Dorsey, Green, McGee & White

The Journey of Discovery

The saga of the four families began with Mother Elvira and her four children Grace, Hampton, Rhina and Rosena.

Matriarch Mother Elvira life cycle began with her ancestral ties to the Ashanti Tribe of Ghana, West Africa told through oral history.

Lawrence Porcher Hext a wealthy, prominant and large slave owning Planter of Barnwell, South Carolina enslaved the family of 5.  


Tuesday, February 20,1856 "Grace" the eldest daughter of Mother Elvira was taken to Nesmith, South Carolina by Lawrence Porcher Hext daughter Mary Brisbane Hext- McConnell and husband John Thomas McConnell.  Grace was taken to be a slave/ nurse to thier daughter Eliza Ann.


June 20,1857 Lawrence Porcher Hext drafted a Marriage Settlement on behalf of his daughter Mary's interest to secure her future in owning Mother Elvira, Grace, Hampton, Rhina and Rosena in the event of death or divorce of her husband John Thomas McConnell. 
Mother Elvira and her children reunited with "Grace" in 1858 on the 200 acre Plantation on the Burnett Swamp in Nesmith, South Carolina. John Thomas McConnell was granted this land noted in the codicil by his mother Jane McConnell prior to her last Will and Testament dated April 13,1864 and signed with a X  due to her paralyzed right arm.
Grace and George purchased 77 acres on January 1892.  The property is purchased from James Z. McConnell Jr in the division of the late John Thomas McConnell, his father who died in 1877. The property is the very same land Mother Elvira and her four children arrived to from Barnwell, South Carolina.

Dorsey Town

Dorsey Town is comprised of partitioned land of Mother Elvira's daughters and son-in-law Grace & George Dorsey, 
Rhina & Travis McGee and Rosena & Jeffrand White.
Dorsey Town School was established there too, and was located on the immediate left side of the entrance of the community. 

Image: 
John Thomas McConnell parents were Thomas McConnell (the younger) and Jane P. Zuill they married April 24,1832 in Charleston, South Carolina  by Rev. James C. Postell.
Their wedding anouncement was documented in the South Carolina Winyaw Intelligencer Newspaper dated April 28, 1832 issue.

Jane McConnell's 1500 Oak Hall Plantation was located on the Black River adjacent to the Black Mingo Church at the Georgetown County Line. 

 Jane McConnell was a wealthy Slave owner with a  considerable large plantation with 70 slaves. On April 13,1864  she bequeath to her children James Zuill, John Thomas, Elizabeth Catherine, Eleanor Maria Orr, Martha Caroline Augusta and Samuel Blackley the division of her 70 Slaves,1500 acre Oak Hall Plantation on the Black River  and 1/6 stock of Cattle, Sheep Cow, Horse,mules and hogs in her Last Will and Testament. 

Jane McConnell widower of Thomas McConnell (young Tom) she died in 1866. 


GRACE  married GEORGE DORSEY.

On January 21, 1892 they purchased 77 acres of property in Nesmith, South Carolina  from James Z. McConnell, Jr. for $165.00.

HAMPTON GREEN  married ROSA MACK.

On November 4, 1904 they purchased 50 acres of property for $ 90.00 in Hemingway, South Carolina from Simon and Sylvester Poston.

RHINA  married TRAVIS MCGEE .

On GEORGE DORSEY 'S deed it  states TRAVIS MCGEE  property is "West" of GEORGE DORSEY.

SC Tax Treasure record TRAVIS MCGEE as land owner in 1884, 1885 and 1901 for paying taxes on land and personal valuables. 

ROZENA married JEFFRAND WHITE. On GEORGE DORSEY'S deed it states JEFFRAND WHITE property is "East" of GEORGE DORSEY.

SC Tax Treasure record JEFFRAND WHITE as land owner in 1884,1885 and 1901 for paying taxes on land and personal valuables. 


On November 28,1917 Lawrence B. Steel sold 333 +/- acres of land to the Mother Elvira's grandsons.

MOSES & PETERSON, George and Grace Dorsey sons.

STEPHAN, Rozena and Jeffrand White son.

and CHARLEY CHANDLER

They were the next generation to exercise their ability to land ownership. 

This area of property is called "Sand Hill" in Nesmith, South Carolina.

Mother Elvira was plagued with suffering from bondage and adversity undoubtedly from her voyage as a slave to South Carolina. 

