Aged 77 years 6 months 18 days On stone with wife Elizabeth Dorsett.
Samuel is the son of Russell Dorsett and Susannah Culberson. He married Elizabeth Walker.
CENSUS:
1860 United States Federal Census Name: Samuel Dorsett Age in 1860: 43 Birth Year: abt 1817 Birthplace: North Carolina Home in 1860: Northeast, Adams, Illinois Gender: Male Post Office: Pitman Household Members: Name Age Samuel Dorsett 43 Elizabeth Dorsett 41 David Dorsett 18 Soloman Dorsett 16 Susanna Dorsett 13 Fetima Dorsett 8 John Dorsett 4 William Dorsett 1 Source Citation: Year: 1860; Census Place: Northeast, Adams, Illinois; Roll: M653_155; Page: 920; Image: 578.
1870 United States Federal Census Name: Samuel Dorsett Estimated Birth Year: abt 1816 Age in 1870: 54 Birthplace: North Carolina Home in 1870: Northeast, Adams, Illinois Race: White Gender: Male Post Office: La Prairie Household Members: Name Age Samuel Dorsett 54 Elizabeth Dorsett 51 John Dorsett 14 William Dorsett 11 Jesse Dorsett 8 Source Citation: Year: 1870; Census Place: Northeast, Adams, Illinois; Roll: M593_186; Page: 342; Image: 691.
1880 United States Federal Census Name: Samuel C. Dorsett Home in 1880: Northeast, Adams, Illinois Age: 63 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1817 Birthplace: North Carolina Relation to Head of Household: Self (Head) Spouse's Name: Elizabeth Father's birthplace: North Carolina Mother's birthplace: North Carolina Occupation: Farmer Marital Status: Married Race: White Gender: Male Household Members: Name Age Samuel C. Dorsett 63 Elizabeth Dorsett 61 William Dorsett 21 Jesse W. Dorsett 18 John Dorsett 23 Alice Dorsett 20 Bertha Dorsett 1 Source Citation: Year: 1880; Census Place: Northeast, Adams, Illinois; Roll: T9_174; Family History Film: 1254174; Page: 293.3000; Enumeration District: 18; Image: 0588.
1885 Kansas State Census Collection, 1855-1915 Name: S C Dorsett Census Date: 1 Mar 1885 Residence County: Sumner Residence State: Kansas Locality: Belle Plaine Birth Location: North Carolina Family Number: 5 Marital Status: Married Gender: Male Estimated Birth Year: abt 1817 Race: White Line: 20 Roll: KS1885_134
MISC:
Samuel is the son of Russell Dorsett and the nephew of Samuel Walker and Nancy Smith.
"From the NC Genealogical Society Journal-Feb 1991
News From Illinois in 1844
Submitted by Nancy Burns, Fayetteville, NC
Editor's Introduction: Samuel and Elizabeth Dorsett of Chatham County, North Carolina, had joined the great antebellum trek westward. They settled in Adams County, Illinois, which lay on the east bank of the Mississippi River. In December of 1844 they sent to relatives in North Carolina the latest news of family and neighborhood. Illinois was then much agitated by hostilities toward the Mormon settlement at Nauvoo--a few miles upstream from Adams County--which had culminated in the murder of Joseph Smith and others on 27 June 1844. Mrs. Burns obtained a copy of the letter through the courtesy of a Dorsett descendant, Joseph Hackney of Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
"This the 4 of December 1844" State of Illinois. Adams County. Dear father and mother. Brothers and Sisters with grate pleasure I set down this day to rite you a few lines to let you know how we are. We are all as well as comman. Betsey is not very well but as well as could be expected. She has got a fine sun (son). Born 6 day of november
I hope this letter will find you all well and doing well I received your letter the 15 day of august dated 14 day of July which gave us grate Satisfaction to hear from you all I was sick when I got your letter with the fever and cuddent read hit but hit was red to me. I hant nothing very strange to rite to you all thare has binn a heap of sickness here this summer and fall but not many deaths. They disease was the fever and ager all the hole fall and has got hit yet but hit is very healthy at this time. I have pade the doctor about ten dollars Sence I have binn in the state.
