Dunn House

Jeremiah Dunn’s grandfather, Hugh Dunn, was one of Piscataway’s six original settlers. He arrived in the mid-1600’s. Hugh was a landowner, and an organizer of the first Baptist Church in Piscataway. Jeremiah Dunn was born in 1712, and served as a Freeholder of Piscataway in 1748, 1750, and 1752. Jeremiah built the Dunn house between 1760 and 1765 after he purchased the property from Benjamin Hull in 1740. Jeremiah died in 1794 and was succeeded by one daughter.  

David C. Dunn resided in the house with his wife, a farmhand, and a domestic in the early to mid-19th century. Like his ancestors, David was a farmer. The Dunn homestead was established outside of the major crossroads communities, it was largely self-sufficient. David died in 1859, and the trustees of his estate subsequently sold off the holdings. Isabella Dunn was listed as a resident as late as 1876.  

Several members of the Dunn family held noteworthy political positions. Alexander Dunn and David Dunn were both members of the State Assembly. In 1844, James T. Dunn served as a State Senator.  Members of the Dunn family participated in the Provincial Congress of 1775/76. 

In 1893, the house was sold to Nelson and Anna Blackford in a sheriff’s sale to pay debts owed from David Dunn’s estate. The Blackfords sold the house to Isaac and Amelia Lownfeld in 1899, and it was later purchased by Patrick and Catherine McGovern in 1902. Louis and Ida J. Volzes bought the property from the McGoverns in 1903 and sold it in 1908 to Henry F. Niemann. John and Mary DiLeo bought the property from Niemann in 1936. The DiLeos subdivided the property and sold the lots through the 1950s. The East Jersey Old Town Village received the Dunn house in 1974, saving it from demolition to make way for modern development. The house was put in storage in 1973 before making its move to the Village. While in storage, the house was heavily damaged by a fire set by vandals.  The Dunn house has been restored and stands today as a rare example of colonial vernacular architecture, and a well-preserved piece of local history.