My Name is Nathan Dugger.  I was born in Flowood, MS July 18, 1978.  My parents are Ronnie C. Dugger and Chandra Levine.

Recently I wanted to start digging and find out more about my family history.  I dug a little into my grandfather's history on my mom's side and was not able to find out much.  Then, i switched my search to my dad's side and found out more than I ever could have possible imagined.  I am thrilled to be able to look back at where I came from.  It is the neatest thing to close your eyes and try to put yourself back in time to the days of your ancestors.  I can only imagine so much.  Therefore, I decided to start a blog about my past and hopefully will inspire others to do the same.  Family history and knowing where you came from is important to me and I think it should be to others.

I will start with my dad.  Below is a picture of Ronnie Dugger and his two kids.  Jason Dugger (left) and I (right).  The picture below that is of my brother Jason, our grandmother, and Jason's daughter, Ella Parker Dugger.

My grandmother is Jean Connor.  She was married to my grandfather Earnest Carroll Dugger but they divorced  (year unknown).  My grandmother was an orphon and I have no idea what her origin is.  From what I have found, her maiden name was Jean B.  McFall.

Like I said above, Jean was married to Earnest Caroll Dugger (my grandfather).

Earnest Caroll Dugger

Born Sept. 3rd, 1932

Died Dec. 5th, 1999

Below is a picture of the cemetery in Clinton, MS where he is buried.

He is the son of Charles Lausen Dugger and Lucy May Ivey

Charles Lausen Dugger

Born Nov. 28th, 1903 in Tenn.

Died 1983 in Alabama

Below is a picture of his place of burial, tombstone, and obituary.

Charles Lawson is buried in the Baldwin Memorial Cemetery in Robertsdale, Alabama.

Here is another picture of his tombstone which shows that he was buried next to his wife, Genevieve Dugger.  By the dates on the tombstone, he was 17 years her senior.

Mr. Charles Lausen Dugger was married several times including to Lucy May Ivey (great-grandmother)

Lucy May Ivey was born in North Carolina in 1907.  She had a green thumb, as did her son Earnest Caroll Dugger.  I remember how she always had ribbons that she had won in local garden shows. 

Born Dec. 31, 1907 in NC

Died Oct. 11, 2000 in MS

From what I can find online, she moved to the Central MS area around 1943.

Lucy May Ivey is buried in the same cemetery as her son, Earnest (my grandfather).

Below is a picture of a buffet that she had in her house.  I recently aquired it from my father.

Back to Charles Lausen Dugger for a bit.

He is the son of Peter Millard Filmore Dugger who was born in Tenn.

Born March 3, 1857 in Tenn.

Died August 22, 1928 in Alabama

He was married to Hannah Rebecaa Walker who was born in Tenn.  They were married on (my birthdate) July 18, 1897 in Johnson, Tenn.  In a 1910 census below, you can see they had 7 children at that time.

At this time, it shows that Peter was Head of Household and he was 52 years old.  His wife, Hannah, was 50.

Children are listed as:

Ellen 19

James 17

Nancy 14

Viola 10

Charles (My great grandfather) 7

Roscoe 5

And a grandson, Vonaky (Von Ray) who was 1 I believe.  In the census it says 1 6/12 (1)

Peter Millard Filmore Dugger was the son of Jacob F. Dugger and Mary Engle

Jacob F. Dugger was the son of John Dugger Sr.and Mary Engle.

Jacob married Mary E. Brown sometime in 1836 in Johnson City, TN.

Jacob was born Mar. 10, 1812 in Carter County, Tenn.

Died 1888

Jacob and Mary had 9 children

Elizabeth C. Dugger born 1837

Picture of Elizabeth with husband, Terrell Greenwell

Emanuel Columbus Dugger born 1853

Emmanuel and his wife Mary Ann Fritts Dugger

James W. Dugger born 1843 Buried in the Knoxville National Cemetery

Pvt James W. Dugger, Company G, 13th Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry, USA. Enlisted August 18, 1864, age 22. Tennessee Adjutant General's Report gives his date of death as April 4, 1865. The Union Forever!