I will tell you something about the deaths this fall Lendo Walker dide about five weeks agae a sun of unkle Samuel Walker Lendo Walker was a fine man he appeared to think a heap of me and Betsy. He married Rachel Dorsett isrey Dorsetts daughter
I will tell you something about the weather we have had a purty fall as ever I seen any whare we the most rane this Summer that ever I seen I never ploud my corn any at all and I have got some as big corn as you ever seen my oats was not so good and spring wheatt was not verry good the water was standing on them all the time. I have plenty to eat and have made plenty to doe me this year grane is verry scarce here this year but grane is cheap wheat is worth 50 cents per bushel corn is worth 20 cents oats is worth 25 cents per bushel pork is worth too dollars per hundred every thing is cheap here I killed five hogs this fall they ware put up the first of September and killed them the first of november and they were small hogs and they made 700.261/2 pounds and we have more lard than common you may know that I live well for far a way the most I ever made in my life it was made a few nites back and I made one hundred and seventy pounds good wate
we call our boy Solomon Russell our children is all harty and grow fast I keep too horses lite foot and gerry and they are both what I call fat and hard to out pull we feed too cows and one (heffer ?) cattle got mighty fat here this last summer I hope to kill a beef this fall and hit was a site so fat but they dident call hist but just midlen
we will tell you something about the people called marmans (Mormons) they are rages and robbers and murders last July the governor of illenois called the people out togae to thar Sitty narros to take them or kill them and they went but they wouldent be taken but in a few days they took thare too head men Joseph Smith and his Brother Hireni and put them in gale (jail) and garded them with twenty five men day and night one morning they came up sixty men all blacked and broke in the gale and killed them both they shot nine balls in Joseph Smith and seven in hiram thare was grate excitement about that time I road one nite with my gun on my shoulder to let the people know what was acoming Johm maran (Moran?) went to fite and we thout that he was killed but he came home safe
you know nothing about how I felt I road one nite with my gun on my shoulder father and mother Brothers and Sisters you all know that we lived once whare we could see one another and talk together but we hant in the last thirteen or fifteen months and I want to see you all you know and I hope I shall iff I live and you all doe but life is unsurten we can't tell I have rote you the truth every time as fare as I know and I must tell you iff you want to see rich land come here fine cows hogs and sheep and the paster to make them so
A few words to Ratcliff and nancy we still remember you all and hope that I shall see you out here on the rich soil of illenos you know what you said the last Time we told good bye A few words to John and miley we still remember you I want you to come out here whare you can live easy and have a good chance I believe that one man lives as good as another and every man dos his own work or pays for hit Brother Joseph you will think I expect the I rite all the sweet and leave out the bitter but this is a fine place for a fare man
Betsey Sends word to Brother Joseph that when her boy was three weaks old She went to the dore and seen six wild turkeys go through the yard we would be glad to see your black eyed Bay Nancy Betsey said that you wanted to know whether she was dun having children She say you will know when this letter is red Come out here and you will begin anew I should like to have you for a neighbor with all the rest We remember our love to all our good neighbors and relations and frends So we must come to a close bye bidding you all fare well From Samuel Dorsett and Elizabeth to Russell Dorsett and Susannah Dorsett "Branson says to uncle Jo that he can ride gerry anny whare he wants to I want you to rite as soon as you can to us and lat us heare from you all Solomon Russel wade thirteen pounds and half when he was born." Address: "To Russell Dorsett North Carolina Chatham County St. Laurence"
Samuel is the son of Russell Dorsett and Susannah Culberson. He married Elizabeth Walker.
CENSUS:
1860 United States Federal Census Name: Samuel Dorsett Age in 1860: 43 Birth Year: abt 1817 Birthplace: North Carolina Home in 1860: Northeast, Adams, Illinois Gender: Male Post Office: Pitman Household Members: Name Age Samuel Dorsett 43 Elizabeth Dorsett 41 David Dorsett 18 Soloman Dorsett 16 Susanna Dorsett 13 Fetima Dorsett 8 John Dorsett 4 William Dorsett 1 Source Citation: Year: 1860; Census Place: Northeast, Adams, Illinois; Roll: M653_155; Page: 920; Image: 578.
1870 United States Federal Census Name: Samuel Dorsett Estimated Birth Year: abt 1816 Age in 1870: 54 Birthplace: North Carolina Home in 1870: Northeast, Adams, Illinois Race: White Gender: Male Post Office: La Prairie Household Members: Name Age Samuel Dorsett 54 Elizabeth Dorsett 51 John Dorsett 14 William Dorsett 11 Jesse Dorsett 8 Source Citation: Year: 1870; Census Place: Northeast, Adams, Illinois; Roll: M593_186; Page: 342; Image: 691.
