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Carl & Elaine (Grove) Rhodes' Genealogy Pages

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Benjamin Dorsey

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Generation: 1

  1. 1.  Benjamin Dorsey (son of Edward Dorsey, Colonel and Sarah Wyatt).

Generation: 2

  1. 2.  Edward Dorsey, Colonel was born in 1645 in VA (son of Edward Dorsey, Senior and Anne); died in 1705 in Major's Choice, Baltimore County, MD.

    Notes:

    "ANNE ARUNDEL GENTRY--DORSEY FAMILY" by Harry Wright Newman
    "Edward Dorsey, first don of Edward Dorsey and wife Anne, was born in
    Virginia and came up the Severn during the days of the Commonwealth in
    Maryland. On Aug. 25, 1664, he with his two brothers received jointly
    400 acres of 'Hockley-in-the-Hole'. Evidence is unmistakable that he
    followed for a time the occupation of his father and was certainly
    engaged in ship building as late as May 6, 1667." "Before Nov. 1670,
    Edward Dorsey married Sarah, a daughter of Nicholas Wyatt, Gent., by
    his first wife. Sarah, his wife, died about 1690. He took for a
    second wife, Margaret. All indicators point to the fact that she was
    one of the daughters of John Larkin, Innkeepers, by his wife
    Katherine. It is quite evident that the children of the second
    marriage did not have the advantages of those of the first wife. The
    widow remarried soon after the death of Col. Dorsey, but did not
    survive her second husband. Perhaps, the children were neglected by
    their step-father. Anyhow they were not schooled in letters, and as a
    consequence made their mark on official documents." "On Jan 4,
    1700/1, Edward Dorsey....assigned...my oldest son Edward Dorsey four
    plantations bordering his dwelling-plantation at Elk Ridge and one
    south side of Patapsco a little beyond the Falls with negroes,
    livestock, household furniture whereon in trust for his five sons,
    that is Samuel, Joshua, John, Nicholas, and Benjami. (Provincial
    Court, Liber TL no. 2, folios 169,279)
    To son Samuel the Patapsco plantation with three negroes and
    other personltry To son Joshua the plantation 'where Black
    Dick lives' with 100 adjoining acres, negroes and other
    personalty To son John plantation that negro Bacon 'now lives on'
    with 100 acres, negroes To son Nicholas the plantation 'that
    negro Tom lives on' with 100 acres To son Benjamin piece of land
    between Dick and Bacon."
    "It was not until 1679 that Edward Dorsey entered into public or
    political live of the province. In that year he was made a Justice of
    the Peace for Anne Arundel County and a Gentleman Justice of the Quoroum.
    He continued to serve in that capacity for a number of years
    thereafter and in 1686 when he was styled Captain Edward Dorsey of His
    Lordship's army he was likewise a Gentleman Justice of the Quorum. He
    rose in the provincial forced from Captain to Colonel, a grade he held
    at the time of his death. He entered the General Assembly 1694 as a
    delegate from Anne Arundel County and continued to serve in all
    succeeding sessions of the Lower House until his death. When he
    became a domicile of Baltimore County, at the time that Baltimore
    embraced both banks of Patapsco, he was likewise elected to the Lower
    House. In 1695 he was made the Keeper of the Great Seal of the
    Province." "He however was outspoken in his political views...in
    1692 'Major Edward Dorsey had made several mutinous and seditious
    speeches on board "Capt. William Hill Ship.'" "...he was on
    Commission to erect the courthouse and the free school for Anne
    Arundel Towne. He was granted the contract for the erection of the
    first church of St. Anne in 1696." "Edward Dorsey was a staunch and
    loyal supporter of the Calverts,...In politics (he) was a supporter of
    the House of Stuart and an acknowledged member of the Jacobean Party"
    "After the death of Samuel Wyatt (brother to his wife Sarah) the only
    son and heir of Nicholas, Edward claimed his estate by rights of his
    wife, as sole heiress. A battle royal insued with Thomas Bland,
    Gent., who had married Damaris, the Widow Wyatt, and step-mother to
    his wife. Edward had Bland arrested and caused him to be kept
    prisoner at the Public Ordinary for several days. Thomas Bland in his
    petition to the Provincial Court swore that in July 1677 he delivered
    to Mr. Edward Dorsey all the real and personal estate of the late
    Nicholas Wyatt, but Dorsey entered upon it and with force carried away
    three servants which were his (Bland's) property whom he had purchased
    with his own resources. Furthermore, John Booth one of the servants
    was so ill-treated by Dorsey that he ran away and that Alice another
    servant was so misused that she was 'brought to a dangerous
    sickness.'(Md. Archives, vol. 67, p. 420)" "His original will, dated
    Oct. 26, 1704 is on file at Annapolis, ...probated in Baltimore County on
    Dec. 27, 1705. (Wills, Liber 3, folio 725): To son Nicholas
    100-acre portion of 'Long Reach' at Elk Ridge and personalty at
    16. The inventory was taken at the 'seated plantation', and also the
    Upper Plantation, Elk Ridge Quarters, the Round Bay Plantation, and
    'in the store house', and in 'Little Flat House'. There were books,
    one Gould Seal ring, one Silver Seale, Ivory headed cane, silver
    tobacco box, silver hilted sword, silver plate and surveying chain.
    His wearing apparel was appraised at L7.10.-. There were also
    thirteen negro slaves and two white indentured servants. Samuel, the
    eldest son approved the valuation of L 528.8.11. It was filed at
    court on April 1, 1706."

