The featured speaker at the 2022 reunion of the Dickinson Family Association was Atty. James Thunder. His (virtual) talk focused on the illustrious life and political career of Daniel S. Dickinson. Mr. Thunder graciously agreed to give a repeat presentation of this talk by Zoom, and on February 26, 2023 approximately 50 of our members enjoyed watching it. For those who could not attend, or anyone else who would like to see this presentation, it has been recorded by our president, Ken Dickinson, and may be accessed by clicking on the link below.
The 2023 Dickinson Family Reunion will be Saturday, June 24 with a Friday night gathering of cousins on June 23. General Location: Hatfield, MA (25 miles North of Springfield, MA) approximately 3 miles from Exit 27 off of Interstate 91. We are planning to hold Saturday’s reunion at Fish Tales Restaurant, 12 School Street adjacent to the Hatfield Fire Station/Town Hall Complex. Friday’s dinner may also be held in the same location (TBD). Nathaniel Dickinson was one of the original proprietors of Hatfield which was settled in 1661. Start time and other details will be provided in the April Newsletter.
Our reunion will celebrate all Dickinsons who were raised in Hatfield with a focus on Caleb Cooley Dickinson (Nov 25, 1804 – September 16, 1882); farmer, shoemaker, businessman, horse trader, shrewd investor and original benefactor of the Cooley Dickinson Hospital located in Northampton, MA. Only after a highly contested, supreme judicial court case, Dickinson Hospital was established in 1885. We are pleased to announce that retired lawyer and district judge, W. Michael Ryan, who has conducted extensive research on “Cooley” Dickinson, is intended to be our main speaker. For more information on Caleb Cooley Dickinson see the following website links:
Dickinson Family – Buildings of interest along Main St. in Hatfield:
1 South St. (at intersection with Main St.) = John Dickinson House (1762): Lt. Colonel has interesting doorway.
22 Main St. Sophia Smith Birthplace (1790) / Nathaniel Dickinson Homestead lot (1661): Federal style
26 Main St. Sophia Smith House (1867): Queen Anne Victorian
39 Main St. Dickinson Memorial Hall / Museum / Public Library (1894): Italian Renaissance Revival
54 Main St. Samuel H. Dickinson House (1792 w/ 1837 Greek Revival renovation) bequested library
71 Main St. Joe Smith/Caleb Cooley Dickinson House (1770): Federal with English Barn
83 Main St. Myron Dickinson House / Solomon Dickinson Lot (1865): Queen Anne Victorian
86 Main St. William H. Dickinson House (1875): Queen Anne Victorian with farm complex
100 Main St. Caleb D. Dickinson House (1850): Greek Revival
116 Main St. Caleb D. Dickinson House (1860): Greek Revival
7 North St. William H. Dickinson Homestead (1800): Federal
35 School St. Elijah P. Dickinson Home (1863): Greek Revival
As discussed in our previous newsletter, the Hatfield Historical Museum and adjacent Hatfield Farm Museum contain several objects that are directly related to the Dickinson Family. They also have several personal items of Sophia Smith. We look forward to your attendance. More information to follow in our Spring Newsletter.
Ken Dickinson, President
CALEB COOLEY DICKINSON GENEAOLOGY
Caleb Cooley Dickinson lineage is as follows: (1) Nathaniel, (2) Nathaniel, (3) Nathaniel, (4) Daniel, (5) Aaron. His mother was Experience Phelps, daughter of Charles and Dorothy (Root) Phelps and widow of Caleb Cooley. His father, Aaron, established a busy tavern in North Hatfield (191 Pantry Rd.) and his grandfather, Nathaniel, was the first born in Hatfield, and owner of the same homestead farm as the Sophia Smith Birthplace.
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 prior to April 1st.
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 two 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 FORMS NOW AVAILABLE
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, 2023. 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 2023 Survey form if you wish to make a donation.
ADDRESSES – POSTAL & E-MAIL
We know e-mail addresses change frequently and it’s easy to forget to update them. So if your e-mail address and/or your postal address changes, we would greatly appreciate you sending the new one to our membership clerk, Beth Landolina, email at: membership@dickinsonfamilyassociation.org
In Memoriam
We are sad to announce that Virginia Allis passed away on June 6, 2022. Virginia was a long-time member of the DFA and for many years served as treasurer of the association. Virginia was well known to those who attended our reunions where she worked at the registration table. We are thankful for her years as DFA member and treasurer and will miss her greatly.
Here is a reminder to please return the January Survey forms.
Thank you to everyone for an exciting reunion last summer in South Hadley, MA. Our main speaker, Jim Thunder, successfully conducted a remote (zoom) presentation with vivid graphics on Atty. Daniel S. Dickinson. Mount Holyoke College once again served delectable meals on both Friday and Saturday. As usual, the Willits-Hallowell Center in-house accommodations were very clean, safe and convenient. I sincerely appreciate all the work, volunteerism, and interactive participation with Jim Thunder in effort to hold our 2022 reunion. Jim says “thanks everyone” and intends to be available for a repeat performance at a future reunion. We also may provide a repeat presentation via Zoom this winter and are considering another remote presentation at a future reunion.