1880 United States Federal Census Name: Samuel C. Dorsett Home in 1880: Northeast, Adams, Illinois Age: 63 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1817 Birthplace: North Carolina Relation to Head of Household: Self (Head) Spouse's Name: Elizabeth Father's birthplace: North Carolina Mother's birthplace: North Carolina Occupation: Farmer Marital Status: Married Race: White Gender: Male Household Members: Name Age Samuel C. Dorsett 63 Elizabeth Dorsett 61 William Dorsett 21 Jesse W. Dorsett 18 John Dorsett 23 Alice Dorsett 20 Bertha Dorsett 1 Source Citation: Year: 1880; Census Place: Northeast, Adams, Illinois; Roll: T9_174; Family History Film: 1254174; Page: 293.3000; Enumeration District: 18; Image: 0588.
1885 Kansas State Census Collection, 1855-1915 Name: S C Dorsett Census Date: 1 Mar 1885 Residence County: Sumner Residence State: Kansas Locality: Belle Plaine Birth Location: North Carolina Family Number: 5 Marital Status: Married Gender: Male Estimated Birth Year: abt 1817 Race: White Line: 20 Roll: KS1885_134
MISC:
Samuel is the son of Russell Dorsett and the nephew of Samuel Walker and Nancy Smith.
"From the NC Genealogical Society Journal-Feb 1991
News From Illinois in 1844
Submitted by Nancy Burns, Fayetteville, NC
Editor's Introduction: Samuel and Elizabeth Dorsett of Chatham County, North Carolina, had joined the great antebellum trek westward. They settled in Adams County, Illinois, which lay on the east bank of the Mississippi River. In December of 1844 they sent to relatives in North Carolina the latest news of family and neighborhood. Illinois was then much agitated by hostilities toward the Mormon settlement at Nauvoo--a few miles upstream from Adams County--which had culminated in the murder of Joseph Smith and others on 27 June 1844. Mrs. Burns obtained a copy of the letter through the courtesy of a Dorsett descendant, Joseph Hackney of Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
"This the 4 of December 1844" State of Illinois. Adams County. Dear father and mother. Brothers and Sisters with grate pleasure I set down this day to rite you a few lines to let you know how we are. We are all as well as comman. Betsey is not very well but as well as could be expected. She has got a fine sun (son). Born 6 day of november
I hope this letter will find you all well and doing well I received your letter the 15 day of august dated 14 day of July which gave us grate Satisfaction to hear from you all I was sick when I got your letter with the fever and cuddent read hit but hit was red to me. I hant nothing very strange to rite to you all thare has binn a heap of sickness here this summer and fall but not many deaths. They disease was the fever and ager all the hole fall and has got hit yet but hit is very healthy at this time. I have pade the doctor about ten dollars Sence I have binn in the state.
I will tell you something about the deaths this fall Lendo Walker dide about five weeks agae a sun of unkle Samuel Walker Lendo Walker was a fine man he appeared to think a heap of me and Betsy. He married Rachel Dorsett isrey Dorsetts daughter
I will tell you something about the weather we have had a purty fall as ever I seen any whare we the most rane this Summer that ever I seen I never ploud my corn any at all and I have got some as big corn as you ever seen my oats was not so good and spring wheatt was not verry good the water was standing on them all the time. I have plenty to eat and have made plenty to doe me this year grane is verry scarce here this year but grane is cheap wheat is worth 50 cents per bushel corn is worth 20 cents oats is worth 25 cents per bushel pork is worth too dollars per hundred every thing is cheap here I killed five hogs this fall they ware put up the first of September and killed them the first of november and they were small hogs and they made 700.261/2 pounds and we have more lard than common you may know that I live well for far a way the most I ever made in my life it was made a few nites back and I made one hundred and seventy pounds good wate
we call our boy Solomon Russell our children is all harty and grow fast I keep too horses lite foot and gerry and they are both what I call fat and hard to out pull we feed too cows and one (heffer ?) cattle got mighty fat here this last summer I hope to kill a beef this fall and hit was a site so fat but they dident call hist but just midlen
