Morgan Magness (1796 - 1871)

Born 18 Dec 1796 in Tryon, North Carolina, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Kezziah Ann (Elliot) Magness — married 14 May 1827 in Lincoln, North Carolina, United States

Husband of Susan (Dunnigan) Magness — married 1 May 1845 in Independence, Arkansas, United States

Died 1 Sep 1871 at age 74 in Independence, Arkansas, United States

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Biography

Morgan Magness, son of John Magness and Patsy Nowlin, was born 18 December 1796 in Tryon County, North Carolina (renamed Rutherford county, NC during the Rev war).

He passed away on 1 September 1871 and is buried in Magness Cemetery, Magness, Independence County, Arkansas.

Much has been written about Col. Morgan Magness. He was married twice, first to Keziah Elliot, who died childless, and second to Susan Dunigan, with whom he had 5 children. According to Robert D. Craig in his article "The Magnesses: Pioneers of Big Bottom", Morgan was born in the old fort which stood at the Hermitage in Davidson Co. Tennessee. He was probably the best known of the children of Jonathan and Patsy Magness.

Col. Morgan Magness (deceased) was one of the earliest settlers and most prominent residents of the State of Arkansas. He was a son of Jonathan Magness, and was born in Davidson County, Tenn., December 18, 1796, his death occurring in Independence County, Ark., September 1, 1871.

When sixteen years of age he removed with his parents from Tennessee to Independence County, Ark., locating on Miller's Creek, northwest of Batesville; one year later the family removed to a point six miles southeast of Batesville, and subsequently settled in Big Bottom Township, where they entered land, and from that time were most prosperous.

Col. Magness won very distinguished success as a farmer, and at the time of his death was one of the most substantial men in the State; he was also extensively interested in stock raising and planting.

He represented Independence County in the lower house of the State legislature several years, and his honorable service in that capacity will long be remembered by his constituents.

His first wife was Keziah Elliott, a native of North Carolina, who died in Independence County, Ark., leaving no children.

In 1845 Col. Magness married Susan Dunnigan, who was born in Dickson County, Tenn., in 1815. To this union were born five children, four of whom grew to maturity, viz.: William D., D. P. W. (a planter and stock raiser, died in November, 1875, at about the age of twenty-five years), Elizabeth F. (now the wife of Joseph J. Waldrop, a prominent farmer of Independence County, Ark.), and Morgan J. (who was born in 1855, and died December 2, 1882).

Mrs. Magness died March 16, 1877. William D. Magness was born in Big Bottom Township, Independence County, August 1, 1846. He received the advantages of a common-school education, and remained at home the greater part of the time until his father's death, having spent some time with him in Texas during the latter part of the war. He then began farming for himself, and is now the owner of about 1,000 acres of fine land. February 5, 1879, he married Mary E. Edgar, a native of Jefferson County, East Tenn., who was born March 15, 1852. They have one son, Morgan E.

Politically, Mr. Magness is a Democrat; his father was formerly a Whig, and during the latter part of his life sympathized with the Democratic party. -Tiffany Otero #46838569 ^{[1] [2]}

Marriage & Children

Morgan Magness married first Kizia Ann Elliott on 14 May 1827 in Lincoln County, North Carolina.^[3] Keziah died childless on 11 February 1845 in Independence County, Arkansas.^[4]

Morgan Magness and Susan Dunnigan married on 1 May 1845 (recorded 23 June 1845) in Independence County, Arkansas.^[5] Known children include:^[6]

• William D Magness, 1846
• D. P. Walker Magness, 1850-1875
• Elizabeth Magness, 1853
• Morgan J Magness, 1855-1882
• Margaret A Magness, 1857-1860

Akron Cemetery, Nat'l Register of Historic Places

The Akron Cemetery is a historic cemetery in rural southeastern Independence County, Arkansas. With its oldest recorded burial dating to 1829, it is possibly the oldest cemetery in the county, and is known to be the burial site of some of Newark area's earliest settlers.^[7]