We are currently planning our 2023 reunion for June 23 and 24th with a strong consideration to hold it in Northampton, MA. The DFA is also planning a return to the Emily Dickinson Museum in Amherst, MA and future reunions in Wethersfield, CT and Hatfield, MA. The Emily Dickinson Museum recently reopened to the public in August 2022 after completing a series of renovations. Renovation work will continue as they received a large donation from an alumnus of Amherst College to upgrade the museum with modern conveniences while restoring various rooms to their original décor based on photos from the 1800’s and other historically accurate information.
In 2021, Smith College donated 30 items from Sophia Smith’s collection to the Hatfield Historical Society. The gift represents a homecoming of many items to Sophia Smith’s birthplace. Smith College was chartered in 1871 with a bequest from Sophia Smith’s estate. The Dickinson and Smith families both resided on Nathaniel Dickinson, Jr. homestead lot along Main Street in Hatfield, MA on which the Sophia Smith birthplace house currently stands. The Hatfield Historical Society/Hatfield Public Library and Farm Museum are located only a short walking distance from their homestead and contain several other items related to the Dickinson family. Caleb Cooley Dickinson, founder of the Cooley Dickinson Hospital, resided at the corner of North St. and Main St. in Hatfield, MA a short distance north of the Library. The Hatfield Public Library (also known as Dickinson Memorial Hall) was a bequest by Samuel Huntington Dickinson in 1894, who conveniently resided across the street. Several other Dickinson Family homesteads and/or historical buildings are also found along Main St. which will be the subject of a future walking tour. More information to follow…We look forward to seeing you in 2023!
DICKINSON HISTORY IN NH & VT
FALL FOLIAGE FIELD TRIP 2022
We recently took a fall foliage trip along Route 9 in southern Vermont and Route 119 and Route 10 in southwestern New Hampshire. Here are some highlights from our trip:
In Brattleboro, VT at the intersection of Dickinson Rd. and Kipling Rd. there is a “Dickinson Estate Historic District” which is located on a portion of the “World Learning” organization’s main campus. Frederick Zelotes Dickinson commissioned the design and construction of a 20 room Colonial Revival mansion house when he purchased the former Bliss Farm in 1899. Several other buildings were constructed on the property circa 1900 and are still utilized today. Frank Z. Dickinson was the son of Zelotes and Mary Jane (Smead) Dickinson who were the former owners of the Brattleboro Woolen Factory and several other stores found along Main St. in Downtown Brattleboro. Frederick Zelotes Dickinson was part owner of Hopkins, Dickinson & Co. (a bronze hardware manufacturer), opened the slate quarries in Guilford, VT and was an agent for the National Oil Stone Co. in NYC prior to purchasing the Bliss Farm.
Lt. Samuel Dickinson, an entrepreneurial blacksmith, owned a mill and shop along the Whetstone Brook in Brattleboro from 1795 to 1817. Samuel also ran a tavern/stage house which was located where “Hotel Brooks” now stands at the intersection of High St. and Main St. A successful 1800’s stove and tin shop, owned by Ashbel Dickinson, was also located at this intersection. More info can be found at the Brattleboro Historical Society.
A short distance east of Brattleboro, VT is Dickinson Pond, located on Fiddle Hill Rd. in the Ashuelot Village portion of Winchester, NH. General Erastus (b. 1800) and Ansel (b. 1822) were both sons of William and Lucinda (Gardner) Dickinson who settled in Swanzey, NH circa 1770. They operated a large land tract lumbering operation in the mid-1800 thru early 1900’s (now Pisgah State Forest). A hiking trail located at the Old Chesterfield Road Visitor Center in Winchester, NH leads to the Broad Brook Trail where the sawmill, barn and boarding house foundations, and interpretive signage are located. The Dickinson Real Estate and Logging Co. merged into the New England Box Co. in 1898. Ansel Dickinson served as its Principal; his farmhouse on Rte. 119 now serves as the local office for the “Ashuelot Head Start Program”. Ansel was known as the “Lumber King”. He formed and owned several other businesses in Winchester and Swanzey, NH. More info can be found at the Cheshire County Historical Society.
From 1765 to 1790, Dr. Nathaniel Dickinson (son of Nathaniel Dickinson IV from Northfield, MA) served as the first physician in Bennington, VT after serving in the French & Indian War. In 1790, Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Fisk) Dickinson removed to Cambridge, VT; however several of his children’s gravestones remain in the iconic Old Bennington Cemetery (site of Ethan Allen’s home lot), located a short distance from the Bennington Battle Monument. More info to follow on Dr. Nathaniel Dickinson in a future newsletter.
Ken Dickinson
2023 DFA SCHOLARSHIP ALERT
One of the most important functions of the Dickinson Family Association is the awarding of our annual scholarship. For the year 2022, the Scholarship Committee selected Ruthie Davis and Kaitlyn Reed to each receive a scholarship of $1,500. Ruthie Davis attends Norwich University, Northfield Vermont and Kaitlyn Reed is at Emmanuel College in Boston, Massachusetts.
