:
Father: W.S./Dunbar
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Burial: Dunbar Cemetery, Raleigh Co., W.VA
~From Prominent Men of West Virginia p.883~
Capt. W.S. Dunbar was born November 18, 1823, in Fincastle, Botetourt Co., VA. His father William Dunbar, was a carpenter, and was a soldier in the War of 1812. When William Sewell Dunbar was ten or twelve years old, the father moved to Giles Co., VA, and some two yrs later they settled in Monroe Co., VA, where they remained for 32 yrs. William Sewell Dunbar lived in Monroe Co., Va for a time, and then moved to Raleigh Co., settling first at Shady Spring, in 1854. He moved to Clear Fork of Coal Creek about 1860. He was a carpenter, taught school, and practiced medicine. William was a Captain in the 7th West VA Calvary, after the war was over, he was invited to the White House, he attended. Captain, Co. H. 8th Virginia Calvary, later the 7th West VA Calvary. Discharged in 1862 after the Battle of Cross Keys due to ill health. June 20, 1863, Delegate of the first WV Legislature. 1864, State Senator at the second Legislature. 1865, serving the 9th Senatorial District.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Father: William DUNBAR
Mother: Cynthia DEJARNETTE
Married: 14 JUN 1844 in Monroe Co., VA
Alice P. (Grafs) GRASS
b: NOV 1824
d: 26 DEC 1916 in Clear Creek, Raleigh Co WV
Burial: Dunbar Cemetery, Raleigh Co WV
Her Parents:
Father: John GRASS
Mother: Susan
Known Children:
1. Henry Alexander DUNBAR
b: 3 MAR 1846 in Monroe Co., VA
2. Susan Alice DUNBAR
b: 1849 in Monroe Co., VA
3. William Spencer DUNBAR
b: 7 JUL 1850 in Monroe Co., VA
4. Cynthia Adeline DUNBAR
b: 1852 in Monroe Co., VA
5. Charles Nebraska DUNBAR
b: 5 JUL 1854 in Raleigh Co., VA
6. John Richard DUNBAR
b: 5 OCT 1856 in Summers Co., VA
7. Margaret Alice DUNBAR
b: 16 JUN 1859 in Mercer Co., Virginia
8. Luemma Julia DUNBAR
b: 6 NOV 1864
9. Isabelle Ellen DUNBAR
10. Elmira V. DUNBAR
b: 18 APR 1869 in Raleigh Co., West Virginia
Wheeling Intelligencer, August 17, 1863: - [The First West Va. Legislature.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES - Sketches Personal, Political and Biographical.
WM. S. DUNBAR From Raleigh, &c
Capt. William S. Dunbar, the member from the district comprising the counties of Raleigh, McDowell and Wyoming, is a native of Fincastle, Botetout county Virginia, and is forty years of age. His father who was a lieutenant in the war of '12 removed to Monroe county when William was about twelve years of age.
He was a carpenter and taught his son that useful craft with so much success that he followed it steadily from that time till the breaking out of the rebellion. In 1844 he was married, and in '57 removed to Raleigh county. When the trouble began to thicken, and people began to talk of secession in the winter of '60-61,
Mr. Dunbar opposed it with all his energies. When the day approached for voting on the ordinance, being quite active in opposing its adoptions, some of his secession neighbors undertook to persuade him out of it.—They told him if he voted against the ordinance and the State did go out, he couldn't stay there—that the sheriff was already threatening to have him arrested for treason, and moreover that the polls would be guarded by a militia company, and every man arrested who attempted to vote against the ordinance. Undismayed however, he went to their voting place and spent all forenoon talking to those there with such good success that all but two voted with him against the ordinance.
When this became known throughout the county dire threats were made, and in about two weeks he was arrested for treason, but released for want of proof. Was re-arrested and again discharged for the same reason. Not long after this he was drafted in the regular rebel army to fight the "Yankees." He refused to go and was arrested, but the party arresting him agreed to let him off if he would make an appointment. Mr. Dunbar was late and when he got there he learned the Colonel had been there, and seeing such a full turn out supposed all was right and left word for them to repair to town next morning.
The next morning he made a speech to them and told them that they could do as they chose, but as for him he was going to Charleston, Kanawha, to join the Union army. Nearly the whole company joined him and they went directly to Charleston and enlisted. Here he recruited awhile and was then elected Captain.
