I begin the history of Spencer Gunn with the Last Will and Testament of his father, James Gunn, who was born in 1731, and died in 1807. Spencer was the first named child in the will that is dated 3 April 1807. " first I give and bequeath to my son Spencer Gunn all my land lying on whiteoak creek in the County of Dinwiddie, including the one half of the water Grist Mill with the appurtenances thereof, containing by estimation five hundred acres, be the same more or less & I also give the said Spencer Gunn the following negroes Vizt. Kitt, Molly, and Daniel to him and his heirs forever. " How and when James senior acquired this land is unknown. The explanation may lie partially in document "e" shown in the latter part of this paper.

The next reference to Spencer is found in the 1810 US census of Dinwiddie County. Specifically, it shows Spencer to be married, that he and his wife were between 26-45 years of age, and that they had one son, and three daughters, who were between 0-10 years of age.

Having nothing more than a will, most researchers have used the order of the will to determine the birth years of the children of James Senior. I have made a special effort to analyze all data available in order to establish what I consider to be, a more realistic year of birth and birth order of the children. It is my belief that Spencer was the sixth born child, and that his year of birth was about 1769.

The 1820 US census for the state of Virginia lists two Spencer Gunns living in Dinwiddie County. Unfortunately, this researcher does not have the county breakdown and therefore it is uncertain if the second Spencer is an error, or is the son, Spencer M. If the county census is available it might provide more details about Spencer's additional children. The next paragraph shows that there was at least one more son.

From an indenture we have proof that Spencer Senior had at least two sons. One was named Spencer M., and the other Garner G. Another indenture provided the name of their mother, and wife of Spencer Senior. She was Susannah Pritchett, daughter of their grandmother, who was also named Susannah Pritchett. Her father's given name has not yet been found, nor have the names of Spencer's three daughters who are noted in the 1810 census.

The 1830 census lists a Garner G Gunn living in Dinwiddie, but not Spencer M Gunn. The 1840 census does not list either one. The fact that they were still alive and living in the Dinwiddie area during the period is documented by indentures which are identified later in this paper. The 1850 Federal census of Dinwiddie lists Spencer M Gunn, as 37 years of age, and his wife Rebecca, as 39. Their occupation was Farmers. In addition, there was a sixteen year old laborer named Alexander living in the house-hold. From this census we have established that the son, Spencer M was born in the year 1813. And as there was a son noted on the 1810 census, it is assumed that this then was Garner G Gunn. The 1850 census also lists a John, age 4 male S; and an Elizabeth, age 4 female S. This "S" entry is probably an abbreviation for "slave".

The 1850 Federal census lists Garner G Gunn, 50, m, Laborer; Living in the household was: Harriet Sloan 28, f; Fluda Pritchet, 10, m, Mu; Alison, 8, Mu; Mary Sloan, 4, f. This "Mu" entry is probably an abbreviation for "mulatto".

The records of Dinwiddie County were destroyed in fires. On one occasion, it was by accident, and on another, by Union troops. Because of this, there is scant information available to show any history of the family. Spencer Senior did serve as a Captain in the militia during the War of 1812. The documents of service show that he was convicted in a court martial, and sentenced to be discharged. The conviction was subsequently overturned and he was reinstated.

Having scrutinized the data available, and considering data that might, but didn't show a presence, we come to the following conclusions.

a. Spencer's year of birth was circa 1769.
b. His wife, Susannah's year of birth was circa 1780.
c. That they married about 1798.
d. That they had at least five children. Two sons, and three daughters.
e. That Spencer died intestate circa 1824.
f. That Susannah died circa 1847.

a. The 1827/18/29 Account Current of Spencer Gunn senior's estate.
b. The June 1834 Settlement of the Account Current of Spencer Gunn senior's estate.
c. The 19 December 1834 Indenture where Spencer M Gunn, and Rebecca his wife sell their interest in his father's estate for two hundred dollars.
d. The 22 August 1843 Indenture where Garner G, and Spencer M Gunn sell their interest in a slave named "German", that belonged to their grandmother, Susannah Pritchett, and which was held in life estate of their mother Susannah Gunn. The sale was to Page H. Vaden.
e. The 17 March 1848 Indenture where Garner G Gunn, son of Spencer senior, and Susannah (Pritchett) Gunn, sells to Wm Chandler his interest in the grist mill and land on White Oak Creek. Note. Garner devised this land by the will of Susannah Pritchett dec'd to Susannah Gunn, dec'd for life.
f. The April and December 1848/9 Account Current of Susannah Gunn dec'd.
g. The 19 February 1850 Indenture, December term of 1848 court. "A case against Susannah Gunns heirs. It involves a tract of land held as inventory in the estate of Spencer M Gunn by the late Susannah Gunn, dec'd.

James GUNN
Elisha GUNN
Griffin GUNN
William GUNN
Gabriel GUNN
Spencer GUNN
Henrietta GUNN
Edith GUNN
Polly GUNN
Caty GUNN
Elizabeth and Sally GUNN