Jesse DUNK was born in early 1787 and baptised on the 22nd April 1787 at All Saints, Mountfield, Sussex, England[1]. His parents were John DUNK and Sarah BLUNDEN. Jesse was the youngest of their 6 children.
He joined the 2nd battalion of the 39th Regiment at the Isle of Wright depot England, in 23 May 1809, aged 22 years, just in time to sail to the Peninsular Wars. He fought battles in Pyrenes, Vittoria, Busacco, Tourlouse, and Albuhera. Soldiers in these battles were led by the Duke of Wellington and were defeating Napoleon's push through Spain and Portrugal. He was discharged on 12 June 1816, having served 7 years. After settling in Australia, he was awarded the Victoria Regina Medal in 1848, which is still held by the family[2]. [3].
Jesse married Charlotte Martha SELLENS at All Saints Church, Mountfield, Sussex, England, in 1818[4]. Jesse was aged 31 years, and Charlotte was aged 13 years.
They had (at least) 7 children:
The couple were together for 17 years until Charlotte died at Mountford England in 1835.
Jesse then shacked up with Suky SELMS (no marriage cert located), and they left for Australia with Jesse's 7 children, and Susannah's 17 yo son, [5]. The ship registered the DUNKs as DONK, and noted Susanna's maiden name as SILVER. Jesse was aged 52 years.
On the 26th October 1839, the vessel Florist arrived in New South Wales with Jesse, his 'wife' Susanna Donk, and Jesse's 7 children from his marriage to Charlotte: John Donk (20 years), William Donk (18 years), Jesse Donk (17 years), Sarah Donk (15 years), Martha Donk (12 years), Thomas Donk (10 years), Eliza Donk (7 years) [6].
The DUNK family proceeded to Camden NSW where work on the Macarthur estates awaited them. Jesse was promised 20 pounds per year, and the family usually worked for free until the boys established themselves elsewhere, and the girls married away.
Jesse and Susanna had separated by 1858 without any children, when Jesse married again. Susanna reverted her family name from DUNK to GENNER, and lived until 1871.
Jesse's 2nd marriage was to Sarah HILDER in Sydney NSW in 1858 [7]. Jesse was aged 71 years, and Sarah was aged 19 years.
Jesse DUNK died at Cawdor, Camden NSW in 1860, aged 73 years (with a smile on his face?) [8].
He is buried at St John's church Camden NSW.
URL: https://www.myheritage.com/research/record-30042-14760245/jesse-dunk-in-england-births-christenings Source: MyHeritage Family Trees MyHeritage.com [online database]. Lehi, UT, USA: MyHeritage (USA) Inc. https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-1/myheritage-family-trees
Family tree: Pathuis Web Site, managed by Pam Cummins https://www.myheritage.com/site-215799101/pathuis
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Categories: Mountfield, Sussex
Father John was in army in the regiment that later became the grenadier guards. I am a descendant of Sarah.