The 2023 Scholarship application process will again be online. For information you may go to our website under “Scholarship” or contact our scholarship chair, Lisa Butler, 12 Cove St. Noank, CT 06340, dickinsonfamilyassociation@gmail.com.
E-MAIL CHANGES REQUESTED
We know e-mail addresses change frequently and it is easy to forget to update them. So if you plan to change your e-mail address we would greatly appreciate your sending the new one to our membership clerk, Beth Landolina, at membership@dickinsonfamilyassociation.org If this newsletter was sent to an e-mail address that will soon be obsolete, please let us know.
Be Thinking…
The Dickinson Family Association is doing well, but change is always imminent. We ask that you think about volunteering to help out. We will elaborate on this and other opportunities to help in the January newsletter, but please be thinking positively about joining our operating team.
151st Reunion – Sat. June 25, 2022 – Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA
Fri. night dinner June 24, 2022 – Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA
Hello Cousins,
Plans for the 2022 reunion in South Hadley, MA have been confirmed. All events on both Friday and Saturday will be held at Mount Holyoke College’s “Willits-Hallowell Center” Morrison Room (same location as our 2018, 2013 and 2010 reunions). We will commence at 5:00 pm on Friday, June 24th with an informal board meeting; followed by a social hour and dinner. Saturday’s events will begin at 9am and conclude at approx. 3pm.
See more details regarding our schedule on page 2.
General Directions: Mount Holyoke College is located approx. 12 miles North of Springfield, MA at the intersection of MA State Route 47 and MA State Route 116.
As a continuation from our Winter Newsletter, the following are a few interesting facts and quotes from several sources regarding Daniel S. Dickinson (our main speaker topic):
Daniel was encouraged to run for President of the United States during two elections, however he respectfully declined. He was considered by Lincoln as a possible running mate in 1864.
Daniel only attended local schools and independently studied to become a lawyer.
Prior to his political career, he taught courses in mathematics, surveying, law and justice.
He was a successful investor and was President of the NY and Liverpool Petroleum Company.
After being appointed by President Lincoln, he served as a US attorney for New York in 1865.
Daniel died in 1866 while working in NYC; 6,000 people attended his funeral in Binghamton.
As a politician, Dickinson was known best for his participation in Henry Clay’s “Committee of Thirteen,” which earned him commendation and respect from both the North and the South before and during the Civil War. His political views were conservative, with an emphasis on state rights and the Constitution. Dickinson worked for compromise until the war was declared, at which point he was strictly pro-Union and sought to prevent party infighting to bring the war to a quick end.
Excerpts from two of his speeches:
“I do not advocate the annexation of Texas merely because it is desirable as a military position, nor for its vast commercial advantages, but upon broad principles of national faith and justice. Its people are entitled to admission they are moved by the same high impulses as ourselves and protected and controlled by the same beneficent Providence.” (Feb 22, 1845 Speech at US Senate, Washington, DC)
“I have no new light upon the subject of this rebellion or the manner in which it should be treated. I stand today where I stood when Sumter fell. Determined to see my country’s flag vindicated-To see the supremacy of the Constitution established and upheld;-To see sovereign law acknowledged-To see rebellion crushed.” (1862 War Ratification Meeting at Cooper Institute, New York)
We look forward to seeing you and learning more about Daniel S. Dickinson at our reunion in June. Enclosed with this newsletter is a reservation card and return envelope. Please observe the deadline of June 15th for returning this card.