    Edward married Sarah Wyatt before Nov 1670. Sarah (daughter of Nicholas Wyatt, Gentleman and Damaris Stockett?) was born in 1657 in Of Anne Arundel, MD; died about 1690 in Anne Arundel County, MD. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  2. 3.  Sarah Wyatt was born in 1657 in Of Anne Arundel, MD (daughter of Nicholas Wyatt, Gentleman and Damaris Stockett?); died about 1690 in Anne Arundel County, MD.

    Notes:

    Dates taken from Ancestral file

    Children:
    1. Edward Dorsey died in 1701.
    2. Sarah Dorsey
    3. Samuel Dorsey
    4. Hannah Dorsey
    5. John Dorsey
    6. Joshua Dorsey
    7. 1. Benjamin Dorsey
    8. Nicholas Dorsey was born in 1690 in Middle Neck Hund, MD; died in 1717 in Major's Choice, Baltimore County, MD; was buried on 23 Sep 1717 in All Hallow's Par, Baltimore County, MD.


Generation: 3

  1. 4.  Edward Dorsey, Senior was born in 1619 in England; died on 2 Aug 1659 in Kent Island, Queen Anne's County, Maryland, USA.

    Notes:

    "ANNE ARUNDEL GENTRY--DORSEY FAMILY" by Harry Wright Newman "No
    familY of early Anne Arundel is better known thruout the State than
    the prolific Dorsey family. More descendants have qualified for
    lineal-patriotic societies, especially the Colonial Dames, than any
    other family in Maryland." "The family had its beginnings in
    Virginia around Lower Norfolk and the emigrant Edward did not figure
    to any marked degree in the public life of Virginia or even
    Maryland..." "Amidst a strictly agricultural and fur-trading
    economy, Edward Dorsey, a shipwright, was one of the early
    industrialists and thus constucted much-needed watercrafts for the
    early planters along the Bay and the several inlets on which he and
    the first settlers established their plantations." "The persistent
    belief has prevailed among all early historians of the family that the
    name was at one-time D'Arcy, and the belief is not without merit. The
    D'Arcy was an ancient family of Old England and was raised to peerage
    in 1332...The name is derived from the Norman-French of 'de Adreci'
    which is found in Britian by 1086..." "The Virginia records indicate
    that sometime before Oct. 7, 1646, Edward Dorsey entered Virginia.
    Edward Dorsey either left the colony and returned..." "Edward Dorsey
    married in Virginia and his wife was undoubtedly Anne--who later
    became convinced of the Quaker preachings....By Edward Dorsey arriving
    in Maryland from Virginia with the early contingencies of the
    non-conformists, his political beliefs coincided with those of the
    Puritans, but during his 9 or more years in the Province, he was
    inactive politically...his seat and shipyard was at 'Dorsey' on the
    south side of the Severn. It formed a promontory between 'Freeman's'
    or 'Norwood's Cove' and Dorsey Creek." "Ultimatley, Edward Dorsey and
    his wife became 'convinced' of the Quaker doctrine. ...a letter of
    Robert Clarkson of the Severn dated 14th of ye ...1657 '...and
    likewise Ann Dorsey is a more larger measure, hir husband I hope
    abideth faithfull in his measure.' ("Quakers in the Founding of Anne
    Arundel Co". by J. Reany Kelly, pp. 15, 17) "Edward Dorsey with
    others was drowned off the Isle of Kent during the summer of
    1659....petition to court of Anne Arundel County Tues, 2 Aug 1659:
    "Whereas Thomas Hinson hath petitioned this Court Shewing that hee
    having taken up the Boate wherein Edward Darcy and some others were
