Thomas Wilson Dorr Papers, 1790-1897

(bulk 1826-1854)

John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Box A
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148
Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu

Published in 2014

Collection Overview

Title:	Thomas Wilson Dorr Papers
Date range:	1790-1897, (bulk 1826-1854)
Creator:	Dorr, Thomas Wilson, 1805-1854
Extent:	600 items
Abstract:	The Dorr Papers consist of approximately 600 letters, speeches, notes, drafts, pamphlets, clippings and other items for the period 1826-1854. Thomas Wilson Dorr (1805-1854) was the central figure in the Dorr Rebellion of 1842. The papers include material pertaining to the equal suffrage movement, electoral politics, legislative apportionment, state militia, banking, and the adoption of a state constitution in Rhode Island.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Collection number:	Ms.Dorr

Scope & content

The Dorr papers comprise approximately 600 items, and constitute an important collection for the study of the early political history of the State of Rhode Island. As a lawyer and legislator, Thomas Wilson Dorr was privy to the inner workings of state governance. Indeed, the papers display his deep concern with constitutional law in general, and the application of the same to governance in Rhode Island. His active interest in suffrage reform and equal rights propelled him to the forefront of the movement for a state constitution. By means of a popular convention which met from May 1841 to January 1842, a constitution was adopted under which Dorr was elected Governor. Since the prior state Charter had not been rescinded, this brought the reformers into conflict with the existing Charter-based government. Traditionalists elected their own governor under the older system, and declared Dorr a usurper. The collection documents this tumultuous affair, and highlights Dorr's important role as a proponent of constitutional principles.

Access Points

Subject Names

• Brown, Nicholas, 1792-1859
• Burgess, Walter S. (Walter Snow), 1808-1892
• Burke, Edmund, 1809-1882
• Dorr, Thomas Wilson, 1805-1854
• Hallett, Benjamin Franklin, 1797-1862
• Harris, John S.
• King, Samuel Ward, 1786-1851
• Rider, Sidney S. (Sidney Smith), 1833-1917
• Turner, George

Subject Organizations

• Democratic Party (R.I.)
• Democratic Republican Association
• Freeholders Constitutional Convention
• Whig Party (U.S.)

Geographical Names

• Rhode Island--History--1775-1865
• Rhode Island--Politics and government--1775-1865

Subject Topics

• Dorr Rebellion, 1842

Occupations

• Governors
• Lawyers
• Public officers

Document Types

• Clippings
• Letters (Correspondence)
• Manuscripts
• Pamphlets
• Ephemera
• Speeches

Subject Topics

• Rhode Island/Local Interest

Arrangement

The collection is divided into three series:

• Series 1. Correspondence
• Series 2. Printed items
• Series 3. Miscellaneous manuscripts

Items within Series 1 (Correspondence) are ordered alphabetically by the author of the letter, then ordered chronologically. Series 2 (Printed items) is ordered alphabetically. Series 3 (Miscellaneous manuscripts) is ordered alphabetically by author.

Biographical note

Thomas Wilson Dorr was born at
Providence, Rhode Island in 1805. A lawyer by training and inclination, he attended Harvard University
and graduated in 1823. He subsequently read for the law under Chancellor James Kent in New York. Dorr was admitted to the bar in 1827, and became a member of the Rhode Island Legislature
in 1834.

That same year, Dorr played an active role as member of a committee appointed to write an address advocating enlargement of voting rights in Rhode Island. The old colonial Charter of Rhode Island did not allow for calling a constitutional convention. Accordingly, the self-proclaimed " People's Party
" assembled a convention and drew up a new constitution that was approved by a majority of Rhode Island citizens. In 1842, Dorr was elected governor under this new Constitution. However, a second governor was simultaneously elected under the old Charter. While Dorr unsuccessfully pled his claim to be the rightful governor of the state in Washington, D.C., the Charter governor declared martial law and issued a warrant for Dorr's arrest. Dorr voluntarily surrendered, and was tried and convicted of treason. He was sentenced to hard labor for life in 1844. Although released under an Amnesty Act
in 1845, he was not able to regain his political rights until 1851 - just three years prior to his death. He died on December 26, 1854.

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested..
Use of the materials:	Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Alternate form:	Digital facsimiles of items from this collection are available from within the online finding aid.
Preferred citation:	Thomas Wilson Dorr Papers, Ms. Dorr, Brown University Library.
Contact information:	John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts Box A Brown University Providence, RI 02912 Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148 Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Acquisition:	The Thomas Wilson Dorr Papers were a 1926 gift to Brown University from the heirs of Walter S. Burgess and Marsden J. Perry. Much of the collection was assembled by Sidney S. Rider, a Providence bookseller, printer and amateur historian who intended to write an account of the Dorr Rebellion. Related materials are found in the Sidney S. Rider collection, donated separately to the Library by Marsden Perry.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Finding aid prepared by Natalie Wall
Encoding:	This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2014-12-11

Additional Information

Related material:	The Sidney S. Rider Collection contains sixty scrapbooks of Dorr's personal and political correspondence, papers relating to the Suffrage Party , Providence public schools, and Dorr's law practices. The Sidney S. Rider CollectionRelated collections or materials at other institutions include: Thomas W. Dorr Collection, Mss 391, Rhode Island Historical Society
Separated material:	Of these 600 items in the Dorr Papers, about 200 are listed in the inventory, the remainder being cataloged separately under Dorr's name.A number of items (including Dorr's diploma from Harvard) were removed and catalogued individually as part of the Broadside collection. These are accessible using the Brown University Library Online Catalog (Josiah).Filed with oversize manuscripts: Rhode Island Convention. Ratification of the Constitution. 1790 May 29 (4-page broadside from Series 3 of this collection).
Location/Existence of copies:	Digital facsimiles of items from this collection are available from within the online finding aid.
Other information:	Brown University Library catalog record for this collection: Thomas Wilson Dorr Papers

Inventory

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