151st ANNUAL REUNION SCHEDULE
Friday, June 24
5:00 pm Informal Board Meeting
5:30 pm Social Hour
6:30 pm Annual Reunion Dinner
Saturday, June 25
8:45 am Gathering of cousins: registration, exhibits, sales & refreshments
10:45 am Short Presentation / Intro to Daniel S. Dickinson (TBD)
11:15 am Group Photos / Chaplain Prayer
11:45 am Lunch
12:45 pm Annual meeting, Counting of Cousins, and Presentation of Gifts
1:45 pm Main Speaker, Jim Thunder, Esq; Topic: “Daniel S. Dickinson”
2:45 pm Q&A Session and Concluding Ceremony ending by 3:00 pm
Bronze statue of Sen. Daniel S. Dickinson Erected in 1924 at the Broome Country Court House, Binghamton, NY
2022 REUNION ANNOUNCEMENT
Hello Cousins,
The 2022 Dickinson Family Reunion will be Saturday, June 25 with a Friday night gathering of cousins on June 24. General Location: Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA (12 miles North of Springfield, MA) at the intersection of MA State Route 47 and MA State Route 116. We are planning to hold Saturday’s reunion at Mount Holyoke College in Willits-Hallowell Conference Center’s Morrison Room (same location as the 2018, 2013 and 2010 reunions). Friday’s dinner may also be held in the same location (TBD). Mount Holyoke College is located adjacent to South Hadley’s historic village green in the geographical center of the Town. Willits-Hallowell Conference Center’s main parking lot is located off of Park St. along Leaping Brook (1/4 mile from the village green/campus entrance). Start time and other details will be provided in the April Newsletter. See following website for a detailed map: www.mtholyoke.edu/about/visit
Our reunion will focus on Atty. Daniel S. Dickinson who was a very active political leader from 1836 to 1866. Beginning in 1836, he served both as a NY state senator and Lt. Governor of New York; and from 1844 to 1851 a U.S. Senator, serving as chairman on the Senate Finance Committee. He was one of the best known politicians during this time, as he performed public speeches on a regular basis. He was a strong abolitionist and served a key role in the annexation of Texas and the joint occupation of Oregon. We are pleased to announce that Atty. James Thunder, who has conducted extensive research on Atty. Daniel S. Dickinson, is intended to be our main speaker. For more information on Atty. Daniel S. Dickinson see our following website link which offers an illustrative paper written by Atty. James Thunder:
Atty. Daniel S. Dickinson Genealogy: Daniel Stevens Dickinson (1800- 1866): son of Daniel Thomas Dickinson (1768-1841) and Mary Caulkins (1769-1831); was born in Goshen, CT and died in New York City. He is buried in Binghamton, NY where he served as its first mayor in 1834. Daniel’s family removed from Goshen, CT in 1806 to Guilford, NY where his father helped establish their episcopal church in 1830. Daniel’s grandfather: Thomas IV (1737-1811) was born in Hartford, CT, married in Norfolk, CT where he ran a harness shop and provided supplies during the Rev War, and died in Goshen, CT. Daniel’s great grandfather: Thomas III (1708-1747) lived the majority of his life in Hartford, CT where he served as a “fence viewer”. Thomas II (1672-1723) was born in Hadley, MA and died in Hartford, CT where he served in the same capacity and maintained a farm along the CT River. Thomas I (1632-1712/13) was born in Billingborough, England and died in Wethersfield, CT. Thomas I was a first settler in Hadley, MA in 1659 along with his father Nathaniel (1600-1676). About 1679, Thomas removed back to Wethersfield, CT and also owned lands in Hartford, CT. These lands remained within their family for several generations. More information to follow in our Spring Newsletter.
Ken Dickinson, President
JANUARY SURVEY
The January Survey 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 complete the survey 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 two 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.
2021 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS / 2022 SCHOLARSHIP FORMS NOW AVAILABLE
The 2021 Scholarship Committee has selected Deanna Gann (Univ. of Vermont), Nathan Stene (Oklahoma State Univ.), and Ruthie Davis (Norwich Univ.) to each receive a scholarship of $1,500. Please note that application forms are now available for the 2022 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, 2022. 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 2022 Survey form if you wish to make a donation.
ADDRESSES – POSTAL & E-MAIL
We know e-mail addresses change frequently and it’s easy to forget to update them. So if your e-mail address and/or your postal address changes, we would greatly appreciate you sending the new one to our membership clerk, Beth Landolina, email at: membership@dickinsonfamilyassociation.org.
Here is a reminder to please return the January Survey forms
Plans for the 2021 reunion in Deerfield, MA have been confirmed. As discussed in the July newsletter, our reunion will commence at 3pm on Friday, October 22nd with museum tours at the “Memorial Hall Museum” (8 Memorial St.) conveniently located off of Route 5, approximately 5 miles due north of Interstate Route 91 (Exit 35). See more details regarding this tour on page 2. The museum tour will be followed by an informal board meeting, social hour and dinner at the “Deerfield Inn” (81 Old Main St.) which is a 7 minute walking distance from the museum. Saturday’s events will be held at the Deerfield Community Center “White Church” 16 Memorial St. (located at corner of Old Main St. and Memorial St.) commencing at 9 am on Saturday, October 23rd.
We are pleased to welcome our main speaker, Eric Gradoia (Historic Deerfield’s Director of Historical Preservation), who will utilize new computer technology to provide us a 3D photo imagery (drone style) walking tour of Major David Dickinson’s house and grounds. This private house is one of the best examples of 18th century continuous colonial style architecture in Deerfield. Built circa 1783, it has undergone several additions and renovations over the past 200 years, however much of the original construction remains preserved. Mr. Gradoia, who performed historical structure reports for the Emily Dickinson and Austin Dickinson Houses in Amherst, will provide an update on recent restoration efforts both in Amherst and at Historic Deerfield’s Barnard Tavern / Frary House; amongst other properties where our ancestors formerly resided. Mr. Gradoia will also discuss Capt. Thomas Dickinson’s house, the Wilson Print Shop (where Rev. Roldophus Dickinson published several books), Deerfield Academy’s original building (which is now the Memorial Hall Museum) and the former Dickinson High School. This presentation will also cover information on the Dickinson and other related families that resided in Deerfield Village from the late 1600’s to the late 1800’s.
