An American Family History

Edward Dorsey was born about 1614.

His wife was named Ann. She was not Ann Howard.

Ann and Edward's children probably included:

Edward Dorsey (1639),
Joshua Dorsey (1641),
John dorsey (1643),
Sarah Dorsey (1645, married Matthew Howard).

They lived in Virginia before he came to Anne Arundel County in 1650.

In 1650 he received a land warrant for 200 acres and his partner John Norwood received 200 acres.

Before 1655, Edward and his partner, Thomas Manning bought 600 acres in Ann Arundell from Thomas Marsh.

He called a plantation Hockley-in-the-Hole.

Edward Dorsey, Boatwright, died August 2, 1659 in Kent County (Present Queen Anne's County), Province of Maryland. Cause of death: Drowned while traveling by ship to the island.

from Out of the Past

With the arrival of Governor Nicholson, matters began to change. He called the assembly into session in Anne Arundel Town, and at that session, held February 28, 1694, (O.S.-1695 N.S.), in the home of Major Edward Dorsey. It was decided to move the seat of government from St. Mary's to Anne Arundel Town. It was decided at this session to rename the town Annapolis, in honor of Princess Ann