Dickinson Family Association

Volume XXI Number 3

Keeney Memorial Center, Wethersfield, CT

Site of our 2025 Reunion, June 21, 2025

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2025 DFA SCHOLARSHIP ALERT

One of the most important functions of the Dickinson Family Association is the awarding of our annual scholarship.  For the year 2024, the Scholarship Committee selected Riley Arenberg, who is attending Amherst College, to receive a scholarship of $1,500. The 2025 Scholarship application process will continue to be online.  For information you may go to our website under “Scholarship” or contact our scholarship chair, Lisa Butler, via email at: dickinsonfamilyassociation@gmail.com

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A MESSAGE FROM OUR GENEALOGIST

Lisa Butler, our Dickinson Genealogist, requests your inputs on Nathaniel Dickinson’s descendants.  You may send your births, marriages and death announcements to: dickinsonfamilyassociation@gmail.com

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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, via email at: membership@dickinsonfamilyassociation.org If this newsletter was sent to an e-mail address that will soon be obsolete, please let us know.

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BE THINKING

The Dickinson Family Association is doing well, but change is always imminent. 

Currently we have the following open positions on our Executive Committee: 

Vice President, Secretary and Historian

Please contact DFA President, Ken Dickinson, via email for more information at:  president@dickinsonfamilyassociation.org

Web site:  www.dickinsonfamilyassociation.org

Newsletter editor:  Dale Williams

DICKINSON FAMILY ASSOCIATION

VOLUME XXI NO. 2

Hello Cousins,

Plans for our reunion have been progressing nicely.  Please find a few location changes below regarding our plans are as follows: 

The 2024 Dickinson Family Reunion will be Saturday, June 29 with a Friday night gathering of cousins on June 28.

All events on both Friday and Saturday (with the exception of tours of the Emily Dickinson Museum) will be held inside at Amherst College’s “Valentine Dining Hall”, 59 College Street, Amherst, MA 01002

Amherst, MA is located (22 miles North of Springfield, MA) nearby Interstate Route 91 and US Routes 9 and 116.

On Saturday, June 29^th at 9am, a guided open house of the newly restored Emily Dickinson Museum (including both the “Homestead” and “The Evergreens” will be offered at 9am, prior to its opening to the public.

Our morning speaker will be Megan Ramsey, Collections Manager of the Emily Dickinson Museum.  The Emily Dickinson Museum’s collection is the largest and most diverse assemblage of objects associated with Emily Dickinson and her family to be found anywhere. The museum’s collection had remained largely undocumented and inaccessible until a major grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services funded the documentation and baseline cataloging of the entire collection for the very first time. Completed in 2023, this project has improved collection care and, through this database, public access has strengthened the museum’s interpretation, and opened promising new research opportunities. Megan Ramsey will share more about the online database, interesting objects in the collection, and the future of preservation and research at the museum.

To register for the reunion please click on the following link: https://dickinsonfamilyassociation.org/2024-reunion-registration/

Please observe our deadline of June 14 for registering for the reunion.

Our main performance will be a mini-version of a musical entitled “The Celtification of Emily Dickinson”, a journey through time that explores the relationship between the Dickinson Family and Margaret Maher, their Irish maid for over 30 years from 1850’s-1890’s. Directed and performed by Rosie Caine (harpist), Moe McElligott (actress), Stephanie Carlson (actress) and others.

We look forward to your attendance!

For more information on the Emily Dickinson Museum see following website link:  https://www.emilydickinsonmuseum.org  and their collections database: https://emilydickinsonmuseum.catalogaccess.com/

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

Ken Dickinson, President

153^rd ANNUAL REUNION SCHEDULE

Friday, June 23

4:30 pm           Informal tour of “Captain Walter Mason Dickinson Memorial” plaque.

  Location:  Masonic Hall (Pacific Lodge) 99 Main St. Amherst. 

5:30 pm           Social Hour

6:30 pm           Annual Reunion Dinner

Saturday, June 24

8:00 am            Gathering of cousins: registration, exhibits, sales & refreshments

9:00-10 am      Guided open house at the Emily Dickinson Museum.