Historic Deerfield will offer a reduced rate of $12 per person on museum admission for the weekend. Please inform the staff at the “Hall Tavern” (Visitor’s Center) that you are with the “Dickinson Reunion” event. We encourage you to tour both the “Frary House” and “Wells-Thorn House” on Saturday, as they’re located adjacent to the White Church. Tours will be held at 10am and 4pm. Maximum capacity of each house tour is 10 people. Historic Deerfield has 7 house tours total, live demonstrations and other guided walking tours, etc. Their “Flynt Center Museum” contains many items of Dickinson family furniture, art and other household items; therefore we encourage you to view them either on Sunday or Friday morning.
Included with this newsletter is a reservation card and return envelope. Please observe the deadline of October 9th for submitting this form.
We continue to invite any interested DFA members to contact one of the current board members and come join us at a board meeting. Our board meeting on Oct. 22nd is a less formal one, and is always open to any DFA member who wishes to attend.
Ken Dickinson, President
150th ANNUAL REUNION SCHEDULE
Friday, October 22
3:00 pm Memorial Hall Museum Tour
4:30 pm Museum closed
5:00 pm Open Informal Board Meeting
6:00 pm Social Hour
7:00 pm Annual Reunion Dinner
Saturday, October 23
9:00 am Gathering of cousins: registration, exhibits, sales & refreshments
11:15 am Counting of Cousins, Presentation of Gifts, and Group Photos
11:45 am Lunch
12:45 pm Annual meeting
1:30 pm Main Speaker, Erik Gradoia, Topic: “Dickinson Houses in Old Deerfield”
2:30 pm Q&A Session and Concluding Ceremony ending by 3:00 pm
4:30 pm Historic Deerfield Museum / Memorial Hall Museum closing
Memorial Hall Museum Deerfield, MA
MEMORIAL HALL MUSEUM TOUR
Museum Tours will be conducted at 3pm on Friday, October 22nd at the Memorial Hall Museum, 8 Memorial St., Deerfield, MA led by Ray Radigan (Curator), Tim Neumann (Executive Director), and other Pocumtuck Valley Museum Association (PVMA) tour guides. Several items which have been in storage for years; have been polished off and displayed for this tour. The Memorial Hall Museum, constructed in 1799, is the original Deerfield Academy. All 3 floors of this historic brick building are ADA accessible.
Admission fee is $3.00 per person (paid on-site) for FRI/SAT/SUN. Duration is approximately one hour. Upto 3 tours will be led in groups of 12 or less, (maximum total of 36 people). Please reserve in advance (see registration card) to ensure that we have enough guides for this very informative tour. We look forward to your attendance on Friday.
Our 150th Reunion will be held in Deerfield, MA on Saturday, October 23rd, 2021. Saturday’s reunion will be held inside Historic Deerfield’s Community Center “White Church” an ADA accessible, air conditioned building located at the corner of Old Main St. and Memorial St. We intend to have Friday’s dinner & social conveniently held at the Deerfield Inn, 81 Old Main St.
We are holding the reunion in Deerfield due to the quality of venues, museums, historic homes and content which is directly linked to our family’s history. Historic Deerfield and PVMA’s Memorial Hall Museum are in possession of several buildings, original manuscripts, furniture, and other family items, i.e. clothing, dinnerware, weapons, books, pottery, and artwork.
We are planning to conduct guided walking tours on either Friday PM and/or Saturday AM (pending sufficient interest). I encourage you to fill out the enclosed early response card as soon as possible, in effort to confirm tours, schedule, budget, etc. We intend to have a well-spoken guest speaker. Further details and schedule will follow in our Fall Newsletter.
Deerfield’s Involvement in Shays’ Rebellion:
Col. Thomas Wells Dickinson, who participated in several companies in the Revolutionary War, led a MA militia troop from Deerfield, MA to Springfield, MA on August 29, 1786. His company assisted in successfully protecting the Court Session in Springfield prior to the battles ensued by Shays’ Rebellion which occurred later in 1786 and early 1787. His brother, Major David Dickinson also served as a private in this company.
Conversely on the civilian side, Capt. Reuben Dickinson of Amherst, who led several MA militia companies in 1775 and 1776, including very active duty at the Battle of Bunker Hill with Daniel Shays, served an important role in Shays’ Rebellion. They led a large group of at least 400 farmers, many of whom had served in the Rev War, to the Springfield court house in rebellion of the taxes which were unfairly being charged. They were struggling to survive in our new Republic and were losing their farms, as they previously had many years to repay their creditors prior to the Revolution. Shays’ Rebellion ultimately caused Washington, Jefferson, John Dickinson and others to speed up their process of signing the Constitution in Philadelphia in effort to create a stronger republic on September 17, 1787.
Col. Thomas Wells Dickinson, as a younger man, was commissioned by Col. Benedict Arnold at the Barnard Tavern in 1775. He was summoned to lead a troop from Deerfield to Ticonderoga during the Rev War in 1775. He and his brother Consider Dickinson led cattle to Ticonderoga in effort to feed the troops. Thomas continued to serve an important role as a deputy commissioner during the war.
