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Introduction
Catharine Williams was never one to write short letters to her friend Thomas Dorr, and her missive from early November 1842 is no exception. Williams relates information about Dorr’s mother Lydia that should be of interest to researchers (see also the TWD prison correspondence on this website). Williams mentions the ongoing clambakes, most notably the large one at Medbury Grove near Seekonk, that were designed to raise money to care for Dorrite prisoners of war. She also highlights the gender divide as male Dorrites, including the Providence editor William Simons (misspelled in the letter), did not want to march next to women. Note that Williams’ use of the word “coon” refers to members of the Whig Party (anti-Dorrite).