Macon Telegraph

There now resides in Atlanta one of those true gentlewomen, who are the interesting and charming links…which conntect us with the courtly past and the palmy days of the republic. They represent the ancient and opulent planters, surrounded by obedient menials and dispensing baronial hospitality, were regarded as the nobless of the country.

And, truly, a more perfect type of the generous, chivalric and cultivated gentleman could not be found in the universe. Descended usually from blue English, Scotch or Hugenot blood, they spoke our language with a purity … used in the mother land, and ever took the deepest interest in politics, field sport, boating and the pleasures of the refined society. From such sprang many of the renowned statesmen of the country. The Troups, Berriens, Spaldings, Elliotts, Jacksons, Hugers, Hamptons, Colcocks, Screvens, Prestons, Coupers and scores not enumerated. And their daughters too were beautiful, virtuous and queenly women. Just such fair beings as were worshipped by the knights of old, and for a smile from whom daring feats were performed on the battle field….

Usually educated regardless of expense and taught by the best masters they were noble, lovely and accomplished. The lady whose introduction was prefaced to these remarks, is named Mrs. James Dunwody, relict of Col. James Dunwody, a worthy and gallant gentleman, who died forty-three years since at Arcadia, the old homestead, in Liberty County.

Descended from the Monroes who belonged to the nobility of Scotland, she was born in Sunbury April 25, 1794, and is the daughter of Mr. James Smith, then residing there, but afterwards one of the wealthiest rice planters in the vicinity of Darien, McIntosh county. No pains that paternal affection and abundant means could bestow were spared in the training and education of this only child. Developing at a very early age great talent for the fine arts, painting was her special delight and has continued to be a favorite pastime through a long and blameless life. Many of her sketches would compare well by the side of those of the old masters, and even now at the advanced age of eighty two, she is constantly amusing herself in the same manner, and with astonishing tate and skill.

One piece completed only last week, is a model of chasteness and beauty. Mrs. Dunwody's eyesight is still perfect without the aid of glasses, and her nerves so steady that are experiences no difficulty in tracing a straight line, or the most delicate curve. In person, she is still stately and handsome, and when in her youth and middle life, had probably no superior in beauty and queenly grace in the south.

But the crowning charm of this venerable lady is to be found in the gentle manners, sterling worth and unaffected piety, which have rendered her pathway bright and radiant amid all the gloom and adversities of a chequered existence. These render her lovely indeed, and the fit exemplair of the daughters of the present generation.

It is pleasant thus “to rise up and do honor to the hoary head.” Long may this mother in Israel continue to dispense light and joy to a happy household.

Genealogical Notes:

1860 McIntosh County Federal Census
Page 11: Darien Post Office
108-108 (next door to D.M. Dunwody family)
Elizabeth E. Dunwody: 66, $10,000, $20,000, Georgia
Mary E. Dunwody: 40, $17,000, $21,000, Georgia
Caroline M.E. Shackleford: 25, $2,000, $26,000, Georgia

Source:
Atlanta Constitution, February 11, 1876

Submitted by Bob Franks