we will tell you something about the people called marmans (Mormons) they are rages and robbers and murders last July the governor of illenois called the people out togae to thar Sitty narros to take them or kill them and they went but they wouldent be taken but in a few days they took thare too head men Joseph Smith and his Brother Hireni and put them in gale (jail) and garded them with twenty five men day and night one morning they came up sixty men all blacked and broke in the gale and killed them both they shot nine balls in Joseph Smith and seven in hiram thare was grate excitement about that time I road one nite with my gun on my shoulder to let the people know what was acoming Johm maran (Moran?) went to fite and we thout that he was killed but he came home safe
you know nothing about how I felt I road one nite with my gun on my shoulder father and mother Brothers and Sisters you all know that we lived once whare we could see one another and talk together but we hant in the last thirteen or fifteen months and I want to see you all you know and I hope I shall iff I live and you all doe but life is unsurten we can't tell I have rote you the truth every time as fare as I know and I must tell you iff you want to see rich land come here fine cows hogs and sheep and the paster to make them so
A few words to Ratcliff and nancy we still remember you all and hope that I shall see you out here on the rich soil of illenos you know what you said the last Time we told good bye A few words to John and miley we still remember you I want you to come out here whare you can live easy and have a good chance I believe that one man lives as good as another and every man dos his own work or pays for hit Brother Joseph you will think I expect the I rite all the sweet and leave out the bitter but this is a fine place for a fare man
Betsey Sends word to Brother Joseph that when her boy was three weaks old She went to the dore and seen six wild turkeys go through the yard we would be glad to see your black eyed Bay Nancy Betsey said that you wanted to know whether she was dun having children She say you will know when this letter is red Come out here and you will begin anew I should like to have you for a neighbor with all the rest We remember our love to all our good neighbors and relations and frends So we must come to a close bye bidding you all fare well From Samuel Dorsett and Elizabeth to Russell Dorsett and Susannah Dorsett "Branson says to uncle Jo that he can ride gerry anny whare he wants to I want you to rite as soon as you can to us and lat us heare from you all Solomon Russel wade thirteen pounds and half when he was born." Address: "To Russell Dorsett North Carolina Chatham County St. Laurence"
Aged 77 years 6 months 18 days On stone with wife Elizabeth Dorsett.
Samuel is the son of Russell Dorsett and Susannah Culberson. He married Elizabeth Walker.
CENSUS:
1860 United States Federal Census Name: Samuel Dorsett Age in 1860: 43 Birth Year: abt 1817 Birthplace: North Carolina Home in 1860: Northeast, Adams, Illinois Gender: Male Post Office: Pitman Household Members: Name Age Samuel Dorsett 43 Elizabeth Dorsett 41 David Dorsett 18 Soloman Dorsett 16 Susanna Dorsett 13 Fetima Dorsett 8 John Dorsett 4 William Dorsett 1 Source Citation: Year: 1860; Census Place: Northeast, Adams, Illinois; Roll: M653_155; Page: 920; Image: 578.
1870 United States Federal Census Name: Samuel Dorsett Estimated Birth Year: abt 1816 Age in 1870: 54 Birthplace: North Carolina Home in 1870: Northeast, Adams, Illinois Race: White Gender: Male Post Office: La Prairie Household Members: Name Age Samuel Dorsett 54 Elizabeth Dorsett 51 John Dorsett 14 William Dorsett 11 Jesse Dorsett 8 Source Citation: Year: 1870; Census Place: Northeast, Adams, Illinois; Roll: M593_186; Page: 342; Image: 691.
1880 United States Federal Census Name: Samuel C. Dorsett Home in 1880: Northeast, Adams, Illinois Age: 63 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1817 Birthplace: North Carolina Relation to Head of Household: Self (Head) Spouse's Name: Elizabeth Father's birthplace: North Carolina Mother's birthplace: North Carolina Occupation: Farmer Marital Status: Married Race: White Gender: Male Household Members: Name Age Samuel C. Dorsett 63 Elizabeth Dorsett 61 William Dorsett 21 Jesse W. Dorsett 18 John Dorsett 23 Alice Dorsett 20 Bertha Dorsett 1 Source Citation: Year: 1880; Census Place: Northeast, Adams, Illinois; Roll: T9_174; Family History Film: 1254174; Page: 293.3000; Enumeration District: 18; Image: 0588.
