Volume XVI, Number 2

A message from the DFA Board

Hello Cousins,

Plans for the 2019 reunion in Essex, CT have been confirmed.  As discussed in the January newsletter, our reunion will commence at 3pm on Friday, June 21st with a walking tour in Essex Village led by Melissa Josefiak (Director of Essex Historical Society) who presented to us in 2010 regarding Wethersfield (see details on next page).  The walking tour will be followed by an informal board meeting, social hour and dinner at “Brush Mill by the Waterfall” 129 W. Main Street, Chester, CT (see schedule below).  Saturday’s events will be held at the Essex Steam Train’s “River Valley Junction” banquet hall (1 Railroad Ave. in Essex) located a short distance from CT Route 9, Exit 3 commencing at 9 am on Saturday, June 22nd, with a walking tour of the grounds (former EE Dickinson & Co. Headquarters and Witch Hazel Bottling Plant) also led by Melissa Josefiak.  Saturday’s Walking Tour Cost is $5.00 per person to be paid on-site on Saturday.  Tour is 45-60 minutes length. Some items that have been in storage for years are intended to be polished off and displayed for this tour.

We are pleased to welcome our main speaker, Brenda Milkofsky (former director of CT River Museum and Wethersfield, CT Historical Society), who will address the complex, well-timed marketing efforts of the E.E. Dickinson Company, providing historical perspective on the local and national impact of the company’s growth. A variety of Dickinson advertising and marketing artwork will be highlighted along with images that illustrate the company office environment and processes.  On Sunday, you may also consider taking a steam train and/or riverboat trip, make a visit to the CT River Museum, go to the beach, or experience another local attraction.

Enclosed with this newsletter is a reservation card and return envelope.  Please observe the deadline of June 12 for returning this card.  Directions to the venues will appear in the June newsletter.

We continue to invite any interested DFA members to contact one of the current board members and come join us at a board meeting.  That board meeting is a less formal one, and is always open to any DFA member who wishes to attend.

149th ANNUAL REUNION SCHEDULE

Friday, June 21

3:00 pm – Walking Tour in Essex Village (Essex Historical Society)
5:30 pm – Open Informal Board Meeting
6:00 pm – Social Hour
7:00 pm – Annual Reunion Dinner

Saturday, June 22

9:00am – Gathering of cousins: registration, exhibits, sales & refreshments
9:15am – Walking Tour of former EE Dickinson Company (Essex Steam Train)
11:15am – Counting of Cousins, Presentation of Gifts, and Group Photos
11:45pm – Lunch
12:45pm – Annual meeting
1:30pm – Main Speaker, Brenda Milkofsky, Topic:  “Creating EE Dickinson Co. Branding”
2:30pm – Q&A Session and Concluding Ceremony ending by 3:00 pm

Note:  Additional details and any changes will be provided in the June Newsletter.

Ken Dickinson, President

Essex Village Walking Tour

A pleasant walking tour (approx. 4 blocks in length) consisting of the original E.E. Dickinson Company headquarters,  several family residences, church, school, and other associated buildings will be offered at 3pm on Friday, June 21st.

Note:  Our starting point has changed to be at the Essex Historical Society (22 Prospect St.) also known as the Hills Academy History Center (Thomas Newton Dickinson’s school).  Please use the adjacent Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church parking lot at 14 Prospect St., as there’s limited on-street parking.  Cost is $5.00 per person.  Please reserve in advance (see registration card) to ensure that we have enough guides for this very informative tour.  See photos from a similar 2015 walking tour on our website “Scrapbook” section.  A printable village map and more info can be found at www.essexhistory.org or by calling 860-767-0681.  We look forward to your attendance on Friday.

2020 150th Reunion Early Planning

We are in the early stages of planning for this special date!  Our 150th Reunion will most likely be held at Historic Deerfield or in Northampton, MA.  Historic Deerfield now offers an indoor community center for family reunions.  Both Historic Deerfield and the adjacent PVMA Memorial Hall Museum have significant holdings, furniture, books, documents, exhibits, and own buildings related to our family’s history.  More than a dozen lots along Main Street were owned by various Dickinson Families spanning three centuries, including the Frary House (1765) / Barnard Tavern (1795) which is currently in the late stages of a renovation project, and Capt. Thomas Dickinson Homestead (1764). Professional guides and curators will offer tours and provide speakers.  Another 150th Reunion option or future reunion will be held in Northampton, MA with focus on the formation of Cooley Dickinson Hospital and Smith Charities and their ties to our family in Hatfield.  Main speakers in consideration are Marla Miller (UMASS professor, author, and director of the UMASS public history program) and W. Michael Ryan (trustee of Historic Northampton).

2019 SCHOLARSHIP – LAST CALL

Application forms are available for the 2019 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, 2019.  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.

 A MESSAGE FROM OUR GENEALOGIST

Assistant Genealogist needed. Please contact Becky Passa, Ken Dickinson or another executive board member.

Please send your births, marriages and death announcements to Dickinson Genealogist, Rebecca Passa at  dickinsonassociation@gmail.com or 17 Pine St, Easthampton, MA 01207.

ADDRESS & E-MAIL ADDRESS 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 bethL0719@sbcglobal.net

MISSING COUSINS

Diana Roberts Anderson NY, Stanley J. & Audree Dickinson Ayres WI, Marcia L. Calvin MA, Helen Condict Case, Gertrude M.Corey OH, Brian Dickinson Crangle NY, Ruth Crespi CT, Shirley Daniels CA, Andrew L. Dickinson NY, Barbara Dickinson NM, Betsy and Roy Dickinson CT, Christina L Dickinson, Cynthia L. Dickinson MA, Lemuel Dickinson NJ, Mark Edward Dickinson CT, Paul Dickinson, Mary M. Dickinson MA, Robert H. Dickinson FL, William and Jean Dickinson MA, Paul Oliver Dickinson, Jr. FL,Gloria Emick PA, John A. Estes FL, Margaret Ann Dickinson Gaetani ME, Marelda Hart SC, Phyllis Howe MA, Sue Shepard Jaques NJ, Sharon Kaples NY, Harold James Kempffer MN, Lois E. King NE, Robert & Muriel D. Leslie MA, William Lundin OH, Stephen R. Martin FL, Joyce Murdock AZ, Thomas R. Shepard, Jr. CT, Barry Smith, Bernard W. Smith CT, Kim Dickinson Testa NY, William Wamester CT, Meredith Gray, Robie Spector

Addendum to Newsletter  — Reservation Card

The Dickinson Family Association, 17 Iroquois Dr., Northborough, MA 01532

Dear Cousin,

We hope you will join us for the 2019 Reunion to be held June 22nd at the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat banquet facility, River Valley Junction, in Essex, CT.  Please complete and return this card as soon as possible.  Our deadline is June 12.

