The Political Life Of Joseph Dunagan In 1840

Joseph Ellis Dunagan was first elected State Senator in Georgia in 1825 representing Gainesville-Hall County district in Georgia, meeting in the State Legislature when the state capitol was Millegeville, Georgia. He was elected 23 consecutive years for this office. He also served at different times during this period as a Superior Court Judge.

Historical Overview:

After the debacle of the one-party presidential campaign of 1824, a new two-party system began to emerge. Strong public reaction to perceived corruption in the vote in the House of Representatives, as well as the popularity of Andrew Jackson, allowed Martin Van Buren to organize a Democratic Party that resurrected a Jeffersonian philosophy of minimalism in the federal government. This new party opposed the tendencies of National Republicans such as John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay to invest more power in the federal government. Van Buren built a political machine to support Jackson in the 1828 election. Van Buren's skills helped give the Democrats a head start on modern-style campaigning and a clear advantage in organization. The Democrats and Jackson defeated the National Republicans in 1828 and 1832 and maintained their hold on the presidency when they bested the Whigs—a union of former National Republicans, Antimasons, and some states' rights advocates—in 1836. But a major economic depression in 1837 finally gave the Whigs their best chance to occupy the White House. They faced Andrew Jackson's political organizer, vice president, and handpicked successor, President Martin Van Buren, vying for a second term in the midst of hard times.

As they prepared for the election of 1840, both Democrats and Whigs were organized for campaigning on a national scale. Joseph Dunagan in 1840 strongly opposed the election of the Whig candidate, William Henry Harrison, and became Chairman of the Democratic Party of Hall. At a meeting of delegates in 1840 he drafted a position paper on the election and attacked Harrison for standing for the old, worn out Federalist ideas such as the Bank of the United States and internal improvements, and placed himself and the other delegates at the meeting squarely in the Jeffersonian mold of strict construction of the Constitution. Joseph Ellils Dunagan was known as a strict Constitutional Conservative.

Below is the position paper he wrote and signed as Chairman of the party:

It being an unalienable right, as well as the duty of the citizens of this Republic, to assemble and consult in relation to any matters, affecting their general or local interests, and freely to express their views on men and measures--the correct policy of the Government in conformity to the Convention thereof; and as the "price of liberty is eternal vigilance," and as Republicans devoted to the principles illustrated in the life and writings of Thomas Jefferson. And viewing with indignation and surprise, the attempt now being made to hasten upon the country, the Federal doctrines of the "black cockade" administration of the elder Adams, the blue light doctrines of the younger Adams, the Jacobinical doctrines of Slade, Garrison, Tappan and other doctrines equally subversive of the Constitution, are dangerous to the peace and equality of our citizens.

Be it therfore Resolved, That we are in support of a strict construction of the Constitution of the United States--that the assumption or exercise by Congress, or any other Department of government, of any power or authority not expressly granted, is a high-handed...usurpation, dangerous to the liberties of the people.

Resolved, That the chartering of the United States Bank--the fanatical interference with domestic institutions of slavery--the appropriation of money for works of internal government--a tariff for protection--the assumption of State debts by the general government--appropriating the public revenue for the purpose of emancipation--may be legitimately listed (?) among the many federal sins of past and present times, alike violative, of the Constitution--destructive to the tranquility of our citizens--and endangering the perpetuity of our institutions.

Resolved, As the deliberate sense of this gathering, that William Henry Harrison, as well as a large majority of his supporters have held and do now maintain, most if not all of the heretical opinions and principles above enumerated.

Resolved, That William Henry Harrision, by refusing to answer questions propounded to him by his fellow citizens, involving their vital interest, has added one more federal sin to the already long black catalogue--and the keepers of his conscience and opinions, have for the first time in this country, openly proclaimed the Monarchial doctrine, "that the king can do no wrong."

Resolved, That the high, chivalrous and independent stand taken, and the pure republican principles advocated by those of our present delegation in Congress, Messrs. Black, Cooper and Colquitt, entitle them to the confidence and support of every friend of the present Administration throughout the State.

