Rhode Island Governor. A well-respected Chepachet, Rhode Island lawyer, in 1842 he was duly elected Rhode Island's governor by the People's Party, However, incumbent Governor Samuel King had a problem when Dorr refused to step down from office. Intent on conducting business, Governor Dorr called the Rhode Island general assembly to convene on July 4, 1842. The ensuing power struggle prompted Governor King to order a general call to arms to put a stop to "Dorr's rebellion." King's troops marched toward Chepachet to do battle with Dorr's guard who were waiting atop Acote's Hill. Dorr, realizing he would be outnumbered and outgunned, withdrew his troops to a local tavern before King's troops arrived. Several hours later, when King and his troops marched into the village, they approached the tavern. Confronted with a locked door, they aimed their guns at the tavern windows. When Dorr's men pointed their muskets outside the windows in return, King's troops backed off. Tavern owner, Jedediah Sprague, leaped out a window to defend his place of business, an argument ensued, emotions enflamed, and one of King's soldiers fired a shot through the keyhole of the locked door, striking George Bardeen in the leg. Dorr finally surrendered, was tried and sentenced to life imprisonment for high treason, but was released within a few years as a result of popular public support and general outrage at the harsh sentence.
Rhode Island Governor. A well-respected Chepachet, Rhode Island lawyer, in 1842 he was duly elected Rhode Island's governor by the People's Party, However, incumbent Governor Samuel King had a problem when Dorr refused to step down from office. Intent on conducting business, Governor Dorr called the Rhode Island general assembly to convene on July 4, 1842. The ensuing power struggle prompted Governor King to order a general call to arms to put a stop to "Dorr's rebellion." King's troops marched toward Chepachet to do battle with Dorr's guard who were waiting atop Acote's Hill. Dorr, realizing he would be outnumbered and outgunned, withdrew his troops to a local tavern before King's troops arrived. Several hours later, when King and his troops marched into the village, they approached the tavern. Confronted with a locked door, they aimed their guns at the tavern windows. When Dorr's men pointed their muskets outside the windows in return, King's troops backed off. Tavern owner, Jedediah Sprague, leaped out a window to defend his place of business, an argument ensued, emotions enflamed, and one of King's soldiers fired a shot through the keyhole of the locked door, striking George Bardeen in the leg. Dorr finally surrendered, was tried and sentenced to life imprisonment for high treason, but was released within a few years as a result of popular public support and general outrage at the harsh sentence.
Bio by: R. Digati
Gravesite Details
Thomas Wilson Dorr is born in Providence in 1805 into a wealthy family whose money is made from China-trade and textile manufacturing. He studies at Harvard University and later, after studying law under Chancellor Kent in New York, he practices
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