On Friday night June 21, we will be having dinner at Brushmill by the Waterfall in Chester, CT.  We will gather at 6:00 pm and dinner will be served at 7:00 pm.   An informal board meeting at 5:30 pm is open to all.

 YES I would like to join you for dinner at Brushmill by the Waterfall.            

Number in party  _____ @ $48 each.

Number for each choice:   ____ Prime Rib;    ____ Salmon;    ____ Pork Chop;    ____ Vegetarian        Total $______                 

On Saturday June 22 reunion activities will start at  9:00am, with lunch served at 11:45am.

YES I will be attending.  ____ Adults @ $46;  ____ Students @ $10;  ___ Children under 5 (free).        Total $_______

I would like to take the guided walking tour of Essex on Friday at 3:00pm. ____ @$5.                          Total $_______

NAME ______________________________________________                                                    Total enclosed:   $ ________

Checks should be made payable to The Dickinson Family Association and mailed to the address above.

Questions, call Dale Williams, treasurer: (508) 393-2082

Web site:  www.dickinsonfamilyassociation.org

Newsletter editor:  Dale Williams

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VOLUME XVI, NUMBER 1

2019 REUNION

Hello Cousins, 
The 2019 Dickinson Family Reunion will be Saturday, June 22 with a Friday night gathering of cousins on June 21. General Location:  Essex, CT (37 miles SE of Hartford, CT) CT Route 9, Exit 3.  Saturday Reunion Location:  Essex Steam Train & Riverboat, (former grounds of the E.E. Dickinson Witch Hazel Company headquarters, distillery, and bottling plant).  The reunion itself will be held within the former bottling plant which was recently renovated as a function hall. Address: 1 Railroad Avenue, Essex, CT 06246.  The railroad, trains, and red colored factory buildings are located 1/8 mile to the West side of Route 9, Exit 3.  There are two driveways: access from either Middlesex St. (CT 154) or Plains Rd (CT 153). 

Friday’s dinner will be held at “Brush Mill by the Waterfall”, 129 W. Main Street (CT Route 148), Chester, CT 06412.  Chester is a short drive 5 mile drive North along CT Route 9 to Exit 6.  This unique historic tavern and restaurant is located immediately to the SE side of Exit 6 along Pattaconk Brook.  It’s a beautifully renovated 19th century wooden factory building constructed of antique chestnut directly overlooking a romantic waterfall complete with its own covered bridge.  

Essex is a quaint historic town with a beautiful harbor and marina.  On Friday afternoon, we are planning a walking tour of downtown Essex Village and a visit to the CT River Museum.  It will be guided with the assistance of Melissa Josefiak, Director of the Essex Historical Society. It will depart from 31 North Main St. (Wells Fargo Advisors / formerly the Dickinson Office Building) one mile East from Route 9 Exit 3 adjacent to Riverview Cemetery.  Please park either in the parking lot or use on-street parking along Prospect Street.  Start time and other details will be provided in the April Newsletter.  Within a short distance from Dickinson Lane and along North Main and Prospect Streets are several buildings associated with the witch hazel business and other Dickinson families, the former Methodist church where Thomas Newton Dickinson was a minister, the Hills Academy History Center (Essex Historical Society) at 22 Prospect Street where he attended school, and Dickinson Park.  Across the street from Dickinson Park is the former residence of E.E. Dickinson at21 North Main St.; the adjacent Dickinson carriage house; the 1750’s Samuel Lay homestead located at 17 North Main St. (former home of the top sales executive for Dickinson Witch Hazel) and old cow barn now renovated as a private home.  See following website for a detailed map: www.essexhistory.org/walking-tour-of-essex/     In addition to the walking tour, we have obtained a group discount rate for the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat which can be used within a month.  There’s much to do and see around Essex and its surrounding communities, so you may want to consider planning a short vacation for a full experience of what the area has to offer.  We look forward to your attendance. 

Four generations of Dickinson men: Thomas N., Edward Everett, Edward Everett Jr. and Edward Everett 3d – managed and operated their company employing entire families in their factory.  The product was sold internationally and witch hazel continues to be a key ingredient in many health and beauty products today.   For more information on E.E. Dickinson Witch Hazel Company see following website link:  https://www.ctexplored.org/witch-hazel-connecticuts-wonder-shrub/ 

E.E. and T.N. Dickinson Genealogy:

Thomas Newton Dickinson (1825- 1900), Edward Everett (1859-1930), Edward Everett, Jr. (1921-1979) and Edward Everett 3d (1921-1979) had strong genealogical connections to both Hadley, MA and Wethersfield, CT. Sergt. John (1624-1676) was Nathaniel’s first son, born in Billingborough, England, raised in Wethersfield, CT, lived in Hadley, MA and perished in the Battle of Turner’s Falls.  John (1652-1694/5), a Cooper by trade, was born in Wethersfield, raised in Hadley and Hatfield, and eventually returned to Wethersfield.  Johnathan, Sr. (1695- 1776) lived in Wethersfield.  Johnathan, Jr. (1726-1791) also lived in Wethersfield, but removed to Hadley after his wife, Hannah Boardman Dickinson, perished in 1777.  Rev. Simeon (1756-1837) served in the CT Continental Troops (during Rev. War) and later was ordained as a minister and organized East Haddam’s First Baptist Church where both T.N. and his father Lemuel (1763-1836) were born.Lemuel was a shoe manufacturer and T.N. was a successful clothing manufacturer prior to distilling witch hazel in Essex. 

Ken Dickinson,  President  
 
WE NEED YOUR HELP! 