Ken Dickinson, President
JULY 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 October. We know that plans may change between August and October, but if you are hoping at this point to attend, please send the card back to inform us.
The survey also gives you a chance to volunteer to help the DFA in a meaningful way. For those of you who live within a reasonable distance of the area where we usually meet, we would like to invite you to come to a board meeting. In a normal year we usually meet in October, January and April, starting with lunch and in January and April concluding with the assembly of a mailing. If you come, 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.
PLEASE NOTE: ADDRESSES – POSTAL & E-MAIL
Newsletters are now sent only by email to those members whose email addresses we have. If you are receiving this newsletter by postal mail and you have an email address, we ask you to send your email address to our membership clerk, Beth Landolina at membership@dickinsonfamilyassociation.org. This will help save the association time and money. Be assured, we use these addresses only for sending the DFA newsletters and do not share them with anyone.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR GENEALOGIST
Lisa Butler, our Dickinson Genealogist, requests your input on Nathaniel Dickinson’s descendants. You may send your births, marriages and death announcements to Lisa at dickinsonfamilyassociation@gmail.com.
Check out our NEW WEBSITE!
The new site is very interactive. Viewers can do searches, send us messages and feedback, order books, donate and even join the association online. Newsletters that do not have inserts will be sent only by email to those members whose email addresses we have, so it’s more important than ever to keep us informed of any changes. Our typical newsletter schedule will temporarily change in 2021 to accommodate our reunion plans for October; however we will still send newsletters containing response cards or reservation cards, via US postal mail only to members who do not email addresses.
Here is a reminder to please return the Survey forms.
Service to the public has been found among Dickinsons in America from the beginning. Nathaniel Dickinson himself served as town clerk, selectman, and juryman for the town of Wethersfield, CT, and was a representative to the “House of Magistrates” in Hartford.
Many descendants of Nathaniel’s children have continued his example. Below we present images and some biographical information of seven Dickinsons whose lives spanned two centuries and who have served in national office. We hope to expand on the accomplishments of one or more of these people in a future reunion.
JOHN DEAN DICKINSON (1767-1841)
John Dean Dickinson was descended from Nathaniel’s son, Hezekiah. He was born in Middletown, Connecticut, and died in Troy, New York. He was a judge and a member of Congress. John Dean Dickinson was also one of the original trustees of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
RODOLPHUS DICKINSON (1797-1849)
Rodolphus was descended from Nathaniel’s son Samuel. He was born in Whately, Massachusetts, died in Washington, D.C. and is buried in Fremont, Ohio. He was a member of the U.S. Congress.
CAPT. EDWARD FENWICK DICKINSON (1829-1891)
Edward Fenwick was the son of Rodolphus (above). He was born and died in Fremont, Ohio. He attained the rank of Captain in the Civil War. Edward was a judge in Sandusky County, mayor of Fremont and served in the U.S. Congress.
DANIEL STEVENS DICKINSON (1800-1866)
Daniel S. Dickinson was born in Goshen, Connecticut, a descendant of Nathaniel’s son Thomas. He died in New York City. He was a state senator in New York, Lieutenant Governor of the state, and from 1844 to 1851 a U.S. Senator. A book on Daniel S. Dickinson may be found at this link: D.S. Dickinson book.
Also, James Thunder has written an article on Daniel S. which you may access at the link: Thunder.
EDWARD DICKINSON (1803-1874)
Edward Dickinson was born in Amherst, Massachusetts and died in Boston. He was a descendant of Nathaniel’s son Samuel. Edward was elected as a representative to the Massachusetts General Court in 1838 and 1873 and as a State Senator in 1842 and 1843. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1853 to 1855. Edward was the father of poet Emily Dickinson (1830-1886).
LESTER JESSE DICKINSON (1873-1968)
Lester was a descendant of two of Nathaniel’s sons, Nehemiah and Joseph. He was born in Derby, Iowa and died in Des Moines. He was an attorney, served six terms in the House of Representatives and was a U.S. Senator from 1930 to 1936.
The Senator’s law practice was in Algona, IA. Lester’s son, L. Call Dickinson, set up a practice in Des Moines in 1937, which his son, L. Call Dickinson Jr., joined and it continues to this day. L. Call Jr. has written an article which tells about all three generations, the Senator’s career, and many aspects of operating a law firm through the years. The article may be accessed with this link: L. Call Jr. article.
FRED DICKINSON LETTS (1875-1965)
Fred Letts was a first cousin of Lester Jesse Dickinson. Fred’s mother, Hannah, was a sister of Lester’s father, Levi. Fred was born near Ainsworth, Iowa, and died in Washington, DC. He practiced law in Davenport starting in 1899. He served for 13 years as a judge until elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1925. In 1931 he was appointed an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia and served until 1961.
Reference: Descendants of Nathaniel Dickinson, 3rd ed., Dickinson Family Association, 2006.
Acknowledgements for use of images:
John Dean Dickinson. From: Library of Congress, public domain.