Her witnessing eyes of terror for the unknown, torn from family, being nameless and sold as a wedding gift.

Mother Elvira date of death is long gone to history but we honor her memory and commemorate her legacy every two years with a family reunion for over 30 years.

Her four children born into slavery all married, all acquired massive amounts of land, registered voters, established Dorsey Town School and erected Mt Ararat AME Church. 


                        Mt Ararat Church and Cemetary

 

One can't have a Community without a place of worship.   

Mt Ararat was established JANUARY 20, 1892 conveyed and donated for $1.00 to Trustees S.D. McBride, Toney Scott and Sam Davis from D.D. Rhems, L.A. Rhems and F. Rhems  of Rhems and Sons Mercantile.   The Mt. Ararat African American  Episcopal Church as it was named situated on One (1) acre of property could only be used for worshipping only or land would have been reverted back to Rhems & Sons . 

Today the church no longer stands due to several fires however, the cemetary still remains in continued use.


 
 
 
 
 

OUR FAMILY LINE


George & Grace Dorsey
Born
George 6/29/1839
Grace 1/1849


CHILDREN

1. Joseph Dec 1869
2. Janie 1867
3. Hampton May 1871
4. Mose Mar 1870
5. Ben Dec 1875
6. Peter May 1878
7. Sam 1879
8. Ozzie Apr 1885
9. Duncun Nov 1886
10. Lottie Sep 1889
11. Rosa Feb 1893


Hampton & Rosalina Green
 
 
Born
Hampton 10/1850
Rosalie 6/ 1851  

CHILDREN

1. Ben Oct 1871
2. Franklin 1873
3. Catherine 1874
4. Waiters
5. Henry Oct 1877
6. Elvira Mar 1878
7. Bill Jan 1880
8. Garfield Mar 1880
9. Tony Mar 1883
10.Levenious Jan 1887
11.Grace Apr 1889
12.Samuel Feb 1891
13.Evelena Aug 1892


Travis & Rhina McGee

Travis
Rhina 2/20/1851


CHILDREN

1. Amelia
2. William
3. Laurie Jul 1877
4. Irene Oct 1880
5. Rozena
6. Nettie Mar 1888
7. Travis May 1892


Jeffrand & Rozena White

Jeffrand
Rozena 5/1853


CHILDREN

1. Washington
2. Elizabeth
3. Justine
4. Rina
5. Sarah
6. Stephen 1880
7. Frank 1882
8. David Apr 1884
9. Ervin Nov 1887
10.Hattie Oct 1889
11.Martha Jul 1894
 
All dates came from the 1870-1930 US Census 
 
 
 
 
.

 

US Census
Mingo Township, September 1870
Nesmith, South Carolina

 

*SAM Elvira 37 farm laborer
*SAM Joe 35 "same house"

*SAM George 29 farm laborer
*SAM Grace 21 farm laborer
Joseph 4
Hampton 2
*SAM Jane 70 Matriach
who is she?
Prior to 1880 US Census the Dorsey Family used the last name "SAM".
The last name changed to "Dorsey" was used on the 1880 Census.

*Travis McGee 24
*Rhina McGee 18
*Bettie McGee  (Travis's Mother)
 
 
 

US Census
Mingo Township June 4,1880

*Dorsey George 29
*Dorsey Grace 28

CHILDREN
Joseph 14
Hampton11
  ** Moses 7     
Lauri 6
Benjamin 4
Peterson 2

 
 

Johnson Township (hemingway)
June 14,1880

*Green Hampton 30
Rosa 25

CHILDREN

Benji 9
Franklin 7
Catherine 6
Henry 4
Elvira 2
Bill 6mo
 
 

Mingo Township
June 1,1900

*White Rosa Nov 1879
Washington Sep 1898
Abraham Mar 1900
 

*White Jeff Jan 1848
Rosena May 1853
CHILDREN

Francis July 1881
David Apr 1884
Ervin Nov 1887
Hartie Oct 1889
Martha July 1894
 

*Dorsey Joe Dec 1869
Elizabeth Dec 1869
CHILDREN

Bellenger Feb 1890
Hampton May 1892
Stanley Mar 1894
Loris Oct 1898
 

*Scott George Aug 1822
Sarah July 1834
CHILDREN

Venia Mar 1865
Jemeth Oct 1881
Susan Dec 1885
 
 