The DFA needs a few more of our members to assist the board and the position of Vice President is open.  In addition, we would welcome some new committee members to assist with scholarship and finance.  Committee members are not required to attend board meetings, so place of residence is not a limiting factor.  Elected board members are expected to attend meetings when possible (3 per year), so it is helpful if they live in the general southern New England area.Please give this some serious consideration and let us know on the enclosed form about any areas in which you can help.  If you have any questions, contact nominations chair Dale Williams daw451@verizon.net ,  President Ken Dickinson kmd12@comcast.net , or past president Alan Dickinson anbdickinson@charter.net.Our invitation to attend a board meeting still stands.  If you would like to be notified of the time and place of the upcoming board meeting, please indicate that on the survey card.  We’d love to have you come and see what we do!
 2019 SCHOLARSHIP FORMS AVAILABLE      

Application forms are now available for the 2019 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, 2019.  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. If you don’t have access to the internet, contact Lisa and she will send you the form.      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 January Survey form if you wish to make a donation.
 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 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.  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.
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/oryour postal address changes we would greatly appreciate your sending the new one to our membership clerk, Beth Landolina, at bethland719@yahoo.com
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VOLUME XV, NUMBER 4

Thank you to everyone for an exciting reunion last summer in South Hadley, MA.  I sincerely appreciate all the work, volunteerism, and interactive participation with Ginger Grace in effort to hold this event.  Ginger says “thanks everyone” and intends to be available for a repeat performance at a future reunion. I encourage you to read Alan Dickinson’s report of the reunion on our website.  Web page link. 
 

This fall the DFA board has been busy planning for our 2019 Reunion to be held in Essex, CT on the former grounds of the E.E. Dickinson Witch Hazel Company headquarters, distillery and bottling plant. Four generations from the same Dickinson Family — Thomas N., Edward Everett, Edward Everett Jr.and Edward Everett 3rd — ran the company, building a complex of fine homes and offices in the village, and employing entire families in the factory.  The product was sold internationally and witch hazel continues to be a key ingredient in many health and beauty products today.   For more information on E.E. Dickinson Witch Hazel Company see following website link: 
https://www.ctexplored.org/witch-hazel-connecticuts-wonder-shrub/ 

The bottling plant was recently renovated as a function/wedding hall now owned and operated by Essex Steam Train & Riverboat.  Our Saturday reunion will be held within the function hall, there will be at least one main speaker, and we intend to conduct a walking tour on Saturday morning of the 11 acre complex.  Essex Steam Train & Riverboat will offer rides at a discounted group rate (TBD) for Sunday afternoon and evening.  It is directly located off of Exit 3, CT Route 9 which is a short distance from I-95.  For directions and more info see the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat website: 
http://essexsteamtrain.com/ 

Essex is a quaint historic town with a beautiful harbor and marina.  On Friday afternoon, we are planning a walking tour of downtown Essex Village and a visit to the CT River Museum.   It is approximately a half mile between Dickinson Lane and the museum which is located directly in Essex harbor adjacent to E E Dickinson’s former boathouse.  

Within a short distance from Dickinson Lane, and along North Main and Prospect Streets, are buildings associated with the witch hazel business and other Dickinson families; the former Methodist church where Thomas Newton Dickinson was a minister; the Hills Academy History Center at 22 Prospect Street where he attended which is now owned by Essex Historical Society; the Riverview Cemetery and Dickinson Park.  Across the street from Dickinson Park is the former residence of E.E. Dickinson at 21 North Main Street; the Dickinson office building at 31 North Main (now home to Wells Fargo Advisors); the adjacent Dickinson carriage house; the 1750’s Samuel Lay homestead located at 17 North Main Street (which was the former home of the top sales executive for Dickinson Witch Hazel); and the old cow barn now converted to a private home just a few steps south.   See following website for a detailed map:  www.essexhistory.org/walking-tour-of-essex/ 

For a preview of some buildings along the walking tour see following link  http://historicbuildingsct.com/towns/essex/. The CT River Museum has a permanent exhibit on the Dickinson Witch Hazel Company and other interesting history. For example: April 7-8, 1814 Essex was attacked by a British raid and many of the buildings involved in the raid, including the Griswold Inn, are still in existence today.  The museum also offers schooner cruises along the river.  There’s much to do and see around Essex and its surrounding communities, so you may want to consider planning a short vacation for a full experience of what the area has to offer. See the following websites links for additional information:
www.battlesiteessex.org
www.ctrivermuseum.org
www.essexct.com/
www.ctvisit.com/listings/downtown-essex 

The location of Friday’s dinner is currently Brush Mill by the Waterfall, Chester, CT, just north of Essex.Other details will be clarified in the January Newsletter.Look forward to seeing everyone again in 2019! 

Regards, 
President:  Ken Dickinson  
 
DFA SCHOLARSHIP ALERT 

One of the most important functions of the Dickinson Family Association is the awarding of our annual scholarship.  The deadline for applications for this coming year’s DFA scholarship is end of April.  Anyone interested in applying should print out the form from our website and submit it with all other required material to the scholarship chair, Lisa Butler, 12 Cove St, Noank, CT 06340 or dickinsonfamilyassociation@gmail.com.  If you don’t have access to the internet, contact Lisa and she will send you the form. 

For the year 2018, we had 8 fantastic applications from 8 outstanding Dickinson cousins. The Scholarship Committee selected Siena Rose Caddle and Thomas Landolina to each receive a scholarship of $1,200. 
A MESSAGE FROM OUR GENEALOGIST 

Rebecca Passa, our Dickinson Genealogist, requests your inputs on NathanielDickinson’s descendants.  You may send your births, marriages and death announcements to Becky at dickinsonassociation@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 bethL0719@sbcglobal.net. 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.
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VOLUME XV, NUMBER 3

A message from the DFA Board

Hello Cousins,

Plans for the 2018 reunion in South Hadley, MA have been confirmed.  The Friday evening events will take place at The Yarde Tavern (3 Hadley St.) located across the Village Green from Mount Holyoke College.  Entree choices are: Chicken Marsala, Baked Cod, and Roasted Pork Loin. Salad, vegetables, rolls, coffee or tea, and dessert are included.

Saturday’s events will be held at the Willits-Hallowell Center (Morrison Room) same exact location as the 2013 reunion.  As per our recent newsletters, we are pleased to welcome, Ginger Grace (an accomplished actress), who will present an interactive performance entitled “Inside Emily Dickinson: Her Poetry and Her Life”.  We will also have a display table of information on other Dickinson Families.  On Sunday, you may also consider taking a tour of the Emily Dickinson Museum, as the reconstruction of its Conservatory was completed last year.

The schedule for the reunion events appears below (Saturday details are subject to change).  Enclosed with this newsletter is a reservation card and return envelope.  Please observe the deadline of June 14 for returning this card.  We invite anyone who has something to add to our exhibit table to bring it on Saturday at 9:00am.

