Episode 5 | The Dorr Rebellion

Thomas Wilson Dorr leads a political upheaval aimed at modernizing that state's archaic and extremely undemocratic government. 

27 minutes | 1841 - 1845

Hear About:

📜The radical measures the people of Rhode Island took to expand suffrage in their state

📜How the Dorr Rebellion went from a series of extra legal political actions to an armed uprising

📜How the Dorr Rebellion eventually came crashing down

4-Apr-03-2025-01-39-14-4474-PM
Key Historical Figures Introduced
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Thomas Wilson Dorr

Wealthy lawyer and working class advocate who leads the populist movement that bears his name. 

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Thomas Atwell

A Statesman from Glocester and long time supporter expanding suffrage throughout Rhode Island.  

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Governor Samuel Ward King

Governor of Rhode Island from 1839 - 1843 and a man who leads the counteroffensive to squash the Dorr Rebellion. 

Visit Locations From the Show
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First Dorrite Headquarters | Providence, Rhode Island

Shortly after being elected the Governor under the People's Constitution, Thomas Wilson Dorr and his supporters used the home of Burrington Anthony as their headquarters.  It was at this Federalist-style house that Dorr gave a rousing speech to a crowd of his supporters while waving a sword over his head. 

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Acotes Hill | Chepachet, Rhode Island

After being run out of Providence, the Dorrites established an encampment at Acotes Hill in Chapachet.  Unfortunately, in the summer of 1842 Governor Samuel Ward King sent a force of 2,500 troops out to Glocester and Dorr was forced to flee Rhode Island altogether. 

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Acotes Hill | Chepachet, Rhode Island

After being run out of Providence, the Dorrites established an encampment at Acotes Hill in Chapachet.  Unfortunately, in the summer of 1842 Governor Samuel Ward King sent a force of 2,500 troops out to Glocester and Dorr was forced to flee Rhode Island altogether. 

Maps, Graphs, and Images
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Thomas Wilson Dorr's Childhood Home

Unlike most of the people he was fighting for, Dorr grew up rather wealthy.  His father, Sullivan, initially made his fortune of the China trade but then further increased his wealthy by owning mills during the Industrial Revolution. 

What This Episode Doesn't Tell You
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Dorr's family were part of the group defending the state arsenal 

In May 1842 Dorr and his supporters attempted to raid the state arsenal in Providence.  However, when they arrived at the arsenal they saw a group of Rhode Islanders standing guard prepared to repel Dorr's attack.  A few of these men were related to Dorr - they included Dorr's father, his younger brother, his two uncles, and his brother-in-law.  The fact that Dorr's own family were willing to take up arms against him illustrates just how divided the state had become by 1842.  

Learn More
Books:
  • The Transformation of Rhode Island, 1790-1860 by Peter J. Coleman
  • Rhode Island: A History by William G. McLoughlin
  • Democracy in Decline: Rhode Island Constitutional Development, 1776-1841 by Patrick. T Conley
  • The People's Martyr: Thomas Wilson Dorr and His 1842 Rhode Island Rebellion by Eric J. Chaput