    drowned, neare the Isle of Kent, being desyred by the said Darcys
    Overseer to take up the same Which he did deliuery the same Boate to
    the cheife in Authority...." "No inventory or adm. of his personal
    estate is recorded at Annapolis...On Aug. 20, 1664, the three sons of
    Edward Dorsey were granted...a plantation on Cabin Neck Branch of the
    south bank called 'Hockley-in-the-Hole' some distance from the
    Severn."
    "DORSEY" "The Dorseys of Maryland are a branch of the British family
    of Darcy, which appears both in England and in Ireland. The first
    Darcy in England was Sir Norman d'Areci, who was one of the Norman
    knights who accompanied his cousin, William the Conqueror in the
    conquest of England. English genealogists have traced Sir Norman
    d'Areci back to Rollo, the Viking leader, who became the first duke of
    Normandy. (Rollo d. 931, was known to his warriors as Rolf the Ganger
    because he was so large a man that no horse could carry him. He
    therefore led his troops on foot. His statue may be seen in Rouen.)
    His son, called William Longspee (d. 942) was the second duke of
    Normandy. Richard Sans Peur (d. 996) a grandson was the third duke.
    His son Richard II, the fourth duke, was married several times. His
    oldest son, Richard III, the fifth duke, died early and Robert, the
    next son, became the sixth duke. Robert's son was William then
    Conqueror. The son of Richard II, the fourth duke, by his third wife
    Pavia, was William, who became Count of Arques. Among other titles
    which he possessed was that of Count of Areci, a Norman town near
    Dieppe, which title he passed to his son Norman. The latter became
    known as Sir Norman d'Areci or Darcy. He was first cousin to William
    the Conqueror." "After the conquest of Sir Norman d'Areci was
    rewarded with vast possessions. He was lord of 33 manors in
    Lincolnshire. The family became known as Darcy and spread into
    Yorkshire and Essex. Hockley in Essex, where the Darcys were lords of
    the manor, is generally believed to have been the source from which
    the Dorseys of Maryland and Virginia are derived, as the first land
    grant which Edward Dorsey, the founder received in Md. was called
    Hockley...The Darcy coat of arms with its three cinquefoils also
    appears at nearby St. Nicholas Church (in Essex, England)...Joshua
    Dorsey, son of Edward Dorsey, affixed a seal to documents he signed
    bearing the cinquefoil of the Darcys, thus indicating, prior to 1688,
    the fact that he considered himself to be a descendant of the ancient
    family of Darcy."

    Edward married Anne. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  2. 5.  Anne

    Notes:

    "THE DORSEY FAMILY" by Maxwell Dorsey and Jean Muir Dorsey, 1947
    "Ann Dorsey, wife of Edward is thought to have outlived her husband,
    and to have returned to their former home in Virginia, for no further
    records is found of her in Maryland. It seems reasonable to suppose
    that their children were born in Virginia."

    Children:
    1. Joshua Dorsey
    2. John Dorsey
    3. Sarah Dorsey
    4. 2. Edward Dorsey, Colonel was born in 1645 in VA; died in 1705 in Major's Choice, Baltimore County, MD.

  3. 6.  Nicholas Wyatt, Gentleman was born about 1620 in Virginia or Boxley, Kent, England (son of Haute Wyatt and Barbara Mitford); died before 22 Jan 1673 in Anne Arundel County, MD.

