Georgia Pioneers
Members Library

Dorsey of Clayton County

The Dorsey family is traced back to 1619 Maryland, which is the birth date of Edward Dorsey of Anne Arundel County who was married in 1638 to Anne Howard, a daughter of Matthew Howard of Norfolk, Virginia.

Edward Dorsey, son of Edward and Anne, was born 1656 and died 12/31/1705 at his home called "Majors Choice" in Baltimore, Maryland. He was married in 1676 in Anne Arundel County, Maryland to Sarah Wyatt (1657-1690), a daughter of Nicholas and Damaris Wyatt.

Captain Joshua Dorsey, son of Edward and Sarah, was born 1686 at Middle Neck, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, and died 11/28/1747 in Elk Ridge, Queen Caroline Parish, Anne Arundel County. He was married on 5/16/1711 to Ann Ridgley (died 12/11/1771), a daughter of Henry Ridgely and his wife, Katherine (Greenberry) Ridgely.

Judge Henry Dorsey, son of Captain Joshua Dorsey, was born 11/8/1712 in St. Annes Parish, Anne Arundel County, Maryland and died 1/1770. He was married to Elizabeth Worthington (10/6/1717-1776) on 7/31/1735 in Queen Caroline Parish, a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Worthington.

Nicholas Dorsey, son of Judge Henry Dorsey, was born 1/8/1750 in Queen Caroline Parish and died 10/7/1788. He was married to Lucy Belt Sprigg (1752-12/1/1825), a daughter of Colonel Edward Sprigg.

John Dorsey, son of Nicholas, was born 8/3/1780 in Maryland and died 1/1870 in Clayton County, Georgia. He was married on 9/17/1808 in Jones County, Georgia to Mary Phillips (3/4/1791-7/27/1851), a daughter of Isham Phillips and his wife, Mary (Dawson) Phillips.

All the members of the John Dorsey family were buried in Lovejoy, behind the Dorsey home. Also buried there is the father of Mary. Isham Phillips, born 1741 at St. Georges Parish; served seven years in the war of the American Revolution; died 12/14/1837. He was buried in his Colonial uniform and his funeral was attended by his grandson, Stephen Green Dorsey, who was fifteen years old at the time. Issue:
Dorsey House
Dorsey House in Lovejoy, Georgia.

Sources: Anne Arundel County, Maryland Wills and Marriages; St. Annes Parish Register; Queen Caroline Parish; Jones County, Georgia Marriages; Henry County Marriages; Dorsey Family Cemetery, Lovejoy, Georgia; 1880 Clayton County, Georgia Census.