Jonathan Singletary Dunham
A pioneering miller and settler whose foundational work in colonial New Jersey created a direct ancestral link to a U.S. President.
1640–1724 (age 84)·American settler·Birthday: January 17
Biography
Jonathan Singletary Dunham was a man of practical ambition in the raw, early world of American colonization. Born in Massachusetts in 1640, he moved south to the newly established township of Woodbridge, New Jersey, around 1667. There, he wasn't just a farmer or landowner; he was an essential infrastructure builder. His construction of the first gristmill in the colony was a community-defining act, transforming local agriculture by allowing settlers to grind their grain into flour. This mill became a social and economic hub. Dunham served in various civic roles—constable, town clerk, judge—helping to establish the framework of daily life and law. His lasting, if unintended, legacy lies in his lineage: through a direct paternal line, he is the 8th great-grandfather of President Barack Obama, connecting the story of America's founding to its most symbolic modern chapter.
#1 When Jonathan Was Born
The biggest hits of 1640
Jonathan's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1640Born
1645Started school
1653Became a teenager
1656Could drive
1658Could vote
1661Turned 21
1670Turned 30
1680Turned 40
1690Turned 50
1700Turned 60
1710Turned 70
1720Turned 80
1724Died at 84
Key Achievements
- Built and operated the first gristmill in the colony of New Jersey, a critical piece of economic infrastructure.
- Served as a founding settler and prominent civic leader in Woodbridge Township, holding offices like constable and judge.
- Secured extensive land holdings in the Woodbridge area, shaping the early development of the region.
- Established a direct paternal family line that centuries later produced President Barack Obama.
Did You Know?
He was originally named Jonathan Singletary but adopted the Dunham surname later in life.
His mill was located on the Rahway River and was a landmark for early New Jersey.
He was involved in several legal disputes over land and mill rights, common in frontier settlements.
Genealogical research confirmed his connection to President Obama's mother, Stanley Ann Dunham, in the 21st century.
“A mill needs water, a town needs a road, a man needs land.”
