I believe there is an old article on James Dunn in the Journal of Negro History; might be an early artile by John Hope Franklin, but I cannot recall.

Paul Finkelman

Quoting BRIAN MITCHELL <[log in to unmask]>:

> Hello,
>
>       I'm currently researching free black migration to New
> Orleans during the early 19th century and came across a Free
> Man of Color named James Dunn. James Dunn reached New Orleans
> in Dec. of 1819 and posted an entry in the Mayor's Register of
> Free Blacks stating that he was from Petersburg. Closer
> examination of the register shows a number of other migrants
> from both Petersburg and Richmond. I have a number of
> questions in regard to Dunn and would appreciate any
> assistance I could get:
>
>
>    Where in James Dunn from? Census records show a free black
> family of Dunn's in the Richmond family.
>    Why are migrants leaving Petersburg and Richmond for New
> Orleans? There are large communities of free blacks much
> closer to them (Baltimore and New York), so why are they
> selecting New Orleans?
>    James Dunn's sponsor was the theater impresario James H.
> Caldwell, I know that Dunn was a stage carpenter by trade and
> I know that he has signed a indenture contract with Caldwell,
> probably at the Petersburg Theater. Does anyone know where
> court records in regard to indentures could be found for
> Petersburg?
>    Are there any other records I should be researching that
> might shed light on James Dunns life?
>
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Paul Finkelman
Chapman Distinguished Professor of Law
Univ. of Tulsa College of Law
2120 East 4th Place
Tulsa OK  74104-3189

Phone: 918-631-3706
Fax:    918-631-2194

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