Sarah Ann Dugger born 1847

Margaret Rebecca Dugger born 1849

Nancy Jane Dugger born 1855

Peter Millard Filmore Dugger born 1857

Hannah Louise Dugger born 1864

Here is a write up I found on Jacob F. Dugger from "The Dugger Family" by Francis Dugger Rowan, Overmountain Press 1995, p. 209

IRONVILLE POST OFFICE 1888-1903

The Ironville Post Office was one of the "nostalgic" post offices in Johnson County from 1888-1903. It was located in the home of Jacob F. and Mary Brown Dugger in the Dry Hill community (10th District). After Jacob's death in 1888, their daughter, Nancy Jane Dugger Walker (John Walker) cared for Mary. In 1890 Nancy Jane inherited the land with the home on it.

Mail was received at the home where neighbors came to pick up their mail. The house with its mail slot in the door was still standing in the late 1970s.

Nancy Jane married 2) Charles Hamby Morris on 20 Dec 1891. In 1903 they moved to the New Victory community in lower Washington County, TN and the post office closed.

JOHN DUGGER SR.

Now, we did into the history of Jacob's father, John Dugger Sr.  John was born to Julius Caesar Dugger and Mary Hall.

Born Oct. 1, 1780 in Wilkesboro, Wilkes, NC

Died Aug. 2, 1869

Below is a picture of John and Mary's tombstones

Close-up of John Dugger Sr.'s tombstone

The tombstones are in the Julius Caesar Cemetery

John was commissioned by Governor John Sevier as a Captain of the Militia at the age of 16. He served in the War of 1812, having been drafted and sworn in on January 6, 1814. He served as an ensign under Adam Winsell's 2nd Regiment of TN Militia commanded by Col. Ephraim Addison. He engaged in battle with the Creek Indians. This company marched into the Creek Indian Nation by the way of Little Washington, the Lookout Mountain, to Fort Storder and on to a place in Alabama called Fort Williams. John described their experiences as he told of an attack of fever, brought on by the "severity of the weather, great exposure and hardships to which the army was exposed in the midst of winter among a hostile and savage people-in a wilderness filled with streams through which the whole army was forced to wade, there being no bridges or other means of transportation for the soldiers."

He was in the Battle of Horseshoe Bend in Alabama on March 27, 1814. The Book, "Tennessee, The Volunteer State" states that: after the battle John was on picket duty with a squad when the half-breed Indian Chief, Weatherford, presented himself for surrender. John received him with the courtesy and dignity befitting a chief, and conducted him to General Jackson's headquarters where the treaty was signed.

He served 4 1/2 months at that time but later in November of 1814, entered the service again and was with General Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans, January 8, 1815.

In 1853, John filed for and received pension for his services.

He was owner and operator of an Iron Ore Forge and a large ore mining operation in the counties of Johnson and Carter. He owned about 5000 acres of land.

He was one of the earliest doctors in Carter County. When Mary gave birth to George and Julius, twins, and both died a few months later, he was so devastated that he decided that in order to prevent such an occurrence in his family again, he would study medicine.

In thier declining years, John and Mary lived with their youngest child, Mildred.

1850 Johnson County Census: John Dugger SR 69, NC, Mary 64 VA, James B 29, Joseph 27, Nancy 24, Soloman Q 22, Mildred 16

JULIUS CAESAR DUGGER

Now, we move on to John Dugger Sr.'s parents.  John was born to Julius Caesar Dugger and Mary (last name unknown).

Julius married Mary Hall in 1779.  They had 10 children together.

NEED LIST OF CHILDREN

Some theories on Julius Dugger:

Julius Dugger Sr (or "Julius C. Dugger") was a real person, who for some reason left no shred of contemporary evidence of his existence.
There was a real person about whom the traditions speak, who was the father of Julius (Jr), Ben, William, Mary, etc, but over the years his name got mixed up with son Julius (Jr) in the family traditions.
This is sort of the same as # 2 above, but with a twist. "Julius Caesar" was a nickname used by friends and family, for the Mr. Dugger in question, but was not his real name, and wasn't used on any public records.