1885 Kansas State Census Collection, 1855-1915 Name: S C Dorsett Census Date: 1 Mar 1885 Residence County: Sumner Residence State: Kansas Locality: Belle Plaine Birth Location: North Carolina Family Number: 5 Marital Status: Married Gender: Male Estimated Birth Year: abt 1817 Race: White Line: 20 Roll: KS1885_134
MISC:
Samuel is the son of Russell Dorsett and the nephew of Samuel Walker and Nancy Smith.
"From the NC Genealogical Society Journal-Feb 1991
News From Illinois in 1844
Submitted by Nancy Burns, Fayetteville, NC
Editor's Introduction: Samuel and Elizabeth Dorsett of Chatham County, North Carolina, had joined the great antebellum trek westward. They settled in Adams County, Illinois, which lay on the east bank of the Mississippi River. In December of 1844 they sent to relatives in North Carolina the latest news of family and neighborhood. Illinois was then much agitated by hostilities toward the Mormon settlement at Nauvoo--a few miles upstream from Adams County--which had culminated in the murder of Joseph Smith and others on 27 June 1844. Mrs. Burns obtained a copy of the letter through the courtesy of a Dorsett descendant, Joseph Hackney of Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
"This the 4 of December 1844" State of Illinois. Adams County. Dear father and mother. Brothers and Sisters with grate pleasure I set down this day to rite you a few lines to let you know how we are. We are all as well as comman. Betsey is not very well but as well as could be expected. She has got a fine sun (son). Born 6 day of november
I hope this letter will find you all well and doing well I received your letter the 15 day of august dated 14 day of July which gave us grate Satisfaction to hear from you all I was sick when I got your letter with the fever and cuddent read hit but hit was red to me. I hant nothing very strange to rite to you all thare has binn a heap of sickness here this summer and fall but not many deaths. They disease was the fever and ager all the hole fall and has got hit yet but hit is very healthy at this time. I have pade the doctor about ten dollars Sence I have binn in the state.
I will tell you something about the deaths this fall Lendo Walker dide about five weeks agae a sun of unkle Samuel Walker Lendo Walker was a fine man he appeared to think a heap of me and Betsy. He married Rachel Dorsett isrey Dorsetts daughter
I will tell you something about the weather we have had a purty fall as ever I seen any whare we the most rane this Summer that ever I seen I never ploud my corn any at all and I have got some as big corn as you ever seen my oats was not so good and spring wheatt was not verry good the water was standing on them all the time. I have plenty to eat and have made plenty to doe me this year grane is verry scarce here this year but grane is cheap wheat is worth 50 cents per bushel corn is worth 20 cents oats is worth 25 cents per bushel pork is worth too dollars per hundred every thing is cheap here I killed five hogs this fall they ware put up the first of September and killed them the first of november and they were small hogs and they made 700.261/2 pounds and we have more lard than common you may know that I live well for far a way the most I ever made in my life it was made a few nites back and I made one hundred and seventy pounds good wate
we call our boy Solomon Russell our children is all harty and grow fast I keep too horses lite foot and gerry and they are both what I call fat and hard to out pull we feed too cows and one (heffer ?) cattle got mighty fat here this last summer I hope to kill a beef this fall and hit was a site so fat but they dident call hist but just midlen
we will tell you something about the people called marmans (Mormons) they are rages and robbers and murders last July the governor of illenois called the people out togae to thar Sitty narros to take them or kill them and they went but they wouldent be taken but in a few days they took thare too head men Joseph Smith and his Brother Hireni and put them in gale (jail) and garded them with twenty five men day and night one morning they came up sixty men all blacked and broke in the gale and killed them both they shot nine balls in Joseph Smith and seven in hiram thare was grate excitement about that time I road one nite with my gun on my shoulder to let the people know what was acoming Johm maran (Moran?) went to fite and we thout that he was killed but he came home safe
you know nothing about how I felt I road one nite with my gun on my shoulder father and mother Brothers and Sisters you all know that we lived once whare we could see one another and talk together but we hant in the last thirteen or fifteen months and I want to see you all you know and I hope I shall iff I live and you all doe but life is unsurten we can't tell I have rote you the truth every time as fare as I know and I must tell you iff you want to see rich land come here fine cows hogs and sheep and the paster to make them so
A few words to Ratcliff and nancy we still remember you all and hope that I shall see you out here on the rich soil of illenos you know what you said the last Time we told good bye A few words to John and miley we still remember you I want you to come out here whare you can live easy and have a good chance I believe that one man lives as good as another and every man dos his own work or pays for hit Brother Joseph you will think I expect the I rite all the sweet and leave out the bitter but this is a fine place for a fare man
Betsey Sends word to Brother Joseph that when her boy was three weaks old She went to the dore and seen six wild turkeys go through the yard we would be glad to see your black eyed Bay Nancy Betsey said that you wanted to know whether she was dun having children She say you will know when this letter is red Come out here and you will begin anew I should like to have you for a neighbor with all the rest We remember our love to all our good neighbors and relations and frends So we must come to a close bye bidding you all fare well From Samuel Dorsett and Elizabeth to Russell Dorsett and Susannah Dorsett "Branson says to uncle Jo that he can ride gerry anny whare he wants to I want you to rite as soon as you can to us and lat us heare from you all Solomon Russel wade thirteen pounds and half when he was born." Address: "To Russell Dorsett North Carolina Chatham County St. Laurence"
Samuel is the son of Russell Dorsett and Susannah Culberson. He married Elizabeth Walker.
