Starting Sept. 30, 2014, Genealogy.com will be making a big change. GenForum message boards, Family Tree Maker homepages, and the most popular articles will be preserved in a read-only format, while several other features will no longer be available, including member subscriptions and the Shop.
 
Learn more


[ Home Page | First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page ]

Ancestors of Charles Hines Dorsey

Generation No. 4


      8. Elias Dorsey, born June 7, 1796 in Maryland; died March 2, 1872 in Bunker Hill, Macoupin County, Illinois. He was the son of 16. Edward Dorsey and 17. Susannah Lawrence. He married 9. Martha R. Booker February 22, 1815 in Shelby County, Kentucky.

      9. Martha R. Booker, born August 13, 1796 in Shelby County, Kentucky; died September 20, 1836 in Jefferson County, Kentucky. She was the daughter of 18. Colonel Richard Marot Booker Jr. and 19. Tabitha Fuqua.

Notes for Elias Dorsey:
For the Republican

OBITUARY - ELIAS DORSEY

DIED - On the second day of March, 1873, Elias Dorsey, of Jefferson County, Kentucky, in the seventy-sixth year of age.

It is with feelings of deep regret and sadness that the above announcement is made; and whilst many hearts are bowed with grief at his departure from their midst and associations, it is yet interesting to review in a summary way his history, affording as it does a bright and illustrious example of what industry, honesty and integrity may accomplish when supported by a vigorous intellect and brave heart. The subject of this sketch was born in the state of Maryland, the son of Edward and Susan Dorsey, parents of the highest respectability and standing in the community in which they lived. They emigrated to Jefferson county Kentucky when their son was six years old, and with whom he lived on a farm until the war of 1812, when at the age of sixteen years, he entered the service of his country, enlisting in a Kentucky regiment commanded by Col. Richard Booker. Neither the persuasion of friends nor the earnest entreaties of his parents could deter him from this step; but young, ardent, enthusiastic, and brave, he determined to risk his life in his country's cause. He was a general favorite with his comrades and quite popular, and especially was he beloved by the colonel of his regiment, who, shortly after he became a soldier, remarked to him, "Elias, you are very young; if you prove yourself a good soldier, and do your entire duty, I will give you one of my daughters when the war is over." Suffice it to say that he proved himself all that was expected or demanded of him, and strange as it may seem, when the war was ended, he was honorably discharged, returned to his home, met Miss Martha R. Booker, the Colonel's daughter, loved her, proposed and shortly afterwards made her his wife. They then settled on a farm in Jefferson county, (both being poor), united their hands and hearts in the work and battle of life, reared thirteen children, and by economy and energy accumulated a large fortune. In the midst of his happiness and prosperity, however, in the year 1835, his wife was taken from him and he was left to mourn her loss with thirteen children. Several years afterwards he married Mrs. Sarah Williamson of Annapolis, Maryland, who was sister to Commodore Mayo of the United States navy. With this wife he lived until the year 1860, when she died, leaving him again a widower. From this time he ceased to keep house - having no children at home, all being married and settled in life - and lived alternately with his children in Kentucky and Illinois. During our last war he was a fearless, out-spoken Union man, devoted to his country and her cause. On one occasion, when asked why he did not take a government contract which was offered him, he replied in his usual emphatic manner, "Should I do so, and act honestly as a patriot should, the profits would be too small for the trouble and anxiety, and I am not the man to defraud my country." And this was his true character. He loved truth and honesty above everything else, and made them his guide and standard. At the time of his death he left eight loving children, five sons and three daughters, fifty-one grand-children and six great-grand-children, and his death-bed scene was, indeed, wonderful. All his children were present and many of his grand-children, sympathizing in every suffering he endured, ever watchful and ready to relieve where human power could relieve, and weeping in the bitterness of their grief at the separation from one who loved them so much and had done so much for them. He died without a struggle, and there is full assurance that his spirit has returned to the God who gave it, and that he is now rejoicing with those who have crossed the river before him.

(Obituary from the Republican newspaper; date, city and state of newspaper unknown)

__________________________________________

ELIAS DORSEY was born June 7, 1796, near Frederick, Maryland, and in childhood accompanied his parents to Kentucky. During the War of 1812 he served as a private soldier and received a pension for his services. He devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits, and, although in straitened circumstances during his early manhood, by the exercise of a natural business capacity acquired a large tract of fine blue grass land within eight miles of the city of Louisville. There he engaged in the favorite occupation of the Kentucky farmer--the raising of fine horses for market. His farm consisted of 600 acres of land and prior to the Civil War he owned some 30 slaves. These he subsequently freed. For many years he lived the life of a typical planter, "Eden Farm" being the center of general hospitality and social gaiety, many of the most distinguished members of the polite, business and political world being lavishly entertained there. At an early date Elias Dorsey, with the business instincts which made all of his operations successful, purchased 13,000 acres of land lying in Madison and Macoupin counties, Illinois. His death took place in 1873 at Bunker Hill, Macoupin County, Illinois, in the 77th year of his age. He was a consistent supporter of Democratic principles all his life. He was a man of generous nature, was devoted to his large family and assisted each one of his 13 children with the gift of a farm of 1,000 acres.

