Dorcas /NELSON NEILSON^[1]

1741 - 1834  (93 years)

• Name	Dorcas /NELSON NEILSON  [2, 3, 4, 5]
  Birth	1741	South Carolina
  Gender	Female
  HIST	Dorcas Richardson DAR Chapter honors namesake Patriot during meeting; woman's family, including Bobby Richardson, meets annually in Sumter Dorcas Richardson Chapter of the DAR Connie Key, regent, and Cindy Guthrie, registrar, hold a letter and certificate of appreciation from Hope Richardson Fahey, representing the Dorcas Richardson family. The Richardson family has a long history in Sumter and includes legendary New York Yankees second baseman Bobby Richardson. PHOTO PROVIDED Posted Wednesday, June 4, 2025 6:00 am SUBMITTED The Dorcas Richardson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) held its regular meeting on April 7, 2025, at the BTC Bank Meeting Room, Trenton, Missouri, recognizing its namesake whose family gathers in Sumter each year. Regent Connie Key called the meeting to order. The opening included the DAR ritual, pledges, preamble and American Creed. Highlights from the president general's message and National Defender publication were presented. The chapter honored Dorcas Richardson, its namesake and a recognized Patriot. A letter and certificate of appreciation from Hope Richardson Fahey, representing the Dorcas Richardson family, were received and presented to Chapter Regent Connie Key. The Richardson family gathers annually in Sumter, South Carolina, to commemorate their ancestors. Dorcas Anne Nelson, born in 1741, was the daughter of Capt. John Nelson of Nelson's Ferry, South Carolina, originally from Ireland. She married Capt. Richard Richardson Jr., Hope Richardson's fourth great-grandfather and the eldest son of Brig. Gen. Richard Richardson, a Revolutionary War figure in South Carolina. Dorcas married at age 20. Following the fall of Charleston, British troops and Tories occupied the county and took possession of the Richardson plantation, converting it into a British headquarters. She was held at her home by British officer Banastre Tarleton and his troops, who attempted to pressure her to persuade her husband to support the British. Offers of pardon, wealth and promotion were made, but she refused to deliver the message to her husband. After the war, Capt. Richard Richardson Jr. was promoted to colonel and returned to his plantation. He and Dorcas spent their later years there. Of their 10 children, six survived to adulthood, married and had families. Dorcas Richardson outlived her husband by several years and died at the age of 93. During the Revolutionary War, she cared for her children, endured hardships and supported the American cause. Fran Poe delivered both the American Indian Minute and the Conservation Minute during the meeting. DAR is a nonprofit, nonpolitical, volunteer women's service organization that promotes patriotism, education, historic preservation and community service. Women aged 18 or older who can prove lineal descent from an ancestor who aided in American independence are eligible for membership.  [1]
  _UID	DACF08194F2C4FA3949F536189EB15640B22
  Death	6 Nov 1834	Clarendon County, South Carolina   [2, 5]
  Person ID	I6237	Singleton and Related Families
  Last Modified	28 Jun 2025

  
  

  Father	Captain John or Jared NELSON,   b. Ireland d. 1755
  Mother	/BRUNSON BROWNSON
  _UID	AC21728D12FA4B47B0EC6CE3E4B870DA3B74
  _UID	AC21728D12FA4B47B0EC6CE3E4B870DA3B74
  Family ID	F2344	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Colonel Richard RICHARDSON, Jr.,   b. 4 Mar 1741, Prince Frederick Parish/Craven County, South Carolina d. Bef 16 Aug 1816, Sumter District, South Carolina (Age < 75 years)
  Marriage	1761	South Carolina   [2, 5]
  _UID	F6A7CC4555C64A078A36EA0D7E14CE0C3DD6
  _UID	F6A7CC4555C64A078A36EA0D7E14CE0C3DD6
  Children	1. Richard RICHARDSON, III,   b. Bef 1774   d. Bef 26 Apr 1850 (Age < 76 years)   2. Mary RICHARDSON,   b. 10 Nov 1763   d. Nov 1803 (Age 40 years)   3. Dorcas RICHARDSON   4. Susannah RICHARDSON,   b. 25 Dec 1777   d. 6 Aug 1830, probably Sumter County, South Carolina (Age 52 years)   5. Harriet P. RICHARDSON,   b. 1785, South Carolina d. 20 Mar 1810, Wilkinson County, Mississippi (Age 25 years)   6. Martha “Patty” RICHARDSON   d. Abt 1837
  Family ID	F2209	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	22 Mar 2012

  
  

• Sources

  [S32699] Dorcas Richardson DAR Chapter honors namesake Patriot during meeting; woman’s family, including Bobby Richardson, meets annually in Sumter, South Carolina. [S52] . [S286] Howell papers on James. [S1397] Some Early Members and Friends of St. Mark’s Church. [S17576] .