Resolved, That___________ be and they are hereby appointed delegates to represent this County in Milledgeville, on the 4th July next, and that in the reorganization of the Congressional and Electoral tickets, they sacrifice all former differences of opinion--all sectional, minor, and selfish consideration, thereby presenting an unbroken front--with an eye single to the successful maintenance of the great conservative principles of rational liberty.

When on motion it was Resolved, That the blank on the last Resolution be filled with the following names, viz: R. Sanford, J. Roberts, J.D. Hardage, Jos. Dunagan, F. Bradford, A. Matthews, T. C. Hackett, J. G. Lott, W. Sittons, E. M. Johnson, J. J. Hollingsworth, H. Davenport, J. Barrett, J. Barrett, D. Whelchel,Sr., R. F. Mays, R. Lawrence, R. Banks, B. F. Porter, D. H. McClesky, M. Brian, W. Jourdan, G. G. Thompson, M. Keith, S. Clark, R. Young, A. Blake, W. E. Wilson, and Capt. J. Saye.

The meeting then proceeded by ballot, to nominate Candidates to represent this County in the next Legislature--when the following persons were nominated, viz:

For Senate,

JOSEPH DUNAGAN.

For Representatives

JESSE D. HARDAGE

JAMES ROBERTS

GUILFORD G. THOMPSON

On motion, it was Resolved, That the proceedings be signed by the Chairman and Secretary, and published.

Signed: JOSEPH DUNAGAN, Ch'n.

Francis Luck, Sec'y38

The highlight of the political season in the summer of 1840 was the grand July 4th celebration. The large group assembled at the Courthouse and walked to the Academy Spring, where they listened to a reading of the Declaration of Independence by Joseph Dunagan, and an oration by T. C. Hackett. They partook of a "sumptuous meal" prepared by Wiley Sledge and heard a number of prepared "toasts" to such eternal verities as "The Union; It can only be preserved by a strict adherence to its Constitution;" "The heroes of '76," and "The fair sex; Let us love and protect them."

Col. Benjamin Black Dunagan

Benjamin Black Dunagan was born March 22 or 28, 1795, and he is my 4th great uncle, a brother to Joseph Ellis Dunagan, and was the 2nd child born to Ezekiel and Lydia Ann Brown Dunagan. Not much is known about Benjamin other than he had a distinguished military career rising to the rank of Colonel in the Georgia Militia. My dad would tell stories about Benjamin Dunagan and the many military campaigns he fought in around the state of Georgia and northern Florida mostly putting down Indian uprisings and various skirmishes with the Indians around the state. He was elected sheriff of Hall County, Georgia in 1838 and served two terms, 1838-1839 and 1842-1843. In 1868 Benjamin Dunnegan of Hall County was appointed notary public, nominated and recommended by the Freedman's Bureau representative in the area because he was a trusted unionist. He later formed the first Republican Party of Hall County in 1870, at age 75, and was elected Vice-President of the local GOP chapter at the organization meeting. As a side note, General James Longstreet, General Lee's second in command of the Army of Northern Virginia, CSA, and Georgia's most famous Republican, moved to Gainesville in 1875, not too long after after the GOP chapter was formed. Below are the minutes recorded when the organization meeting took place on September 23, 1870, in Gainesville, Georgia:

At a meeting of the Republican party of Hall county, held in the Court House in Gainesville, on the 23d September, for the purpose of organizing a Republican Club, G. W. Johnson, Esq., was elected President, Col. Benj. Dunagan, Vice President, and M. P. Caldwell, Sec'y.

It was resolved that every true Republican in the county be respectfully invited and urged to co-operate with the State and National Republican organizations in the coming campaign, and that we pledge ourselves to use due diligence to disseminate the great principles of said organizations and secure the election of our candidates, and earnestly and respectfully ask conservative voters of all parties to unite with us. Col. Benj. Dunagan and Maj. M.P. Caldwell were appointed delegates to the Congressional Convention at Gainesville, on the 12th of October, and G. W. Johnson Esq., and A. P. Prater alternates.

