William Dorrell (Dorril) was born in Yorkshire, England, where he joined the British Army. Sent to America in 1776, he was present at British General Burgoyne’s surrender at Saratoga, New York. By 1780, Dorrell had married. He lived first in Warwick, Massachusetts, and then in Leyden, Massachusetts, with his wife and five children. In 1794, he began preaching.

Although illiterate, Dorrell had a good memory and could quote lengthy Bible verses. He argued that all days were holy and that no one should eat or use animal products. As a result, he and his followers wore shoes made of wood and cloth instead of leather. Dorrell also argued that each generation had its own Messiah and that he was the Messiah of his time. As such, he claimed to be perfect and claimed that by extension his followers were also perfect and free to form relationships with whomever they pleased, regardless of the law.

Local opposition to his ideas grew steadily. In 1800, at a public service where Dorrell again proclaimed his invincibility, a man stepped up from the audience, knocked him down and threatened to strike him again if he would not renounce his faith. Dorrell obliged and his followers renounced him. In an attempt to reclaim his authority he professed the ability to walk on water but his ruse failed and he was once again reviled as a hoax. He lived to be ninety-four in a remote part of Leyden where, rumor says, he starved to death.