CENSUS:
1860 United States Federal Census Name: Samuel Dorsett Age in 1860: 43 Birth Year: abt 1817 Birthplace: North Carolina Home in 1860: Northeast, Adams, Illinois Gender: Male Post Office: Pitman Household Members: Name Age Samuel Dorsett 43 Elizabeth Dorsett 41 David Dorsett 18 Soloman Dorsett 16 Susanna Dorsett 13 Fetima Dorsett 8 John Dorsett 4 William Dorsett 1 Source Citation: Year: 1860; Census Place: Northeast, Adams, Illinois; Roll: M653_155; Page: 920; Image: 578.
1870 United States Federal Census Name: Samuel Dorsett Estimated Birth Year: abt 1816 Age in 1870: 54 Birthplace: North Carolina Home in 1870: Northeast, Adams, Illinois Race: White Gender: Male Post Office: La Prairie Household Members: Name Age Samuel Dorsett 54 Elizabeth Dorsett 51 John Dorsett 14 William Dorsett 11 Jesse Dorsett 8 Source Citation: Year: 1870; Census Place: Northeast, Adams, Illinois; Roll: M593_186; Page: 342; Image: 691.
1880 United States Federal Census Name: Samuel C. Dorsett Home in 1880: Northeast, Adams, Illinois Age: 63 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1817 Birthplace: North Carolina Relation to Head of Household: Self (Head) Spouse's Name: Elizabeth Father's birthplace: North Carolina Mother's birthplace: North Carolina Occupation: Farmer Marital Status: Married Race: White Gender: Male Household Members: Name Age Samuel C. Dorsett 63 Elizabeth Dorsett 61 William Dorsett 21 Jesse W. Dorsett 18 John Dorsett 23 Alice Dorsett 20 Bertha Dorsett 1 Source Citation: Year: 1880; Census Place: Northeast, Adams, Illinois; Roll: T9_174; Family History Film: 1254174; Page: 293.3000; Enumeration District: 18; Image: 0588.
1885 Kansas State Census Collection, 1855-1915 Name: S C Dorsett Census Date: 1 Mar 1885 Residence County: Sumner Residence State: Kansas Locality: Belle Plaine Birth Location: North Carolina Family Number: 5 Marital Status: Married Gender: Male Estimated Birth Year: abt 1817 Race: White Line: 20 Roll: KS1885_134
MISC:
Samuel is the son of Russell Dorsett and the nephew of Samuel Walker and Nancy Smith.