10:45 am         Visual Presentation by Megan Ramsey; Collections Manager

Topic:  “Emily Dickinson Museum Collections Inventory and Renovation Project”

11:15 am         Group Photos / Counting of Cousins / Chaplain Prayer

12:00 pm         Lunch

1:00 pm           Annual meeting and Presentation of Gifts

1:45-2:45 pm   “Celtification of Emily Dickinson” performance by Rosie Caine,

Moe McElligott, and others (musical play)

 2:45 pm           Q&A Session/Encore and Concluding Ceremony ending by 3:00 pm

A MESSAGE FROM OUR GENEALOGIST

Please send your births, marriages, and death announcements to:  dickinsonfamilyassociation@gmail.com

Roxbury, CT History Museum Renovation

Ken Dickinson recently visited Roxbury, CT to discover that their Historical Society is actively pursuing grants to renovate their history museum.  Several Dickinson families who are all related to Henry H. Dickinson (1841-1926) resided in Roxbury or the adjacent town of Bridgewater.  Please contact the Roxbury, CT Historical Society if you would like to contribute any photos or other items of local interest.  There is also an active Facebook page entitled “Roxbury, CT Memories and More” for history enthusiasts.

MISSING COUSINS

Dale Parker Anderson, Siena Rose Caddle (MA), Margaret and Edward Dempsey (CA), Donald L. Dickinson (FL), Robert P. Dickinson (NY), Beverly Joyce Avery Franke (CA), James and Judy Franz (CA), Lynn and Claire Julian (CT), Elizabeth Helene Lord (UT), Barbara Spink (CA), Beverly Joyce Avery Franke (CA)

If you have a mailing address for any of these cousins please send to: membership@dickinsonfamilyassociation.org

Web site:  www.dickinsonfamilyassociation.org

Newsletter editor:  Dale Williams

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:

1. 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

Dickinson Family Association

152nd Reunion – Saturday June 24, 2023 – Hatfield, MA

Hello Cousins,

The 2023 Dickinson Family Reunion will be Saturday, June 24 with a Friday night gathering of cousins on June 23.   Main speaker topic: Caleb Cooley Dickinson and the origins of Cooley Dickinson Hospital. 

All events on both Friday and Saturday will be held at “Fishtales Bar & Grill”, 5 School Street, Hatfield, MA located between the Hatfield Fire Station/Town Hall Complex and Post Office (one block west of Main Street). 

General Location: Hatfield, MA (25 miles North of Springfield, MA) approx. 3 miles from Exit 27 off of Rte 91.  Hatfield is a rural, picturesque town located a short distance north of Northampton, MA where local families have kept farms in production for over 300 years, i.e. Bardwell Farm (1685) and Belden Farm (1661).

We will commence at 5:30 pm on Friday, June 24^th with a social hour followed by dinner at 6:30 pm.  Saturday’s events will begin at 8:45am and conclude at approx. 3pm.  Hatfield Historical Museum located at the Hatfield Public Library (39 Main St.) will be open from 10am-12pm on Saturday morning.  We are hoping to have the museum open longer, however there are no formal commitments yet from their new curator, Meguey Baker.  You may also want to consider visiting nearby Bardwell Farmstand (49 Main St.) and adjacent cemetery or Hill Cemetery (4 Elm St.) after our closing ceremony.  See more details regarding our schedule on page 2.

Our reunion will celebrate all who were raised in Hatfield.  Our main speaker, W. Michael Ryan, historian, retired lawyer and district judge, will conduct a presentation on Caleb Cooley Dickinson; original benefactor of the Cooley Dickinson Hospital located in Northampton, MA.  Mr. Ryan’s presentation will cover Caleb Cooley’s life, explore the reasoning for his bequest, and his highly contested will which was successfully upheld.

Enclosed with this newsletter is a reservation card and return envelope. Please observe the deadline of June 9th for returning this card.

Did you know that the majority of our members are descendants of Nathaniel Dickinson’s sons (Nathaniel II, Samuel, Obadiah and Hezekiah) who settled in Hatfield?

Notable Dickinsons born in Hatfield:

Caleb Cooley Dickinson (b. Nov 25, 1804): founder of Cooley Dickinson Hospital (our main speaker topic)

William H. (b. March 4, 1820): trustee of Cooley Dickinson Hospital and Smith Charities

William Cooley (b. Sept. 18, 1853): owner of CT River Stock Farm and breeder of Morgan trotting stallions

Rebecca (b. July 25, 1738 ): independent gownmaker. Marla Miller published a book about her life in 2014.