He was through the Fremont campaign in Virginia in the spring of '62, and was in a number of battles, the severest of which was Cross Keys. While in the army the rebels robbed his family of everything they had, including about $2,500 worth of dry goods. A large reward was offered for him, and his house watched for a long time in the hope of catching him. His family was abused.
His daughter, 15 years of age, was shot at standing in the door of his house, and his wife threatened with loaded muskets because she would not disclose his whereabouts.—This was while he was on a visit home during recruing [sic] service. He hid once in a mountain near home for three weeks, day and night, while the rebels knowing he was in the neighborhood, scouted the country far and near.
He resigned his commission on account of sickness, and as soon as he recovered went to recruiting again, and was so engaged when elected to the Legislature.
Mr. Dunbar was always a Democrat, voted for Henry A. Wise for Governor and John C. Breckenridge for President, both of which he wouldn't do again if he had it to do over. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was an exhorter in the church.
No man could be more unqualified in his loyalty than Mr. Dunbar. His Unionism has been ground in by the brutal conduct of the rebel ruffains [sic] toward himself and his family. He has no fine sentimentalities on the subject. He has no apologies to offer for our "misguided southern brethren." He wants them whipped into subjection and will not rest satisfied until it is done.
In height he is somewhat below the medium stature, his frame firmly knit and muscular, though not robust, and slightly inclining to stoop. He dresses plainly and makes no pretensions in style or manner.—Is a very quiet unobtrusive man in his intercourse with others. Hair light; eyes a sort of dark steel gray, which look as if there was a good deal of grit behind them, features regular; mouth firm; face square, smoothly shaven, and somewhat bronzed as if it had been accustomed to sun and wind. The impression one gets of this member, both from face and manner, is that of a man who would never relinquish short of success anything he had undertaken, and who would be hopelessly obstinate if he should be wrong.
Mr. Dunbar speaks occasionally to the business of the House, and is very pointed in his remarks and direct in their application. Is very earnest about his duties as legislator and means business; is a very clever gentleman socially; but has a careworn, troubled air that never deserts him.]
~Contributor: 1Anonymous1 (50006409) Thank you so very much.
rominent Men of WV (1890), pp. 883 and 885:
[WILLIAMS. DUNBAR.
CAPTAIN W. S. DUNBAR was born November 18, 1823, in Fincastle, Botetourt county, Virginia. His father, William Dunbar, was a carpenter, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. When William S. was ten or twelve years old the father moved to Giles county, and some two years later they settled in Monroe county, where they remained thirty-one years.
Captain Dunbar married in 1844, and in 1860 he located permanently in Raleigh county, where he has since continued to reside, with the exception of the war period, from 1861 to 1865. In August, 1861, he recruited a company of volunteers, and went with them to Charleston, Kanawha county, where they were mustered into the United States Army. He was unanimously elected Captain of the company (Company "H," Eighth West Virginia Infantry). His company was regularly mustered into the regiment, November 20, 1861, and he remained with it until the 23d of the following June, when, on account of ill health he was compelled to quit the service. He then located at Brownstown, Kanawha county, and engaged in mercantile pursuits until after the close of hostilities, when he returned, March 7, 1865, to his farm on Coal river, in Raleigh county.
While in the army Captain Dunbar participated in the battle of Strasburg, June 1, 1862; Harrisonburg, June 6, and Cross Keys, June 8. He was also in several other less important engagements. In October, November and December, 1861, he was a regularly detailed commander of a company of scouts sent out through the enemy's country, sometimes as far as a hundred miles, to gather information of the whereabouts and condition of the Confederate forces.
In 1863 Captain Dunbar was elected to the House of Delegates of West Virginia, which met June 23, 1863, in the city of Wheeling. This was the first Legislature of the New State. October 22d of the same year he was elected a State Senator from the Ninth district, composed of the counties of Raleigh, Fayette, Monroe, Greenbrier, Pocahontas and Webster, and served two years. He was appointed by Governor Boreman as State Agent, with means at his command and with power to act, to relieve the wants of the families of the Union soldiers of West Virginia. He was also appointed by the Governor, Paymaster of State Troops, and continued in that position two years.