The Club adjoined, earnestly asking every Republican in the county to meet at the court house in Gainesville, on the 12th Oct., to agree upon a candidate to represent the county in the Legislature. We hope every district in the county will be represented.

signed: M. P. Caldwell, Sec'y42

Below is a copy of an original letter signed by Col. Benjamin Dunagan, 44th Regiment of the Georgia Militia, which ordered the muster of the militia in 1838 to aid the Federal Government in the removal of the Cherokee Indians from Georgia. This was known as the "Trail of Tears." The march west began October, 1838, and ended March, 1839. Many Cherokee died on the trip west. Dad told me that Benjamin did not participate in the actual rounding up and the forced march to the Indian territories out west due to his local responsibilities as sheriff of Hall County at the time but he did organize the militia for the task.

(click on to enlarge)

Benjamin Dunagan was a bachelor most of his life but I remember my dad telling me that he married later in life after he fathered a child with a local woman he had known for many years but never gave the child his name. If any of you know anymore about this Benjamin Black Dunagan please leave me a post.

Joseph Ellis Dunagan

Joseph Ellis Dunagan(1793-1861) is my 3rd great grandfather. He married Lucinda “Lucy” Beall 15 Feb 1820 in Gainesville, Hall County, GA. They had the following children:

Fredrick Dunagan born 2 Nov 1824 in Hall County, GA, married Lanesa Kirbow, 22 Oct 1846.

Lydia Dunagan born 17 Feb 1826 in Hall County, GA, died 7 Apr 1891, married James Miller.

Ezekiel Dunagan born 15 Jan 1829 in Hall County, GA, died Feb 1906 in Hall County, GA, married Delilah Trotter, 26 Feb 1850/2nd wife was Sarah Bryant, sister to Francis Samanthra Bryant Dunagan(John Franklin Dunagan's wife)

Martha Dunagan born 12 Dec 1830 in Hall County, GA, married John Highfield.

John Franklin Dunagan born 15 Oct 1832 in Hall County, GA, died 13 Aug 1890 in Hall County, GA/married Francis Samanthra Bryant.

Alpheus Benton Dunagan born 17 Feb 1835 in Hall County, GA,/d. 1892 in Harris County, GA/ married Nancy Beall on 29 Oct 1876. Known as A. B. Dunagan, CSA veteran (served with 3rd GA Cavalry) and was a physician.

Gainesville, GA also was home to the "Eclectic Institute for All Chronic Diseases" during the health resorts' heyday in the 1870s and beyond. Dr. A.B. Dunagan operated the institute and advertised as a specialty "the treatment and cure of all female diseases." Get on the Airline Railroad to Gainesville, and the institute would meet you at the depot, Dr. Dunagan advertised. Dr. Dunagan also published the Eclectic and Surgical Journal.

Source: http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/article/32954/

Mary Dunagan born 2 Jun 1837 in Hall County, GA, married John Short.

Elizabeth Dunagan born 1 Apr 1845 in Hall County, GA.

MILITARY EXPERIENCE:

We found a partial roster for Colonel David S. Booth's 4th Regiment of Georgia Militia that were called to service in the Creek War, as part of the War of 1812. Joseph Dunegan is listed as a member of Captain Mercer's company in November 1814, while the regiment was posted at Fort Hawkins, Georgia.

http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/military/warof1812/boon.txt