    Notes:

    "ANNE ARUNDEL GENTRY--DORSEY FAMILY" p. 11 "Wyatt, a wealthy
    planter was first in Virginia and came up the Severn with the
    non-conformists. In some manner he became 'convinced' of the Quaker
    beliefs and refused to take the oath. He died in 1674 and during his
    residence in Anne Arundel County he acquired one of the most affluent
    estates of his day. At his death the personal estate alone was
    appraised at L 65,788. His will was dated Dec. 10, 1671 and was
    written by Conrelius Howard, Gent. After probation which occurred on
    Jan 22, 1673/4. Cornelius Howard testified that Wyatt could not
    remember 'all what he had'. Plantations were left to his minor son,
    Samuel who died soon thereafter and to his daughter Sarah, with his
    wife, Damaris as the residuary heir. "The inventory was taken roon
    by room which indicates the pretentiousness of his estate...personalty
    at the Outward Plantation, in the hall at the Lower Plantation, in the
    parlour, in the hall chamber, in the porch chamber, in the staire
    case, in the parlour Chamber, in the kitchin chamber, in the kitchin
    loft, in the kitchin, in the quarters, in the milk house, in the
    cellar, in the cellar loft, in the kitchin bittry, and in the Landing.
    There were books, six framed pictures, also three other pictures, and
    silver plate. At the Landing there were one servant man, on servant
    woman and one negro slave. Also at the Landing were one boat 17
    ft.long, appraised at L800, one 10 ft. appraised at L500, one large
    canoe at L200, and an ould boate at L100. (Wills, Liber 1, folio 596)"
    "THE DORSEY FAMILY" by Dorsey and Nimmo, 1947 (Allen County Public Lib.,
    Ft. Wayne, IN) d. 1673 Anne Arundel County; m. Damaris---- widow, before
    1653, prob. in Va. "Being a Quaker, he refused to take the oath of
    Plantation, therefore had no right to sell land....in 1659, when he
    was ordered to refund 510 pounds of tobacco, which he had received for
    the sale of ten acres of land...On Oct. 10, 1662, Nicholas Wyatt was
    one of the Quakers brought before the court. (Besse's Sufferings,
    Vol.2, f. 381). He also refused to take the oath in 1668, when he was
    summoned as one of the Grand Jury. (Prov. Ct. Rec. F.F., f. 654)"
    "In 1671 Nicholas Wyatt became ill and his wife Damaris, becoming
    alarmed, sent for Cornelius Howard to make a will for her husband.
    Alto Nicholas Wyatt was very weak and sick and in no condition to make
    a will, he said he would give unto his son Samuel Wyatt his plantation
    and unto his daughter Sarah, 100 pounds, but when his wife interposed
    and asked if he did not remember that she was to be given the Lower
    plantation, Nicholas answered that he had forgot that. When his
    friends asked if he intended to leave his only son a bare plantation
    with neither a cow to give him milk nor a servant to wait on him,
    Nicholas seemed indifferent and answered that his son was as much his
    wife's son as his. As a result, the greater part of the estate was
    left to Damaris. Dec. 10, 1671 Will of Nicholas Wyatt: To my son
    Samuel Wyatt at 18 yrs. of age, the Quarter. In the event of
    death without heirs, next of kin to inherit same To daughter
    Sarah, Lower plantation where the widow Gibbons lives To wife
    Damaris, Executrix and residuary legatee (Wills, 1, f.596) Nicholas
    Wyatt, afterwards recovering from his illness, was urged by his
    friends who thought his will unfair to his children, to destroy it and
    make another one. When the subject came up while he was riding in the
    woods with his friend Cornelius Howard, Nicholas at last appreciating
    the situation, turned to his friend and said, "Do you think I am in my
    right senses to leave my only son a bare plantation?" Cornelius
    Howard suggested he take his will and burn it, but he did not follow
    his advice. Later on much trouble arose in court, when Edward Dorsey
    and his wife Sarah brought suit against Damaris, and her then husband,
    Thomas Bland, causing the will to be thrown out of court. (Test. Proc.
    4 B, folios 1-4) (Test. Papers, Box 3, Folder 30)" "Items of
    interest (inventory) were tables, turky work charyes, leather chayres,
    Chest of drawers, side cupboards, bedsteads, ruggs, Curtains and
    valances, couches, trundle beds, brass and irons, tongs etc., looking
    glasses, 20 framed pictures, silver tankard, cups and spoons, books,
    nest of Houre glasses, linens, seal skin trunk, 20 pewter dishes, 14
    porringers, pewter and brass candlesticks, cups, etc. (Invts. & Accts.
    2, f. 263)"
    Birth date taken from Ancestral file