We’re happy to report that the January newsletter has elicited interest from some possible new board members.  We continue to invite any interested DFA members to join us at a board meeting.  The next one will be on Friday, June 22 at The Yarde Tavern at 5:30pm, before our annual dinner.  That board meeting is a less formal one, and is always open to any DFA member who wishes to attend.

148th ANNUAL REUNION SCHEDULE

Friday, June 22

5:30pm            Open Informal Board Meeting

6:00pm            Social Hour

7:00pm            Annual Reunion Dinner

Saturday, June 23

9:00am       Gathering of cousins: registration, exhibits, sales & refreshments

11:15am     Counting of Cousins and Presentation of Gifts

11:45pm     Group photo

12:00pm     Lunch

12:45pm     Annual meeting

1:15pm       Main Speaker, Ginger Grace,  Topic:  “Inside Emily Dickinson” Performance

3:00pm       Q&A Session and Concluding Ceremony ending by 3:30 pm

Ken Dickinson,  Vice President

Please return your reservation card as soon as possible.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR GENEALOGIST Please send your births, marriages and death announcements to Dickinson Genealogist Rebecca Passa at rlpassa99@gmail.com or 17 Pine St, Easthampton, MA 01207. 
 ADDRESS & E-MAIL ADDRESS CHANGES REQUESTED Please send your address and e-mail address changes to our membership clerk, Beth Landolina, at BethL0719@sbcglobal.net. 

TOWN OF SOUTH HADLEY

Aside from the beautiful Mt. Holyoke College campus, South Hadley has many other sites you might want to explore for their historic, cultural, natural or educational value.  Several beautiful old homes, some restored and preserved, can be found on Woodbridge street (Rte.116) just north of the green.  The Firehouse Museum is in the south part of town known as South Hadley Falls.  It tells much of the history of the town as well as exhibits firefighting artifacts.  Heading west from the green on Hadley Street (Rte. 47) and turning left on Ferry Street will bring you down to the river and Brunelle’s Marina.  There is the Dockside restaurant with a beautiful view and a river boat, the “Lady B,” if you’d like to take a cruise, conditions permitting.

There are two excellent museums on the Mt. Holyoke campus, the Mount Holyoke College Art Museum and the Joseph Allen Skinner Museum.  The latter is named after an early Holyoke industrialist and features Skinner’s collection of decorative arts, furniture and geological specimens.  The Skinner State Park, accessed further up Rte. 47, just past the Hadley town line, has a road that leads up to one of the peaks on the Mt. Holyoke Range, and spectacular views.

More information can be found at http://southhadleyma.virtualtownhall.net .

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VOLUME XV, NUMBER 2A

A message from the DFA Board

Hello Cousins, 

Plans for the 2018 reunion in South Hadley, MA have been confirmed.  The Friday evening events will take place at The Yarde Tavern (3 Hadley St.) located across the Village Green from Mount Holyoke College.  EntreE choices are: Chicken Marsala, Baked Cod, and Roasted Pork Loin. Salad, vegetables, rolls, coffee or tea, and dessert are included.

Saturday’s events will be held at the Willits-Hallowell Center (Morrison Room) same exact location as the 2013 reunion.  As per our recent newsletters, we are pleased to welcome, Ginger Grace (an accomplished actress), who will present an interactive performance entitled “Inside Emily Dickinson: Her Poetry and Her Life”.  We will also have a display table of information on other Dickinson Families.  On Sunday, you may also consider taking a tour of the Emily Dickinson Museum, as the reconstruction of its Conservatory was completed last year.

The schedule for the reunion events appears below (Saturday details are subject to change).  Enclosed with this newsletter is a reservation card and return envelope.  Please observe the deadline of June 14 for returning this card.  Directions for getting to the venues will appear in the June newsletter as will the final schedule.  We invite anyone who has something to add to our exhibit table to bring it on Saturday at 9:00am.

We’re happy to report that the January newsletter has elicited interest from some possible new board members.  We continue to invite any interested DFA members to contact one of the current board members and come join us at a board meeting.  The next one will be on Friday, June 22 at The Yarde Tavern at 5:30pm, before our annual dinner.  That board meeting is a less formal one, and is always open to any DFA member who wishes to attend. 

148th ANNUAL REUNION SCHEDULE Friday, June 22

5:30pm            Open Informal Board Meeting
6:00pm            Social Hour
7:00pm            Annual Reunion Dinner

Saturday, June 23
9:15am       Gathering of cousins: registration, exhibits, sales & refreshments
11:15am     Counting of Cousins and Presentation of Gifts
11:45pm     Lunch
12:30pm     Group photo
12:45pm     Annual meeting
1:15pm       Main Speaker, Ginger Grace,  Topic:  “Inside Emily Dickinson” Performance
3:00pm       Q&A Session and Concluding Ceremony
ending by 3:30 pm

Ken Dickinson,  Vice President 

Please return your reservation card (shown at bottom on page 3) as soon as possible. 
2018 SCHOLARSHIP – LAST CALL 

Application forms are now available for the 2018 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, 2018.  Full information on requirements and an application form may be found on our website.  For additional information you may contact our scholarship chair, Jean Whitten, 9 Shepherd Rd, Manchester, NH 03104, jwhitten128@gmail.com. 
MISSING COUSINS 

Diana Roberts Anderson, Hulett, NY; Stanley J. & Audree Dickinson Ayres, Eau Claire WI; Heidi Babos; Tabitha Bell; Marcia L. Calvin, Wakefield MA; Lillian Campbell, South Hadley, MA; Helen Condict Case; Candy Cooke, Buchanan Dam, TX; Brian Dickinson Crangle, Bayside, NY; Ruth Crespi, W Hartford, CT; Shirley Daniels, Roseville, CA; Andrew Dickinson, Wynantskill, NY; Barbara Dickinson, Roswell, NM; Betsy and Roy Dickinson, Clinton, CT; Betty Dickinson; Christina L. Dickinson; Kristen Dickinson, Red Wing, MN; Mary Edward Dickinson, Cheshire, CT; Mary M. Dickinson, Granville MA; Robert H. Dickinson, Apopka, FL; William and Jean Dickinson, Holyoke, MA; Paul Oliver Dickinson, Vernon, FL; John A. Estes, Ocala, FL; Margaret Ann Dickinson Gaetani, Kennebunk, ME; Chuck and Linda Dickinson Gardner, Monument, CO; Marelda Hart, Myrtle Beach, SC; William Lundin, North Canton, OH; Thomas McGurk, Dunwoody, GA; Joyce Murdock, Peoria, AZ; Thomas Shepard, Greenwich CT; Barry Smith, Barry; Lee Steventon, Menlo Park, CA; Kim Dickinson Testa, Altamont, NY; Joyce Howe Wagner, Simsbury, CT; William Wamester, Middletown, CT; Brad Dickinson; Thomas S. Dickinson; Mary Jane Dickinson Graham; Meredith Gray; Tom Guettler; Autumn Rader; Robie Spector
A MESSAGE FROM OUR GENEALOGIST 