The first settlers in Akron (Big Bottom) were Jonathan Magness, and sons Perry Green, Morgan, and David G. W. in 1815. They were son and grandsons of Perrygreen Magness of N.C. a Captain in Revolutionary War. Other early settlers included Richard Holderby, (son in law of Perry Green Magness) Alfred Arnold, John Arnold, William Arnold, and Hugh Tomlinson. It is believed that most or all of these early settlers and familes are buried at Akron [Cemetery]. Visible stones include Richard Holderby, Hugh Tomlinson, and wife. There is a flat stone lying under a large oak bearing PGM. It has been documented as Perry Green Magness.^[8]

Census Records

• 1840 U.S. Federal Census, White River Township, Independence, Arkansas.^[9] In the household:
  • Name: Morgan Magness
  • Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 1
  • Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 3
  • Free White Persons - Males - 40 thru 49: 2 [Morgan & ?]
  • Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: 1
  • Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: 1 [Keziah, wkfe of Morgan]
  • Slaves - Males - Under 10: 4
  • Slaves - Males - 10 thru 23: 4
  • Slaves - Males - 24 thru 35: 1
  • Slaves - Males - 36 thru 54: 2
  • Slaves - Males - 55 thru 99: 1
  • Slaves - Females - Under 10: 2
  • Slaves - Females - 10 thru 23: 6
  • Slaves - Females - 36 thru 54: 3

Since Morgan did not marry wife Susan Dunnigan until 1845, it appears as if the Poston family in his household in 1850, were also living with him in 1840.

• 1850 U.S. Federal Census, White River Township, Independence, Arkansas.^[10] In the household:
  • Morgan Magness, M, 53, Tennessee
  • Susan Magness, F, 34, Tennessee
  • William D Magness, M, 4, Arkansas
  • David P M Magness, M, 0, Arkansas
  • John A Poston, 40, Kentucky
  • Evelina Poston, F, 27, Kentucky
  • William J Poston, M, 12, Kentucky
  • John Poston, M, 10, Kentucky
  • John Owen, M, 14, Arkansas

• 1860 U.S. Federal Census, Bigbottom Township, Independence, Arkansas.^[11] In the household:
  • Morgan Magness, M, 63, Ten.
  • Susan Magness, F, 45, Ten.
  • William D Magness, M, 13, Arks.
  • David P W Magness, M, 10, Arks.
  • Elizabeth F Magness, F, 7, Arks
  • Morgan J Magness, M, 5, Arks.
  • Margaret A Magness, F, 3, Arks.
  • Wm A Erwin, M, 30, Ky.

Daughter Margaret A Magness died September 1860.^[12]

• 1870 U.S. Federal Census, Big Bottom Township, Independence, Arkansas.^[13] In the household:
  • Morgan Magness, M, 73, Tennessee
  • Susan Magness, F, 56, Tennessee
  • William D Magness, M, 24, Arkansas
  • David P W Magness, M, 20, Arkansas
  • Morgan J Magness, M, 15, Arkansas

Eliizabeth married Joseph Waldrip in 1869.

Death & Legacy

Morgan Magness died intestate "on or about the 1st day of September A.D. 1871..." On 5 September 1871 James Rutherford posted $20,000 bond with W. D. Magness, son, and J. J. Waldrip, son-in-law, as Securities so that James Rutherford could be appointed Administrator of Morgan's estate. He was so appointed and the appointment was recorded on 2 December 1871.^[14]

Acknowledgments

• Thanks to Nancy Snow for starting this profile.

