John Dorsey, son of Colonel Edward Dorsey and his first wife, Sarah Wyatt, was born June 15, 1688, according to an old Book of Common Prayer, published 1738, at Oxford, England.* On April 8, 1708, according to the records of St. Anne's Parish, he married Honor [Elder], but some question has arisen recently which discredit her Elder patrimony.** The prayer book gives her birth as October 12, 1689. In the past it generally believed that she was a daughter of John Elder, the Emigrant. The names and birth dates of the children were taken from the Watts Bible, said to be the oldest Dorsey Bible in existence...
Copied 1891, by the late Mrs. Kemper, of Cincinnati.
The last letters in her name in St. Anne's register are missing, the edge of the paper being torn. Some have transcribed it as Sta..., but upon a personal examination, it could be Eld.
... On August 4, 1735, John Dorsey of Edward made several deeds of gift to five of his children, with his wife Honor Dorsey, waiving all dower rights. To his son, Michael, he assigned "Push Pine" which he had bought of Josias Jones. To his daughters Hannah Barnes, Ruth Lawrence, Sarah Howard and Susanna Dorsey 1,030 acres of "Dorsey's Grove" except 247 acres which he had conveyed to Edmund Benson. His son, Michael, received also a portion of "Discovery" which had been purchased from the executor of John Beale.
His dwelling-plantation was on "First Discovery" which lay in Elk Ridge Hundred. He was a vestryman of Queen Caroline Parish and occupied pew numbered three. In 1747 he made a deed of gift of negroes to his grandson Samuel Howard, but in the event of death without issue, then to the latter's brother, John Howard. On December 27, 1750, for natural love and affections he made several deeds of gift to his three sons. To Michael "Good Range" of 333 acres and one-half of "Brother's Partnership" or 316 acres; to Vachel "Belt's Hills" of 800 acres and seven negroes; and to Edward "Tailor's Park" of 740 acres and negroes.
In 1733 he was placed on the commission to purchase 30 acres of land at or about Elk Ridge Landing to erect a town to be known as Elk Ridge Town. He served also as Justice of the Peace for Anne Arundel County. There are records of his serving in 1725 and 1726.
He wrote his will on September 4, 1764, styling himself as "John Dorsey of Edward, Gent.", it being probated in Anne Arundel on November 13, following.
To son Michael "First Discovery" of 400 acres, being the dwelling-plantation, To grandson John Dorsey of Michael "Brown's Chance" of 125 acres and "Dorsey's Friendship", To grandsons John Barnes of Adam, John Elder, John Lawrence, John Howard of Henry, John Dorsey of Nathan negroes. To granddaughter Honour Warfield negroes and to granddaughter Honour Elder of Michael Dorsey negroes after her deceased then to her sons, Joshua and Michael, thence to Elizabeth Burgess. To daughters Hannah Barnes, Ruth Rumney, Sarah Howard, Susannah Lawrence and Jemina Hobbs each L20. To granddaughter Sarah Berry L100. Residue to four sons - Michael, Vachel, Edward and Nathan. Executors - sons Michael and Vachel.
His personal estate was appraised on December 27, 1764, at L1,632/3/-. Among the items were 19 negro slaves, his wearing apparel appraised at L15, and "Rum, cyder, wine & honey" at L14/12/4. Henry Dorsey and Philip Dorsey approved as the kinsmen. It was not filed at court until August 31, 1767.
Distribution of the legacies was made on November 9, 1768, by the two executors. The balance of the estate at that thime was L3,023/11/2. John Barnes of Adam, John Dorsey, John Elder, John Lawrence, John Norwood, John Howard, Honour Elder, Honour Warfield, Honour Elder of Michael and Sarah Berry, all styled as grandchildren, were allotted their legacies. Hannah Barnes, Ruth Rumney, Sarah Howard, Susannah Lawrence and Jemina Hobbs were delivered their legacies, while the residue or L2,819/10/9 was divided equally among the four sons - Michael, Vachel, Edward and Nathan Dorsey.
