Author: George Edward Thurmond
James Dunwody (1741 PA – 1809 GA) - Surgeon in Georgia Militia

1-- James Dunwody was born in Whiteland, Chester County, Pennsylvania in 1741 to John Dunwody of Londonderry, Ireland and Susanna Creswell.

2- In about 1758, he moved to St. John’s Parish, Georgia where he practicedmedicine. In 1764, Dr. James Dunwody encouraged Nathan Brownson of Woodbury, Connecticut, to move to North Newport (now near Riceboro) in St. John’s Parish and join his medical practice. Active in the cause of liberty, Nathan Brownson became one of the leaders in the revolutionary efforts in St. John’s Parish along with Dr. Lyman Hall and Button Gwinnett

3- As one of the male inhabitants of Georgia who were of age to be called into military service, James Dunwoody signed an oath of loyalty to the state in 1777. He became a Member of Council of Safety and served as a Surgeon in Georgia Militia. Dr. Dunwody treated General James Screven, who had been seriously wounded in an ambush near the Midway Church, in the Vestry House prior to his Screven’s death on November 24, 1778.

4-- A Certificate signed by Nathan Brownson, dated 29th March, 1784, certified that James Dunwody was entitled to bounty land of 250 acres as a refugee soldier.

5- James Dunwody married Esther Dean Splatt in 1774 in South Carolina. Their three children, all born in Liberty County, were Esther born in 1775, and married John Elliott; John born in 1776, and married Jane Bulloch (granddaughter of Archibald Bulloch); and James born in 1789 and married Elisabeth West Smith.

6- Dr. James Dunwody died in July of 1809 in Liberty County, Georgia, and was buried in Midway Church Cemetery on Row A Grave 23. The inscription on his tombstone is as follows: In memory of Doctor James Dunwody, who died July 1809; aged 68 years. As he was charitable and useful, his death was much lamented.

7- Mrs. Esther Dunwody, wife of Dr. James Dunwody, was buried in the Midway Church Cemetery on Row A Grave 22, adjacent to Dr. James Dunwody. Their son, ColonelJames Dunwody was buried in Midway Church Cemetery on Row J Grave 11.

Sources: GA Revolutionary Soldiers & Sailors, Patriots & Pioneers, GASSAR: Vol 2, pages 12-13; Georgia’s Roster of the Revolution, Knight, pages 71 & 413; DAR Patriot Index, NSDAR Vol 1, page 89; Morningstars of Liberty: Georgia’s Continental Officers During the Revolutionary War; Gordon Burns Smith, Vol II, pages 56 & 181; Georgia Citizens and Soldiers of the American Revolution, Davis, page 26; Roster of Revolutionary Soldiers in Georgia, McCall, Vol III, page 71.

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