Please send your births, marriages and death announcements to Dickinson Genealogist Rebecca Passa at rlpassa99@gmail.com or 17 Pine St, Easthampton, MA 01207.
ADDRESS & E-MAIL ADDRESS CHANGES REQUESTED 

Please send your address and e-mail address changes to our membership clerk, Beth Landolina, at bethland719@yahoo.com.
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VOLUME XV, NUMBER 1

2018 REUNION

Hello Cousins, 

The 2018 Dickinson Family Reunion will be Saturday, June 23 with a Friday night gathering of cousins on June 22. We have re-booked the Morrison Room in the Willits Hallowell Center at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA. We chose this location due to its relevance to Emily Dickinson, who studied here during the 1847-1848 school year when it was formerly known as Mount Holyoke Female Seminary. This is the same location as the 2013 Reunion which featured Clifford Stott as our main speaker. 

We are proud to announce that our main speaker/performer, Ginger Grace, will perform an interactive play entitled “Inside Emily Dickinson: Her Poetry & Her Life”. Based in Manhattan, Ginger Grace is an established actress and writer who has toured throughout the country with Rich Little in “The Presidents” and has been playing Emily since 2002 in the “Belle of Amherst”. Ginger will perform an interactive play which will prove to be a special, memorable performance. From her website: www.insideemilydickinson.com “This inspiring biographical portrait is based on the letters, life stories, and poems of Emily. Ms. Grace reaches out to the audience for words and ideas and weaves them into the fabric of the play.” Ginger brings2€igh level of energy and talent portraying each period of Emily’s life. She received a standing ovation at a performance which I attended last spring, so sharpen your pencil and prepare for an impressive performance! 

Friday’s dinner will be held at “The Yarde Tavern” 3 Hadley St. (at the intersection of Route 47 and Route 116), in South Hadley’s village center. Several rooms are conveniently available at the “on-campus” hotel.  There are other accommodations in South Hadley and the surrounding towns of Hadley, Amherst, Northampton, Chicopee, Ludlow, Granby and Holyoke.

We look forward to your attendance. 

Emily’s Genealogy:
Emily had a strong genealogical connection to both Amherst and Hatfield.  Her father Sen. Edward (1803-1874), grandfather Sen. Deacon Samuel Fowler (1775-1838), and great-grandfather Nathan Jr. (1735-1825) were all raised and resided in Amherst.  However, Nathan Jr. was born to Nathan Sr. & Thankful (Warner) in nearby Hatfield.  Both Nathan Sr. (1712-1796) and his father, Ebenezer (1680-1730), lived in Hatfield.  Ebenezer’s father, Samuel (1638-1711) was born in Wethersfield, CT and was a founding petitioner of Hatfield where he served in various capacities during its early settlement. 

Request for Information:
As announced in the Fall Newsletter, it was recently brought to my attention that several Dickinson families owned paper manufacturing mills in Holyoke.  If you have any info to contribute or potentially display, then please contact me at kend@ssgpools.com, as I’m exploring the possibility of a reunion focusing on this subject. Former Holyoke Mill Owners are as follows: 

George R. Dickinson Family: George R. (b. 12/15/1832 in Readsboro, VT d. 12/29/1887 in Springfield, MA) owned George R. Dickinson Paper Co. (founded 1882) , had 175 employees and in 1899 became a Division of American Writing Paper Company.  Dickinson & Clark Paper Mill (founded 1881) was sold to Albion Paper Co. Excelsior Paper Mill (founded 1873)  purchased with brother Royal C. Dickinson, had 50 workers.  George’s son = Henry S. (Smith) Dickinson (b. 2/26/1863 in Springfield, d. 6/12/1912) became V.P. of American Writing Paper Co. and Mayor of Springfield (1898).  Henry eventually purchased the Excelsior Paper Mill after George R. and Royal C. were deceased. 

Simeon Dickinson Family:  Simeon (b. 9/4/1794 in Hadley, moved to W. Springfield in 1860, d. 5/17/1890).  Simeon and his sons were owners of the Union Paper Co. (founded 1870).  Edwin (b. 7/13/1828 in Hadley d. 3/13/1903 W. Springfield) and his brother Henry Kirk White (1819 – 1892) were co-owners of the Union Paper Co. 

Ken Dickinson,  Vice President    
WE NEED YOUR HELP! 

The DFA needs a few more of our members to help out on the board.  We have an impending vacancy among elected board positions, namely the scholarship chair.  Jean Whitten has served as scholarship chair for several years and wants to step down.

We would also welcome some new committee members on scholarship and finance.  Committee members are not required to attend board meetings, so they could reside anywhere.   Elected board members are expected to attend meetings when possible (we have 3 per year), so it is helpful if they live in the general southern New England area.

Please give this some serious consideration and let us know on the enclosed form about any areas in which you can help.  If you have any questions, contact nominations chair Dale Williams daw451@verizon.net ,  vice president Ken Dickinson kend@ssgpools.com , or past president Alan Dickinson anbdickinson@charter.net.

Finally, our invitation to attend a board meeting still stands.  If you would like to be notified of the time and place of the upcoming board meeting, indicate that on the survey card.  We’d love to have you come and see what we do!
 2018 SCHOLARSHIP FORMS AVAILABLE      

Application forms are now available for the 2018 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, 2018.  Full information on requirements and an application form may be found on our website.  For additional information you may contact our scholarship chair, Jean Whitten, 9 Shepherd Road, Manchester, NH 03104, jwhitten128@gmail.com. If you don’t have access to the internet, contact Jean and she will send you the form.      

