Betsey Dunbar

Birth: 29 Jan 1809, Charlton, Worcester Co, MA

• Charlton Vital Records to 1850

Father: Hammond Dunbar
Mother: Tammy Wheelock

Spouse: Joseph Rice
Marriage:

• Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wisconsin (Chicago: Acme Publishing, 1889), p. 454, biography of Hammond Samuel Ames, son of Lester Ames and Eleanor Dunbar; Archive.org (https://archive.org/details/portraitbiographrcw00acme/page/454/mode/2up : accessed 2 Aug 2020); The bio states that Betsey Rice was the sister of Eleanor Dunbar, and a widow when she married Lester Ames. The Genesee Co probate records of Joseph Rice prove that he was Betsey's spouse.
• Genesee County, NY, probate case files, Letters of Guardianship 1810-1871, vol 2, p. 210, minor heirs of Joseph Rice, dated 9 Dec 1840; Genesee County Probate Court, Batavia, NY; database with images "New York Probate Records, 1629-1971," FamilySearch.org (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9YC4-Z5D : accessed 2 Aug 2020), Letters of Guardianship 1810-1871 vol 1-2, image 341 of 713.

1. George Rice
2. Jane Elizabeth Rice

Spouse: Lester Ames
Marriage:

• Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wisconsin (Chicago: Acme Publishing, 1889), p. 454, biography of Hammond Samuel Ames, son of Lester Ames and Eleanor Dunbar; Archive.org (https://archive.org/details/portraitbiographrcw00acme/page/454/mode/2up : accessed 2 Aug 2020).
• 1850 U.S. census, Center, Rock Co, WI, Betsey Ames, wife of Lester Ames.

1. Alivra D. Ames, born about 1847, WI

Notes:

She married Joseph Rice, of Alabama, Genesee Co, New York, with whom she had two children, George Rice, and Jane Rice. Jane Rice is identified as a niece in the Rock Co, WI, probate records of Danforth Dunbar. G. M. Rice is identified as a nephew in the obituary of Laurinda Dunbar. Furthermore, George Rice is living with Tammy, Laurinda, and Cordelia Dunbar in Janesville in 1850.

See notes for Joseph Rice to see the evidence connecting Betsey and Joseph.

Her husband, Joseph Rice, died in 1838. She is enumerated in the 1840 census in Stafford, Genesee Co, New York, with two girls under 5. She is enumerated adjacent to Lyman Ames (probably the husband of Amanda Wheelock of Charlton).

According to the bio of Hammond S. Ames in Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wisconsin, she married her deceased sister's husband, Lester Ames. Betsey Ames, age 40, born in Massachusetts, is enumerated in the 1850 census living in Center, Rock Co, Wisconsin, with her husband Lester Ames (who appears as a surety in the 1849 probate records of Danforth H. Dunbar), age 38, born in NY. Also in the household is George Ames (probably George Rice), age 16, Jane Ames (probably Jane Rice), age 14, Adeline Ames, age 11, Josephine Ames, age 10, Hammond Ames, age 7, Melissa Ames, age 5, all born in New York. Alvina Ames, age 3, born in Wisconsin, is also in the household.

Lester Ames appears in the 1860 census living in Plymouth, Rock Co, WI, with Hammond Ames, age 17, Melissa Ames, age 15, and Alvira Ames, age 13. Betsey is not listed, suggesting she died between 1850 and 1860.

Lester Ames was not found in census records afer 1860. The Rock Co, WI, probate records of Lester Ames state that he died 5 July 1866, widow Anna (possibly he remarried). Five chidlren are named: Ada, wife of Charles Campbell, Hammond S. Ames, Elnor M wife of Sanford Hayer, Elmira D. Ames, and Lucy Ames, was was two years old on 4 July 1866. [ "Probate records, 1832-1988 (Rock County, Wisconsin)," database with images, FamilySearch.org (not indexed) (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9Y1-DS3F-M : accessed 29 July 2020), Lester Ames, file 303; citing County Courthouse, Janesville, Wisconsin; FHL 007708605.]

