Letter from B. Dorsey to Andrew Dorsey
Contributed: January 2007
Submitted by Diane Ethridge
This letter was written to my 3rd gr grandfather, Andrew Dorsey in White Co. GA, from his brother, B. Dorsey, who at that time lived in Marion Co. AL. I am very interested in learning more about the Dorseys of Itawamba Co.
THIS IS A LETTER FROM B. DORSEY (I'M ASSUMING IT WAS BASIL) TO HIS BROTHER,
ANDREW DORSEY IN WHITE CO. GA.
Marion Co. Ala, Aug 17, 1852
Dear Bro. Andrew,
I have thought often of writing to you but have neglected it longer
than I ought to have done. I received a letter from you about
three weeks since that had been written some time last spring.
My reason for not writing sooner is just this, I have been rather
up a quandary for some time where I should locate myself or rather
settle myself. It has been my determination to move from where
I now live. I have now decided the point and have bought land
in Itawamba Co. Miss, 21 miles west of where I now live on what
is called Jim's Creek. I am to pay off $1,400.00 first Oct. I
am very well pleased with my bargain. I get some stock and other
little tricks necessary about a farm. Well, I can say I have been
doing very well since I left Geo. This country is poor and so
is Habersham but I had a good deal and would rather live here.
The settlement where I am going to move is a settlement of pretty
good land and down the creek is very good land.
There are more ways there a man can turn his hand to make money
in this country than that of Geo. There is going to run or supposed
to run very near my land a road. It is marked off and people are
taking up stock right ahead and it is to run from New Orleans
to Cincinatta. We will get the Orleans trade water navigation
in ten miles of my land This road they are taking up stock from
head to tail are aiming to have it all completed as near at me
as possible. William lives in Neshoba Co, Miss when he is home
though him and his wife are up here now and will remain up here
until Oct and will then go home and spend the winter. Then move
up and settle with me on Jim's Creek. We are going to carry on
a shop together when we are not engaged in the field. D. J. Gettry
(maybe Guttry), son of Henry Gettry, Carroll Co. GA, if not dead,
was on his back and took sick in Pontotoc Co. Miss. He went off
with a load he was peddling and word was brought back that he
had the congestive chills. Three individuals have gone to him,
one of which is our school teacher. Wilton (?) is teaching during
his absense. I am looking for them back constant. Can't tell whether
he is dead or alive. He professed religion since he came to this
county. I hope if his body is in the grave that his spirit is
in Heaven. Our church is not prospering at present for the surrounding
churches are old. It was on Jim's Creek last week we had a most
excellent meeting. A quarterly meeting at the church that will
be nearest me which is 3 miles from where I am going to move.
Some 75 or 80 members belong to that church. We are all in good
health. Nancy is enjoying as good health as I ever saw her. Write
when you get this and let me hear from you occasionally. I do
not wish you to be negligent about writing because I am. For you
know I cannot write well. I would just say when I get moved I
will then consider myself settled. I will close,
Your Brother,
B. Dorsey
To Andrew Dorsey
Diane Ethridge
3rd gr granddaughter of Andrew Dorsey of White Co. GA