Captain Dunbar took an active part in opposition to the rebellion. He was outspoken for the Union and the Stars and Stripes, and was, in consequence of such course, twice arrested by local authorities and imprisoned. This caused him to enter the volunteer service of the army. He connected himself with the Methodist Episcopal church when he was fourteen years old, and is still a member of that organization. He was arrested in 1861 because he was a class leader and an exhorter in that church of well-known abolition tendencies.
The Captain is now well up in years, but maintains the energy and earnestness of purpose peculiar to his early life.]
Contributor: 1Anonymous1 (50006409)
WV Death Register
Name: Wm.S./Dunbar
Sex: Male
Death Date: 14 Apr 1898
Death Place: Raleigh Co., West Virginia
Age at Death: 76y
Birth Place: West Virginia
Marital Status: M
Spouse: Alice/Dunbar
Occupation: Farmer
Mother: S./
Mother's Birth Place:
Father: W.S./Dunbar
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Burial: Dunbar Cemetery, Raleigh Co., W.VA
~From Prominent Men of West Virginia p.883~
Capt. W.S. Dunbar was born November 18, 1823, in Fincastle, Botetourt Co., VA. His father William Dunbar, was a carpenter, and was a soldier in the War of 1812. When William Sewell Dunbar was ten or twelve years old, the father moved to Giles Co., VA, and some two yrs later they settled in Monroe Co., VA, where they remained for 32 yrs. William Sewell Dunbar lived in Monroe Co., Va for a time, and then moved to Raleigh Co., settling first at Shady Spring, in 1854. He moved to Clear Fork of Coal Creek about 1860. He was a carpenter, taught school, and practiced medicine. William was a Captain in the 7th West VA Calvary, after the war was over, he was invited to the White House, he attended. Captain, Co. H. 8th Virginia Calvary, later the 7th West VA Calvary. Discharged in 1862 after the Battle of Cross Keys due to ill health. June 20, 1863, Delegate of the first WV Legislature. 1864, State Senator at the second Legislature. 1865, serving the 9th Senatorial District.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Father: William DUNBAR
Mother: Cynthia DEJARNETTE
Married: 14 JUN 1844 in Monroe Co., VA
Alice P. (Grafs) GRASS
b: NOV 1824
d: 26 DEC 1916 in Clear Creek, Raleigh Co WV
Burial: Dunbar Cemetery, Raleigh Co WV
Her Parents:
Father: John GRASS
Mother: Susan
Known Children:
1. Henry Alexander DUNBAR
b: 3 MAR 1846 in Monroe Co., VA
2. Susan Alice DUNBAR
b: 1849 in Monroe Co., VA
3. William Spencer DUNBAR
b: 7 JUL 1850 in Monroe Co., VA
4. Cynthia Adeline DUNBAR
b: 1852 in Monroe Co., VA
5. Charles Nebraska DUNBAR
b: 5 JUL 1854 in Raleigh Co., VA
6. John Richard DUNBAR
b: 5 OCT 1856 in Summers Co., VA
7. Margaret Alice DUNBAR
b: 16 JUN 1859 in Mercer Co., Virginia
8. Luemma Julia DUNBAR
b: 6 NOV 1864
9. Isabelle Ellen DUNBAR
10. Elmira V. DUNBAR
b: 18 APR 1869 in Raleigh Co., West Virginia
Wheeling Intelligencer, August 17, 1863: - [The First West Va. Legislature.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES - Sketches Personal, Political and Biographical.
WM. S. DUNBAR From Raleigh, &c
Capt. William S. Dunbar, the member from the district comprising the counties of Raleigh, McDowell and Wyoming, is a native of Fincastle, Botetout county Virginia, and is forty years of age. His father who was a lieutenant in the war of '12 removed to Monroe county when William was about twelve years of age.
He was a carpenter and taught his son that useful craft with so much success that he followed it steadily from that time till the breaking out of the rebellion. In 1844 he was married, and in '57 removed to Raleigh county. When the trouble began to thicken, and people began to talk of secession in the winter of '60-61,
Mr. Dunbar opposed it with all his energies. When the day approached for voting on the ordinance, being quite active in opposing its adoptions, some of his secession neighbors undertook to persuade him out of it.—They told him if he voted against the ordinance and the State did go out, he couldn't stay there—that the sheriff was already threatening to have him arrested for treason, and moreover that the polls would be guarded by a militia company, and every man arrested who attempted to vote against the ordinance. Undismayed however, he went to their voting place and spent all forenoon talking to those there with such good success that all but two voted with him against the ordinance.
