Hello everyone,

I'm new to this forum and I'm hoping some of you out there can help me. I'm searching for one of my ancestors whom I have dubbed Elusive Absalom.

He is Absalom Dunnegan, the presumed son of John Dunnegan, Sr. I say presumed because to date I have not been able to find conclusive evidence to support this. I have had the good fortune to consult several terrific sources who think the father/son relationship between the two is likely. I am very appreciative of the good work of Percy Dunagin, Jr. in his book posted on this site (The Early Dunnagans of Surry County North Carolina).

The Absalom Dunnegan I'm referring to was likely born in North Carolina between 1766 and 1784. I do not know who he married although there is a marriage record for an Absalom Dunnegan in the Surry County, NC records. The wife's name is blank. It is not dated and Martin Armstrong is listed as bondsman. Based on land records it seems possible that Martin might be the father of the bride as he lived adjacent to Absalom.

Absalom appears on the 1810 Wythe County, VA census.

And he appears on tax lists and census records for White County, TN from about 1814 - 1837. It is presumed he died in or near White County, TN sometime after 1837.

Absalom is thought to be the father of Samuel Dunnegan who married 1) Sarah Spears and 2) Alsey Dunnegan.

I'm hoping to learn who Absalom's parents were, who he married, his other children, and if he is indeed the father to Samuel.

The more I research this vast Dunnegan clan, I can see why it has been so difficult to find him. The name spellings alone are confusing as is seeing people of the same name over and over again through the generations.

If anyone out there can point me in the right direction or know where/how I can prove or disprove this I would appreciate your thoughts and advice.

Thank you so much!
Sharon