Fort Hawkins was built in 1806 near Macon, Georgia, along the Ocmulgee River to serve as a defensive military post in response to attacks by the Creek Indians in the area. When the Creek Indian war broke out in 1813 at the instigation of the British, Georgia called forth approximately 3600 militia troops to Fort Hawkins to protect the southern boundary of settlement from attack by Creek Indians and to provide support and reinforcements for General Andrew Jackson who was en route to Mobile in response to hostile Creek and Seminole Indian, as well as British, activity in the West Florida territory. Apparently Colonel Booth's regiment, which had a large contingent of men from the Jackson/Franklin(Hall) county area of Georgia, under the leadership of Major General John McIntosh proceeded west to Fort Mitchell on the Chattahoochee river in present day Alabama. From there the Georgia militia units under General McIntosh's command engaged the Creeks in several small battles or skirmishes. Some of these men later accompanied General Jackson further west and fought at the Battle of New Orleans in January of 1815. Joseph Ellis Dunagan would have been about 20 or 21 years old at the time when the militia was called up for action and would have served in the local militia along with his younger brother, Benjamin Black Dunagan, who later became a Colonel in the Georgia Militia. Below are links to sites that contain information about the Georgia Militia's role in the Creek War, including a portion of a book on Google books. I'm still researching this for more details. Thanks to Justin Lawhorn for bringing this information to our attention.

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~gataylor/regim.htm

http://books.google.com/books?id=37Dnvmkm1wsC&pg=PA46&dq=booth+4th+georgia+militia+fort+hawkins&hl=en&ei=Oa9hTZuoHsP58AaSisXfCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCcQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=fort%20mitchell&f=false

POLITICAL LIFE:

Joseph Ellis Dunagan was first elected State Senator in Georgia in 1825 representing Gainesville-Hall County district in Georgia, meeting in the State Legislature when the state capitol was Millegeville, Georgia. He was elected 23 consecutive years for this office. He also served at different times during this period as a Superior Court Judge.

Historical Overview:

After the debacle of the one-party presidential campaign of 1824, a new two-party system began to emerge. Strong public reaction to perceived corruption in the vote in the House of Representatives, as well as the popularity of Andrew Jackson, allowed Martin Van Buren to organize a Democratic Party that resurrected a Jeffersonian philosophy of minimalism in the federal government. This new party opposed the tendencies of National Republicans such as John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay to invest more power in the federal government. Van Buren built a political machine to support Jackson in the 1828 election. Van Buren's skills helped give the Democrats a head start on modern-style campaigning and a clear advantage in organization. The Democrats and Jackson defeated the National Republicans in 1828 and 1832 and maintained their hold on the presidency when they bested the Whigs—a union of former National Republicans, Antimasons, and some states' rights advocates—in 1836. But a major economic depression in 1837 finally gave the Whigs their best chance to occupy the White House. They faced Andrew Jackson's political organizer, vice president, and handpicked successor, President Martin Van Buren, vying for a second term in the midst of hard times.

As they prepared for the election of 1840, both Democrats and Whigs were organized for campaigning on a national scale. Joseph Dunagan in 1840 strongly opposed the election of the Whig candidate, William Henry Harrison, and became Chairman of the Democratic Party of Hall. At a meeting of delegates in 1840 he drafted a position paper on the election and attacked Harrison for standing for the old, worn out Federalist ideas such as the Bank of the United States and internal improvements, and placed himself and the other delegates at the meeting squarely in the Jeffersonian mold of strict construction of the Constitution. Joseph Ellils Dunagan was known as a strict Constitutional Conservative.

Below is the position paper he wrote and signed as Chairman of the party:

It being an unalienable right, as well as the duty of the citizens of this Republic, to assemble and consult in relation to any matters, affecting their general or local interests, and freely to express their views on men and measures--the correct policy of the Government in conformity to the Convention thereof; and as the "price of liberty is eternal vigilance," and as Republicans devoted to the principles illustrated in the life and writings of Thomas Jefferson. And viewing with indignation and surprise, the attempt now being made to hasten upon the country, the Federal doctrines of the "black cockade" administration of the elder Adams, the blue light doctrines of the younger Adams, the Jacobinical doctrines of Slade, Garrison, Tappan and other doctrines equally subversive of the Constitution, are dangerous to the peace and equality of our citizens.

