Archibald Dunlap Research Log Post 4

Archibald Dunlap from Augusta County, Virginia was born May 12, 1771, in Campbeltown, Scotland. He arrived in the American Colonies as a child about 1775 with his family. I’ve written three earlier blog posts and will leave links at the end.

Since writing my first Archibald Dunlap Research Log Post, I proved Archibald Jr. is a son of Archibald Sr. and Betsy Dunlap. Letters exchanged between Dunlap cousins in the 1860’s solidify the connection between Archibald Jr.’s children and children of the documented Dunlap’s. Thank you Jerry L. and Wanda Bostic Dunlap for sharing and publishing the Dunlap Family Letters on their excellent website Dunlap Family Tree.

While reading a typewritten transcript of Augusta County, Virginia Marriages compiled by Annie Walker Burns, I spotted a marriage bond for Wm. Buchman and Martha Dunlap dated March 3,1835. Burns recorded Martha as the daughter of Archibald Dunlap. Archibald Dunlap served as a bondsman but I’m uncertain whether its Archibald Sr. or Archibald Jr. Census records later identified ‘Wm. Buchman’ as William Buchanan.

  

 Excerpt from

Virginia Genealogies and County Records

Volume VIII (Eight)

Compiled by Annie Walker Burns

Box 6183, Washington, D. C.

Page 68

Early personal property tax lists place 4^th Great Grandfather in Augusta County, Virginia as early as 1791.

An 1800 personal property tax list revealed Archibald Dunlap owed the tax assessor 60 cents for a tithe and 5 horses.

The next time I discovered him in an official record was the 1810 census:

1810 Federal Census Enumeration

Augusta County, Virginia, Page 12/334

Head of Household: Arch’d Dunlap

2 males under 10 years: sons James and Archibald Jr.

1 male between 10 and 16 years: son Robert

1 male between 16 and 26 years: unknown

1 male between 16 and 45 years: Archibald Sr.

2 females under 10 years: daughters Elizabeth and Martha

2 females between 10 and 16 years: daughters Nancy and Margaret

1 female between 16 and 26 years: unknown

1 female between 26 and 45 years: wife Elizabeth

A young man and woman lived in the Dunlap household, but their relationship to the family is unknown.

4^th Great Grandfather Archibald enlisted in the United States Army Dec. 2, 1813, for a five-year stint. His company commander was Lt. Koontz, and he served in the Artillery. The Register of Enlistments describe Grandfather as 5’6½” tall, blue eyes, brown hair, dark complexion and 45 years of age.

I was delighted to find a physical description of Great Grandfather but was surprised he enlisted in the army at the age of 45. His enlistment occurred during the War of 1812 against the British.

The Army Enlistment Register stated he was a farmer born in Edinburgh, Scotland. My earlier research place Archibald Dunlop’s birth in Campbeltown, Scotland—not Edinburgh. Google mapped a five-hour car drive between Campbeltown and Edinburgh. This is a new development. I must remind myself Grandfather was a small child when he left Scotland perhaps making his early recollections fuzzy. His enlistment age (45 years) calculates to a 1768 birth—not matching Scotland’s People (1771).  See Archibald Dunlap Research Post 3.

I can think of several scenarios to explain the situation so I’m not ready to disregard my earlier research. However, I would very much like finding another birth source.

The Remarks in the Enlistment Records tell Archibald’s military history. Five months after enlisting, he was confined for desertion at Fort Washington, Maryland May 31, 1814. I think Grandfather took on more than he could handle physically and was too old for army life.

Transcription:

D. R. [Descriptive Rolls] Det. Arty Ft. Washington, Md., May 31/14, In for desertion – Capt. Jas Reed’s Co. Book US Arty 1812/15, Present Aug 20 & Dec 1814 – D. R. [Descriptive Rolls] Feby 16, M. R. [Muster Rolls] Feby 18, & M. R. Feby 28/15, Present. Mo

Ret [Returned] May 31, M. R. & I. R. [Muster Roll & Inspection Return] July 31/15, Discharged, April 30/15, old age & Rheumatism – The remark “In 20^th Infy.” appears opp. his name.

 

Printed in the Republican Constellation, Wincester, Virginia

Feb. 5, 1814

As you can see from the above advertisement, Lt. Jacob Kountz offered $10.00 for Grandfather Arch’s capture. It’s curious his age was said to be 42 years contradicting the enlistment register age 45.

His name appeared in muster rolls in August and December of 1814 as well as February 1815. Archibald Dunlap was discharged early April 30, 1815 owing to rheumatism and old age at Fort Washington.

Earlier Posts:

Archibald Dunlap Research Log

Archibald Dunlap Research Log Post 2

Archibald Dunlap Research Log Post 3

  

Register of Enlistments in the U.S. Army, 1798-1914; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M233, 81 rolls); Records of the Adjutant General’s Office, 1780’s-1917, Record Group 94; National Archives, Washington, D.C.