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 January Survey form if you wish to make a donation.
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.  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.  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. 
 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 bethland719@yahoo.com
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VOLUME XIV, NUMBER 4

Thank you to everyone for a pleasant reunion last summer in Litchfield and Goshen, CT. I sincerely appreciate all the work, volunteerism, and attendance in effort to hold a successful reunion in a new meeting location. 2017 proved to be an exciting year for the DFA, as our membership steadily increased to 547, and our website also continues to gain more visitors each month. See Alan Dickinson’s “2017 Reunion News” posting on the DFA website or use following the website link for more info: http://www.dickinsonfamilyassociation.org/reunion.2017.news.htm 

2018 REUNION 

Looking forward, our plans for the 2018 reunion are evolving well. The reunion will be Saturday, June 23 with a Friday night gathering of cousins on June 22. We have re-booked the Morrison Room in the Willits Hallowell Center at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA. We chose this location due to its relevance to Emily Dickinson, who studied here during the 1847-1848 school year when it was formerly known as Mount Holyoke Female Seminary. This is the same location as the 2013 Reunion which featured Clifford Stott as our main speaker. 

We are proud to announce that our main speaker/performer, Ginger Grace, will perform an interactive play entitled “Inside Emily Dickinson: Her Poetry & Her Life”. Based in Manhattan, Ginger Grace is an established actress and writer who has toured throughout the country with Rich Little in “The Presidents” and has been playing Emily since 2002 in the “Belle of Amherst”. Ginger will perform an interactive play which will prove to be a special, memorable performance. From her website: www.insideemilydickinson.com “This inspiring biographical portrait is based on the letters, life stories, and poems of Emily. Ms. Grace reaches out to the audience for words and ideas and weaves them into the fabric of the play.” Ginger brings a high level of energy and talent portraying each period of Emily’s life. She received a standing ovation at a performance which I attended last spring, so sharpen your pencil and prepare for an impressive performance ! 

Friday’s dinner will most likely be held at “The Yarde Tavern” 3 Hadley St. (at the intersection of Route 47 and Route 116), in South Hadley’s village center. Several rooms are conveniently available “on-campus”. A list of other accommodations will follow with the January Newsletter. We also plan to have a display table which will feature various Dickinson families that have strong roots in South Hadley and the surrounding communities, i.e. the former George R. Dickinson Paper Factory “constructed in 1882 is located on Sargeant St. between the 1st and 2nd Level Canals” in Holyoke. A short distance downstream from the Hadley Falls / Holyoke Dam was the Dickinson-Clark Paper Co. and Excelsior Paper Co. which were co-owned by George R. and his brother Royal C. The nearby Union Paper Co. (located adjacent to the Riverside Paper Co.) was formed by Simeon Dickinson and his sons Henry & Edwin in 1870. Simeon was the son of Levi Dickinson, the first Corn Broom Manufacturer in the U.S.. There’s also the Dickinson Farm and Apple Orchard located in Granby, MA. Both Granby and South Hadley were once part of Hadley, MA. 

See other website links for more info:
https://www.emilydickinsonmuseum.org/mount_holyoke
http://www.nonotuck.us/kens/Holyoke_Paper_Mills/Dickenson%20Paper/index.html
www.dickinsonsfarm.com (Dickinson Apple Orchard Barn is located at 134 South St. in Granby, MA) 

Ken Dickinson,Vice President 
Here is one of Emily’s shorter poems As imperceptibly as Grief
The Summer lapsed away—
Too imperceptible at last
To seem like Perfidy—
A Quietness distilled
As Twilight long begun,
Or Nature spending with herself
Sequestered Afternoon—
The Dusk drew earlier in—
The Morning foreign shone—
A courteous, yet harrowing Grace,
As Guest, that would be gone—
And thus, without a Wing
Or service of a Keel
Our Summer made her light escape
Into the Beautiful. 
                      A MESSAGE FROM OUR GENEALOGIST Rebecca Passa, our Dickinson Genealogist, requests your inputs on NathanielDickinson’s descendants.  You may send your births, marriages and deathannouncements to Becky at rlpassa99@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 bethL0719@sbcglobal.netIf this newsletter was sent to an e-mail address that will soon be obsolete, please let us know.
 We have received a request from Natalia Piller, secretary of the Pushkin Society in America, for information about a watercolor painting they discovered in their archives from 1930-1950. The painting is signed by Hiliun Dickinson, and she is trying to find out to whom it belongs. If anyone knows anything about the painting or whose it is, please contact Natalia at natashapiller@mail.com . Also see: www.americanpushkinsociety.com
 Be Thinking 

The Dickinson Family Association is doing well, but change is always imminent.  We ask that you think about volunteering to help out.  One office that is facing a vacancy soon is the Scholarship Chair.  We will elaborate on this and other opportunities to help in the January newsletter, but please be thinking positively about joining our operating team.
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VOLUME XIV, NUMBER 3

A message from the DFA Board

Hello Cousins,             

Plans for the 2017 reunion have been progressing well.  Friday morning there will be a Litchfield Green Tour.  In the afternoon there will be a Milton Village Walking Tour and Law School Tour.  The Friday evening events will take place at the Black Rock Tavern in Thomaston, CT.  Entre choices are listed below on the reservation form.            

The Saturday events will be at St. Thomas of Villanova Church, Goshen, CT.  We are excited to welcome a speaker, who will tell us about the 19th century Minaturist Painter “Anson Dickinson and his family”.

The schedule for the reunion events appears below.  Enclosed with this newsletter is a reservation card.

147th ANNUAL REUNION SCHEDULE 
Friday, June 23
10am-11am     Litchfield Green Tour (begins at Litchfield Historical Society) – 7 South St. This tour is $ 7.00 per person.
1pm-2:30pm    Milton Village Walking Tour (begins at Trinity Episcopal Church) – 536 Milton Rd. This tour is free. Directions are below.
3:30-4:30pm    Litchfield Law School (Tapping Reeve House) Tour – 82 South St. This tour is $ 7.00 per person.
11am-5pm       Display Table @ Litchfield Historical Society. This will include miniatures by painter “Anson Dickinson”
5:30pm            Open Informal Board Meeting (Black Rock Tavern in Thomaston, CT)
6:30pm            Social Hour
7:30pm            Annual Reunion Dinner

Saturday, June 24
9:00am                        Gathering of cousins: registration, exhibits, sales & refreshments
11:00am          Dickinson Families of Litchfield and Goshen Discussion
11:30pm          Lunch
12:30pm          Counting of the cousins, prizes, group photo1pm                 Annual meeting
1:30pm            Main Speaker, Topic: 19th century Miniaturist Painter “Anson Dickinson”
2:15pm            Q&A Session, Follow-Up Discussion, and Concluding Ceremony ending by
3:30 pm 

Ken Dickinson,  Vice President 

Please return your reservation card as soon as possible. 