Cordelia Dunbar

Birth: 24 Jan 1823, NY

• Polly (Converse) Wheelock family group sheet, Hammond & Tammy Dunbar family, birth of six children; original at New England Historic and Genealogical Society, Boston, MA, MSS 1280 (not yet catalogued, 31 July 2020).
• 1870 U.S. census, Center, Rock Co, WI.
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 31 July 2020), headstone photo for Cordelia Dunbar, Find a Grave Memorial no. 183094823, Grove Cemetery, Footville, Rock Co, WI.

Death: 11 Nov 1878, prob Center Twp, Rock Co, WI

• "Probate records, 1832-1988 (Rock County, Wisconsin)," database with images, FamilySearch.org (not indexed) (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9BM-THDV-Y : accessed 29 July 2020), File 6944; citing County Courthouse, Janesville, Wisconsin; FHL 007709901.
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 31 July 2020), headstone photo for Cordelia Dunbar, Find a Grave Memorial no. 183094823, Grove Cemetery, Footville, Rock Co, WI.

Burial: Grove Cemetery, Footville, Rock Co, WI

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 31 July 2020), headstone photo for Cordelia Dunbar, Find a Grave Memorial no. 183094823, Grove Cemetery, Footville, Rock Co, WI.

Father: Hammond Dunbar
Mother: Tammy Wheelock

Notes:

Cordelia, age 22, born NY, was living in Center, Rock Co, WI, in 1870 with her mother Tammy, her sister Laurinda, born MA, George Rice, 36, and Charles Hunt, 7.

Her 5 Oct 1878 Rock Co, WI, will leaves everything to her sister, Laurinda Dunbar, or, in the case of her decease, to her nephew Charles B. Hunt. She died 11 Nov 1878; the will was allowed 15 May 1900.¹

Sources:

1. "Probate records, 1832-1988 (Rock County, Wisconsin)," database with images, FamilySearch.org (not indexed) (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9BM-THDV-Y : accessed 29 July 2020), File 6944; citing County Courthouse, Janesville, Wisconsin; FHL 007709901.

Danforth H. Dunbar

Birth: 3 Oct 1820

• Polly (Converse) Wheelock family group sheet, Hammond & Tammy Dunbar family, birth of six children; original at New England Historic and Genealogical Society, Boston, MA, MSS 1280 (not yet catalogued, 31 July 2020).

Death: between 19 Jan 1849 and 11 Feb 1849

• "Probate records, 1832-1988 (Rock County, Wisconsin)," database with images, FamilySearch.org (not indexed) (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9Y1-H3SS : accessed 29 July 2020), Hammond Dunbar will, File 80; citing County Courthouse, Janesville, Wisconsin; FHL 007710676; He died between the date his will was written, 19 Jan 1849, and when it was approved by the probate judge, 11 Feb 1849.

Father: Hammond Dunbar
Mother: Tammy Wheelock

Notes:

Danforth's Rock Co, Wisconsin, will, dated 19 January 1849, identifies his parents as legatees, Hammond and Tammy Dunbar, leaving a life interest in his estate for their maintenance and support. The will also leaves bequests to his nephew George Rice, hi neice Jane Rice, his two sisters Laurinda Dunbar and Cordelia T. Dunbar, whom he appoints as co-executors. Ezra A. Foot, Laurinda Dunbar, and Cordelia Dunbar are principles; Charles F. Cook and Lester Ames are sureties.¹

Sources:

1. "Probate records, 1832-1988 (Rock County, Wisconsin)," database with images, FamilySearch.org (not indexed) (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9Y1-H3SS : accessed 29 July 2020), File 80; citing County Courthouse, Janesville, Wisconsin; FHL 007710676.

David Dunbar

Spouse: Hannah Hammond
Marriage: 16 Nov 1773, Leicester, Worcester Co, MA

• Leicester Vital Records to 1850

1. Hammond Dunbar, born 25 Feb 1778, Charlton, Worcester Co, MA

Eleanor D. Dunbar

Birth: 6 Jul 1818

• Polly (Converse) Wheelock family group sheet, Hammond & Tammy Dunbar family, birth of six children; original at New England Historic and Genealogical Society, Boston, MA, MSS 1280 (not yet catalogued, 31 July 2020).