When this became known throughout the county dire threats were made, and in about two weeks he was arrested for treason, but released for want of proof. Was re-arrested and again discharged for the same reason. Not long after this he was drafted in the regular rebel army to fight the "Yankees." He refused to go and was arrested, but the party arresting him agreed to let him off if he would make an appointment. Mr. Dunbar was late and when he got there he learned the Colonel had been there, and seeing such a full turn out supposed all was right and left word for them to repair to town next morning.
The next morning he made a speech to them and told them that they could do as they chose, but as for him he was going to Charleston, Kanawha, to join the Union army. Nearly the whole company joined him and they went directly to Charleston and enlisted. Here he recruited awhile and was then elected Captain.
He was through the Fremont campaign in Virginia in the spring of '62, and was in a number of battles, the severest of which was Cross Keys. While in the army the rebels robbed his family of everything they had, including about $2,500 worth of dry goods. A large reward was offered for him, and his house watched for a long time in the hope of catching him. His family was abused.
His daughter, 15 years of age, was shot at standing in the door of his house, and his wife threatened with loaded muskets because she would not disclose his whereabouts.—This was while he was on a visit home during recruing [sic] service. He hid once in a mountain near home for three weeks, day and night, while the rebels knowing he was in the neighborhood, scouted the country far and near.
He resigned his commission on account of sickness, and as soon as he recovered went to recruiting again, and was so engaged when elected to the Legislature.
Mr. Dunbar was always a Democrat, voted for Henry A. Wise for Governor and John C. Breckenridge for President, both of which he wouldn't do again if he had it to do over. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was an exhorter in the church.
No man could be more unqualified in his loyalty than Mr. Dunbar. His Unionism has been ground in by the brutal conduct of the rebel ruffains [sic] toward himself and his family. He has no fine sentimentalities on the subject. He has no apologies to offer for our "misguided southern brethren." He wants them whipped into subjection and will not rest satisfied until it is done.
In height he is somewhat below the medium stature, his frame firmly knit and muscular, though not robust, and slightly inclining to stoop. He dresses plainly and makes no pretensions in style or manner.—Is a very quiet unobtrusive man in his intercourse with others. Hair light; eyes a sort of dark steel gray, which look as if there was a good deal of grit behind them, features regular; mouth firm; face square, smoothly shaven, and somewhat bronzed as if it had been accustomed to sun and wind. The impression one gets of this member, both from face and manner, is that of a man who would never relinquish short of success anything he had undertaken, and who would be hopelessly obstinate if he should be wrong.
Mr. Dunbar speaks occasionally to the business of the House, and is very pointed in his remarks and direct in their application. Is very earnest about his duties as legislator and means business; is a very clever gentleman socially; but has a careworn, troubled air that never deserts him.]
~Contributor: 1Anonymous1 (50006409) Thank you so very much.
He is of our grandparental lineages
rominent Men of WV (1890), pp. 883 and 885:
[WILLIAMS. DUNBAR.
CAPTAIN W. S. DUNBAR was born November 18, 1823, in Fincastle, Botetourt county, Virginia. His father, William Dunbar, was a carpenter, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. When William S. was ten or twelve years old the father moved to Giles county, and some two years later they settled in Monroe county, where they remained thirty-one years.
Captain Dunbar married in 1844, and in 1860 he located permanently in Raleigh county, where he has since continued to reside, with the exception of the war period, from 1861 to 1865. In August, 1861, he recruited a company of volunteers, and went with them to Charleston, Kanawha county, where they were mustered into the United States Army. He was unanimously elected Captain of the company (Company "H," Eighth West Virginia Infantry). His company was regularly mustered into the regiment, November 20, 1861, and he remained with it until the 23d of the following June, when, on account of ill health he was compelled to quit the service. He then located at Brownstown, Kanawha county, and engaged in mercantile pursuits until after the close of hostilities, when he returned, March 7, 1865, to his farm on Coal river, in Raleigh county.
While in the army Captain Dunbar participated in the battle of Strasburg, June 1, 1862; Harrisonburg, June 6, and Cross Keys, June 8. He was also in several other less important engagements. In October, November and December, 1861, he was a regularly detailed commander of a company of scouts sent out through the enemy's country, sometimes as far as a hundred miles, to gather information of the whereabouts and condition of the Confederate forces.