Although reservations are not required for the tours on Friday, June 23rd, please email Ken Dickinson at kmd12@comcast.net if you are planning to attend. This will help with the planning. There will also be a sign-up sheet for the 1pm and 3:30pm tours. Sign-up sheet will be in LHS Lobby (Front Desk). Museum itself opens at 11am. 10am tour meets in LHS lobby. 
 A MESSAGE FROM OUR GENEALOGIST Please send your births, marriages and death announcements to Dickinson Genealogist Rebecca Passa at rlpassa99@gmail.com or 17 Pine St, Easthampton, MA 01207. 
 MISSING COUSINS Diana Roberts Anderson, Hulett, NY; Heidi Babos; Lillian Campbell, South Hadley, MA; Helen Condict Case; Marion Hubbard Cook, Webster, NY; Ruth Crespi, West Hartford, CT; Lynne Cresutello, Shirley Daniels, Roseville, CA; Michael Dickinson, Bradenton, FL; George S. Dickinson, Fairfield CT; Kristen Dickinson, Red Wing, MN; Philip C. Dickinson, Roseville, MI; Barbara Dickinson, Roswell, NM; Betty Dickinson; Brad Dickinson; Thomas S. Dickinson; Betsy and Roy Dickinson, Clinton, CT; Philip B and Mary M Dickinson, Granville, MA; Paul Oliver Dickinson, Jr.,Vernon, FL; John A. Estes, Ocala, FL; Margaret Ann Dickinson Gaetani, Kennebunk, ME; Chuck and Linda Dickinson Gardner, Monument, CO; Mary Jane Dickinson Graham; Meredith Gray; Lillian Gudzunas, East Windsor CT; Tom Guettler; Marjorie Waite Hassel, Osprey, FL; George Hawksley, Bridgeport, CT; Elsie S. Hayden, Westfield, MA; Barbara Dickinson Hilton, Lumberton, NC; Cheyenne Huffor, Whittinsville, MA; Debbi Jackson, Dunnellon, FL; Sue Shepard Jaques, Skillman, NJ; Sharon Kaples, Utica, NY; Harold James Kempffer, Apple Valley, MN; William Lundin, North Canton, OH; Frank A. Mallalieu, Oro Valley, AZ; Elwin E. Mauer, Evergreen CO; Joyce Murdock, Peoria, AZ; Kathy Dickinson Nollsch, Hayward, CA; Lora L. Pallatto, San Mateo, CA; Autumn Rader; Kate Sanders, Old Saybrook, CT; Robie Spector; Lee Steventon, Menlo Park, CA; Kim Dickinson Testa, Altamont, NY; Joyce Howe Wagner, Simsbury, CT If you have a mailing and/or email address for any of these cousins please send to Beth Landolina at BethL0719@sbcglobal.net. Thank you! 
 ADDRESS & E-MAIL ADDRESS CHANGES REQUESTED Please send your address and e-mail address changes to our membership clerk, Beth Landolina, at BethL0719@sbcglobal.net. 
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Volume XIV No. 2

A message from the DFA Board

Hello Cousins,
Plans for the 2017 reunion have been progressing well.  The Friday evening events will take place at Black Rock Tavern in Thomaston, CT.  Entre choices are: Sliced Sirloin, Fresh Salmon Filet, Pork Normandy, and Pasta Primavera. Salad, vegetables, rolls, coffee or tea, and dessert are included. The Saturday events will be at the St. Thomas of Villanova Church in Goshen, CT.  We are excited to welcome our speaker, Alexander Dubois (Litchfield Historical Society’s Curator of Collections), who will tell us about the journey of Anson Dickinson, a leading 19th century Minaturist Painter from Litchfield whose work includes over 1500 portraits from South Carolina to Montreal.  We will also review several Dickinson Families who had significant contributions to the development of Litchfield and its surrounding communities. The schedule for the reunion events appears below (Saturday details are subject to change).  Enclosed with this newsletter is a reservation card and return envelope.  Please observe the deadline of June 14 for returning this card.  Directions for getting to the venues will appear in the June newsletter as will the final schedule.  We invite anyone who has something to add to our exhibit table to bring it on Saturday at 9:00am.   We’re happy to report that the January newsletter has elicited interest from some possible new board members.  We continue to invite any interested DFA members to contact one of the current board members and come join us at a board meeting.  The next one will be on Friday, June 23 at the Black Rock Tavern at 5:30pm, before our annual dinner.  That board meeting is a less formal one, and is always open to any DFA member who wishes to attend.

147th ANNUAL REUNION SCHEDULE

Friday, June 23
11am-5pm   Display Table @ Litchfield Historical Society and various tours (TBD)
5:30pm   Open Informal Board Meeting
6:30pm   Social Hour
7:30pm   Annual Reunion Dinner
Saturday, June 24
9:00am    Gathering of cousins: registration, exhibits, sales & refreshments
11:00am   Dickinson Families of Litchfield and Goshen Discussion 11:30pm   Lunch
12:30pm  Counting of the cousins, prizes, group photo
1:00pm      Annual meeting
1:30pm     Main Speaker, Topic:  19th century Minaturist Painter “Anson Dickinson”
2:30pm     Q&A Session and Concluding Cermony ending by
3:30 pm

Ken Dickinson,  Vice President

Please return your reservation card as soon as possible.    
WHO WERE ANSON DICKINSON’S ANCESTORS?

Anson’s father was Rev. Oliver Jr. (1757-1847), a Revolutionary War Veteran, who was the master builder/architect for Milton’s Episcopal Church.  Anson’s grandfather, Oliver Sr. (1724-1783), was a builder, joiner, and grist mill owner.  Anson’s great-uncle, Reuben (1716-1818), a nail factory owner, was most likely the first Dickinson to settle in Milton Village, with his wife Sarah Gibbs (1727-1816). Sarah’s father Benjamin Gibbs (1675-1767), was one of the first surveyors and selectmen of Litchfield.  Anson’s great-grandfather, Ebenezer (1690-1774), was a successful cordwainer (shoe & boot maker). Circa 1750, Ebenezer sold his lands in Hatfield, MA and purchased several lots in Litchfield, Goshen, and Cornwall.  Ebenezer’s father, Nathaniel III (1663-1751), and grandfather, Nathaniel II (1643-1710), were both selectman in Hatfield.  However, they kept strong ties with those in the Hartford region, as his wife, Sarah Denslow (1694-1775), and his grandmother, Hepzibah Gibbs (1665-1713), were from Windsor.  Benjamin Gibbs (1675-1767) was Hepzibah’s brother and Sarah Denslow’s uncle.  With assistance and encouragement from the Gibbs Family, Ebenezer’s family moved away from Hatfield. The French and Indian War had a severe impact on Ebenezer’s immediate family and friends.  For example,  Ebenezer’s brother, Nathaniel IV (1698-1747), was viciously scalped and murdered in Northfield.  Litchfield provided a new opportunity for his family to thrive.  The Dickinson Family became well-established and well-respected in Litchfield County for several generations to follow.    
2017 SCHOLARSHIP – LAST CALL