In 1815 Elias Dorsey married Martha Booker, who was a daughter of Col. Richard Booker, and a member of a very prominent family of Shelby County, Kentucky. They were the parents of the following 13 children: John W., Richard E., Leavin L., Benjamin L., Basil H., William Montjoy, Mrs. Cordelia Hornsby, Mrs. Ann C. Winchester, Elias L., Mary Matilda, and Orlean O., all deceased; Plutarch H., and Mrs. Martha Shields of Kansas.

Source:
Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois. Richmond & Arnold, Chicago, Illinois, 1904.

__________________________________________

Elias Dorsey was born in Maryland as were also his grandparents, Edward Dorsey, father of Elias, died when the son was quite young and the mother afterward removed to Kentucky, where she became the wife of John Williamson. She made her home in Jefferson County, that State until her death. Elias Dorsey, when quite young accompanied his widowed mother to Kentucky, settling upon a farm, where he made his home until after Mrs. Dorsey's second marriage, when at the age of seventeen years he enlisted in the War of 1812, under Col. Richard Booker, serving throughout the struggle. He with his regiment marched to New Orleans but arrived at that place just after Gen. Jackson had come off conqueror in the ''tearless battle." When the war was over he returned with his Colonel to Shelby County, Ky., and married the daughter of his commanding officer. Miss Martha R. Booker, who was born and reared in that county. Her parents were both natives of Virginia, whence in an early day, they immigrated to Kentucky, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The Colonel was a brave man who faithfully served his country well.

After their marriage Elias Dorsey and his wife took up their residence on a farm in Jefferson County, Ky., but the lady died about 1835. Her husband was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Sarah (Mayo) Williamson, a native of Baltimore, Md., and the sister of Commodore Mayo, of the United States Navy. Mr. Dorsey also survived his second wife and in 1866 came to Illinois, making his home with his daughter, Mrs. Edward Winchester, of Bunker Hill, until his death, which occurred March 2, 1872, at the age of seventy-six years. He was a hard working man and by his industry and perseverance became quite wealthy, owning at one time several thousand acres of land, the greater part of which he bequeathed to his children before his death. His honesty and integrity was proverbial and the greatest confidence was manifested in Mr. Dorsey by all who knew him. His life is a grand example of what can be accomplished through honest industry, perseverance and good management. He was outspoken in defense of the right; neither fear nor favor could keep him silent. He was devoted to his country and its cause and on one occasion when being asked why he did not accept a Government contract offered him he replied in his usual emphatic manner that if he should do so and act honestly as a patriot the profits would be too small for the trouble and he did not intend to defraud his country. This speech serves as an index to his whole life. In politics he was a Jackson Democrat. He was identified with no religious organization but believed in doing right for right's sake. One of nature's noblemen, no death in the community has been more sincerely mourned.

Source:
Portrait and Biographical Record of Macoupin County, Illinois containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State and of the Presidents of the United States. Chicago; Biographical Publishing Company, 1891, Page 801.

__________________________________________

ELIAS DORSEY

Mrs. Dorsey [Martha R. Booker] was the daughter of Col. Richard Booker who served in the War of 1812. Elias Dorsey enlisted under him at the age of seventeen years and on the promise of good behavior, the colonel promised to give him one of his daughters in marriage on his return, which promise was fulfilled. Elias Dorsey and his wife were natives of Maryland and Kentucky respectively and their married life was spent in Jefferson County of the latter state. They went on a prospecting tour to Illinois, preparatory to determining whether they would make that State their home and while on the return trip Mrs. Dorsey was thrown from a carriage while crossing a bridge in Indiana. A limb was fractured and the accident resulted in the loss of her life. Mr. Dorsey continued his residence in Kentucky and afterward married Mrs. [Sarah Mayo] Williamson, a lady of Baltimore Maryland, after whose death he came to Illinois and died at the home of his son in law, Edward C. Winchester, at the age of seventy-six. He was one of the largest landowners in this part of the State, being the possessor of more than twenty-thousand acres of good land. He was very successful in all his business undertakings and although he had little when he started out in life he became very wealthy. In politics he was a strong Jacksonian Democrat.

