Person:David Dugger (5)

Special thanks to Gene Blair and John Heaton and others for data shared on this family.

David Dugger was born 11 Nov 1777 (per tombstone) in Wilkes Co, NC.

On 11 Feb 1806, David Dugger entered 50 acres of land in Ashe County, described as being on "Duggers Line", possibly referring to his fathers land, or perhaps some land he had already acquired himself.

David Dugger married Margaret Ernest sometime before 1807 in Ashe County, NC. The only source I've seen so far for her maiden name, is the article in "A History of Watauga County" published in 1915. I don't know if there is any additional supporting evidence for this being her maiden name. Margaret was born 11 Jun 1787 (per her tombstone).

There was a Henry Earnest (c1755/74) in Ashe County in 1800. He had two apparent daughters in the age 10-15 group (born ca 1784/90). I have no proof, but I suspect this is Margaret's father, for she and David did name one of their sons "Henry."

David Dugger was listed on the 1810 census in Ashe County, NC. He was just a few houses from his parents. He was listed between "E. Swift" and "W. Hodge" (census taker only took first initials for everyone).

• Ashe Co, NC page 73 D. Dugger 10100-20100
• Analysis:
• 1 male 16-25 (1784/1794)=David Dugger (1777)
• 1 male 0-9 (1800/1810)=Henry Dugger (1809) son
• 1 female 16-25 (1784/1794)=Margaret Earnest Dugger (1787) wife
• 2 females 0-9 (1800/1810)=1-Mary Dugger (1800/10); 2-Elizabeth Dugger (1807) daughters

For the War of 1812, David Dugger served from Ashe County. I don't have the details of his service.

He's listed in the 1815 Ashe Co., NC tax lists as being the admininstrator of one tract of land totalling 50 acres valued at $50.00, and owning another 50 acre tract valued at $150.00, both tracts joining John Mast. (This is on Brushy Fork in present-day Watauga County.) (per Gene Blair)

David supposedly bought out the other heirs of Benjamin Dugger by a deed dated 1 Nov 1815 which calls for two tracts on Brushy Fork. (Per Gene Blair)

On 15 May 1819, David Dugger entered three tracts of land in Ashe County: 100 acres on Elk Creek, another 100 acres on Elk Creek, and 25 acres on South Branch of Linville Creek. (Entry # 3288, 3289, and 3290).

I didn't find David Dugger on the 1820 census in Ashe Co, NC (nor elsewhere). I suspect he had moved (like several of his siblings) to neighboring Carter County, Tennessee. Unfortunately, the 1820 census was lost for Carter County, so I can't confirm this. He might have been in Ashe County still, but left off the census. The surviving 1820 census for Ashe County is alphabetical, so that shows the census taker probably used his original to make an alphabetical listing, and may have "lost" David in the process.

David Dugger was in Ashe County for the 1830 census. He was listed between Joseph Hagaman and Benjamin Holsclaw. David had an older woman (c1750/60) with him in 1830. This could be his widowed mother Elizabeth, if she was still alive then, or perhaps it was Margaret's mother, if still living. Whoever this woman was, she is a good age match for either David or Margaret's mother.

• Ashe Co., NC page 22 David Duger 0001000100000-0011001001000
• Analysis:
• 1 male 50-59 (1770/1780)=David Dugger (1777)
• 1 male 15-19 (1810/1815)=William H. Dugger (1814) son
• 1 female 70-79 (1750/1760)=Unknown (mother? mother-in-law?)
• 1 female 40-49 (1780/1790)=Margaret Earnest Dugger (1787) wife
• 1 female 15-19 (1810/1815)=Unknown daughter
• 1 female 10-14 (1815/1820)=Unknown daughter

Margaret Earnest Dugger died 9 Mar 1835 in Ashe (now Watauga) Co, NC. She is buried at the Howell Cemetery (sometimes referred to as the Dugger Cemetery). I've been there once, and seen her grave. It does not give her maiden name, only "Margaret Dugger" and birth and death date.

David Dugger was listed on the 1840 census in Ashe County. He was listed by himself with no other family members residing with him. His age was slightly off, so it is possible the census taker didn't visit him, but got the information from a neighbor. David was listed between Solomon Isaacs and Charles Yelton.

• Ashe Co., NC page 15 David Dugger 0000000100000-0000000000000
• Analysis:
• 1 male 50-59 (1780/1790)=David Dugger (1777)

In 1849, Watauga County was created and included the part of Ashe County where the Duggers resided.

David Dugger married Sarah (---) sometime between Jun 1849 and 1 Jun 1850 according to the 1850 census. David was listed on the 1850 census in Watauga County, NC. His son William Dugger was next door. David and wife Sarah Dugger were listed as having married within the census year. He also had two members of the Holler (or Keller) family residing with him, relationship unknown. These could be Sarah's children. David's sister Susanna Dugger Whittington was just 4 houses away.

Look at the actual census image. What is the surname of the two young girls? It looks like "Holler" but could be "Keller" or something else entirely. It is also unclear how old Rachel is.

David Dugger died 30 Jul 1850 in Watauga County, NC. He is buried at the Howell Cemetery. He has two stones, one seems to be the original, with his name and birth and death date. He has a newer stone, thought to have been placed there in the 1950's by Gordon Shelton Dugger. (Thanks to John Heaton and Gene Blair for that data.)

What became of Sarah and her children after David's death?