Father: Hammond Dunbar
Mother: Tammy Wheelock

Spouse: Lester Ames
Marriage: NY

• Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wisconsin (Chicago: Acme Publishing, 1889), p. 454, biography of Hammond Samuel Ames, son of Lester Ames and Eleanor Dunbar; Archive.org (https://archive.org/details/portraitbiographrcw00acme/page/454/mode/2up : accessed 2 Aug 2020).

1. Adeline J. Ames, born about 1839, NY
2. Josephine Ames, born about 1840, NY
3. Hammond Samuel Ames, born 29 Aug 1843, Chautauqua Co, NY
4. Eleanor Melissa Ames, born about 1845, NY

Laurinda Wilson Dunbar

Birth: 3 Oct 1812, Charlton, Worcester Co, MA

• "Wisconsin, Death Records, 1867-1907," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XLWR-8MJ : accessed 29 July 2020), Laurinda Wilson Dunbar, 1903; citing Death, Center Twp, Rock, Wisconsin, Wisconsin State Historical Society, Madison; FHL microfilm 1,311,654.

Death: 9 May 1903, Center Twp, Rock Co, WI

• "Wisconsin, Death Records, 1867-1907," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XLWR-8MJ : accessed 29 July 2020), Laurinda Wilson Dunbar, 1903; citing Death, Center Twp, Rock, Wisconsin, Wisconsin State Historical Society, Madison; FHL microfilm 1,311,654.

Burial: Grove Cemetery, Footville, Rock Co, WI

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 02 August 2020), headstone photo for Laurinda Dunbar, Find a Grave Memorial no. 183094841, Grove Cemetery, Footville, Rock Co, WI.

Father: Hammond Dunbar
Mother: Tammy Wheelock

Notes:

Laurenda Dunbar's obituary appears in the 16 May 1903 edition of the Janesville Daily Gazette (Janesville, Wisconsin), p. 7. It states that she died in her home on 9 May 1903, aged 90 years, 7 months, 6 days. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hammond Dunbar, and the last surviving member of the "pioneer family." She was born in Charleston (sic), Mass., 3 Oct 1812, and came from Batavia, NY to Center, WI in 1847, where she lived until 1864 when she (presumably with her family) came to Footville, Wisconsin, where she resided until death. She leaves a nephew, Mr. G. M. Rice, and a grand-nephew, Mr. Charles Hunt of Denver. She was a baptist; burial in Grove Cemetery.

The Rock County, Wisconsin, will of Laurinda Dunbar, dated 14 Aug 1897, identifies her grand-nephew, Charles K. Hunt, of Denver, Colorado, as the sole heir and executor of her estate.¹

Sources:

1. "Probate records, 1832-1988 (Rock County, Wisconsin)," database with images, FamilySearch.org (not indexed) (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9B3-15BK : accessed 29 July 2020), Laurinda Dunbar, file 8039; citing County Courthouse, Janesville, Wisconsin; FHL 007710676.

Salem A. W. Dunbar

Birth: 24 Apr 1830

• Polly (Converse) Wheelock family group sheet, Hammond & Tammy Dunbar family, birth of six children; original at New England Historic and Genealogical Society, Boston, MA, MSS 1280 (not yet catalogued, 31 July 2020).

Father: Hammond Dunbar
Mother: Tammy Wheelock

Hannah Hammond

Birth: 30 May 1751, Charlton, Worcester Co, MA

• Charlton Vital Records to 1850

Spouse: David Dunbar
Marriage: 16 Nov 1773, Leicester, Worcester Co, MA

• Leicester Vital Records to 1850

1. Hammond Dunbar, born 25 Feb 1778, Charlton, Worcester Co, MA

Notes:

She is mentioned in the 5 April 1791 Worcester County will of her father, Jonas Hammond, case 26781. Her husband, David Dunbar, was appointed executor.

George Rice

Father: Joseph Rice
Mother: Betsey Dunbar

Notes:

Research Notes:

Probably the George M. Rice, 1834-1919, buried in Grove Cemetery, Footville, Wisconsin, FAG 88106428. His sister, Jane E. Rice is buried in the same cemetery.

