ca. 9 Kilobytes
There are no restrictions.
Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Librarian/ Associate Curator of Rare Books and Manuscripts, and the holder of the copyright, if not the Rockefeller Library at Colonial Williamsburg.
Dickinson Family Papers, Manuscript MS 2001.9, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Miss Althea Smart, the granddaughter of William R. Smart, donated the Dickinson Collection to the Mary Ball Washington Museum, Lancaster, Virginia in 1991, and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation subsequently acquired it in 2000.
Edmund Dickinson was a cabinetmaker in Williamsburg, Virginia.1 He was born in Norfolk and, although it is unclear when he moved to Williamsburg, he was listed as an employee of Anthony Hay in 1764. Hay operated a shop on Nicholson Street [Block 28, Building 72] that passed into the hands of Dickinson in 1771.2 Dickinson made furniture for prominent Virginians such as Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson, and he advertised in The Virginia Gazette on several occasions. He was elected captain of recruits from the District of York on February 4, 1776. He served in the 1st Virginia Regiment, reaching the rank of major in October 1777. He camped with the army at Valley Forge and died at the Battle of Monmouth in 1778.3 George Washington specifically mentioned Dickinson's death in his personal correspondence. In a letter to Governor Patrick Henry on July 4, 1778, General Washington stated that the loss of Major Dickinson "ought much to be regretted by his friends and Countrymen as he possessed every qualification to render him eminent in the Military line."4 Although Dickinson was a bachelor at the time of his death, he was survived by his five sisters: Agnes Dickinson, Lucy Dickinson, Judith Farrer, Elizabeth Warren, and Mary.
Lucy married Robert Gibbons after her brother had died. Louisa Gibbons, the daughter of Lucy and Robert, married William Smart. William Robert Smart (b. 1827) was their son. It appears that Lucy and Robert Gibbons were responsible for initiating the claim to Dickinson's military pension and land grants. In 1798, Senator Tazewell regretfully informed the Gibbons family that only the direct descendants of soldiers (wives and children) were entitled to military benefits from service during the Revolutionary War. William Smart continued the claim in 1832. The governor of Virginia eventually awarded Dickinson's heirs land, in addition to the land bounty that had been granted in the early 1780s.
The Dickinson collection contains a total of 28 pieces, including one letter from Edmund B. Dickinson (?-1778) and several letters from his collateral descendants that document their attempts to obtain land grants and pensions for Dickinson's military service during the Revolutionary War. The letter from Dickinson was written to his sister Lucy while at Valley Forge, and he makes reference to the newly established alliance with France. The collection contains a letter from Senator Henry Tazewell, a noted Virginia politician. Transcriptions are available for many of the documents in the collection. Colonial Williamsburg also has a portrait of Edmund Dickinson, which was probably painted in the 1770s. The portrait is housed in the Department of Collections.
Chronologically arranged.
Dickinson makes reference to the newly established alliance with France. He thanks his sister for sending him shirts.
After all of his debts were paid, Dickinson indicated that Lucy and Agnes would each get half of his estate. He also gave money to his married sisters, Elizabeth Warren and Judith Farrer, and he set aside sixty pounds for his nephew's education.
The letter was written on a Sunday morning before church. Camilla complains that she has not been able to spend more time with Nancy.
This poem appears to be a rough draft.
The poem has the name "EDMUND DICKINSON" written vertically in the right hand column. The name is also written vertically in the left hand column in such a way that the letters begin each line of the poem.
This note contains information about Dickinson's military salary.
Agnes Dickinson authorized Robert Gibbons to handle the estate of Edmund Dickinson.
Dickinson's descendants are not entitled to commutation. The writer of the letter appears to be a government official.
Senator Tazewell regretfully informs Robert Gibbons that only the direct descendants of soldiers are entitled to commutation.
This document records Lucy's marriage to Robert Gibbons.
Julia Gibbons notes that Edmund Dickinson was her mother's only brother.
William Smart requests assistance with the family's claim to Dickinson's pension and land grants.
Coke acknowledges the receipt of Smart's letter.
William Smart requests legal assistance from Nelson in his attempt to get compensation for Dickinson's military service in the American Revolution.
Smart makes reference to his March letter. He explains that he has been unable to figure out the specific details of Major Dickinson's participation in the Revolution.
This document contains important background information about the Dickinson claim.
Smart requests assistance from Senator Tyler in regards to the Dickinson claim.
Heath apologizes for not responding more quickly. He explains that repairs at the Capitol have prevented access to necessary documents.
Nicholson testified that Edmund Dickinson participated in the Revolutionary War and that he died at the Battle of Monmouth.
The court is satisfied with the Elizabeth Nicholson's testimony.
This appears to be a copy of the previous document.
The governor believes that Dickinson's heirs should be entitled to additional land.
Dickinson's heirs are owed money.
This article briefly discusses Major "Dickerson's" [sic] participation in the Battle of Monmouth.