In 1863 Captain Dunbar was elected to the House of Delegates of West Virginia, which met June 23, 1863, in the city of Wheeling. This was the first Legislature of the New State. October 22d of the same year he was elected a State Senator from the Ninth district, composed of the counties of Raleigh, Fayette, Monroe, Greenbrier, Pocahontas and Webster, and served two years. He was appointed by Governor Boreman as State Agent, with means at his command and with power to act, to relieve the wants of the families of the Union soldiers of West Virginia. He was also appointed by the Governor, Paymaster of State Troops, and continued in that position two years.
Captain Dunbar took an active part in opposition to the rebellion. He was outspoken for the Union and the Stars and Stripes, and was, in consequence of such course, twice arrested by local authorities and imprisoned. This caused him to enter the volunteer service of the army. He connected himself with the Methodist Episcopal church when he was fourteen years old, and is still a member of that organization. He was arrested in 1861 because he was a class leader and an exhorter in that church of well-known abolition tendencies.
The Captain is now well up in years, but maintains the energy and earnestness of purpose peculiar to his early life.]
Contributor: 1Anonymous1 (50006409)
WV Death Register
Name: Wm.S./Dunbar
Sex: Male
Death Date: 14 Apr 1898
Death Place: Raleigh Co., West Virginia
Age at Death: 76y
Birth Place: West Virginia
Marital Status: M
Spouse: Alice/Dunbar
Occupation: Farmer
Mother: S./
Mother's Birth Place:
Father: W.S./Dunbar
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Burial: Dunbar Cemetery, Raleigh Co., W.VA
~From Prominent Men of West Virginia p.883~
Capt. W.S. Dunbar was born November 18, 1823, in Fincastle, Botetourt Co., VA. His father William Dunbar, was a carpenter, and was a soldier in the War of 1812. When William Sewell Dunbar was ten or twelve years old, the father moved to Giles Co., VA, and some two yrs later they settled in Monroe Co., VA, where they remained for 32 yrs. William Sewell Dunbar lived in Monroe Co., Va for a time, and then moved to Raleigh Co., settling first at Shady Spring, in 1854. He moved to Clear Fork of Coal Creek about 1860. He was a carpenter, taught school, and practiced medicine. William was a Captain in the 7th West VA Calvary, after the war was over, he was invited to the White House, he attended. Captain, Co. H. 8th Virginia Calvary, later the 7th West VA Calvary. Discharged in 1862 after the Battle of Cross Keys due to ill health. June 20, 1863, Delegate of the first WV Legislature. 1864, State Senator at the second Legislature. 1865, serving the 9th Senatorial District.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Father: William DUNBAR
Mother: Cynthia DEJARNETTE
Married: 14 JUN 1844 in Monroe Co., VA
Alice P. (Grafs) GRASS
b: NOV 1824
d: 26 DEC 1916 in Clear Creek, Raleigh Co WV
Burial: Dunbar Cemetery, Raleigh Co WV
Her Parents:
Father: John GRASS
Mother: Susan
Known Children:
1. Henry Alexander DUNBAR
b: 3 MAR 1846 in Monroe Co., VA
2. Susan Alice DUNBAR
b: 1849 in Monroe Co., VA
3. William Spencer DUNBAR
b: 7 JUL 1850 in Monroe Co., VA
4. Cynthia Adeline DUNBAR
b: 1852 in Monroe Co., VA
5. Charles Nebraska DUNBAR
b: 5 JUL 1854 in Raleigh Co., VA
6. John Richard DUNBAR
b: 5 OCT 1856 in Summers Co., VA
7. Margaret Alice DUNBAR
b: 16 JUN 1859 in Mercer Co., Virginia
8. Luemma Julia DUNBAR
b: 6 NOV 1864
9. Isabelle Ellen DUNBAR
10. Elmira V. DUNBAR
b: 18 APR 1869 in Raleigh Co., West Virginia
Wheeling Intelligencer, August 17, 1863: - [The First West Va. Legislature.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES - Sketches Personal, Political and Biographical.
WM. S. DUNBAR From Raleigh, &c
Capt. William S. Dunbar, the member from the district comprising the counties of Raleigh, McDowell and Wyoming, is a native of Fincastle, Botetout county Virginia, and is forty years of age. His father who was a lieutenant in the war of '12 removed to Monroe county when William was about twelve years of age.
