Mary Light

Mention of William Dorrel in Clermont Co., Ohio Records: (from Substitute Census for 1800-1810, Clermont Co., Ohio Pioneers 1798-1812, Aileen M. Whitt, 1094 Fagin Road, New Richmond, OH 45157, 1983) Ohio Census, 1802 Tax List, 1806 Common Pleas Courts, 1808-1812 Deed Index, 1811

Typed, untitled, unsigned page in the Dorrell genealogy file in the Ohio County Historical Society Museum: "Supposed to have come from Pennsylvania and spoken only Dutch or German, as it has been told. His family was supposed to have been murdered by the Indians and he was picked up by a man by the name of light. Later in years, he married this man's daughter, Polly Light. To them were born 14 children. It was never known for sure if he had any brothers or sisters. William Dorrell and Polly Light Dorrell lived on the same farm now owned by Harry Rieman, one quarter miles off State Highway 56, or 1 mile northeast of Mt. Carmel Church. The same log house was still standing about 25 or 30 years ago. There were no floors or windows at the time. There was no glass for windows, nor even matches to start fires. Fire was carried from one house to another in case it went out. At this time they could stand in their doorway and kill bears and wolves because they were boundered by forest. They done all of their cooking in an open fireplace. The same farm or part of it now owned by John Dorrell is the old Light farm, which is less than 1 mile from the above mentioned."