Jackson County Historical Society

05/23/2026

photos of Grady H. and William Ray Nunn with their mother, Floy Duggan.

04/25/2026

1933 reunion of Nunn family. Roy Nunn, 3rd from left of first row of standing adults. William Roy Nunn, 6th from left. William Roy moved to Dallas, TX and OK. This is probably Jackson County.

04/23/2026

May meeting

04/10/2026

Photos from the Nunn family of Texas. Couples photo has Jim Garrison written on the back. The single man is unnamed. Anyone know these individuals? circa late 1800's.

03/18/2026

1846-1848 Jackson County superior court records of Henry Merks trial for arson of the Dry Pond Church and campground! Has anyone ever heard of this case?

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02/09/2026

JCHS meeting schedule

02/04/2026

It is hard to believe that we are already a month into 2026. As we look forward to the exciting programs planned for this year, I want to take just a moment to recap 2025.

At the April meeting, we heard from Ms. Barbara Bender, who shared about the Dunson Family. William Dunson established the first permanent settlement in Jackson County in the Groaning Rock area on the east side of the county, in 1784. At the July meeting, we had a presentation on James Vann, leader of the Cherokee Nation, and his ties to Jackson County. At the annual picnic, held in September at the Shields-Ethridge Farm, we celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Jackson County Historical Society, and recognized the hard work and dedication of the individuals who established this organization in 1975. Memorabilia was displayed, memories were shared, and guests in attendance included some descendants of the founding members. At the November meeting, we learned about General James Jackson from Tommy Benton. Jackson, the namesake for Jackson County, was twice elected Governor of Georgia, ten years apart, and served in the first Congress of the United States.

We saw an increase in attendance at our 2025 meetings, and hope that trend continues into 2026. We encourage you to invite others to attend our meetings, as we hope to continue this organization and its preservation of our county’s history for another 50 years! If you are interested in becoming more involved, or have ideas for future meeting topics, please contact me or one of our board members. 

Sherry Moore, President

2026 MEETINGS

February 11th, 2026, 3:00-6:00 p.m. - 230th Birthday Celebration of Jackson County - Jackson County Agricultural Facility 1869 County Farm Rd, Jefferson, GA 30549

May 17th, 2026 - 2:30 pm- Floyd “Fuzzy” Hoard, by G. Richard Hoard - Location TBA

September 12th, 2026 - 12:30 pm - Annual Picnic - Shields Ethridge Heritage Farm, 2355 Ethridge Rd, Jefferson, GA

November 8th, 2026 - 2:00 pm - "The Case for Yamacutah" a Native American Holy Ground located near Hurricane Shoals. - Joel Logan -Commerce Civic Center, 110 State St,Commerce, GA

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN PRESENTING?

We are looking for historic locations in Jackson County that could host a Historical Society Meeting and someone willing to give a brief presentation about the site. If you have one or know of one, please let us know. Also, if you or someone you know is willing to give a presentation about Jackson County history, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact us at [email protected].

WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY?

The Jackson County Historical Society would love to have you and your family as a member. Your membership dues support our mission and outreach within Jackson County, Georgia.

Annual Dues Are As Follows:
Individual $ 25
Family $ 35
Lifetime $150

Jackson County Historical Society | 85 Washington St | Jefferson, GA 30549

01/27/2026

Original scan of the letter from WZA Doster, August , 19, 1864

01/18/2026

Transcription of a letter written by WZA Doster from Jackson County, Company B, 16th Regiment, Ga Infantry to his mother Rhoda Doster.

(Transcribed by Justin Myrick)

Camp Near Wi******er Va
Letter Ref: cn Letter 41 Aug the 19 1864
Dear Mother I again
seat my self to drop you
a few lines which I hope may
reach you in due time and find
you combined with the rest
of the family enjoying the very
best of health I have some
little news which will give
some of your friends a great deal
of uneasyness1 But thank God
I am safe yet on the 16 of this inst (instant)
we crossed the shanadoah river
and had a hard fight2 But there
was only 400 men engaged (,)
our Batt (Battalion) included I will give
you a list of the killed and won-
ded so far as I first out of my
company W. D spence killed
H. H. Butler Wounded in arm
and hip Dolph Hueheus through
the jaw(?) and 12 prisoners out
of my company
Willes Gholston, James Bullock,
James Stephens, Walton Moris,
Dilmos moris John Graham Isaak
Graham Bicharard (Rich) Martin Magar
Simmons W. F. Phillops John Gmuls
Gilfard Sarten Robbert M Moon
is all that was captured out of my
company we got all Mixed (nicked) up and
fought with beyonetts and sabers
and almost with our fist total loss
in our Batt was 73, our Batt
done the principal part of the fighting
I will now give you some of the
names of the sixteenth John Walles
prisoner & cox prisoner Marcus Edward
prisoner Biltah,, Morgen Walls (Watts?)
Killed 7 holes shot through him
besides several others I don’t
(k)now the exact loss1 of the 16 but
it is about 50 the 28 lost 73
Cobbs leageon about 50 names
not (k)nown we took 500 prison
ers next day and 2 pieces of
artillery and drove them
20 miles I hope to hear god (good)
news from your section
soon I am in good health
except soreness1 I am sore
from my great fatieuge
and exposure I was cut at
with the saber in line
of the fight but saved my
self by the expert use of
my gun I emrbe? the saddle
of a fine animal at the same
time as It was my fortune
to have my gun loded at
that critical moment and
then by desperate efforts in
climing hilles and presipices
my Capt C H Strickling4
surrendered once But
fortunately for some of his
boys shot the rech? at the
same time and he made
good his escape
we fought about 30
to one we only lost 20
killed when you read this
send or take it to Mr
Walles and tell him to
send it to Moan(?) and then
to Watts I will answer
any questions ask me abo-
ut any of the boys I want
you all to write Tate Pentacost
was killed tell Mrs house
that I sayu Mack and he was
well die pater is well
dick Vanderford is well
I got a letter from Liza5
yesterday she is well
and wants you all to write
to her address1 your letters
to Bristol in care of
T. J. Gason when you
write to her and to Rich-
mon(d) When you write
to me(,) write soon
Wm Z. A. Doster
============================
1 Other examples of the “fs” translating to “ss.”

2This appears to be the Battle of Guard Hill, Battle of Crooked Run, or the Battle of Front Royal (three names but the same battle) which took place on August 16, 1864, in Warren County, Virginia. Internet mentions Wofford’s brigade which WZA was a part of.

3John A. Doster was also in the 16th Regiment (Company B) as well as WZA. Interesting that WZA had an alternate name of W. Z. A. Dorster. Company B, 16th Regiment, Ga Infantry. Also 3 Batt’n Ga. S. S.

4Capt. Charlton H. Strickland, 3rd Batt’n Georgia Sharpshooters (16th Ga. Inf) is listed in the Civil War database.

5 Liza and WZA are married by now. They were likely married in March 1864. See letter, L36, written in March, 1864.

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01/14/2026

$7.25 Payment from Jackson County superior court to Dr Crawford W. Long for medical service to patient Miles Perry. August 23, 1842