He was a carpenter and taught his son that useful craft with so much success that he followed it steadily from that time till the breaking out of the rebellion. In 1844 he was married, and in '57 removed to Raleigh county. When the trouble began to thicken, and people began to talk of secession in the winter of '60-61,
Mr. Dunbar opposed it with all his energies. When the day approached for voting on the ordinance, being quite active in opposing its adoptions, some of his secession neighbors undertook to persuade him out of it.—They told him if he voted against the ordinance and the State did go out, he couldn't stay there—that the sheriff was already threatening to have him arrested for treason, and moreover that the polls would be guarded by a militia company, and every man arrested who attempted to vote against the ordinance. Undismayed however, he went to their voting place and spent all forenoon talking to those there with such good success that all but two voted with him against the ordinance.
When this became known throughout the county dire threats were made, and in about two weeks he was arrested for treason, but released for want of proof. Was re-arrested and again discharged for the same reason. Not long after this he was drafted in the regular rebel army to fight the "Yankees." He refused to go and was arrested, but the party arresting him agreed to let him off if he would make an appointment. Mr. Dunbar was late and when he got there he learned the Colonel had been there, and seeing such a full turn out supposed all was right and left word for them to repair to town next morning.
The next morning he made a speech to them and told them that they could do as they chose, but as for him he was going to Charleston, Kanawha, to join the Union army. Nearly the whole company joined him and they went directly to Charleston and enlisted. Here he recruited awhile and was then elected Captain.
He was through the Fremont campaign in Virginia in the spring of '62, and was in a number of battles, the severest of which was Cross Keys. While in the army the rebels robbed his family of everything they had, including about $2,500 worth of dry goods. A large reward was offered for him, and his house watched for a long time in the hope of catching him. His family was abused.
His daughter, 15 years of age, was shot at standing in the door of his house, and his wife threatened with loaded muskets because she would not disclose his whereabouts.—This was while he was on a visit home during recruing [sic] service. He hid once in a mountain near home for three weeks, day and night, while the rebels knowing he was in the neighborhood, scouted the country far and near.
He resigned his commission on account of sickness, and as soon as he recovered went to recruiting again, and was so engaged when elected to the Legislature.
Mr. Dunbar was always a Democrat, voted for Henry A. Wise for Governor and John C. Breckenridge for President, both of which he wouldn't do again if he had it to do over. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was an exhorter in the church.
No man could be more unqualified in his loyalty than Mr. Dunbar. His Unionism has been ground in by the brutal conduct of the rebel ruffains [sic] toward himself and his family. He has no fine sentimentalities on the subject. He has no apologies to offer for our "misguided southern brethren." He wants them whipped into subjection and will not rest satisfied until it is done.
In height he is somewhat below the medium stature, his frame firmly knit and muscular, though not robust, and slightly inclining to stoop. He dresses plainly and makes no pretensions in style or manner.—Is a very quiet unobtrusive man in his intercourse with others. Hair light; eyes a sort of dark steel gray, which look as if there was a good deal of grit behind them, features regular; mouth firm; face square, smoothly shaven, and somewhat bronzed as if it had been accustomed to sun and wind. The impression one gets of this member, both from face and manner, is that of a man who would never relinquish short of success anything he had undertaken, and who would be hopelessly obstinate if he should be wrong.
Mr. Dunbar speaks occasionally to the business of the House, and is very pointed in his remarks and direct in their application. Is very earnest about his duties as legislator and means business; is a very clever gentleman socially; but has a careworn, troubled air that never deserts him.]
~Contributor: 1Anonymous1 (50006409) Thank you so very much.
rominent Men of WV (1890), pp. 883 and 885:
[WILLIAMS. DUNBAR.
CAPTAIN W. S. DUNBAR was born November 18, 1823, in Fincastle, Botetourt county, Virginia. His father, William Dunbar, was a carpenter, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. When William S. was ten or twelve years old the father moved to Giles county, and some two years later they settled in Monroe county, where they remained thirty-one years.
Captain Dunbar married in 1844, and in 1860 he located permanently in Raleigh county, where he has since continued to reside, with the exception of the war period, from 1861 to 1865. In August, 1861, he recruited a company of volunteers, and went with them to Charleston, Kanawha county, where they were mustered into the United States Army. He was unanimously elected Captain of the company (Company "H," Eighth West Virginia Infantry). His company was regularly mustered into the regiment, November 20, 1861, and he remained with it until the 23d of the following June, when, on account of ill health he was compelled to quit the service. He then located at Brownstown, Kanawha county, and engaged in mercantile pursuits until after the close of hostilities, when he returned, March 7, 1865, to his farm on Coal river, in Raleigh county.
