Self Portrait as Samuel Dorsey – Blacksmith – Born 1799 in Virginia. This is the second stage of the portrait series – my self portrait as my ancestor.
Samuel was a Blacksmith in the wilderness of Virginia. He married Nancy Nutter in 1823 and they had 10 children.
The 1830 Census is hard to read but it shows Samuel’s household with:
1 Free White Male under 5, 1 Free White Make 5 – 10, 1 Free White Male 20 – 30, 2 Free White Females under 5, 1 Free White Female 5 – 10, 1 Free White Female 30-40.
Also listed are his Uncle James Dorsey, Brother Benjamin Dorsey, Father John Dorsey, and brother Andrew Dorsey.
The 1840 Census shows:
2 Free White males Under 5, 1 Free White male 5-10, 1 Free White male 10 – 15, 1 Free White male 15 – 20, 1 Free White male 40 – 50, 1 Free White FemaleUnder 5, 1 Free White Female 5 – 10, 2 Free White Females 10 – 15, 1 Free White Female 15 – 20, 1 Free White Female 40 – 50.
In 1840 Samuel received a Virginia Land Grant of 80 acres in Nicholas County in the bend of Gauley River.
In 1849, his wife Nancy Nutter Dorsey died. Soon after, in 1850, Samuel married Miram Fitzwater. The 185 Census show Samuel and Miriam with 7 children living with them.
The 1860 Census lists Samuel as a farmer and that his kids have built their own homes leaving him and Miram to enjoy their Golden Years together.
Samuel died in 1875 at the age of 76 years old.