*Dorsey George Mar 1839
Grace Jan 1849
CHILDREN

Ozzie Apr 1885
Duncun Nov 1886
Lottie Sept 1889
Rosa Feb 1893
 
 

*McGee Travis 1845
Rhina Mar 1850
CHILDREN

Elias Jan 1887
Netta Mar 1888
Travis Jr May 1892
 
 


*McGee Lorie
Rosena
William
 
 

McGee William 1875
Laura 1880
Elias 1896
 
 

*Dorsey Peter May 1878
Eliza July 1881
Albert Nov 1899
 
 
 

**Dorsie Mose July 1874
Martha 1877
 
 

*Bishop King 35 yrs
Hettie 29 yrs

 
CHILDREN

Enoch 12 yrs
Walter 10 yrs
Jannie 8 yrs
Corena 6 yrs
Pearlie 5 yrs
Mayceo 4 yrs
Ray 3 mo
 
 
 
 

*Darsey Peterson 40
Eliza 35
CHILDREN

James 18
Lewis 17
Idella 11
 
 
*Dorsey Ben 24
Minnie 20
George 1


*Dorsey Hampton 29
Rose 25
 
 

Mingo Township 1910
 
 

*Dorsey Peter 30
Eliza 28
CHILDREN

Albert 9
Louis 8
McConnell Susy 70
 

*White Ervin 26
Phyllis 19
Rickey 1
 
 

*Dorsey George 62
Grace 50
CHILDREN

Rosa 17
Duncun 20
 

*Dorsey Joe 40
Elizabeth 40
 
CHILDREN

Belenger 18
Hampton 15
Stanley 15
Laurice 11
Mary 9
Grace 9
Eliza Jane 3
Hannah 8mo
 
 
 

*Dorsey Ben 31
Minnie 25

CHILDREN

Nickolis 10
Isaac 7
Rosenah 5
Mosey 9mo
 
 


*White Jeff 60
Rosena 55
Martha 15
 

*Bishop King 21
Hattie 20
Enoch 2
Walter 3mo
 


McGee Travis 65
Rhina 58

CHILDREN

Netta 22
Junior 16
 

 
 
Chandler Charlie  Nov 1875
Ida  Oct 1877
 
Children
 
Fowler 3 Oct 1896
Rosa 2 May 1898
Carrie  7 mo Oct 1899
 
 
 
Herbert McCrea 20 Aug 1879
Irene 19 Oct 1880
 
Children
 
Carrie M. 1 Oct 1898
Charlie M ( brother) 8 Dec 1891
 
 
 
 
Lauri McGee 23  1877
Rosena Nesmith 18 March 1882
 
Children
 
William 1 Nov 1898
 
 
 
 
Anthony Washington 18 Jan 1882
Janie Dorsey 17 May 1883
 
Children
 
 William A.  1 Aug 1899
 
 

Mingo Township 1920
 


*White Stephan 41
Soffa 25

CHILDREN

George 20
Abraham 18
David 16
Henry 14
Laurly? 12
Mary ? 10
Eddie 8
Joseph 6
Ruby 4
Stephan 2
 
 

*Dorsey Grace 80
WashingtonJanie
 
 
 

*Dossey Joe 38
Elizabeth 45

CHILDREN

Belinger 25
Larice 18
Mary 16
Grace 16
Janie 12
 
 
 


*Swinton Robert 33
Lottie 26

CHILDREN

Matthew 7
Ander? 4
Cleavland 2
 
 
 


*White Frank 38
Lucy 30

CHILDREN

Thelma 11
Frank 8
 
 
 


*White Jeff 72
Rosena 70

CHILDREN

Martha 22
 
 
 
 


*Dorsey Belenger 28
 
 


*Dorsey Sam 25
Rosa 20

CHILDREN

James 10
Thomas 6
 
 


*McGee Laurie
Eddie
 


*Dorsey Duncun 32
Lavenia 22
Alophere 4
 
 


*Dorsey Nickolis 21
Viola 20
 
 

*Dorsey James 24
Nealie 20

CHILDREN

Willie 5
Elease 3
 
 

*Dorsey Ozzie 33
Iola 28

CHILDREN

Kibet 17
Ina 9
Ben 7
Earnest 6
Epps 4
? 1mo
 
 