Sources

1. ↑ Independence Pioneers, Vol. II, 1836-1936, selected and edited by Mary Britton, pub. 1989.
2. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/18704605/morgan-magness: accessed 30 December 2022), memorial page for Col Morgan Magness (18 Dec 1796–1 Sep 1871), Find a Grave Memorial ID 18704605, citing Magness Cemetery, Magness, Independence County, Arkansas, USA; Maintained by C&P LaPlante Files (contributor 46814587).
3. ↑ "North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979 ," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP9X-G3NT : 9 March 2021), Morgan Magness and Kizia Ann Elliott, 14 May 1827; citing Lincoln, North Carolina, United States, p. , North Carolina State Archives Division of Archives and History; FHL microfilm .
4. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images ( accessed 06 January 2023), memorial page for Keziah Ann Elliot Magness (9 Aug 1808–11 Feb 1845), Find A Grave: Memorial #18704734, citing Magness Cemetery, Magness, Independence County, Arkansas, USA; Maintained by C&P LaPlante Files (contributor 46814587).
5. ↑ "Arkansas, County Marriages, 1837-1957," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NMGV-WNB : 9 March 2021), Morgan Magness, 1 May 1845; citing Marriage, Independence, Arkansas, United States, county offices, Arkansas; FHL microfilm 1,288,645.
6. ↑ Morgan Magness, Hennessee Family.
7. ↑ Akron Cemetery
8. ↑ Akron Cemetery, Independence, AR, National Register of Historic Places Sec. 8, p.2
9. ↑ "United States Census, 1840," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHBX-6G9 : 10 June 2022), Morgan Magness, White River Township, Independence, Arkansas, United States; citing p. 213, NARA microfilm publication , (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll ; FHL microfilm .
10. ↑ "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M67Z-NJJ : 20 December 2020), Morgan Magness, White River Township, Independence, Arkansas, United States; citing family , NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
11. ↑ "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8W7-JGH : 18 February 2021), Morgan Magness, 1860.
12. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/18704704/margaret-a-magness: accessed 06 January 2023), memorial page for Margaret A. Magness (9 Feb 1857–27 Sep 1860), Find a Grave Memorial ID 18704704, citing Magness Cemetery, Magness, Independence County, Arkansas, USA; Maintained by C&P LaPlante Files (contributor 46814587).
13. ↑ "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MNCQ-GNB : 6 January 2023), Morgan Migues, 1870.
14. ↑ Administrators and Guardians Bonds and Letters, 1821-1902; Author: Arkansas. Probate Court (Independence County); Probate Place: Independence, Arkansas. Notes: Admin and Guardians Bonds, 1853-1882; Admin Bonds and Letters, 1858-1902 Ancestry Image, Morgan Magness Estate, Page 378

See also:

• Magness Migration 1733-1986, Verna Magness.
• Family search. (https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/KG1Q-8SW Col. David Morgan Magness)
• Encyclopedia of Ark. "In 1849, tracking a man who left a $3,000 debt to his uncle, a young James Rutherford traveled to Independence County for his father. The debtor had recently purchased land in the area from Colonel Morgan Magness. James Rutherford took the land in lieu of the money owed. That was the first land owned by the Rutherford family in the county." (https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/magness-independence-county-7191/ Magness, Independence County)
• 1830 United States Federal Census: Year: 1830; Census Place: Black River, Independence, Arkansas Territory; Series: M19; Roll: 5; Page: 226; Family History Library Film: 0002473 Ancestry Record 8058 #2251702
• The National Archives in Washington, DC; Washington, DC, USA; Eighth Census of the United States 1860; Series Number: M653; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29, Ancestry.com. 1860 U.S. Federal Census - Slave Schedules [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Eighth Census of the United States, 1860. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1860. M653, 1,438 rolls.
• Arkansas, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1818-1998: Administrators and Guardians Bonds and Letters, 1821-1902; Author: Arkansas. Probate Court (Independence County); Probate Place: Independence, Arkansas Ancestry Record 8638 #701581
• Burial: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/18704605/morgan-magness: accessed 27 September 2023), memorial page for Col Morgan Magness (18 Dec 1796–1 Sep 1871), Find A Grave: Memorial #18704605, citing Magness Cemetery, Magness, Independence County, Arkansas, USA; Maintained by C&P LaPlante Files (contributor 46814587).