From the Walter Dunn Family Bible: Susan Caroline was born 17 May 1826 the daughter of Walter and Cynthia Dunn. She married John M. McKinney on 7 Nov 1843 and Alexander Nicols of Edinburgh, Scotland on 6 Apr 1859.

1846 - Know by all these presents that I Walter Dunn Sen'r of the County of Lenoir and State of North Carolina for and in consideration of natural love and affection do grant give and convey unto my daughter Susan C. McKinney wife of John M. McKinney of the County of Craven and State aforesaid a certain tract or parcel of land in the County of Craven and State aforesaid lying on the South side of Neuse River adjoining the lands of William Biddle, Isaac B. Cox and John M. McKinney beginning at a pine on the main road it being John M. McKinney's corner in said Biddle's line running thence with his lines to Isaac B. Cox's line thence with said Cox's line to an oak near Cox's gate thence down the road to a small branch thence with the branch to another of said Cox lines where it leaves the branch thence with another of said Cox lines to the river, thence down the meanders of the same to John M. McKinney's thence with said McKinney land lines to the beginning containing by estimation four hundred and twenty acres be the same more or less. To have and to hold the said lands and premises with every appurtenance thereunto belonging and that I the said Walter Dunn as for myself my heirs executors administrators and assigns do warrant and forever defend the above premises unto the said Susan C. McKinney her heirs and executors administrators and assigns forever from the lawful claim of any and all persons whatsoever. In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal this (blank) June 1846. Witnesses: W. C. Loftin & Joseph Tilghman Jr. Craven County Court March Term AD 1848 - Then was the execution of the fore going deed proved in open court and in due form of law by the oath of William C. Loftin one of the subscribing witnesses thereto. Ordered that said deed be registered. Attest J. G. Stanly C.C.

State of North Carolina - Know all men by these presents that I Walter Dunn Senr. of the County of Lenoir and State aforesaid in consideration of natural love and affection do grant give and convey to my daughter Susan C. McKinney wife of John M. McKinney of the County of Craven and State aforesaid certain Negro slaves named Charles and Margaret and her child name Mima and their increase I this day do grant give and convey said Negroes to said Susan C. McKinney her heirs and assigns forever and for the better security of the title hereby conveyed I for myself my heirs and assigns do warrant and defend the same from the lawful claim of any and all persons whatsoever In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal this 13th day of June AD 1846. Witness: W. C. Loftin
Susan sold this land 10 Jan 1855 to Thomas E. Gaskins. Craven County, NC Register of Deeds

NC Archives Lenoir County Deed Book Abstracts by Martha Mewborn Marble - Selected deeds from the existing Lenoir County Deed Books found at the Courthouse in Kinston. They include all re-registered deeds, deeds that refer back to earlier deeds and deeds that imply inheritance.

30 Oct. 1871 - Bk 9d p 429 – Deed – Alexander Nicol and Susan C. his wife to Luke Allen - $100 for 1/2 acre in Kinston – lot in the western portion of town and being the lot Wm. C. Loftin formerly had a stream mill and which was purchased by Walter Dunn from Joseph S. Cummings and purchased by us at a bankruptcy sale of Walter Dunn, lot adj W. A. Blount or J. C. Washington. Wit: W. H. Whitfield. Susan privately examined. Enrolled 6 Jan. 1876, Book 43, pp 313, 314, James K. Davis, ROD. Re-enrolled 30 April 1886, Geo. L. Hodges, ROD.

From the Dunn Vertical File at Heritage Place, Lenoir County Community College
Newspaper clipping without a newspaper name and the following date written at bottom of clipping

16 May 1903

Mrs. Susan Nicols Dead

Mrs. Susan C. Nicols died yesterday afternoon at the residence of Dr. H. Tull at the corner of Bright and McLewean streets at the ripe age of 77 of old age and general feebleness. Mrs. Nicols had been in feeble health for several years and her demise was expected at any time. She was one of the oldest citizens of this section having lived in Kinston or near here nearly all of her life.

Mrs. Nicols was a Miss Susan Dunn, born at the old Dunn homestead, about four miles from Kinston in May 1826. She was a sister of Mr. W. W. Dunn of this county who is now living at the old homestead and is the only surviving one of the sons and daughters. Mrs. Chadwick, deceased, and Mrs. S. H. Rountree, Sr., also deceased, were sisters of Mrs. Nicols.

Mrs. Nicols was married to Mr. John M. McKinney of Craven County in early life who did not live long after the marriage and Mrs. McKinney moved back to Kinston and afterwards became the wife of Mr. Alexander Nicols who was prominently identified with the business interests of Kinston in its pioneer days, and who died in 1885. Since that time Mrs. Nicols has lived a more or less secluded life and of late years rarely being seen but is well known by the older citizens of the city.

She was always a consistent member of the Christian church and a lady of the old school, loved by her friends and acquaintances for her refined and loving disposition. Hers has been a long life of usefulness until declining health debarred her from taking any active part in the affairs of this life. Mrs. Nicols leaves a large number of relatives, among them some of Kinston's most prominent people.

The funeral will take place at Dr. Tull's residence this afternoon at five o'clock and immediately following the remains will be interred in the cemetery. Rev. P. B. Ball of the Christian church will conduct the funeral ceremony and the pall bearers will be: Messrs. E. F. Cox, A. J. Loftin, K. R. Tunstail, Dr. H. D. Harper, Sr., N. D. Myers and E. R. Tull.