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."