Be it therfore Resolved, That we are in support of a strict construction of the Constitution of the United States--that the assumption or exercise by Congress, or any other Department of government, of any power or authority not expressly granted, is a high-handed...usurpation, dangerous to the liberties of the people.

Resolved, That the chartering of the United States Bank--the fanatical interference with domestic institutions of slavery--the appropriation of money for works of internal government--a tariff for protection--the assumption of State debts by the general government--appropriating the public revenue for the purpose of emancipation--may be legitimately listed (?) among the many federal sins of past and present times, alike violative, of the Constitution--destructive to the tranquility of our citizens--and endangering the perpetuity of our institutions.

Resolved, As the deliberate sense of this gathering, that William Henry Harrison, as well as a large majority of his supporters have held and do now maintain, most if not all of the heretical opinions and principles above enumerated.

Resolved, That William Henry Harrision, by refusing to answer questions propounded to him by his fellow citizens, involving their vital interest, has added one more federal sin to the already long black catalogue--and the keepers of his conscience and opinions, have for the first time in this country, openly proclaimed the Monarchial doctrine, "that the king can do no wrong."

Resolved, That the high, chivalrous and independent stand taken, and the pure republican principles advocated by those of our present delegation in Congress, Messrs. Black, Cooper and Colquitt, entitle them to the confidence and support of every friend of the present Administration throughout the State.

Resolved, That___________ be and they are hereby appointed delegates to represent this County in Milledgeville, on the 4th July next, and that in the reorganization of the Congressional and Electoral tickets, they sacrifice all former differences of opinion--all sectional, minor, and selfish consideration, thereby presenting an unbroken front--with an eye single to the successful maintenance of the great conservative principles of rational liberty.

When on motion it was Resolved, That the blank on the last Resolution be filled with the following names, viz: R. Sanford, J. Roberts, J.D. Hardage, Jos. Dunagan, F. Bradford, A. Matthews, T. C. Hackett, J. G. Lott, W. Sittons, E. M. Johnson, J. J. Hollingsworth, H. Davenport, J. Barrett, J. Barrett, D. Whelchel,Sr., R. F. Mays, R. Lawrence, R. Banks, B. F. Porter, D. H. McClesky, M. Brian, W. Jourdan, G. G. Thompson, M. Keith, S. Clark, R. Young, A. Blake, W. E. Wilson, and Capt. J. Saye.

The meeting then proceeded by ballot, to nominate Candidates to represent this County in the next Legislature--when the following persons were nominated, viz:

For Senate,

JOSEPH DUNAGAN.

For Representatives

JESSE D. HARDAGE

JAMES ROBERTS

GUILFORD G. THOMPSON

On motion, it was Resolved, That the proceedings be signed by the Chairman and Secretary, and published.

Signed: JOSEPH DUNAGAN, Ch'n.

Francis Luck, Sec'y38

The highlight of the political season in the summer of 1840 was the grand July 4th celebration. The large group assembled at the Courthouse and walked to the Academy Spring, where they listened to a reading of the Declaration of Independence by Joseph Dunagan, and an oration by T. C. Hackett. They partook of a "sumptuous meal" prepared by Wiley Sledge and heard a number of prepared "toasts" to such eternal verities as "The Union; It can only be preserved by a strict adherence to its Constitution;" "The heroes of '76," and "The fair sex; Let us love and protect them."

Usually listed as Dunagan, the 1850 Census shows Joseph Ellis as Dunegan. He was a wealthy farmer, his assets totaling $10,000 in 1850. Joseph Ellis Dunagan often walked most places and had a habit of talking to himself as he walked. He was asked once why he talked to himself so much and his reply was this: "There two reasons, he said, I like to talk to a smart man and I also like to hear a smart man talk."

