(The Dorsey Line).

The name, Dorsey, was pronounced as if spelt "Dossy," and in fact it appears, at times, so recorded. It was also written "Darcy," from which circumstance a French origin has been claimed for the family; but there is evidence to indicate that the Maryland Dorseys had been located for a time, at least, in Ireland, prior to their arrival in America. That the family bore arms is proved by the seal to the original will (dated January 7, 1742), of Caleb Dorsey, of Anne Arundel county, which displays: "on a fess between three wolf heads, a lion passant, guardant."

Edward Dorsey, also called "Edward Darcy, Gentleman," received, in 1650, a warrant for two hundred acres of land in Anne Arundel county, Maryland, and a grant was issued to him on February 23, 1651, for two hundred acres additional. In 1667, Edward Dorsey assigned to Cornelius Howard his right to land for transporting seven persons into the Province. "Dorsey," held by Edward Dorsey, gave the name to Dorsey's creek, upon which was located Thomas Gates, whose will of 1659 provided that "Edward Dorsey's children shall have free outlet to the woods and spring, as formerly I have given them." He therefore had children, although it is not known whether they followed him to the Province or traveled between the Province and England; but an early record read: "Robert Bullen demands lands for bringing a number of passengers, amongst whom was Edward Dorsey, in 1661." The record continues: "August 24, 1664, patented to him (Edward Dorsey, Jr.) and to John and Josua Dorsey, a plantation called 'Hockley-in-the-Hole,' originally 400 acres (later resurvey, 842 acres), near the site of Annapolis." Edward Dorsey died prior to 1681, for on December 6th of that year, Edward Dorsey of Anne Arundel county, Gent., son of Edward Dorsey, late of said county, deceased, conveys his interest in "Hockley-in-the-Hole" to his brother, John Dorsey. Edward Dorsey married, and had issue: 1. Edward, of whom later. 2. Joshua, died 1688; married Sarah Richardson. 3. John, died March 11, 1715; married, 1683, Pleasance Ely. 4. Sarah, married Matthew Howard, Jr.

Colonel Edward Dorsey, son of Edward Dorsey, the American ancestor, came to Maryland before 1664. He is doubtless the Edward Dorsey brought over by Robert Bullen in 1661; but whether this was his first trip across the sea is not known. He was a Justice for the County of Anne Arundel in 1679, again in 1686, and again in 1689; was styled "Captain in 1686, "Major" in 1687; commissioned Major of Horse, of Anne Arundel county, September 4, 1689; Major of Anne Arundel county, October 9, 1694; was commissioned Associate Commissioner in Chancery, October 17, 1694; Burgess of Anne Arundel county in 1694, again in 1695, 1696, 1697, and for Baltimore county, 1701-1705. He was Commissioner, also Judge of High Court of Chancery, March 2, 1695-96; and was styled "Colonel" in 1702; was one of the committee in 1694 to lay out town lots and a common for Annapolis, Trustee of King William and Mary School in 1696, and a Commissioner for the erection of St. Anne's Church, Annapolis. The first session of the Legislature in Annapolis was held at the house of Major Edward Dorsey, commencing February 28, 1694-95. Prior to 1700, and after his marriage to his second wife, Margaret Larkin, Colonel Edward Dorsey removed from Annapolis to "Major's Choice," west of Waterloo, and north of the Old Brick Church. Colonel Dorsey's sons by Sarah Wyatt, his first wife, were located near him upon "Long Beach" and "Major's Choice." Colonel Dorsey owned landed estates not only in Anne Arundel county, but also in Baltimore county. Colonel Edward Dorsey died at "Major's Choice" (now Howard county), in 1705. His will is dated October 26, 1704, and was proved December 31, 1705. Children by first wife, Sarah (Wyatt) Dorsey: 1. Edward, died young. 2. Samuel, married Jane Dorsey. 3. Joshua, of whom later. 4. John, born 1688; married, April 8, 1708, Honor Elder. 5. Nicholas, died 1718; married, December 20, 1709, Frances Hughes. 6. Benjamin, living in 1715. 7. Hannah, married Samuel Howard. 8. Sarah, married John Petticord. Children by second wife, Margaret (Larkin) Dorsey: 9. Larkin. 10. Charles. 11. Francis, died 1749; married Elizabeth . 12. Edward. 13. Ann, married John Hammond. The widow, Margaret (Larkin) Dorsey, married (second) John Israel, formerly of London, England.

Joshua Dorsey, son of Colonel Edward and Sarah (Wyatt) Dorsey, was born in 1686, and died November 28, 1747. He inherited from his father by his will, "Barnes Folly" and part of "Long Reach." He acquired the interest of his brother, Samuel, in "Major's Choice," Howard county, and afterward resided there. On June 10, 1734, Joshua and his brother, John, patented 632 acres under the name of "Brother's Partnership," and on November 23, 1747, a deed was executed, dividing the same. Joshua Dorsey was a Justice of Baltimore county, 1712-14, and Captain of Militia, 1742. He married, May 16, 1711, Anne Ridgely, daughter of Henry and Katharine (Greenberry) Ridgely, at Christ Church, Queen Caroline Parish, Anne Arundel county, Maryland. His will was dated November, 1747, and proved February 6, 1748. Children of Captain Joshua and Anne (Ridgely) Dorsey: 1. Henry, born November 8, 1712; married Elizabeth Worthington. 2. Philemon, of whom later. 3. Rachael, born July 6, 1717; married John Warfield. 4. Elizabeth, born November 6, 1720. 5. Joshua, born March 6, 1723; died unmarried. 6. Nicholas, born June 2, 1725; married Elizabeth Worthington. 7. Catharine, born December 21, 1727, died April 20, 1746. 8. Anne, born October 15, 1730. 9. Sarah, born May 27, 1733. 10. Charles, born November 11, 1736.

Philemon Dorsey, son of Captain Joshua and Anne (Ridgely) Dorsey, was born January 20, 1716, and died 1772. He inherited from his father, "Brother's Partnership," at Dayton, and settled there. He was captain of the "Hundred," whose duty it was to count the output of tobacco, and to levy church tax for its support. He was one of the builders of the "Chapel of Ease" upon "Poplar Spring Branch" and attended to its construction in 1750. His homestead stood upon the west of the road leading from Glenelg to Dayton, and his surveys reached west of his homestead some ten miles. His will is dated December 1, 1771, and proved April 7, 1772. Captain Philemon Dorsey married (first), February 19, 1738, Catharine Ridgely, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Warfield) Ridgely, at Christ Church, Queen Caroline Parish, Anne Arundel county, Maryland. He married (second) Rachael Lawrence. Children by first wife: 1. Anne, born October 2, 1740; married Captain John Dorsey. 2. Elizabeth, born May 13, 1742; married William Ridgely. 3. Philemon, Jr., born February 7, 1744; married Ann . 4.

Catharine, born November 30, 1745; married Benjamin Warfield. 5. Sarah, born September 9, 1747; married Rachel Warfield. 6. Amelia, born August 23, 1749, died August 6, 1807; married Samuel Riggs (see Riggs family). Children by second wife: 7. Joshua, married Janet Kennedy. 8. Henrietta, married William Hobbs. 9. Ariana, married Samuel Owings.