John Franklin Dunagan

John Franklin Dunagan born 15 Oct 1832 in Hall County, GA, died 13 Aug 1890 in Hall County, GA. John Franklin Dunagan is my 2nd great grandfather and married Frances Samanthra Bryant on 22 Jan 1854 in Hall County, GA. Frances Samanthra Bryant’s great grandmother was full blooded Eastern Cherokee Indian. They had the following children:
Alfred Benton Dunagan born Oct 1855, died 7 Sep 1931 in Jackson County, GA
Jeter Andrew Dunagan born 26 Aug 1856, died 3 May 1923 in Barrow County, GA
Joseph Alexander Dunagan born 8 Apr 1862, died 25 Dec 1949 in Barrow County, GA
John Marion Dunagan born 22 Mar 1869, died 14 Nov 1920 in Hall County, GA
Eveline Dunagan born ABT 1871, died ?
Amanda Dunagan born 22 Aug 1871, died 6 Dec 1943 in Hall County, GA
Lucinda “Lady” Dunagan born ABT 1874, died ?
Sarah Jane Dunagan born ABT 1867, died ?
John Franklin Dunagan enlisted as a private with the CSA on May 12, 1862, but by June 10, 1862, he was listed as a deserter. Obviously, he was not too happy to join the cause but faced the threat of conscription. I know that his father, Joseph Ellis Dunagan and many of his Uncles did not support secession from the Union. On September 4, 1862 he rejoined his unit in Company F, 43rd Infantry Regiment of Georgia. The Georgia 43rd Infantry Regiment organized at Big Shanty, Georgia, earlier in April, 1862, which contained men from Cherokee, Pickens, Cobb, Hall, Forsyth, Jefferson, and Jackson counties. The unit moved to Tennessee, then Mississippi where they were placed under the command of General Barton in the Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana. His unit took an active part in the conflicts at Chickasaw Bayou and Champion's Hill, and was captured when Vicksburg fell. John Franklin Dunagan was reported captured at Bakers Creek, Mississippi on May 16, 1863. He was part of an exchange of prisoners at Fort Delaware, Delaware, sometime in 1863. After being exchanged, the 43rd was assigned to General Stovall's Brigade, Army of Tennessee. It was prominent in the numerous campaigns of the army from Missionary Ridge to Nashville, and ended the war in North Carolina. In December, 1863, it totaled 283 men and 251 arms, and in November, 1864, there were 130 fit for duty. John Franklin Dunagan deserted again and on February 13, 1864, traveled to Chattanooga, TN, to take an oath of allegiance to the United States government. On April 26, 1865, his entire regiment, or what was left, surrendered.

The Sons of Thomas Dunagan and the American Revolution

Thomas Dunagan was born June 16, 1706, in Limerick, Ireland. He was an early immigrant to America, settling first in Virginia, then Orange County, NC, and later in Surry County, NC, where he died sometime between 1782 and 1790. This Thomas Dunagan was my 6^th great grandfather. Thomas married an Irish girl from Limerick named Sarah around 1726 and unfortunately this is all we know of Sarah. Thomas and Sarah had the following children:

Charles Dunagan born ? , died ABT 1813 in Orange County, NC
Thomas Dunagan born ABT 1727 in Ireland, died 1810 in Surry County, NC
John Dunagan born BEF 1730 in ? , died AFT 1780 in Surry County, NC
Joshua Dunagan born ABT 1737 in VA or NC, died ABT 1798 in GA
William Dunagan born 1738 in VA, died 15 Nov 1798 in Orange County, NC
Joseph Dunagan born 1740 in VA or NC, died 1810

Of Thomas and Sarah Dunagan’s children, they had three sons who fought in the Revolutionary War for America’s Independence. John, Joshua and Thomas, aka Tommy, fought in the Revolutionary War as Continental Army soldiers.

• John Dunnegan, #1282, paid 185 lbs., received by same (vol. 7 page 205 NC) NC Records, Also Roster of the Revolution. Received into service by Selby Harney.
• Joshua Dunnagan, #2893, NC line (Revolution Soldiers) paid 186 lbs. 186 vol. 17, page 207, 1781-1785 NC records, also NC Roster. Joshua was living at the time he enlisted in Warrenton District, Fauquier County, VA. Received by William Faircloth.
• Thomas “Tommy” Dunnigan, private, enlisted April 25, 1776, mustered out January 1778.

There were other Dunagan men from this same family line in North Carolina that served together in the same war. David Dunnagan, a younger John Dunnagan and Sherrid (Sherwood) Dunagan also served. I don't know the exact relationship to the older Dunagan brothers but they were probably cousins or nephews. According to my father's(George J.) research notes, he believed that David Dunnagan was killed in the war.

• David Dunnagan, vol. 4 chapter 4, 8, 12, C.L. Also Dunningham, Dunagin, Dunagan. David's service # was 91389, 4th. Virginia Regiment(General Scott's Brigade) NC Roster 207.
• John Dunagan (younger John) service # 1283, vol. 17, page 205 NC records, Roster of Revolution NC. John was a private and was deeded 640 acres in NC for 84 months of service in the American Revolution, April 2, 1784 by Captain McNees in Warrenton District NC. John was born March 15, 1755, died in 1813, married Susan (last name unknown).