Excerpt from A History of Watauga County, North Carolina. with Sketches of Prominent Families by John Preston Arthur. Richmond: Everett Waddey Co. 1915
Pg. 222: "The Dugger family of Cove Creek are descendants of Benjamin DUGGER, who came from Yadkin Elk in 1793 or 1794 to Brushy Fork and entered land there, and for whom the Dugger Mountain and creek east of the Blue Ridge are named. There were three DUGGER brothers who came from Scotland and stopped awhile near Petersburg, VA., named Benjamin, Daniel and Julius. Ben stopped at Yadkin Elk, Daniel went to Kentucky and Julius settled near Fish Springs on the Watauga River, Tennessee. It was from Julius' children that the Banner's Elk Duggers descended."
Page 303: "Dugger Family. --- In 1793 or 1794 Benjamin DUGGER came to Watauga County from Yadkin Elk, where a creek and mountain still bear his name. He entered land on Brushy Fork, near the present HOLTSCLAW settlement. His children were Selah, who married Lawson GOODIN; Daniel DUGGER; Cora Ann, who married Samuel BURNS; Susannah, who married John WHITTINGTON; Mary, who married John CALIHAN; David and William DUGGER. David DUGGER bought out the other heirs. The deed is dated November 1, 1815 and calls for two tracts on Brushy Fork. There were three DUGGER brothers who came from Scotland to Yadkin Elk, having settled for a time near Petersburg, Va., Benjamin, Daniel and Julius. Ben stopped on Brushy Fork, Daniel went west to Kentucky and Julius settled in what was then Carter County, Tennessee, near Fish Springs, where some of his descendants still live. It was from the Julius DUGGER family that the Dugger Forge and the beginnings of Cranberry forge started. David married Margaret ERNEST and their children are: Henry, who married a GREEN; Polly, who married David HOWELL; Elizabeth, who married Jehiel SMITH, and William, who married Unice MUNDAY. William's children were: Henry, who never married; Franklin, who married Martha PRESNELL; David, who married Mary MUNDAY; Elizabeth, who never married; John, killed in Civil War; William Eben, married Nannie WILKERSON; Margaret and Mary Jane, not married."

WILLIAM DUGGER

Julius was born to William Dugger and Mary (last name unknown). 

William Dugger

Born 1720 in Surry County, Virginia

Died 1773 also in Surry County, Virginia

Interesting notes on William Dugger below.  Towards the end, an assumption about the time when William died is made:

"On 26 Oct 1741 William Dugger witnessed a Brunswick County, VA Deed between Horton of Surry and Tims of Brunswick Co, VA. (Brunswick Co, VA Deed Book 2 page 130).

On 16 Jun 1744 William Dugger received a land patent for 328 acres in Brunswick Co, VA adjoining William Hagood and Boswell. (Virginia Land Patent Book 23 page 703)

On 6 Aug 1747 William Duggar of Brunswick Co, VA purchased 200 acres from Drury and Martha Melone of Lunenburg County. The land was in Brunswick, on both sides of Beechlick Branch. (Brunswick Co, VA Deed Book 3 page 337).

William Dugger married Martha --- sometime in the 1740's. I have no clues as to what her maiden name might have been.

Robert Nave found a "William Ducker" listed on the 1748/49 Lunenburg Co, VA tax list. He thinks this could be William Dugger, and he might be right. He was listed with 1 tithable (one male over 21, himself). Benjamin Dugger was in the same county on that list.

If William moved to Lunenburg, it was a brief move, for he was back in Brunswick by 1750.

On 26 Jun 1750 William Dugger and wife Martha of Brunswick Co, VA sold Benjamin Lanier 200 acres on both sides of Beechlick branch (same land he purchased from Drury and Martha Melone in 1747). Witnesses were Sampson Lanier, William Rawlings and John Marshall. (Brunswick Co, VA Deed Book 4 page 161).

