Dickinson Family Association
Volume XXI, No. 1
Dickinson Homestead (1813), Amherst, MA
2024 REUNION
Hello Cousins,
We had a great reunion last year in Hatfield, MA, and despite the rainy weather, we had more attendees than expected.
We look forward to seeing everyone again this year!
The 2024 Dickinson Family Reunion will be Saturday, June 29 with a Friday night gathering of cousins on June 28. Location: Emily Dickinson Museum, 280 Main St. Amherst, MA (22 miles North of Springfield, MA) nearby Interstate Route 91 and US Routes 9 and 116. We will be holding the reunion outside under tents as we have done in the past in the lawn and garden area of the Emily Dickinson Museum.
The location of Friday’s dinner will be announced in the next newsletter.
Amherst is a large college town with both UMASS and Amherst College campuses located within walking distance from a busy downtown. Saturday’s reunion will start at 9am with tours of the newly renovated Emily Dickinson Museum. You may want to consider arriving on Friday afternoon to visit the Emily Dickinson Collection, located within the Special Collections Reading Room at the Jones Library, 43 Amity St. Amherst, MA. You may also give strong consideration to visiting the Amherst Historical Society and Museum located next door at 67 Amity St. or taking a walking tour of either the Amherst College or UMASS campuses. Other details will be provided in our April Newsletter. We look forward to your attendance!
For more information on the Emily Dickinson Museum see following website link: https://www.emilydickinsonmuseum.org
For more information on the Amherst Historical Society and Museum visit: https://amhersthistory.org/
For more information on Amherst College visit: https://www.amherst.edu/admission/visit
Emily Dickinson Genealogy – Dickinson Family Lineage:
Emily Dickinson (1830- 1886), Edward Dickinson (1803-1874), Samuel Fowler Dickinson (1775-1838), Nathan Dickinson, Jr. (1735-1825), Nathan Dickinson, Sr. (1712-1796), Ebenezer Dickinson (1681-1730), Samuel Dickinson (1638-1711), Nathaniel Dickinson (1600-1676), our first English puritan settler, had strong genealogical connections to both Hadley, MA and Wethersfield, CT.
Berkshire Travels from 2023
In September 2023, I visited several Dickinson related historical sites in both Brattleboro, VT and Pittsfield, MA as follows:
- In Brattleboro, VT the former estate of Frederick and Harriet Dickinson is now the international headquarters and main campus of World Learning, Inc. at the intersection of Dickinson Rd. and Kipling Rd. This location is close to
I-91, has sweeping views of the surrounding valley, and would be a great location for a future reunion.
- Pontoosuc Lake and Beach is located on the former grounds of Fort Anson (1754) constructed by Col. William Williams (husband of Hannah Dickinson). Early Pittsfield was home to several other Dickinson family members, including: Israel Dickinson (1735-1777),a Yale graduate, was one of the fifty men of Pittsfield that joined the Green Mountain Boys and was an active solider during the surprise of Ticonderoga in 1775. He was a member of the General Court and sheriff of Berkshire County. He was born in Hatfield; died in Pittsfield.
- John Dickinson (1769-1855) and his cousin Capt. Joel Dickinson (1750-1813), were builders of the second Congregational Church in Pittsfield c. 1793 which was designed by Charles Bulfinch. John also owned a tavern on Park Square, Town Treasurer for many years, and was a founding member of the Berkshire Agricultural Society.
Ken Dickinson, President
JANUARY SURVEY CARD
The card enclosed with this mailing serves several purposes. Primarily it is to give us a rough idea of how many to expect at the reunion in June. We know that plans may change between January and June, but if you are hoping at this point to attend, please send the card back to let us know.
The survey also gives you a chance to volunteer to help the DFA in a meaningful way. Although we typically meet in person, for the past three years we have been conducting meetings remotely via Zoom. If you attend a Zoom meeting, you can get a “behind-the-scenes” look at how the DFA operates, have an opportunity to participate in our discussions, and maybe even find a niche for yourself on the board. Please consider that possibility, and let us know if you’re interested. Whether or not you can volunteer to work on the DFA board, all can help financially. As you know, we do not have dues, but we depend on members who are able, to make a contribution for operating expenses and/or for the scholarship fund. Any amount you can contribute is gratefully welcomed and will help the association.
2023 SCHOLARSHIP AWARD / 2024 SCHOLARSHIP FORMS NOW AVAILABLE
The 2023 Scholarship Committee selected Veronika Reed (University of San Francisco) to receive a scholarship of $1,500. Please note that application forms are now available for the 2024 DFA scholarship. Applicants must be descendants of Nathaniel Dickinson and must be accepted to a four-year college or university. The deadline for submission is April 30, 2024. Full information on requirements and an application form may be found on our website. For additional information you may contact our scholarship chair, Lisa Butler, 12 Cove St, Noank, CT 06340, email: dickinsonfamilyassociation@gmail.com
As always, we rely on contributions from DFA members to sustain and increase the scholarship fund. If you are able, we would appreciate your help. Indicate “scholarship fund” on the 2024 Survey form if you wish to make a donation.
ADDRESSES – POSTAL & E-MAIL
We know e-mail addresses change frequently and it is easy to forget to update them. So if your e-mail address and/or your postal address changes we would greatly appreciate your sending the new one to our membership clerk, Beth Landolina, at membership@dickinsonfamilyassociation.org
Web site: www.dickinsonfamilyassociation.org
Newsletter editor: Dale Williams