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Note: James Freeman Gunn was born October 17, 1854 in Brunswick County, Virginia, one of the three children of Samuel Harrison Gunn and Martha Elmore Daniel. His birth is recorded on page 17 of Brunswick County Birth Records. Father: Samuel Mother: Martha.
GUNN JAMES OCT 1854 W M SAMUEL MARTHA 17
James Freeman was about 11 months old when his mother Martha died in 1855. His sister was an infant, and his brother Peter 3. Samuel H. Gunn married his second wife, Lucy Elmore, in 1857 in Brunswick County.
The 1860 census shows 6 year old James living with his dad and stepmother Lucy Ann in Lunenburg County. Lucy is the only mother James could possibly have remembered. When James Freeman was just seven years old his dad enlisted in the Confederate Army in 1861, and was absent from the home for the next four years. Times must have been very difficult for this young stepmother. When Samuel returned from the war he moved the family from Lunenburg to Nottoway County.
The 1870 census show that 17 year old James was a farmer living at home with his dad, brother Peter, stepmother Lucy, sister Martha Jane, and grandmother Polly [Daniel] Gunn. Lucy Ann gave birth to a son Lee Gunn, born September 1865, who did not appear in this census. The years between 1870 and 1880 were eventful for James Freeman. Sometime between 1870 and 1876 Lucy Ann Elmore, Jame's stepmother died. His father married Addie Elmore, who was the same age as James Freeman, in March 1876. Peter, Jame's brother married Molly in 1873. Little is known where James may have been living, but it is likely after his father's third marriage in 1876, James lived with his brother Peter and his wife.
When the census of 1880 was taken, 25 year old James was a farmer, living with Peter, Molly, and their children. Peter and James were farming. Molly's sister, Alice Johnson, who had been raised and was living in Richmond with their aunt, Frances Reams [Goulder] met and married James Freeman Gunn. They were married in Nottoway County on December 21, 1881. After his marriage, James and Alice made their home in Richmond, Virginia.
By 1900, James had moved his family to the Richmond area, living on 21st Street in the Church Hill section with all seven of his children. Nora, his daughter, died within days of her birth. The 12th Census of the US, page 115 for the Fairfield Magisterial District for Henrico County, Va. living at 1711 21st Street, Richmond, Va, enumerated on the 9th of June 1900 by A. S. Singleton lists the 187th counted as Gunn, James F, head of household, born Oct 1854 age 45 married 18 years. Virginia A, wife born Nov 1858 age 41, married 18 years, mother of 8 children, 7 living. Lillian M. Daughter born Feby 1884 age 16, Wesley J. son born May 1888 age 12, Samuel L son born April 1890 age 6, Willard J. son born April 1890 age 6, Leonard A. son born Aug 1894 age 6, Edith M. daughter born June 1899 age 1. Lafayette M. son born Aug 1895 age 4. James Freeman was a laboror in Cedar Works
Two years later, on Oct 23, 1902, James Freeman died of unknown cause. He had just turned 48 five days before his death. The two youngest children, Edith, Lafayette, didn't remember their father, but loved his brother Peter.
Deeds
Brunswick County, Virginia - On Oct 21 1875, James Gunn sold 18 acres of land to William H. Barrow for $50.00. This was land that he had inherited from his grandfather, Peter Daniel.
Grantees-Nottoway Co., Va. deed Book Index:
1887 - Bk 7, pg 26: Crowder, J. S. & S. S. (Grantor) was Joseph Crowder, al - 100 a. adj. R. W. Sydnor's et al.
Copy of original deed: "This Deed made this 31st day of May 1887 between Joseph Crowder and Sarah A. his wife, J. W. Crowder and Mary E. his wife parties of the first part and J. S. Crowder and S. S. Crowder parties of the second part, Witnesseth, that for and in consideration of Three Hundred (300) dollars cash in hand paid by the parties of the second part to the parties of the first part receipt of which is hereby acknowledged the said parties of the first part do with General Warranty grant unto the parties of the second part all of the following tract or parcel of land to wit. a certain tract lying in the County of Nottoway State of Virginia containing One Hundred (100 acres) bounded as follows. On the North by lands of Freeman Gunn and Goulders old tract. On the West by lands of R. W. Sydnor as the County road runs. On the South by lands of Joseph and J. W. Crowder. On the East by lands of Joseph and J. W. Crowder. And the said parties covenant that they have the right to convey the same and to execute such further assurances as may be necessary to confirm the title in the parties of the second part. Witness the following signatures and seals the day and date above written.
Joseph Crowder (Seal)
Sarah A. Crowder (Seal)
Joseph W. Crowder (Seal)
Mary E. Crowder (Seal)
State of Virginia
County of Dinwiddie
James Freeman Gunn died 10-23-1902 and was the first person buried in grave 1, at the Riverview Cemetery, in Richmond, Virginia. He was buried according to cemetery records on Oct 25, 1902.
Obituary:
Mr. James F. Gunn died at 10 o'clock Thursday night in his forty-eight year. The funeral will take place this afternoon at 4 o'clock from the Fairmount Methodist Church.
The Times (Richmond, Virginia) 25 Oct 1902, Sat First Edition Page 5
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