The above deed was ordered recorded in June 1750 Brunswick County court. (Brunswick CO, VA Order Book 8 page 80).

In January 1752, in Brunswick Court, William Dugger and John Dugger (his brother) were suing John Overbie and John Roberts. (Brunswick Co, VA Order Book 4 page 115).

In March 1752, in Brunswick Court, a deed between William Dugger and Thomas Twitty was ordered recorded. I did not find this deed in the deed books. This must be the record of him selling his 328 acre patent. (Brunswick Co, VA Order Book 5 page 168).

The above land sale seems to indicate William Dugger selling out his Brunswick property in preparation for a move.

On 29 Jan 1752 William Dugger made a land entry in Granville Co, NC. He obtained a land warrant for the same land on 30 Oct 1752 in Granville Co, NC (which bordered Brunswick Co, VA at that time). He obtained 640 acres on both sides of Hawtree Creek adjoining Harvel, Roberts and Collier (perhaps related to the Collier family who's land bordered Daniel Dugger in Surry Co, VA). (Granville Grant Misc Papers # 2659).

William Dugger was listed on the 1754 Tax list (or Militia List, I need to recheck this) in Granville Co, NC in Captain Osborn Jeffrey's Company.

In June 1754, in Granville court, William Clinch and Company sued William Duggar (probably for debt), but the case was dismissed.

William Dugger was listed on the 1755 Granville County, NC tax list, and charged with 1 Poll (white male over 21: himself).

In June 1755, in Granville Court, William Dugger sued Daniel Osheals for Trespassing.

On 13 Nov 1756, William "Duger" was mentioned as an adjoining land owner in a land patent to Julius Nichols in Granville County on Hawtree Creek. (Granville Grants # 2492)

Since William's son Julius Dugger was born in 1760, some have suggested he was named after neighbor Julius Nichols. This could be true.

On 1 Sep 1758, William Dugger obtained a land warrant for 640 acres in Granville, both sides of Hawtree Creek, adjoining William Johnston, Ellis, James Hardick, Thomas Wams, Downy, Julius Nichols and John Ellis. This was granted 27 Nov 1760. (Granville Grant Misc Papers # 2658)

I haven't checked for additional records in Granville, so I don't know when William Dugger sold his land there. However, beginning in 1762, he began taking out land entries in Pittsylvania Co, VA.

In the Pittsylvania Co, VA Entry Books, William Dugger is mentioned three times: in 1762 (# 286), 1765 (# 352) and 1768 (# 431). I don't have the details yet for these land entries, but I believe they were within present day Henry County, VA, but can't be sure without additional detail.

On 30 Nov 1765, William Dugger had 247 acres surveyed for him on both sides of Leatherwood Creek. (Pittsylvania Co, VA Old Survey Book I page 123).

William Dugger was listed on the 1767 Tax List in Pittsylvania Co, VA in Robert Chandler's list.

On 20 Mar 1768 William Dugger deed various livestock to Benjamin Dugger in Pittsylvania Co, VA. I believe this was his son Benjamin Dugger (c1747) and not his brother Benjamin Dugger (c1724), though I can't be 100% positive. The deed did not state a relationship. The Witness was Samuel Hall (who's daughter Mary later married William's son Julius Dugger) (Pittsylvania Co, VA Deed Book 1 page 167).

Around this time, or shortly after, but before 1771, William Dugger moved to Surry County, NC and settled on what is now the border region between Wilkes and Watauga County. There is a Dugger Mountain and Dugger Creek there today, probably named for him, or one of his sons.

Dugger Mountain

Dugger Creek

Dugger Creek Trail

"William Duggar" was listed on the 1771 Surry Co, NC Tax list, and charged for 2 polls (2 males over 21). This included himself, and the other one was probably Benjamin, his oldest known son, who would have been about 24 then, but probably not yet married.

"William Duger" was listed on the 1772 Surry Co, NC Tax list, and again charged for 2 polls. However, this year, his son Benjamin was listed separately, so this extra poll was probably his next oldest son William, who was born in 1750, so was either 21 or 22 by then.