"From the NC Genealogical Society Journal-Feb 1991
News From Illinois in 1844
Submitted by Nancy Burns, Fayetteville, NC
Editor's Introduction: Samuel and Elizabeth Dorsett of Chatham County, North Carolina, had joined the great antebellum trek westward. They settled in Adams County, Illinois, which lay on the east bank of the Mississippi River. In December of 1844 they sent to relatives in North Carolina the latest news of family and neighborhood. Illinois was then much agitated by hostilities toward the Mormon settlement at Nauvoo--a few miles upstream from Adams County--which had culminated in the murder of Joseph Smith and others on 27 June 1844. Mrs. Burns obtained a copy of the letter through the courtesy of a Dorsett descendant, Joseph Hackney of Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
"This the 4 of December 1844" State of Illinois. Adams County. Dear father and mother. Brothers and Sisters with grate pleasure I set down this day to rite you a few lines to let you know how we are. We are all as well as comman. Betsey is not very well but as well as could be expected. She has got a fine sun (son). Born 6 day of november
I hope this letter will find you all well and doing well I received your letter the 15 day of august dated 14 day of July which gave us grate Satisfaction to hear from you all I was sick when I got your letter with the fever and cuddent read hit but hit was red to me. I hant nothing very strange to rite to you all thare has binn a heap of sickness here this summer and fall but not many deaths. They disease was the fever and ager all the hole fall and has got hit yet but hit is very healthy at this time. I have pade the doctor about ten dollars Sence I have binn in the state.
I will tell you something about the deaths this fall Lendo Walker dide about five weeks agae a sun of unkle Samuel Walker Lendo Walker was a fine man he appeared to think a heap of me and Betsy. He married Rachel Dorsett isrey Dorsetts daughter
I will tell you something about the weather we have had a purty fall as ever I seen any whare we the most rane this Summer that ever I seen I never ploud my corn any at all and I have got some as big corn as you ever seen my oats was not so good and spring wheatt was not verry good the water was standing on them all the time. I have plenty to eat and have made plenty to doe me this year grane is verry scarce here this year but grane is cheap wheat is worth 50 cents per bushel corn is worth 20 cents oats is worth 25 cents per bushel pork is worth too dollars per hundred every thing is cheap here I killed five hogs this fall they ware put up the first of September and killed them the first of november and they were small hogs and they made 700.261/2 pounds and we have more lard than common you may know that I live well for far a way the most I ever made in my life it was made a few nites back and I made one hundred and seventy pounds good wate
we call our boy Solomon Russell our children is all harty and grow fast I keep too horses lite foot and gerry and they are both what I call fat and hard to out pull we feed too cows and one (heffer ?) cattle got mighty fat here this last summer I hope to kill a beef this fall and hit was a site so fat but they dident call hist but just midlen
we will tell you something about the people called marmans (Mormons) they are rages and robbers and murders last July the governor of illenois called the people out togae to thar Sitty narros to take them or kill them and they went but they wouldent be taken but in a few days they took thare too head men Joseph Smith and his Brother Hireni and put them in gale (jail) and garded them with twenty five men day and night one morning they came up sixty men all blacked and broke in the gale and killed them both they shot nine balls in Joseph Smith and seven in hiram thare was grate excitement about that time I road one nite with my gun on my shoulder to let the people know what was acoming Johm maran (Moran?) went to fite and we thout that he was killed but he came home safe
you know nothing about how I felt I road one nite with my gun on my shoulder father and mother Brothers and Sisters you all know that we lived once whare we could see one another and talk together but we hant in the last thirteen or fifteen months and I want to see you all you know and I hope I shall iff I live and you all doe but life is unsurten we can't tell I have rote you the truth every time as fare as I know and I must tell you iff you want to see rich land come here fine cows hogs and sheep and the paster to make them so
A few words to Ratcliff and nancy we still remember you all and hope that I shall see you out here on the rich soil of illenos you know what you said the last Time we told good bye A few words to John and miley we still remember you I want you to come out here whare you can live easy and have a good chance I believe that one man lives as good as another and every man dos his own work or pays for hit Brother Joseph you will think I expect the I rite all the sweet and leave out the bitter but this is a fine place for a fare man
Betsey Sends word to Brother Joseph that when her boy was three weaks old She went to the dore and seen six wild turkeys go through the yard we would be glad to see your black eyed Bay Nancy Betsey said that you wanted to know whether she was dun having children She say you will know when this letter is red Come out here and you will begin anew I should like to have you for a neighbor with all the rest We remember our love to all our good neighbors and relations and frends So we must come to a close bye bidding you all fare well From Samuel Dorsett and Elizabeth to Russell Dorsett and Susannah Dorsett "Branson says to uncle Jo that he can ride gerry anny whare he wants to I want you to rite as soon as you can to us and lat us heare from you all Solomon Russel wade thirteen pounds and half when he was born." Address: "To Russell Dorsett North Carolina Chatham County St. Laurence"
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