JOSEPH DUNAGAN
The progenitor of most Hall County, Georgia residents with this surname was Ezekiel Dunagan, who in 1804 was living in and near the Wofford Settlement on the frontier of Georgia and the Cherokee Nation.
The settlement was known as Joshua Darnigan’s original settlers and Darnigan’s new settlers. Listed in the group were: Joshua Darnigan, deceased, Joseph Dunagon, Ezekial Dunagan and Isiah Dunagan - more than likely father and sons.
Joseph, Ande and E. Dunnegame signed a letter addressed to His Excellency James Jackson Govr., of Georgia, 13th September 1798. We are induced from the peculiarity of our situation as Frontier citizens of Jackson and Franklin Counties to address your Excellency and implore your interposition in our favor. We beg leave to represent that we hold titles derived from Grants issued by the State of Georgia for lands which have proven to lie beyond the temporary boundary line, lately extended under the Superintendent of Col. Hawkins, Agent of Indian affairs for the United States - the lands we hold were granted between the years of 1783 and 1788.
If your Excellency has the power of affording us relief we count with great confidence on receiving it.
In 1814, Ezekiel Dunegin was listed on the muster role as a spy for Fort Early, located in Jackson County.. The 1796 payroll of a detachment of militia infantry and spies garrisoned at Fort Irwin at War Hill gives Andrew Dunningham, Joseph Dunagin (Spy) and Joseph Dunagin.
William Stewart wrote in Gone to Georgia that Andrew, Ezekiel, Joseph and Isaiah Dunnigan (or those listed by the various spellings) were probably located in Orange County, North Carolina.
Joseph Dunagan, the eldest son and first born of Ezekiel Dunagan, represented Hall County in the Georgia state senate for 23 years. The Joseph Dunagin listed as a spy garrisoned at Fort Erwin in 1796 was probably a grandfather or uncle.
A friend wrote the following:
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 leader 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 and on the Sabbath hold religious meetings among miners.
Some time 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 in 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.
Died young
Died shortly after birth
John, Frances and family were residents of Hall Co., GA. (ED 137-15) during the 1880 census, but were not located in the 1900 GA. census.
Daughter of Sarah and Jeter BRYANT. During the 1900 Hall Co., GA. census (ED 77-1) she is listed in the home of son John.