Dickinson Family Association

Volume XXII, Number 2

2025 REUNION

Hello Cousins,

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

The 2025 Dickinson Family Reunion will be Sat., June 21 with a Fri. night gathering of cousins on June 20.

Location:  Historic Wethersfield Museum and Visitor’s Center (Keeney Center), 200 Main St. Wethersfield, CT, 6 miles South of Hartford, CT via Interstate Route 91, Exit 26 (Old Wethersfield Exit).

On Friday, June 20^th at 2:30pm there will be a guided tour of the Hurlbut-Dunham House (1804) which is conveniently located adjacent to the Museum and Visitor’s Center.  We will gather for a social hour at 4pm with dinner served promptly at 5pm.  Location:  Chuck’s Steakhouse: 2199 Silas Deane Hwy, Rocky Hill, CT.

On Saturday, June 21^st at 8:30am our reunion will be held within the ballroom of the Keeney Center and our main speaker will be Gillie Johnson, Museum Educator, presenting “387 years of Dickinson Families in Wethersfield”.

To register for the reunion click on the link:

https://dickinsonfamilyassociation.org/2025-reunion-registration/

We look forward to your attendance!

For more information on Wethersfield Historical Society and their museums see the following website link: https://www.wethersfieldhistory.org

See following link for a detailed Wethersfield map: https://wethersfieldct.gov/visitor-information/

Gen. Leonard A. Dickinson – an early member of the Dickinson Family Association:

Gen. Leonard Ambrose Dickinson was born in New Haven, CT in 1826.  He married Ella Hendrick in 1848.  His father, Raphael, was a master carpenter in New Haven and unfortunately passed away when Leonard was only 10 years old.  His uncle was the famous miniaturist painter, Anson Dickinson.  His grandfather was Rev. Oliver Dickinson from Litchfield, CT who was the master builder of the Trinity Episcopal Church located in Milton Village (Litchfield) and outlived Raphael until 1847.   Leonard was very interested in military operations and served in the Civil War in Virginia as an Asst. General and Major in the CT Volunteers, 12^th Infantry, Company C.  After the Civil War, he served as a CT Quartermaster General for Gov. Jewell and was the postmaster for several years in Hartford, CT.  Leonard also served as the commander of the local G.A.R.  He resided at 1 Bellevue St. and was the local agent for Hartford Fire Insurance Co. at 224 Main St.  He was the treasurer of the Soldier’s Home in Noroton and was an active benefactor.  Leonard attended the first Dickinson Family Reunion in Amherst, MA.  He remained in Hartford until his death in 1901 at age 75.  We appreciate his impressive contribution to CT.   

Ken Dickinson, President

154^th ANNUAL REUNION SCHEDULE

Friday, June 20

Saturday, June 21

A MESSAGE FROM OUR GENEALOGIST

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

ROCKY HILL, CT HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Rocky Hill (which was originally part of Wethersfield) is found directly south of Wethersfield.  Several Dickinson families resided there including Waite Dickinson, a Rev War Veteran, who is buried in the “Center Cemetery”. 

His father was Obadiah Jr. Dickinson who owned and operated a dam and sawmill in Rocky Hill circa 1765. Rocky Hill Historical Society has a museum that is open by appointment at 785 Old Main St. (860) 563-6704

Missing Cousins

The missing cousins and their last known residences are:

Lynn and Claire Julian (CT), Elizabeth Helene Lord (UT).

If you have any information on the above please send it to membership clerk, Beth Landolina: membership@dickinsonfamilyassociation.org

Web site: www.dickinsonfamilyassociation.org

Dickinson Family Association

Volume XXII, Number 1

President’s Message

As indicated in our Fall newsletter, the DFA board has been busy planning for our 2025 Reunion to be held Saturday, June 21, 2025 in Wethersfield, CT (located immediately south of Hartford, CT) hosted by the Wethersfield Historical Society at the Keeney Memorial Cultural Center, 200 Main St. which is a short distance from I-91 (Old Wethersfield Exit).  On Saturday our reunion will be held within the ballroom and our main speaker will be William “Gillie” Johnson, Museum Educator.  We will also conduct a tour and hold an informal gathering and dinner on Friday.  More details will follow in April.