Rodolphus Dickinson. Courtesy of: Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museum, Spiegel Grove, Fremont, OH 43420.
Edward Fenwick Dickinson. Courtesy of: Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museum, Spiegel Grove, Fremont, OH 43420.
Daniel Stevens Dickinson (Photo, 1855). From: Library of Congress, public domain.
Edward Dickinson. Portrait by: Bullard, O.A. (Otis Allen), 1816-1853. Edward Dickinson, 1840. Courtesy of: Dickinson family artifacts, Dickinson Room. Houghton Library, Harvard College Library.
Lester Jesse Dickinson. From: Library of Congress, public domain.
Frederick Dickinson Letts. Courtesy of: Curator of U.S. House of Representatives Collection.
The Laurel Hill Cemetery is a historic burying ground in Deerfield, MA. Its location is east of Old Deerfield Village, across U.S. Route 5. The postponed 150th reunion of the Dickinson Family Association will take place in Deerfield, and since the DFA has contributed toward a major cleaning and restoration project undertaken in the summer and fall of 2020, we are posting here a few photos of the cemetery showing the work that was done and some of the Dickinson gravestones and monuments found there.
BEFORE
AFTER
The work was carried out by Chris Harris, and a more detailed description can be found at this link: Project Report. Chris and his crew are to be commended for a magnificent and important job done. As members of one of the prominent families buried here, we of the DFA are grateful to them for this outstanding preservation project.
Maps of the cemetery may be found at the cemetery website. Dickinson graves are found in the West section, in rows 10, 16 and 18. We hope to arrange for some guided tours during the 2021 reunion, but all attendees are welcome to visit the cemetery and explore it on their own.
IF STONES COULD TALK
Notes on some of the Dickinsons buried at Laurel Hill
[More information on several of these people is available in Ken Dickinson’s articles in the DFA Newsletters of November 2019, and January, April, and December 2020]
Thomas Dickinson (1718-1814) was born in Hatfield and moved to Deerfield around 1753. Several of his nine sons have gravestones in Laurel Hill Cemetery.
BEFORE
AFTER
Eliphalet Dickinson (1749-1827)
Eliphalet Dickinson served in the Revolutionary War and was called “Uncle Liff”. He and his brother, Thomas Wells Dickinson (b. 1751) were among the 15 “Proprietors of the New School” which met in 1787 to establish a school for Deerfield. The schoolhouse was built by 1788 and opened in that year. This school was the seed for Deerfield Academy, which was founded in 1797. Four men from the original proprietors (not the Dickinsons) were among the first trustees of Deerfield Academy.
Two of Eliphalet’s sons, Jackson and William are buried in Laurel Hill. Their stones are pictured below.
Jackson Dickinson (1790-1816)
William Dickinson (1783-1842)
Thomas Wells was a colonel in the Revolutionary War. One of his sons, Rodolphus, is the subject of an article by Ken Dickinson in the December 2020 DFA Newsletter. Another son, Thomas Wells Dickinson, M.D. (known as “Wells”) was a farmer and physician. His gravestone and that of his wife, Lucy, are pictured below.
Lucy Hoyt Dickinson (1799-1854) Thomas Wells, M.D. (1784-1849)
Another brother of Eliphalet and Col. Thomas Wells was Consider Dickinson. He was the youngest of the nine children born to Capt. Thomas Dickinson. A large granite monument stands at the gravesites of Consider Dickinson (1761-1854) and his two wives. One side of the monument tells of his first wife, Filana Field, and another of his second wife, Esther Harding.
Consider was a farmer and fur trader and served in the Rev. war. He had no children. His widow Esther lived until 1875 and when she died she left her land to the town of Deerfield. The inscription on the fourth side of the monument describes her bequest:
“The large property of this family, acquired by years of careful industry and frugality, was given for a High School, Library and Reading Room, free to the inhabitants of Deerfield.”
Esther Harding Dickinson (1790 -1875)
The private school, Deerfield Academy, had done very well financially in its early years, but by the time Esther died it was not prospering. Therefore, funds from Deerfield Academy were transferred to Dickinson Academy and a new building was built on Esther’s property. It was known as Dickinson Academy and Deerfield High School and included a free library and reading room for the town. In time, Dickinson Academy faded, and Deerfield Academy re-emerged and grew to its present prestigious state.
[Currently, the high school for local youth, and those of some surrounding towns is Frontier Regional H.S. in South Deerfield.]
refs. A History of Deerfield Massachusetts, vol. 2, George Sheldon, 1896; Descendants of Nathaniel Dickinson, 3rd ed., Dickinson Family Association, 2006.
I understand that this year has been a challenging one for most. Despite our reunion postponement (we hope now that the 150th Reunion can be rescheduled for September or October 2021) we have made a few strides as follows:
The first round of edits was completed to our “Descendants of Nathaniel Dickinson” 3rd Edition genealogy book. These edits were mostly limited to blank and/or incomplete information. For the second round of edits we look forward to both continuing this process and building upon our database by adding new information as possible. We are anticipating that the 4th edition will be offered in at least two volumes (or a supplemental volume offered on a thumbdrive), as there are many new descendants to add to our database. We anticipate that this will be a multi-year project, as the 3rd Edition took many years to complete.
