The Dugger Family Reunion - June 27-29, 2008

Every 2 years, the Duggers get together from around the country and share research, stories and company. This year we gathered in Richmond Virginia. I'm working on putting my notes together from the presentations and will provide a copy of that here on the site.

 

In the meantime, here's a few pictures from our reunion. If you have some pictures you'd like to share and add to this page, please feel free to send them to me. I'll be happy to add them and give you the photographic credit as well.

 

The Duggers

Historian Gay Neal gave us a tour through history and what life was like for the Duggers in Brunswick County Va. Including the historical account of the Dromgoole-Dugger Duel.

Gay's book:

"Brunswick County, Virginia, 1720-1975 Revised to 2000" by Gay Neal

 

 

 

We also had a wonderful presentation by Lew Toulmin about his Dugger line which can be traced back to Charlemagne in Rome.

I was so busy taking notes, I forgot to get a picture of him in his full regalia. If anyone has that, could you please send me a copy. I'd love to share it with everyone here and give you credit as well.

 

Lew also graciously gave us all a copy of his book "The Most Traveled Man On Earth". Many of the attendees persuaded him to autograph their copy too.

Jim Greene gave us a most interesting talk about the Duggers in the Civil War. He covered each year, who and when they enlisted, and followed them through the country in some of the most famous battles of the war. We had many Duggers fight and die at Gettysburg, under General Lee and who were with General Sherman as he marched through the south and participated in the burning of Atlanta.

Jim is writing a book about his research, so we don't want to share too much here. But again, I was so busy taking notes I missed getting his picture during his talk. If anyone has that, I'd be grateful for a copy to put here on the recap of the weekend.

 

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The Dugger BBQ

This year, Richmond Dugger graciously offered up his house on the Eastern Shore for a family bbq. The scenery was exceptional. The food was fabulous, the band was wonderful, and the host and hostess were divine. And a good time was had by all.

The family took a tour bus from the hotel in Richmond and traveled to the Eastern Shore.

"Someone tell them the poor relations have arrived.

By bus no less."

The decorations were whimsical and inviting.

The back of Richmond's house.

It is a beautiful place.

Richmond's view.

His dock and boat rest on Indian Run. The river flows into the lower Potomac near the upper mouth of the Chesapeake Bay.

Our host Richmond Dugger (on the right), and our reunion organizer Ralph Dugger (left).

Richmond own's his own company that travels around the world and detonates bombs and other munitions that cannot be safely removed otherwise.

We spent time under the porch on a beautiful patio.

We spent time around the pool

 

And we spent time getting to know each other and sharing some laughs.

 

The sunset was equally spectacular. Though we had a threat of a thunderstorm, it thankfully kept it's distance and stayed to the east. Passing us by and allowing the feast to begin!

Richmond had also arranged for great entertainment. The band was excellent and many in the crowd danced the night away.

I think everyone had a great time and didn't want to leave.