Wethersfield was the first permanent residence of Nathaniel Dickinson and his family (c.1637-1659).  Many of our ancestors continued to live in Wethersfield and its surrounding communities for the past 385 years.  For instance, Edwin C. Dickinson, a former CT State Supreme Court Judge, commissioned his house at 565 Wolcott Hill St. in 1919.  His older brother Robert C. Dickinson was also an attorney for Travelers Insurance in Hartford until 1936.  J. Dickinson Adams, a local food produce merchant, had owned the former John Chester Tavern (1735) located at 25 Garden St. where Nathaniel Dickinson’s original lot from the 1600’s was located.  Born during the Revolutionary War in 1775, Ashbel Dickinson was a “sea captain” in Wethersfield until 1825. 

The surrounding towns of Rocky Hill, Newington and Glastonbury were previously part of Wethersfield.  At Rocky Hill, Eliphalet and Ebenezer Dickinson (ancestors of Edwin C. and Robert C.) built a sawmill with Joshua Robbins, Jr. circa 1713 along Goffe’s Brook.  Sgt. Ebenezer Dickinson, son of Elihu and Lucy (Deming) Dickinson, led a troop in the Rev War a later was a founder of New Hartford, NY.  John Dickinson, who married Lydia Smith, was a cooper in Newington in 1694 and also owned land in Wethersfield.  His son Jonathan remained in Wethersfield and his great-grandson, Levi Dickinson, born in Wethersfield, was a privateer in the Revolutionary War later became the first well-known corn broom manufacturer in America.

In Hartford, there were several Dickinson families, including Leonard A. Dickinson, who served as a Captain during the Civil War (12^th Regiment of CT Infantry, Company C).  Leonard was a former postmaster of Hartford, prominent agent for the Aetna Fire Insurance Co. and very active with veterans. Going back further, Thomas Dickinson (son of Nathaniel I) was a surveyor in Hartford in 1696. These ancestors are amongst a few who were raised in the Wethersfield/Hartford area.

Therefore, I encourage everyone to schedule a multi-day vacation in the Wethersfield/Hartford area as there are many libraries and historical societies that contain information on our family heritage.  For more information on Wethersfield Historical Society and their museums see the following website link: https://www.wethersfieldhistory.org

See the following link for a detailed Wethersfield map:

https://wethersfieldct.gov/visitor-information/

Best Regards,

President:  Ken Dickinson

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

ROAD TRIP NEWS

Ken Dickinson, recently traveled to Princeton University to review the Jonathan Dickinson Archives in Princeton’s Special Collections Library.  During his walk around campus, he visited “Dickinson Hall” which was named in Jonathan Dickinson’s honor as the leader of the Presbyterian Church in New Jersey and first president of Princeton University.  Rev. Jonathan Dickinson had mentored Aaron Burr (America’s vice president during Jefferson’s term) amongst other early leaders of our country.  Upon Johnathan Dickinson’s sudden death in 1747, Aaron Burr “carried the torch” as Princeton’s second president.  Jonathan Dickinson was an active doctor and often wrote prescriptions for various aliments utilizing native herbs.  Jonathan’s father was Hezekiah Dickinson who was born in Wethersfield, CT in 1645.  More to follow on Jonathan and Hezekiah Dickinson in a future zoom presentation.

Ken Dickinson also recently traveled to Binghamton, NY in November.  Upon reading a Daniel S. Dickinson biography, he was impressed by the impact that had on the development of Binghamton’s railway and canal system.  Ken reports that the Daniel S. Dickinson statue is in fine condition.  It is located in the center of Downtown Binghamton in front of the Broome County Courthouse.  There is much more to rediscover about Atty. Daniel S. Dickinson and other members of our family in Binghamton.  Daniel S. Dickinson ancestors were also from Hartford, CT as he was related to Thomas I (mentioned above).

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 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