Author: William F. J. Boardman
Call Number: R929.2 B662
OBADIAH DICKINSON, son of Nathaniel Dickinson (No. 200) and Ann Gull (No. 201), was born in Wethersfield, Conn., April 15, 1641. At the age of eighteen he removed with his parents to Hadley, Mass. His home was in that section of the town which, in 1670, was incorporated as the town of Hatfield; and he had been one of the petitioners for a separation in 1667.
In the attack on Hatfield, September 19, 1677, his house was burned by the Indians, his wife severely wounded, and he and his child carried as captives to Canada. The year following he was ransomed and returned to Hatfield, but soon removed to Wethersfield, where the last years of his life were spent.
At Wethersfield Sergeant Dickinson was a man of considerable importance in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the townspeople. He was a Townsman in 1691 and 1692, and Constable in 1688, and at other times; and he was often chosen to serve on public committees. He is always called "Sergeant" in the records of the town; and it is conjectured that he served under this title in King Philip's War, in which his brothers are known to have taken an active part.
Obadiah Dickinson died in Wethersfield, June 10, 1698, aged 57. In his will, dated June 7, 1698, he mentions his wife, Mehitabel, and children, Sarah Smith, Obadiah, Daniel, Eliphalet, Noadiah, and Mehitabel. He divided his "lands & houseing" in equal proportion among his three younger sons, saying of the eldest, "I know not if my son, Obadiah, be living." The inventory amounted to œ678 8s. 8d. [Manwaring's Hartford Probate Records, I:549, 550.] "His seal on his will though defaced still bears traces of the
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'lion passant' described on the Dickinson arms." [Stiles's History of Wethersfield, II:286.]
101.
Obadiah Dickinson married, 1st, in Hadley, Mass., January 8, 1669, SARAH BEARDSLEY, daughter of William Beardsley (No. 202) and Mary, his wife, who was born in Stratford, Conn., about 1641. It is supposed that she died shortly after the birth of her son, Eliphalet. He married, 2nd, in 1690, Mehitabel Hinsdale, daughter of Samuel Hinsdale of Hadley, who was born October 18, 1663. She survived her husband, but died before March 9, 1701-2. The two younger children, Noadiah and Mehitabel, were by the second marriage.
CHILDREN OF OBADIAH AND SARAH DICKINSON.
I. Sarah, b. Aug. 20, 1669; m. Smith. II. Obadiah, b. Jan. 29, 1672; prob. sailor; d. before 1700. III. Daniel, b. April 26, 1674. IV. Eliphalet (No. 50). V. Sarah (?). VI. Noadiah, b. Aug. 2, 1694; d. June 3, 1745. VII. Mehitabel, b. June 11, 1696; m. Frary of Deerfield.
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From: Savage, Volume 2 Dict. First Settlers of NE (page 28 - Item 49)
"his ho. was burn. 19 Sept. 1677, by the Ind. his w. wound. and he with one ch. tak. off to Canada; after ret. he had sec. w. Mehitable,
and by her Noadiah, b. 1694; and Mehitable, 1698, hav. rem. to Wethersfield, where he d. 10 June 1698.