Rev. Jonathan (b. April 22, 1688):  1^st President of College of New Jersey (Princeton Univ.)

Gen. Lemuel (b. 1735): Colonel also deacon in Hatfield and a founding trustee of Lowville Academy in NY.

Barnabas (b. May 5, 1783): established 1^st public coach and boat route between Montreal and Prescott, Ontario

Samuel (b. Dec. 30, 1687): survived two captures during French & Indian War, established large farm in Deerfield

Dea. Nathaniel (b. May 20, 1670): deacon of Hatfield Congregational Church during French & Indian War

Dea. Obadiah (b. July 28, 1704): deacon of Hatfield Congregational Church during Rev. War

Ken Dickinson, President

152^nd ANNUAL REUNION SCHEDULE

Friday, June 23

5:30 pm           Social Hour

6:30 pm           Annual Reunion Dinner

Saturday, June 24

8:45 am            Gathering of cousins: registration, exhibits, sales & refreshments

10:00 am         Short Presentation / Intro to Hatfield (TBD) / Museum Open 10-11:30 am

11:30 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, W. Michael Ryan; Topic:  “Caleb Cooley Dickinson”

2:45 pm           Q&A Session and Concluding Ceremony ending by 3:00 pm

A MESSAGE FROM OUR GENEALOGIST

Please send your births, marriages, and death announcements to: dickinsonfamilyassociation@gmail.com

Zoom Lecture on Daniel S. Dickinson

We recently conducted a zoom lecture on Daniel S. Dickinson which was well attended online, and we had a productive group discussion following Jim Thunder’s presentation. Many thanks to Mr. Thunder who was able to repeat his 2022 Reunion performance with additional new information.  As a result of this success, we intend to have another zoom meeting on a different topic in the future.

Note from Bob Magovern on Estate Donations and General Donations

As I reflect upon our mutual ancestor Nathaniel, I would like to remember a little about him. He was a unique person. Not only a leader in his community, he had a very strong belief in education and the future of his family and community. This was exhibited with his dedication to education and his part in the establishment of Hopkins Academy, one of the finest educational institutions of his day. This school continues today.

Many of his descendants made contributions toward education that still live on. Princeton University, Amherst College, Deerfield Academy and Westfield State University are just a very few of the educational institutions that exist today because of the influence of Dickinson family members.

My reason for mentioning this is because I want to ask the question if you might be interested in continuing the Dickinson legacy of education by making plans to leave something for the future by contributing to our Dickinson Family Scholarship Fund. Our scholarship was founded by a gift from Arlene Rosner. She passed away in 1980 and 4 years later, the scholarship was established at our 1984 annual meeting in Wethersfield CT.

Please consider making an estate donation to the Dickinson Family Association. Please consult your attorney. Or send a check to the Dickinson Family Association, c/o Dale Williams, 17 Iroquois Dr, Northboro, MA 01532.

Dickinson Family Association

2023 REUNION ANNOUNCEMENT

Hello Cousins,

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:

History

http://historic-northampton.org/highlights/dickinson.html

https://www.masslive.com/news/2013/06/cooley_dickinson_descendant_ge.html

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.

Web site:  www.dickinsonfamilyassociation.org

Newsletter editor:  Dale Williams

Volume XIX No. 3

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Cousins,

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 24^th 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…

Newsletter editor:  Dale Williams

Dickinson Family Association

VOLUME XIX, NUMBER 2

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 24^th 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. 

151^st 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

To register for the reunion, click

https://dickinsonfamilyassociation.org/2022-reunion-registration-form

A MESSAGE FROM OUR GENEALOGIST

Please send your births, marriages and death announcements to:

  dickinsonfamilyassociation@gmail.com

A MESSAGE FROM OUR MEMBERSHIP CLERK

Please send your address and e-mail address changes to: 

membership@dickinsonfamilyassociation.org

MISSING COUSINS

The missing cousins and their last known residences are: 

Stan Dickinson, Hague, NY;  Lynn & Claire Julian, Norwalk, CT.DFA Newsletter

Web site:  www.dickinsonfamilyassociation.org

Newsletter editor:  Dale Williams