While in the army Captain Dunbar participated in the battle of Strasburg, June 1, 1862; Harrisonburg, June 6, and Cross Keys, June 8. He was also in several other less important engagements. In October, November and December, 1861, he was a regularly detailed commander of a company of scouts sent out through the enemy's country, sometimes as far as a hundred miles, to gather information of the whereabouts and condition of the Confederate forces.
In 1863 Captain Dunbar was elected to the House of Delegates of West Virginia, which met June 23, 1863, in the city of Wheeling. This was the first Legislature of the New State. October 22d of the same year he was elected a State Senator from the Ninth district, composed of the counties of Raleigh, Fayette, Monroe, Greenbrier, Pocahontas and Webster, and served two years. He was appointed by Governor Boreman as State Agent, with means at his command and with power to act, to relieve the wants of the families of the Union soldiers of West Virginia. He was also appointed by the Governor, Paymaster of State Troops, and continued in that position two years.
Captain Dunbar took an active part in opposition to the rebellion. He was outspoken for the Union and the Stars and Stripes, and was, in consequence of such course, twice arrested by local authorities and imprisoned. This caused him to enter the volunteer service of the army. He connected himself with the Methodist Episcopal church when he was fourteen years old, and is still a member of that organization. He was arrested in 1861 because he was a class leader and an exhorter in that church of well-known abolition tendencies.
The Captain is now well up in years, but maintains the energy and earnestness of purpose peculiar to his early life.]
Contributor: 1Anonymous1 (50006409)
WV Death Register
Name: Wm.S./Dunbar
Sex: Male
Death Date: 14 Apr 1898
Death Place: Raleigh Co., West Virginia
Age at Death: 76y
Birth Place: West Virginia
Marital Status: M
Spouse: Alice/Dunbar
Occupation: Farmer
Mother: S./
Mother's Birth Place:
Father: W.S./Dunbar
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Burial: Dunbar Cemetery, Raleigh Co., W.VA
~From Prominent Men of West Virginia p.883~
Capt. W.S. Dunbar was born November 18, 1823, in Fincastle, Botetourt Co., VA. His father William Dunbar, was a carpenter, and was a soldier in the War of 1812. When William Sewell Dunbar was ten or twelve years old, the father moved to Giles Co., VA, and some two yrs later they settled in Monroe Co., VA, where they remained for 32 yrs. William Sewell Dunbar lived in Monroe Co., Va for a time, and then moved to Raleigh Co., settling first at Shady Spring, in 1854. He moved to Clear Fork of Coal Creek about 1860. He was a carpenter, taught school, and practiced medicine. William was a Captain in the 7th West VA Calvary, after the war was over, he was invited to the White House, he attended. Captain, Co. H. 8th Virginia Calvary, later the 7th West VA Calvary. Discharged in 1862 after the Battle of Cross Keys due to ill health. June 20, 1863, Delegate of the first WV Legislature. 1864, State Senator at the second Legislature. 1865, serving the 9th Senatorial District.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Father: William DUNBAR
Mother: Cynthia DEJARNETTE
Married: 14 JUN 1844 in Monroe Co., VA
Alice P. (Grafs) GRASS
b: NOV 1824
d: 26 DEC 1916 in Clear Creek, Raleigh Co WV
Burial: Dunbar Cemetery, Raleigh Co WV
Her Parents:
Father: John GRASS
Mother: Susan
Known Children:
1. Henry Alexander DUNBAR
b: 3 MAR 1846 in Monroe Co., VA
2. Susan Alice DUNBAR
b: 1849 in Monroe Co., VA
3. William Spencer DUNBAR
b: 7 JUL 1850 in Monroe Co., VA
4. Cynthia Adeline DUNBAR
b: 1852 in Monroe Co., VA
5. Charles Nebraska DUNBAR
b: 5 JUL 1854 in Raleigh Co., VA
6. John Richard DUNBAR
b: 5 OCT 1856 in Summers Co., VA
7. Margaret Alice DUNBAR
b: 16 JUN 1859 in Mercer Co., Virginia
8. Luemma Julia DUNBAR
b: 6 NOV 1864
9. Isabelle Ellen DUNBAR
10. Elmira V. DUNBAR
b: 18 APR 1869 in Raleigh Co., West Virginia
Wheeling Intelligencer, August 17, 1863: - [The First West Va. Legislature.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES - Sketches Personal, Political and Biographical.