A HISTORY OF THE HIGHLY VENERATED JOSEPH ELLIS DUNAGUN, PROVIDED BY MS. SYBIL WOOD McRAE:

"Joseph Dunagan, the first born of Ezekiel Dunagan, represented Hall County in the Georgia state senate for 23 years. An unknown friend of Joseph's penned the following tribute:March 16, 1888. THE LATE JOSEPH DUNNEGAN: "There are few men living in Hall County today that were here 60 years ago. Many who were here then have died, while others have moved away and have left their places to be filled by others. Among those who have gone, none were more highly respected than Joseph Dunnegan, an honorable, high-minded Christian gentleman who enjoyed the love and confidence of the people of his county to the day of his death. Mr. Dunnegan served his county in the State Senate for 23 years in succession; and was known by the members of both branches of the general assembly for all parts of the state, and was called by his friends the 'Old Constitution' from the vigilance with which he guarded the sacredness of the fundamental law of the state. He was a class eader and Exhorter in the Methodist Church, and when at the close of the sermon he rose to deliver an exhortation, he was sure to command the strictest attention. Mr. Dunnegan had a bright and pleasant smile, and everyone had a good word for him. When not engaged on his farm, Mr. Dunnegan would spend a portion of his time in mining. He would conduct his mining operations through the week, but on the Sabbath hold religious meetings among miners. Sometime after the opening up of the mines in California Mr. Dunnegan went to that land of gold. After some three years absence, he returned to his home with a snug sum in gold dust which he then had coined at the mint at Dahlonega. After remaining at home for a year or two he went to the Rocky Mountain gold region in quest of more gold. After the breaking out of the war in 1861 Mr. Dunnegan started for his home in Georgia, which he was destined never to reach for he was taken sick on the way and stopped some place in the state of Illinois. He died away from home among strangers who cared well for him and there they buried him. Thus lived and died one of Hall County's great and good men whose greatness consisted of his goodness."

Darryl Dunagan and Danny Dunagan

I had lunch today with Darryl and Danny Dunagan, brothers, descended from James Reid Dunagan. Darryl looked so much like his great, great grandfather James Reid Dunagan that I could not believe it. What do you think?

Ezekiel Dunagan (1771-1836) of Georgia Wives, Children & Spouses

Lydia Ann Brown’s children (1775 – 1822)

Joseph Ellis Dunagan (1793 – 1861) m. Lucinda “Lucy” Beall

Benjamin Black Dunagan (1795 – 1884) m. Eusaba Floyd (1852) Martha J. Thompson (1866)

Susannah Dunagan (1797 – 1857) m. John Gilmer

John D Dunagan (1799 – 1857) m. Martha Harlan

Abner Dunagan (1802 – 1850) m. Amanda Rowe

Anna Dunagan (1804 – 1857) m. James Jarrett McCleskey

Delilah Dunagan (1806 – 1888) m. Alexander John Gordon

Isaiah Dunagan (1808 – 1880) m. Susannah Eberhardt

Ezekiel Jackson Dunagan Jr., (1811 – 1881) m. Lucinda Thompson

Andrew Foster Dunagan (1813 – ) m. Martha Angelina Watkins

Elizabeth Caroline Dunagan (1816 – 1907) m. David Griffith Eberhardt

Louisa B Dunagan (1819 – 1893) m. William Graham

James Reid Dunagan (1821-1900) m. Mary Aveline Buffington

Margaret "Peggy" Wallace’s children (1795 – 1868)

Sophie Elizabeth Dunagan (1826 – 1886) m. William Alexander Thompson

Stephen Reid Dunagan (1827 – 1894) m. Eliza Ann Tuck Wood

Daniel C Dunagan (1829 – 1880) m. Lucy Walton

Levi Jefferson Dunagan (1831 – 1906) m. Sophia Esther Lanford

George Washington Dunagan (1833 – 1871) m. Martha Elizabeth Wood

Mary Jane Dunagan (1835 – 1916) m. James Rhea McCleskey

George Washington Dunagan, a Civil War Legend

George Washington Dunagan was born in Hall County, Gainesville, Georgia in 1833, to Ezekiel Dunagan (1771-1836) and 2nd. wife, Margaret "Peggy" Wallace (1795-1868). He had five brothers and sisters and 13 half brothers and sisters from his father's first marriage to Lydia Ann Brown.