Source:
Portrait and Biographical Record of Macoupin County, Illinois containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State and of the Presidents of the United States.
Chicago; Biographical Publishing Company, 1891, Page 207.

__________________________________________

ELIAS DORSEY, brother of Leaven Lawrence Dorsey, was born in Maryland in 1797; and when a mere youth came with his father to Jefferson County, where the family settled. Mr. Dorsey experienced the many inconveniences of living in a sparsely settled country, but he grew up to manhood, possessing many valuable traits belonging to good citizenship, and became not only a thorough business man but very influential. He was always a Democrat, and in view of his unflinching political qualifications, his friends at one time forced him upon the ticket as a candidate for the State Legislature, against the wishes of himself and of his family. He was defeated by a small plurality, which ended his political career. He was a successful farmer, as the proprietorship of the valuable Eden stock farm would of itself suggest. There were in this one tract of land eight hundred acres, the same afterwards owned by Elias and L. L. Dorsey, his two sons. Mr. Dorsey was married twice. His first wife, Miss [Martha R.] Booker, was married to him when he was quite young. They reared a family of thirteen children, of whom all grew to maturity save one, who died in youth. The eldest never married and died at the age of twenty-seven. Another son also died when about twenty-five years old, unmarried.

Mr. Dorsey, after the death of Mrs. Sally [Mayo Williamson] Dorsey, his second wife, went to Illinois, then a wilderness almost, and purchased a large tract of land consisting of twenty thousand acres, where he lived until he died. His body was brought back and placed in the cemetery at Louisville.

Mr. L. L. Dorsey, Jr., his son, now living on the Bardstown pike near the city, was born February 17, 1819. About the year 1845 he married Miss Lydia Phillips, and lived until recently on the Eden stock farm. He has lately purchased the magnificent house and farm above mentioned, where he will spend the remainder of his days in the enjoyment of a retired life. Mr. L. L. Dorsey, with but a single exception, has been one of the largest stock raisers in the country. He devoted much of his time to this calling both before and since the late war.

Source:
History of the Ohio Falls Cities and Their Counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches Volume II, L. A. Williams & Co., Cleveland, 1882. Page 62.

________________________________________

Military Service:

War of 1812 - Private, Col. John Callaway's 8 Regiment, Cpt. Samuel Kelly's D Company, Mounted, Kentucky Volunteers; August 21, 1813 to November 9, 1813.

He fought in the Battle of the Thames, also known as the Battle of Moraviantown, which took place on October 5, 1813, North of Lake Erie near present-day Chatham, Ontario. It resulted in the death of the Shawnee chief Tecumseh, and the destruction of the Native American coalition which he led.

Source:
National Archives, Washington DC


More About Elias Dorsey:
Burial: November 22, 1879, Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky - Relocated
Military service: War of 1812 - Private, Col. John Callaway's 8 Regiment, Cpt. Samuel Kelly's D Company, Mounted, Kentucky Volunteers; 8/21/1813 to 11/9/1813/
Residence: Eden Plantation, Jefferson County, Kentucky

Notes for Martha R. Booker:
Mrs. Dorsey [Martha R. Booker] was the daughter of Col. Richard Booker who served in the War of 1812. Elias Dorsey enlisted under him at the age of seventeen years and on the promise of good behavior, the colonel promised to give him one of his daughters in marriage on his return, which promise was fulfilled. Elias Dorsey and his wife were natives of Maryland and Kentucky respectively and their married life was spent in Jefferson County of the latter state. They went on a prospecting tour to Illinois, preparatory to determining whether they would make that State their home and while on the return trip Mrs. Dorsey was thrown from a carriage while crossing a bridge in Indiana. A limb was fractured and the accident resulted in the loss of her life.

Source:
Portrait and Biographical Record of Macoupin County, Illinois containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State and of the Presidents of the United States.
Chicago; Biographical Publishing Company, 1891, Page 207

More About Martha R. Booker:
Burial: November 22, 1879, Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky - Relocated from Lawrence Family Cemetery
     
Children of Elias Dorsey and Martha Booker are:
  i.   John Williamson Dorsey, born February 5, 1816 in Jefferson County, Kentucky; died August 12, 1845 in Gillespie, Macoupin County, Illinois.
  ii.   Richard Edward Dorsey, born May 17, 1817 in Jefferson County, Kentucky; died May 24, 1874 in Gillespie, Macoupin County, Illinois; married (1) Mary Allen Buckner August 24, 1842; born 1824; died March 14, 1852; married (2) Cora Mayo Wells Aft. March 1852; born 1830 in Washington, D.C.; died December 29, 1861.
  iii.   Levin Lawrence Dorsey, born February 7, 1819 in Jefferson County, Kentucky; died April 1888 in Jefferson County, Kentucky; married Lydia Susan Phillips Abt. 1845 in Kentucky; born March 25, 1829 in Jefferson, Kentucky; died November 12, 1914 in Jefferson, Kentucky.
  More About Levin Lawrence Dorsey:
Burial: April 28, 1888, Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky

  More About Lydia Susan Phillips:
Burial: November 13, 1914, Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky

  iv.   Benjamin Lawrence Dorsey, born December 14, 1820 in Jefferson County, Kentucky; died June 19, 1895 in Macoupin County, Illinois; married (1) Amelia Clarissa Blair May 16, 1843 in St. Louis, Missouri; born June 17, 1819 in Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio; died May 1, 1862 in Macoupin County, Illinois; married (2) Harriet Louisa Blair November 24, 1864; born April 27, 1833 in Ohio; died September 9, 1896 in Macoupin County, Illinois.
  More About Benjamin Lawrence Dorsey:
Burial: Bendl Cemetery, Macoupin County, Illinois

  v.   Basil Hobbs Dorsey, born March 20, 1822 in Jefferson County, Kentucky; died March 24, 1846; married Hanie Payne April 23, 1843.
  vi.   William Montjoy Dorsey, born October 11, 1823 in Jefferson County, Kentucky; died March 13, 1902 in Bunker Hill, Macoupin County, Illinois; married Henrietta Cliff Green December 19, 1855; born August 4, 1821 in Westchester, County, New York; died March 30, 1898 in Bunker Hill, Macoupin County, Illinois.
  vii.   Francis Cordelia Dorsey, born December 1, 1825 in Jefferson County, Kentucky; died February 28, 1895 in Bunker Hill, Macoupin County, Illinois; married Robert James Hornsby December 26, 1843; born September 13, 1819 in Shelby County, Kentucky; died November 4, 1892 in Bunker Hill, Macoupin County, Illinois.
  More About Robert James Hornsby:
Burial: Bunker Hill Cemetery, Macoupin County, Illinois

  viii.   Ann Carmalita Dorsey, born March 7, 1827 in Jefferson County, Kentucky; died February 7, 1901 in St Louis County, Missouri; married Edward Constant Winchester January 18, 1848; born August 5, 1828 in Louisiana; died August 5, 1880 in Bunker Hill, Macoupin, Illinois, United States of America.
  ix.   Elias Lawrence Dorsey, born November 16, 1828 in Jefferson County, Kentucky; died August 12, 1866 in Jefferson County, Kentucky; married Emily Thomas Chiles November 30, 1851 in Shelby County, Kentucky; born Abt. 1831 in Kentucky; died November 2, 1892 in Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas.
  More About Elias Lawrence Dorsey:
Burial: November 22, 1879, Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky - Relocated

  More About Emily Thomas Chiles:
Burial: Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky

  x.   Mary Matilda Dorsey, born April 11, 1830 in Jefferson County, Kentucky; died June 19, 1845 in Jefferson County, Kentucky.
  Notes for Mary Matilda Dorsey:
Buried first in 1845 at the Lawrence Family Cemetery, Louiseville Kentucky.

Stone Inscription:
"Sacred to the memory of Mary Matilda, daughter of Elias and Martha Dorsey, 15 years old - 1845"

Moved to Elias Dorsey Plot, Cave Hill Cemetery in 1879.

  More About Mary Matilda Dorsey:
Burial: Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky - Relocated from Lawrence Family Cemetery

  xi.   Orlena O. Dorsey, born December 20, 1831 in Jefferson County, Kentucky; died July 3, 1863.
  More About Orlena O. Dorsey:
Burial: November 22, 1879, Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky - Relocated

  4 xii.   Plutarch Hines Dorsey, born November 8, 1833 in Jefferson County, Kentucky; died December 6, 1915 in Macoupin County, Illinois; married Hannah Olivia Josephine Williams March 26, 1856 in Macoupin County, Illinois.
  xiii.   Martha R. Dorsey, born October 31, 1835 in Jefferson County, Kentucky; died Aft. 1910 in Kansas; married James Rector Shields 1859; born 1834 in Missouri; died Aft. 1880.


[ Home Page | First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page ]

Search for Family - Learn About Genealogy - Helpful Web Sites - Message Boards - Guest Book - Home
© Copyright 1996-99, The Learning Company, Inc., and its subsidiaries. All rights reserved.
© Copyright 1995-97 by Matthew L. Helm. All Rights Reserved.