WM. S. DUNBAR From Raleigh, &c
Capt. William S. Dunbar, the member from the district comprising the counties of Raleigh, McDowell and Wyoming, is a native of Fincastle, Botetout county Virginia, and is forty years of age. His father who was a lieutenant in the war of '12 removed to Monroe county when William was about twelve years of age.
He was a carpenter and taught his son that useful craft with so much success that he followed it steadily from that time till the breaking out of the rebellion. In 1844 he was married, and in '57 removed to Raleigh county. When the trouble began to thicken, and people began to talk of secession in the winter of '60-61,
Mr. Dunbar opposed it with all his energies. When the day approached for voting on the ordinance, being quite active in opposing its adoptions, some of his secession neighbors undertook to persuade him out of it.—They told him if he voted against the ordinance and the State did go out, he couldn't stay there—that the sheriff was already threatening to have him arrested for treason, and moreover that the polls would be guarded by a militia company, and every man arrested who attempted to vote against the ordinance. Undismayed however, he went to their voting place and spent all forenoon talking to those there with such good success that all but two voted with him against the ordinance.
When this became known throughout the county dire threats were made, and in about two weeks he was arrested for treason, but released for want of proof. Was re-arrested and again discharged for the same reason. Not long after this he was drafted in the regular rebel army to fight the "Yankees." He refused to go and was arrested, but the party arresting him agreed to let him off if he would make an appointment. Mr. Dunbar was late and when he got there he learned the Colonel had been there, and seeing such a full turn out supposed all was right and left word for them to repair to town next morning.
The next morning he made a speech to them and told them that they could do as they chose, but as for him he was going to Charleston, Kanawha, to join the Union army. Nearly the whole company joined him and they went directly to Charleston and enlisted. Here he recruited awhile and was then elected Captain.
He was through the Fremont campaign in Virginia in the spring of '62, and was in a number of battles, the severest of which was Cross Keys. While in the army the rebels robbed his family of everything they had, including about $2,500 worth of dry goods. A large reward was offered for him, and his house watched for a long time in the hope of catching him. His family was abused.
His daughter, 15 years of age, was shot at standing in the door of his house, and his wife threatened with loaded muskets because she would not disclose his whereabouts.—This was while he was on a visit home during recruing [sic] service. He hid once in a mountain near home for three weeks, day and night, while the rebels knowing he was in the neighborhood, scouted the country far and near.
He resigned his commission on account of sickness, and as soon as he recovered went to recruiting again, and was so engaged when elected to the Legislature.
Mr. Dunbar was always a Democrat, voted for Henry A. Wise for Governor and John C. Breckenridge for President, both of which he wouldn't do again if he had it to do over. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was an exhorter in the church.
No man could be more unqualified in his loyalty than Mr. Dunbar. His Unionism has been ground in by the brutal conduct of the rebel ruffains [sic] toward himself and his family. He has no fine sentimentalities on the subject. He has no apologies to offer for our "misguided southern brethren." He wants them whipped into subjection and will not rest satisfied until it is done.
In height he is somewhat below the medium stature, his frame firmly knit and muscular, though not robust, and slightly inclining to stoop. He dresses plainly and makes no pretensions in style or manner.—Is a very quiet unobtrusive man in his intercourse with others. Hair light; eyes a sort of dark steel gray, which look as if there was a good deal of grit behind them, features regular; mouth firm; face square, smoothly shaven, and somewhat bronzed as if it had been accustomed to sun and wind. The impression one gets of this member, both from face and manner, is that of a man who would never relinquish short of success anything he had undertaken, and who would be hopelessly obstinate if he should be wrong.
Mr. Dunbar speaks occasionally to the business of the House, and is very pointed in his remarks and direct in their application. Is very earnest about his duties as legislator and means business; is a very clever gentleman socially; but has a careworn, troubled air that never deserts him.]
~Contributor: 1Anonymous1 (50006409) Thank you so very much.
Family Members
Siblings
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