The 1772 tax list is the last record we have found for William Dugger. There isn't an extant 1773 tax list, but the 1774 list shows Benjamin Dugger listed with 1 poll, and also a Mary Dugger, with 1 poll. Since Mary wouldn't be taxable herself, the poll must have been a son, probably William Dugger (Jr) who was about 24 then, but not yet married.

This makes a big assumption, in that Mary, is the widow of William Dugger. We know from other records that she was a widow, but I don't believe any of the records say from whom she was widowed. But since William was the only older Dugger in the area, he seems the best (if not the only) choice. "



Now, the many wives of William Dugger are somewhat of a mystery. There is countless amounts of information floating around. Below, Marty Grant gives his interpretation of the wives:

"The 1787 land grant is the last record I have for Mary Dugger, supposed widow of William Dugger.

I have no clues as to what Mary's maiden name might have been, nor when she and William married. Since in 1750, William's wife was named "Martha", it can only be assumed that Martha was the mother of the older children. I have information showing that William had a 2nd wife Margaret, and a 3rd wife Mary (being the Mary we were just discussing). I haven't found any records on Margaret yet. If Mary were the last wife, she may not be the mother of any of the children.

There is some bad information that has been going around for many years that Mary was a Kincaid, and a sister to the wife of Andrew Greer, but this is entirely incorrect, and can easily be refuted. Most Kincaid researchers can vouch for the fact that the Dugger and Kincaid families were never near each other until the 1780's and later.

More About William Dugger:
Record Change: 26 Mar 2006

Marriage Notes for William Dugger and Mary:
Now, the many wives of William Dugger are somewhat of a mystery. There is countless amounts of information floating around. Below, Marty Grant gives his interpretation of the wives:

"The 1787 land grant is the last record I have for Mary Dugger, supposed widow of William Dugger.

I have no clues as to what Mary's maiden name might have been, nor when she and William married. Since in 1750, William's wife was named "Martha", it can only be assumed that Martha was the mother of the older children. I have information showing that William had a 2nd wife Margaret, and a 3rd wife Mary (being the Mary we were just discussing). I haven't found any records on Margaret yet. If Mary were the last wife, she may not be the mother of any of the children.

There is some bad information that has been going around for many years that Mary was a Kincaid, and a sister to the wife of Andrew Greer, but this is entirely incorrect, and can easily be refuted. Most Kincaid researchers can vouch for the fact that the Dugger and Kincaid families were never near each other until the 1780's and later.

William Dugger's children

Benjamin Dugger born abt. 1747

Rebecca Dugger born abt. 1747

Willam C. Dugger born Mar. 3, 1750

Mary Dugger born between 1750-1754

Hannah Dugger born abt. 1755

David Dugger born abt. 1758

Julius Caesar Dugger Sep. 9, 1760

John Dugger born abt. 1763

James Dugger born abt. 1765

DANIEL DUGGER

And last but not least, we focus on William Dugger's parents.  They are Daniel Dugger and Mary Scarborough.

Daniel Dugger

Born 1690 in Scotland or Surry County, VA.

Died between 1773-1776 in Brunswick County, VA.

Daniel Dugger was most likely born in England (Although it is not certain) around 1690 (Exact date is unknown and each researcher has their own opinion). It is believed that Daniel Dugger's original surname was Dugard.

The origins of the Duggers is unknown. Each researcher who has done extensive research has their own opinion on the matter. It is most likely that the Daniel Dugger line comes from England and the surrounding areas of the British Isles.

The notes below have been compiled by Marty Grant, a very avid Dugger researcher.

These records mainly deal with his father-in-law's (Edward Scarborough or Scarborow) estate after his death. Daniel had been left as the admistrator of Edward's estate:

"In March 1716/17 Daniel "Duggard" as administrator of Edward Scarborough's estate, presented the inventory and appraisal of the estate in court. (Surry Co, VA Court Orders 1713-1718 page 109)

On 20 Mar 1716/17 the above inventory and appraisal was recorded with a value of L30.9.1. (Surry Co, VA Deeds, Wills, etc 1715-1730 page 32).

