Col. Edward Dorsey (before 1646 – 1705) was a colonial settler of Maryland and Anne Arundel County. His house at 211 Prince George St. is a historic Annapolis home, once occupied by Francis Nicholson from 1694 to 1709.[3]

Edward Dorsey
Bornabout 1644
Died1705
Major's Choice, Baltimore, Maryland
Spouse(s)Sarah Wyatt (d. 1692), Margaret Lacon (d. 1707)[2]
ParentEdward (d. 1659)
RelativesHon. John Dorsey, brother
Joshua Dorsey, brother
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Early life

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On 25 March 1661, an at least 16-year-old Edward Dorsey returned to Maryland on a boat captained by Robert Mullen. His father was a boatwright and converted Quaker who had claimed lands in Maryland before drowning off Kent Island in 1659.[4][5] In 1664, he was registered as a planter on one of his father's land surveys known as "Hockley-in-the-Hole".[6] In 1667, he had taken on the craft as a boatwright and house builder around the settlement of Annapolis, Maryland.[7]

By 1666, he was captain in the militia, rising to major in 1667.

Later life

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In 1675, he was registered as a lawyer. In the years 1679 and 1685, he was the justice of Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Around the time of the latter he moved into the house on Prince George Street. The first session of the Legislature in Annapolis was held in the house.[8]

In 1694, he returned to the military as field officer of Calvert County, becoming Colonel in 1702.[7][9] Before 1700, Dorsey moved to Major's Choice.[9] His will was probated in 1705.

References

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  1. ^ "Descendants of Edward DORSEY, boatwright of Lower Norfolk Co. VA and Anne Arundel Co., MD". RootsWeb.com. Ancestry.com.
  2. ^ "Finding aid for Truxton W. Boyce genealogical research and family papers". University of Delaware Library. UD Library Special Collections.
  3. ^ On, Best Books (1940). Maryland, a Guide to the Old Line State. Best Books on. p. 188. ISBN 9781623760199.
  4. ^ Maxwell J. Dorsey, Wright Dorsey. The Dorsey Family. p. 4.
  5. ^ Anne Arundel Gentry: A Genealogical History of Some Early Families of Anne Arundel County, Maryland by Harry Wright Newman
  6. ^ "Hockley-In-The-Hole". Historical Markers Web Site. Maryland Historical Trust. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  7. ^ a b Maxwell J. Dorsey, Wright Dorsey. The Dorsey Family. p. 8.
  8. ^ The Ancient City. Record Printing Office. 1887. p. 63.
  9. ^ a b Joshua Dorsey Warfield. The founders of Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, Maryland. p. 345.