He died on 24 Jan 1919 in Evansville, Wisconsin, leaving a will, written 12 Feb 1918, proved 4 March 1919, nominating as executor Robert D. Hartley of Evansville, Wisconsin, and naming the following heirs: Irma A. Horne, daughter of his niece, Irma Shaw Horne, deceased; and the rest to the children of Daniel H. Shaw and Elivira Shaw (his half-sister), both deceased: Keith D. Shaw of Evansville, Robert O. Shaw, Shirley Shaw, John E. Shaw, Hollis Shaw Nevil, and George L. Shaw.¹

Sources:

1. Rock County, Wisconsin, probate files, Geirge N, Rice of Evansville, case 13944.

Jane Elizabeth Rice

Father: Joseph Rice
Mother: Betsey Dunbar

Notes:

Research Notes:

Probable Jane E. Rice, d. 6 Dec 1864, buried in Grove Cemetery, Footville, Rock County, Wisconsin, FAG 183094857. George M. Rice is in the same cemetery.

Joseph Rice

Death: before 27 Aug 1838, probably Alabama, Genesee Co, NY

• Genesee County, NY, probate case files, Letters of Administration/Testamentary 1830-1840, vol 3, p. 43, Joseph Rice, dated 27 Aug 1838; Genesee County Probate Court, Batavia, NY; database with images "New York Probate Records, 1629-1971," FamilySearch.org (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYC9-94D : accessed 2 Aug 2020), Letters of administration, Letters of testamentary 1830-1840 vol 2-3, image 273 of 416.

Spouse: Betsey Dunbar
Marriage:

• Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wisconsin (Chicago: Acme Publishing, 1889), p. 454, biography of Hammond Samuel Ames, son of Lester Ames and Eleanor Dunbar; Archive.org (https://archive.org/details/portraitbiographrcw00acme/page/454/mode/2up : accessed 2 Aug 2020); The bio states that Betsey Rice was the sister of Eleanor Dunbar, and a widow when she married Lester Ames. The Genesee Co probate records of Joseph Rice prove that he was Betsey's spouse.
• Genesee County, NY, probate case files, Letters of Guardianship 1810-1871, vol 2, p. 210, minor heirs of Joseph Rice, dated 9 Dec 1840; Genesee County Probate Court, Batavia, NY; database with images "New York Probate Records, 1629-1971," FamilySearch.org (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9YC4-Z5D : accessed 2 Aug 2020), Letters of Guardianship 1810-1871 vol 1-2, image 341 of 713.

1. George Rice
2. Jane Elizabeth Rice

Notes:

Joseph Rice lived in Alabama, Genesee County, New York, with his wife, Betsey, and two children, George and Jane. He died prior to 27 Aug 1838, when administration of his estate was granted to Betsey Rice and Jesse Combs.¹

His probate records contain guardianships for two heirs, George Rice and Jane Elizabeth Rice.²

Research Notes:

The following men (besides Joseph) have probate records in Genesee County, New York. One of them may be the father or a relative of Joseph Rice: Calvin Rice, p. 328 in index (image 206 of 702), Cyrus Rice, p. 395 in index, Erastus Rice, p. 483 in index (only has letters of administration, no heirs listed).

Sources:

1. Genesee County, NY, probate case files, Letters of Administration/Testamentary 1830-1840, vol 3, p. 43, Joseph Rice, dated 27 Aug 1838; Genesee County Probate Court, Batavia, NY; database with images "New York Probate Records, 1629-1971," FamilySearch.org (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYC9-94D : accessed 2 Aug 2020), Letters of administration, Letters of testamentary 1830-1840 vol 2-3, image 273 of 416.
2. Genesee County, NY, probate case files, Letters of Guardianship 1810-1871, vol 2, p. 210, minor heirs of Joseph Rice, dated 9 Dec 1840; Genesee County Probate Court, Batavia, NY; database with images "New York Probate Records, 1629-1971," FamilySearch.org (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9YC4-Z5D : accessed 2 Aug 2020), Letters of Guardianship 1810-1871 vol 1-2, image 341 of 713.