On 17 Feb 1719 Daniel "Duggard", administrator, paid cash to Grace Lucas and "daughter Duggard" from the estate of Edward "Scarborow", deceased. (Surry Co, VA Deeds, Wills, etc 1715-1730 page 353).

On 17 Aug 1725 Daniel "Duggard" received a Patent for 125 acres in Surry County, VA, Southwark parish on both sides of Buckhorn Branch, adjoining William Lucas and Jeremiah Ellis. (Virginia Land Patents book 12 page 263)

Daniel Dugger was absent from public records for the next 19 years. On 17 Apr 1756, Daniel Dugger of Surry gave his 125 acres of land to his son Henry Dugger, with the land described as on both sides of Buck Horn Branch, and bordering Stephen Collier and Marmaduke Cheatham. Daniel reserved his life rights to the land, meaning he could remain living on the property until his death. (Surry Co, VA Deed Books 7 page 273)

Although Henry Dugger remained in Surry until 1777, apparently his parents decided to move to Brunswick Co, VA with their other children prior to 1773.

Daniel Duggar was listed on the 1773 Brunswick Co, VA Tax list.

Daniel Dugger and "wife" were mentioned twice in the Bath Parish Register of Dinwiddie and St Andrews Parish (which was the Parish covering Brunswick Co, VA). On 20 Jan 1773 they were named "Daniel Dugger for his and his wife's maintenance". Apparently they were given an allowance in their old age. (Bath Parish Register of Dinwiddie and St Andrew's Parish Vestry Book of Brunswick by William Lindsay Hopkins, 1989 - pg 91)

They were named again 11 months later on 27 Nov 1773 with the same entry, an apparent allowance. (Bath Parish Register of Dinwiddie and St Andrew's Parish Vestry Book of Brunswick by William Lindsay Hopkins, 1989 - pg 95)

Marty's Notes:

Daniel was made administrator of his father-in-law's estate in 1717. Therefore he must have been at least 21 then, so born ca 1696 or before.

Daniel Dugger was named in the Bath Parish Register on 27 Nov 1773, but not again. On 3 Mar 1776 his wife Mary was named, apparently widowed. Therefore Daniel died between the two dates."


Some Notes on Daniel's children, compiled by Marty Grant:

"Daniel and Mary are the proven parents of only one child: Henry Dugger. The others as listed (William, John, Benjamin, Elizabeth, Lydia and Sarah) are placed here as their children based on circumstantial evidence.

If they are not children of Daniel and Mary, then their parentage is completely unknown. They were all interconnected and are certainly somehow closely related. "


More About Daniel Dugger:
Probate 1: Mar 1717, Daniel presented the inventory and appraisal of Edward Scarborough's (deceased) estate to the court. (Surry County, Virginia).⁵³³
Probate 2: 17 Feb 1719, Daniel paid cash to Grace Lucas and "daughter Duggard" from the estate of Edward "Scarborow" (deceased). The identity of "daughter Duggard" is unknown. (Surry County, Virginia).
Property 1: 17 Aug 1725, Daniel "Duggard" recieved a Patent for 125 acres of land in Surry County, VA. (Surry County, VA).
Property 2: 17 Apr 1756, Daniel gave his 125 acres of land to his son Henry. Daniel kept his right to live on the estate until his death. (Surry County, VA).
Record Change: 26 Mar 2006

More About Daniel Dugger and Mary Scarborough:
Marriage: Surry Co, VA.⁵³⁴

Marriage Notes for Daniel Dugger and Mary Scarborough:
The exact date of marriage for Daniel Duggard and Mary Scarbarough is circa 20 Feb 1716/1717. The date varies slightly by year depending on the researcher.

The reason for the circa date of 1716 or 1717 is because Daniel became the executor of Edward's (Mary's father) estate after his death. By this time Daniel and Mary were already married.

Unfortunately, this is as far back as I could go.  With that said, it has been amazing digging through all the information of my family's past.