    Born: about 1620
    Married: Damaris ?Stockett/Stockwell.
    He died before January 22, 1673 leaving a wife, Damaras, a son, Samuel, and a dau., Sarah. He was granted by patent (surveyed 1651) land on the south side of the Servern, all in the middle neck hundred. [TQFOAAC].
    Her unusual name also appears in Powell family of which a Damaris b about 1640 m Charles Fowkes. This is compatible with the description in Maryland Archive "....Damaris Wyatt, who took Attorney Thomas Bland as her third husband, was an approve d midwife. She and Nicholas Wyatt, her second husband, with a daughter by her first husband, had come from Virginia into Maryland, and settled on the Severn River. Wyatt, who may have been a surveyor, had laid out for him several parcels of lan d on the south side of the river, and there they lived. He died late in 1672 or early in 1673, for his will was probated in January 1673. Damaris went on living in the same place, and, on October 4, 1673, she took ?One Dorothy Bruton into her ho use who was then very sick and bigg with Child? (post, p. 261) and cared for her for three weeks. Edward Gardner, whose interest in Dorothy is nowhere explained, had especially asked Damaris to do this, and he had ?faithfully promise[d] to satis fie the said Damoris what she Should reasonably deserve? (ibid.). There may have been some connection between Gardner and Dorothy Bruton: she was never called Mrs., and never said to have had a husband. When she died, in July 1675, she left tw o daughters, and she made Gardner her executor. ...."

    Nicholas married Damaris Stockett?. Damaris was born in 1623 in England; died about 1699 in Maryland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  4. 7.  Damaris Stockett? was born in 1623 in England; died about 1699 in Maryland.

    Notes:

    Born: about 1620
    Married: Damaris ?Stockett/Stockwell.
    He died before January 22, 1673 leaving a wife, Damaras, a son, Samuel, and a dau., Sarah. He was granted by patent (surveyed 1651) land on the south side of the Servern, all in the middle neck hundred. [TQFOAAC].
    Her unusual name also appears in Powell family of which a Damaris b about 1640 m Charles Fowkes. This is compatible with the description in Maryland Archive "....Damaris Wyatt, who took Attorney Thomas Bland as her third husband, was an approve d midwife. She and Nicholas Wyatt, her second husband, with a daughter by her first husband, had come from Virginia into Maryland, and settled on the Severn River. Wyatt, who may have been a surveyor, had laid out for him several parcels of lan d on the south side of the river, and there they lived. He died late in 1672 or early in 1673, for his will was probated in January 1673. Damaris went on living in the same place, and, on October 4, 1673, she took ?One Dorothy Bruton into her ho use who was then very sick and bigg with Child? (post, p. 261) and cared for her for three weeks. Edward Gardner, whose interest in Dorothy is nowhere explained, had especially asked Damaris to do this, and he had ?faithfully promise[d] to satis fie the said Damoris what she Should reasonably deserve? (ibid.). There may have been some connection between Gardner and Dorothy Bruton: she was never called Mrs., and never said to have had a husband. When she died, in July 1675, she left tw o daughters, and she made Gardner her executor. ...."

    Stockett may be the name of a previous husband.

    She may have been the sister of Thomas Stockett b about 1635 in England

    Children:
    1. Samuel Wyatt
    2. 3. Sarah Wyatt was born in 1657 in Of Anne Arundel, MD; died about 1690 in Anne Arundel County, MD.


Generation: 4

  1. 12.  Haute Wyatt was born on 4 Jun 1594 in Maidstone, Kent, Enland (son of George Wyatt and Jane Finch); died on 31 Jul 1638 in Maidstone, Kent, England.

    Haute married Barbara Mitford on 6 Feb 1619 in St. Mary's, London, England. Barbara was born about 1598 in Boxley, Kent, England; died on 31 Oct 1626 in Boxley, Kent, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  2. 13.  Barbara Mitford was born about 1598 in Boxley, Kent, England; died on 31 Oct 1626 in Boxley, Kent, England.
    Children:
    1. George Wyatt was born on 12 Dec 1619.
    2. 6. Nicholas Wyatt, Gentleman was born about 1620 in Virginia or Boxley, Kent, England; died before 22 Jan 1673 in Anne Arundel County, MD.
    3. Thomas Wyatt was born about 1622.
    4. Edward Wyatt was born about 1622.
    5. John Wyatt was born on 16 Oct 1626.
    6. Anna Katherine Wyatt was born on 19 Feb 1631.


Today's Genealogical Quote

If we know where we came from; we way better know where to go. If we know who we came from; we may better understand who we are