Lydia Ann Brown’s children (1775 – 1822)

Joseph Ellis Dunagan (1793 – 1861)

Benjamin Black Dunagan (1795 – 1884)

Susannah Dunagan (1797 – 1857)

John D Dunagan (1799 – 1857)

Abner Dunagan (1802 – 1850)

Anna Dunagan (1804 – 1857)

Delilah Dunagan (1806 – 1888)

Isaiah Dunagan (1808 – 1880)

Ezekiel Jackson Dunagan Jr., (1811 – 1881)

Andrew Foster Dunagan (1813 – )

Elizabeth Caroline Dunagan (1816 – 1907)

Louisa B Dunagan (1819 – 1893)

James Reid Dunagan (1821-1900)

Margaret "Peggy" Wallace’s children (1795 – 1868)

Sophie Elizabeth Dunagan (1826 – 1886)

Stephen Reid Dunagan (1827 – 1894)

Daniel C Dunagan (1829 – 1880)

Levi Jefferson Dunagan (1831 – 1906)

George Washington DUNAGAN (1833 – 1871)

Mary Jane Dunagan (1835 – 1916)

George Washington Dunagan had enlisted as a private in Whitfield’s Legion Cavalry, CSA, and fought in as many as 160 different battle engagements during the Civil War or as southerners like to call it the war of northern aggression. After the war ended, GW made his home in Hood County, Texas. He must have been one tough, tenacious, rugged individual. Everyone around Hood County, Texas called him "General" because he had fought in so many battles, I guess. He survived over 80 battle engagements just during the battle for Atlanta.

He became a school teacher and married Martha Elizabeth Wood of Hood County, Texas. They had one daughter. Unfortunately, in 1871, George Washington Dunagan died of pneumonia at age 38 after becoming sick with fever during a hunting trip. He died the same year his only child, George Washington "Georgie" DUNAGAN, a girl, was born. His wife Martha never remarried.

Martha Elizabeth Wood Dunagan died in 1923 at age 92. George Washington "Georgie" Dunagan married Eugene Sebastian Morris in 1897. They had the following children:

Davis Forrest MORRIS
Thomas Bunyan MORRIS
Joseph Weldon MORRIS
A baby son who died at birth, unnamed
Lorenzo Eugene MORRIS
Mary Modine MORRIS who married Joe E. McInroe
George G. Morris who died in childhood

I am thankful for the Hood County Texas Genealogical Society and Michael R. Dunagan, who is the source for most of what we now know about George Washington Dunagan. GW is buried in Dunagan Cemetery, also known as the Jackson Cemetery and is on private property on Loftin Road about 1/2 mile from the Rock Church in Hood County, Texas. Michael actually located the original grave site and had another headstone made to mark GW's grave. (photo below)

Ezekiel Jackson Dunagan, Jr.

Ezekiel was a popular name among Dunagan families that came from the Ezekiel Dunagan (1771-1836) and Lydia Ann Brown union of 1792, in Jackson County, later known as Hall County, Georgia. A lot of people refer to this Ezekiel(1771-1836) as Ezekiel Jackson Dunagan but in reality he was known simply as Ezekiel Dunagan with no middle name given. Ezekiel had 19 children, 13 with Lydia and he named his 9th child Ezekiel Jackson Dunagan, born in 1811, in Hall County, Georgia, and died in 1881, and is buried on the old homeplace near the north Oconee River in the eastern part of Hall County Georgia.