Earlier this year, we were contacted by Chris Harris, a member of the Laurel Hill Cemetery Association, located in Deerfield, who requested donations for a Historical Gravestone Preservation Project. As a result of reviewing their work scope, the DFA Board contributed $100.00 towards their 2020 project. We look forward to seeing the results of this recent work at next year’s reunion.
The following is a brief project update provided by Mr. Harris:
“Summer 2020 conservation work has been completed. We’re already seeing fairly remarkable results; prior to seeing the long term effects of gradual environmentally-safe stone cleaning techniques. In addition to the restoration of Dickinson Family gravestones and monuments, other related families, i.e. Wright, Sheldon, Barnard and Stebbins have been restored, reset level, and repined. Thank you for your continued interest and support.”
Chris Harris
Rev. Rodolphus Dickinson –
son of Col. Thomas Wells Dickinson from Deerfield, MA:
(June 27, 1786–October 30, 1862)
Highlights of his interesting life and prolific career:
Rodolphus Dickinson was an attorney, author, teacher, and Episcopal minister, born in Deerfield, MA. He was in the first graduating class of Deerfield Academy attending in 1799, graduated from Yale in 1805, and was admitted to the Massachusetts bar in 1808 in Northampton. In 1809, he married Nancy Hoyt, daughter of David Hoyt of Deerfield. They had two daughters and one son all of whom were born in Greenfield, MA. He practiced law in Springfield, MA until 1811. In 1815, he was initiated as a Mason in the Republican lodge. He was clerk of the Franklin County courts from 1811 until 1819, when he accepted Episcopal orders and began serving two parishes in South Carolina. He allegedly traveled over 7,000 miles by horseback during 1820 and was an early abolitionist preaching against slavery.
Excerpt from online posting at St. Peter’s Church in Greenville, SC:
Between April and June of 1820, he established three missions in the Piedmont of South Carolina. As a result, he was advanced to priesthood in 1822. At 34 he entered the Episcopal ministry and chose” … to explore the inland hills and mountains, where life was a test of man’s industry and ingenuity… and where the Episcopal Church was emphatically not, as in the coastal areas, “the Church.” The three missions that Dickinson established in upstate South Carolina were St. Paul’s in Pendleton; St. James in Greenville (which was later renamed Christ Church); and St. Peter’s at the South Carolina Armory (near Greenville).
By 1829, Dickinson had returned to Deerfield, and he officiated at Trinity Parish in Montague for six years. He lived in a stately Georgian-style house constructed in 1768 by Joseph Barnard located directly across from The First Church of Deerfield (northeast corner of the original stockade). He also rented the former Ephraim Williams House on the corner of Old Main St. & Albany St. (now owned by Deerfield Academy). Rodolphus eventually built his own house on Pine Hill, located north of the village center. In 1836, Rodolphus’s first daughter, Nancy, married John Campbell, a printer who resided in Deerfield. In 1860, Rodolphus’s second daughter, Jane, married Rev. George A. Williams. Per an 1871 map, both families resided on Pine Hill (now Old Ferry Road).
Rodolphus ran an unsuccessful bid for congress in 1839, however he continued teaching for decades at Deerfield Academy. His literary endeavors included geographical, legal, and several religious works including “A Description of Deerfield” , printed 1817 in the Wilson Print Shop that is currently owned by Historic Deerfield, “A Compilation of the Laws of Massachusetts”, 1811; “A Compendium of the Religious Doctrines, Religious and Moral Precepts, Historical and Descriptive Beauties of the Bible”, 1815; “A Digest Of The Common Law Supreme Court MA”, 1818.
“Family and Landscape: Deerfield Homelots from 1671” (Susan McGowan, Amelia F. Miller), 1996
“History and Proceedings of the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association” Volume 2, 1898
I intend to provide more updates and stories in subsequent newsletters. I wish everyone the best during this challenging year. We are all making history as we persevere in 2020.
Best Regards,
Ken Dickinson, President
2020 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS /
2021 SCHOLARSHIP FORMS NOW AVAILABLE
The 2020 Scholarship Committee has selected Ashley Butler (Denison Univ.) and Sarah Hannaway (CA Poly Tech State Univ.) to each receive a scholarship of $1,200. Please note that application forms are now available for the 2021 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, 2021. 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, 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 2021 Survey form if you wish to make a donation.
Check out our NEW WEBSITE!
The new site is very interactive. Viewers can do searches, send us messages and feedback, order books, donate and even join the association online. Newsletters will be sent only by email to those members whose email addresses we have, so it’s more important than ever to keep us informed of any changes. Please send changes to our membership clerk, Beth Landolina at membership@dickinsonfamilyassociation.org. Our typical newsletter schedule will temporarily change in 2021 to accommodate our tentative reunion plans for October, however we will still send newsletters containing response cards, via US postal mail, to those members who do not have email.
