JAMES DUNHAM, JR.
Civil War Letter to his wife, Margaret Elizabeth (nee Slonaker) Dunham
of April 19, 1864
Courtesy of:
Wayne & Donna Hunt of New Lebanon, Ohio
and their son, Marshall Hunt
September, 2001
from the momentos of Don Miller of Indianapolis, Indiana ca 1998
Transcriptions appear under the original letters.
If anyone can supply additional words where some are missing, please advise.
In this letter we find that James Dunham, Jr. speaks of his two sisters, "Elmira" (wf/o Herman/Harmon A. Reineke) and "Malinda." He speaks of "Jack Martin," who also appears to be in the ranks of Company M. The identity of Jack Martin is unknown. James' brother, Henry Dunham, was married to Sarah Jane Martin, so perhaps Jack was related to Sarah Jane (nee Martin) Dunham. Also, mentioned is "Jim Hopkins" and "Janey," both unknown in their relationship to James Dunham. James speaks of his wife's father, Abdel Slonaker, and his 2nd wife, "Cintha," who was Margaret's step-mother, Cynthia "Syntha" "Sintha" "Cintha" (nee Westfall) Smith-Slonaker.
Also noted is his mention of tools and a "coopers tub," which would be a piece of equipment and tools used in James' trade. In the 1860 United States Federal Census, James Dunham is listed as a carpenter.
Of special note would be the mention of his wife, Margaret, being ill. Since we know from records that his daughter, Mary Jane Dunham, was born in October 1864, it would thus appear that Margaret was possibly suffering from morning sickness. [ASH]