Application forms are now available for the 2017 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, 2017.  Full information on requirements and an application form may be found on our website.  For additional information you may contact our scholarship chair, Jean Whitten, 9 Shepherd Rd, Manchester, NH 03104, jwhitten128@gmail.com.  
A MESSAGE FROM OUR GENEALOGIST

Please send your births, marriages and death announcements to Dickinson Genealogist Rebecca Passa at rlpassa99@gmail.com or 17 Pine St, Easthampton, MA 01207.    
ADDRESS & E-MAIL ADDRESS CHANGES REQUESTED

Please send your address and e-mail address changes to our membership clerk, Beth Landolina, at BethL0719@sbcglobal.net.    

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Volume XIV No. 1

REUNION 2017
June 23-24
Litchfield, CT and Goshen, CT

Hello Cousins,

The DFA board had our fall 2016 meeting at the Publick House in Sturbridge, MA and our January 2017 meeting at J Anthony’s in Oxford, MA.  We discussed reunion plans, publications, board member vacancies, genealogy software options, as well as other topics.  It has been confirmed that our 148th Reunion will be held in the following two towns:  Litchfield, CT on Friday, June 23rd and Goshen, CT on Saturday, June 24th.

“Reunion Preview”

Several of our ancestors were early settlers of Litchfield and its surrounding towns.  The 2017 reunion will focus on the development of the Milton Village section of Litchfield and will highlight the experience of a few illustrative individuals and their families, such as Anson Dickinson, one of the country’s most celebrated miniaturist painters of the 19th century.

We will also explore various ancestors who achieved notable success outside of Connecticut:  Andrew Dickinson, who was a writer and merchant in NYC; Daniel Dickinson, who was a miniaturist painter in Philadelphia (Anson’s brother) and several others; i.e.  Atty. Daniel S. Dickinson of Goshen, CT, who was a US Senator for several terms,  NY State Attorney General, and a political leader during the Civil War Era.

Friday, June 23rd Activities: 

From 11am – 5pm, the Litchfield Historical Society Museum, located on Capt. John Marsh’s III / Col. Ebenezer Marsh homestead lot, adjacent to Litchfield’s Green @ 7 South Street, will offer a display table of Anson Dickinson’s miniature painting collection, as well as displays of various items from their permanent collection and archives which relate to the Dickinson Family.  The display will include photos, letters, newspaper articles, account books, and a portion of an original window from the Milton Trinity Church.  The church, whose construction is attributed to Master Builder, Oliver Dickinson, Jr. (1802) and the adjacent Milton Hall (1900) whose construction was partially financed by Edwin and Ithamar Dickinson will be open for viewing.   The Milton Village Historical District, located towards the Town Line of Goshen and Cornwall (Litchfield’s northwest quadrant), is a unique rural area where several Dickinson families resided for over two centuries, and several of their 18th and 19th century homes are well restored.  A free guided walking tour of Milton Village will be tentatively held on Friday at 1pm, beginning at the Milton Trinity Church, located at 536 Milton Rd.  The Litchfield Historical Society also offers tours on Friday afternoon at a small fee of $7.00 per person.  Tour Option #1:  Litchfield’s Green (Revolutionary War Period importance) and Tour Option #2:  Litchfield Law School, where Atty. Daniel S. Dickinson attended in 1827.  Tour Option #3:  A bus tour may also be an option.  Descriptions of these tours can also be found online at:
http://www.litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org/tours/adults.php.  Friday evening’s dinner / informal meeting will most likely be held at the Litchfield Inn (Tavern Off the Green Restaurant) @ 432 Bantam Road (Route 202) starting at approx. 5:30 pm.

Saturday, June 24th Activities: 

From 8:30 am – 3 pm, will be located at St. Thomas of Villanova Church, located at 71 North Street, Goshen, CT. This air-conditioned, modern, ADA accessible facility is found less than a half mile north of Route 4 (main route leading from I-84 Exit 39 in Farmington westerly through Torrington into Goshen).  Goshen, CT is also home to several wineries, a chocolate factory, Action Wildlife Foundation, and Mohawk State Forest.  Our current main speaker topic: “Anson Dickinson-Renown Miniaturist Painter” will be provided by, Alexander Dubois, LHS’s Curator of Collections. 

In addition, it is intended that a group of related family members will provide a presentation on other Dickinsons who resided in Litchfield and its surrounding towns.

We look forward to your attendance.

Ken Dickinson,  Vice President

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

The DFA needs a few more of our members to help out on the board.  We have two impending vacancies among elected board positions, namely treasurer and scholarship chair.  Virginia Allis has done a superb job as treasurer for over 15 years and wishes to retire.  Jean Whitten has served as scholarship chair for several years and also wants to step down. Also the position of Publication Treasurer may be available.

We would also welcome some new committee members on scholarship and finance.   Committee members are not required to attend board meetings, so they could reside anywhere.   Elected board members are expected to attend meetings when possible (we have 3 per year), so it is helpful if they live in the general southern New England area.

Please give this some serious consideration and let us know on the enclosed form about any areas in which you can help.  If you have any questions, contact nominations chair Dale Williams daw451@verizon.net ,  vice president Ken Dickinson kend@ssgpools.com , or past president Alan Dickinson anbdickinson@charter.net.

Finally, our invitation to attend a board meeting still stands.  If you would like to be notified of the time and place of the upcoming board meeting, indicate that on the survey card.  We’d love to have you come and see what we do!

2017 SCHOLARSHIP FORMS AVAILABLE

     Application forms are now available for the 2017 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, 2017.  Full information on requirements and an application form may be found on our website.  For additional information you may contact our scholarship chair, Jean Whitten, 9 Shepherd Road, Manchester, NH 03104, jwhitten128@gmail.com. If you don’t have access to the internet, contact Jean and she will send you the form.      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 January Survey form if you wish to make a donation.

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.  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.  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.

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 bethL0719@sbcglobal.net

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