*McGee Travis 70
Rhina 58
 

*Dorsey Hampton 40
Rosa 40

CHILDREN

Laurel 18
Estell 16
Furney 12
Sarah 8
Netta 6
 
 

**Dorsey David 22
Venus 18
Henry 2
 
 
 
 
June 12,1900
Johnson Township
(Hemingway)
 
 Hampton Green  Nov 1848  Married 29 years
Rosalie June 1851
 
Children
 
Catherine  Aug 1875
Elvira March 1878
Garfield March 1880
Tony  March  1883
Levenious Jan 1887
Grace  April 1889
Evelena  Aug 1892
Liston?  Dec 1896
Amelia (grand) Oct 1898
 
 
Henry Green  Oct 1877  Married 2 years
Mary Hannah  Sept 1877
 
Children
Winsome? Aug 1899
 
 
 
 
Benjamin Green  Oct 1871  Married 6 years
Judy  Jan 1876
 
Children
 
Matthew  Feb 1895
General L.  March 1897
Maliston B.? July 1889
Ollie Wilson  ( sister Inlaw)  Dec 1889
 


APRIL 1930 MINGO TOWNSHIP



**Dorsey, David 36
Benus 32

Henry 13
Johnny 8
David 6


Dorsey Ozzie 44
Iola ? 36

Cubit 21
Ben 17
Epps 14
Ozzie 12
George 10
Robert 8
Florence 6

Dorsey, Loris 32
Mary 21

Mayabell 4
Richard 3

Dorsey Joseph 61
Elizabeth 61

Eliza Jane 21
Willie 22 husband
James 1

Swinton Robert 39
Lottie 39

Matthew 16
Vander 13
Clevland 11
George 9
? Mittie Mae 7
Rosetta 5
Osteen 3
Ozalee 2

White Frances 41
Lucy 39

Frank Jr 17
Thelma 18
Anna P 9


White Jeffrand 82
Rosena 68

Martha Dorsey 30
Belenger 35

Josey Bell 10
Rody Lee 8
Beatrice 3
Edward 3 mo

McGee Travis Jr 38
Maybel 21

Johnny 15
Loris 9
James 6
Willie 3
Ethel
Jonie
** Travis McGee Jr stated his parents are both from AFRICA...



Dorsey Grace Age

Mary Jane Washington 19
Elizabeth 21
Elizah 3
Obeth 1

Dorsey Sam 50
Hattie 30

Thomas 12
Willie Jessie 10
Luther 7
Pearline 6
Eltoline 5
Iaasac 3
Rebecca 3
Maggie 28
Epps 10

Dorsey George 27
Emma

Cephus
Charlie
Daisy
Ollie Epps
Johnny

White Stephan 55
Sofy 39

Lucy 21
Mary 17
Eddie 15
Ruby 12
John S 6
Willard 5
Fannie 4
Philip 2
Kelly R 8 mo

Dorsey Peter 49
Eliza 45

Neta 13
Essie Mae 5

Dorsey Hampton 55
Rosa 49

Furney 20
Nieter 15

**Dorsey Mose 58
Martha 51
Earline 8

Scott John 23
Rhoda 21

Dorsey James 32
Nealy 29

WJ 16
Elease 13
Laurie 8
Orie Bell 6
Phillip 4
JC 2

1930 Census Hemingway, Johnson Township.

Hampton Green, Elvira's only son lives in Hemingway. According to the Census the SAW MILL was the Green's main occupation. They ALL owned their own land with home worth $ 250.00


Green Sam 38
Daisy 24

Silas

Green Waiters 29
Claudia 27

laura (niece) 4

Green Ben 55
? 38

Howard 7

Green Liston 21
Edith 26

Eugene 8
Minus 5
Henderson 2
Ollie ? 2


Green Henry 41
Lottie 40

Willie 10
Lee Weaver 67 mother inlaw


ALL INFORMATION WAS OBTAINED FROM THE US CENSUS 1870-1940
 
 
.............................
 

In reading this information one might find the spelling and age information incorrect. People didn't always give the correct information or the Census Taker may have written what he wanted. There were various ways DORSEY was spelled. 




 
 
 
 




© Copyright 2001 Tanya Jones Boland



Elvira,Grace,Mose,David,Johnnie & Odessa, Johnnie Mae & Me
my dorsey family line










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