This Ezekiel Jackson Dunagan (1811-1881) married Lucinda Thompson and listed in the 1850 Federal Census they had two sons: Ezekiel Jackson Dunagan, age 7, and Joseph F. Dunagan, age 4. By the 1860 Federal Census they had a total of five children:

E. J. Dunagan (17)

Joseph Dunagan (13)

Martha Dunagan (8)

William Dunagan (5)

Lucinda Dunagan (2)

Ezekiel Jackson Dunagan, Sr. was around 49 years old and probably two old for conscription into the Confederate Army, but the younger Ezekiel Jackson Dunagan, Jr. was 17 in 1860 and I found military records where he enlisted in 1862, as a corporal, in Company B, Georgia 24th Calvary Battalion, CSA. He also took a bride the same year when he married Nancy Evans in 1862, also of Hall County, Georgia. However, I could not determine if he saw any action in the war because the Calvary Battalion did not muster until 18 Feb 1864. It is possible that he served with what they called the Home Guard during this time but records are not very detailed.

The next time we find Ezekiel Jackson Dunagan, Jr. (1843-?) and Nancy Evans Dunagan, they were in Marshall, Mississippi. The 1870 Federal Census shows the following people living in the household:

E. J. Dunegan (28)

Nancy Dunegan (27)

Colley Dunegan (7)

Julia Dunegan (5)

Martha Dunegan (2)

Louis Dunegan (30) (Black)

Asbery Dunegan (20) (Black)

John Garoy (40)

The photo above was given to Hannah Barber-Abraham by her Grandmother, Mary E. Dunagan-Barber. Hannah states that she was told that this is Ezekiel Dunagan, the man sitting in the chair, and that the two young men on either side of Ezekiel are his sons by one of his slaves. Even though I did find in the 1820 Federal census that Ezekiel Dunagan (1771-1836) of Hall County, Georgia, owned four slaves, one black adult male, one black adult female and two black females under the age of fourteen, this photo could not be of this Ezekiel (1771-1836) because he died in 1836 and the still camera was not invented until 1837. I am not sure who the man in the photo is but you can see from the census of 1870 that there were two black men, Louis and Asbery, listed as living in the household of Ezekiel Jackson Dunagan and Nancy Evans Dunagan and they had apparently taken the Dunagan last name. There is no way to know for sure whether these two young men are descendants of the first Ezekiel Dunagan unless we were able to locate one of their descendants and test the DNA. However, it was not uncommon for former slaves to take the last name of the slave owner.

By 1880, still living in Marshall, MS, Federal Census shows the following family members living in the same household, the last name is spelled differently:

E. J. Donigan (35)

Nancy E. Donigan (36)

Julia E. Donigan (15)

Martha E. Donigan (12)

Mary E. Donigan (10)

Beulah E. Donigan (4)

Thomas J. Donigan (2)

Ezekiel Jackson Dunagan, Jr. and Nancy Evans Dunagan

I haven't been able to locate Ezekiel Jackson Dunagan and Nancy Evans Dunagan in the 1890 census but they are still living in Marshall, MS in 1900 and they had added a son, William Albert Dunagan (17), between the 1880 and 1900 census.

The next census in 1910, shows Ezekiel Jackson Dunagan, widowed, living in Memphis, TN, with only two of his children:

Beulah Dunagan (28)

W. Albert Dunagan (26)

This is all of the information I have researched on this Ezekiel Jackson Dunagan line but Hannah Barber has done some research on the family and has provided the photos in this blog, given to her by her Grandmother Mary Evans Dunagan-Barber, a daughter of Ezekiel Jackson Dunagan and Nancy Evans Dunagan. Mary married James M. Barber and they had nine children.

Ben A. Barber

Lyman Barber

Blanche G. Barber

Thomas V. Barber

Beulah I. Barber

Lucy B. Barber

James R. Barber

Earl M. Barber

Evelyn Barber

Evelon and Mary E. Dunagan-Barber

James Robert Barber, their 7th child, was Hannah Barber's father. He married Dorthy Khaled Adcock, a professional singer who performed at the old Cotton Club in NY, regularly. They only had one child, Hannah Barber.

James Robert Barber

Dorothy Khaled Adcock-Barber

SOURCES:

Ancestry.com

U. S. Federal Census

Hannah Barber-Abraham(Photos)