Description:

Massachusetts
Pittsfield, MA, May 26, 1768
Future Soldier at Ticonderoga and Bennington Writes 1768 His Father on Behalf of His Uncle
ALS
[MASSACHUSETTS.] Israel Dickinson, Autograph Letter Signed, to Lt. Col. [Obadiah] Dickinson, May 26, 1768, Pittsfield, Massachusetts. 1 p., 6.25" x 7.5". Irregular edges; minor loss of paper not affecting text; very good.

In this letter, Israel Dickinson of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, intervenes on behalf of his uncle and asks his father to stay the execution of a judgment against his uncle until the fall. His uncle offers a yoke of cattle or young stock if he can delay the execution. Dickinson may be referring to his uncle Aaron Sheldon (1712-1783), the wife of his mother's sister Rhoda Belding Sheldon.

Seven years later, Dickinson joined the New England forces that surprised the British garrison at Fort Ticonderoga in May 1775 and seized cannon and other armaments that played a pivotal role in the siege of Boston early in 1776. Dickinson also participated in the Battle of Bennington shortly before his death from bilious fever late in 1777.

Complete Transcript
Pittsfield May 26th 1768
Hond Sr Uncle Shelding is now at my House Concerning your Exen against him & Desires you would Stay Till Nex Fall & you may have a yoke of Cattle or young Stock which you Chuse or if you are Concernd he will get Lt Graves Capt Goodrich or any many you Shall Chuse for a Bondsman Till fall. he has Swapt his Intrest at Barrington for a farm in Richmont, where he now lives & is to have apart of his Boot in Stock from your Dutifull Son
Isl. Dickinson
N.B Sr he Desires you to Write by Samel Partridge Concerning the Exen & What must be Done.

Israel Dickinson (1736-1777) was born in Hatfield, Massachusetts to Obadiah Dickinson and Mary Wells Dickinson. He graduated from Yale College in 1758. In 1764, he married Mercy Partridge (1742-1803), and they had eight children. In 1774, he was one of the selectmen of Pittsfield, town clerk, and captain in the militia. In May 1775, he was one of fifty men from Pittsfield who joined Connecticut volunteers and the Green Mountain Boys and surprised and captured the British garrison at Fort Ticonderoga. Later in the year, he represented Pittsfield in the General Court and was appointed high sheriff of the county. In August 1777, he accompanied volunteers from Pittsfield to the Battle of Bennington. He died of bilious fever contracted at Bennington in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

Obadiah Dickinson (1704-1788) was born in Hatfield, Massachusetts. He married Mary Wells Belding Dickinson (1705-1747) in 1726, and they had ten children before her death. Obadiah Dickinson served as the deacon of the Hatfield Congregation Church during the Revolutionary War. The address on this letter to "Lt. Col. Dickinson" may have referred to a rank he held in the militia or during the French and Indian War.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 6.25" x 7.5"
  • Medium: ALS

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