Archives of Maryland
(Biographical Series)

HENRY DICKINSON, ?-1789

Treasurer of the Eastern Shore, 1777-1778

Henry Dickinson, a third generation Marylander, was probably born in Talbot County, but he was living in Dorchester County by 1768, and served in the state legislature from Caroline County during most of his public life. His father was Charles Dickinson (?-1779), a merchant of Dorchester and Caroline counties. His mother, Sophia Richardson, was the grandaughter of William Richardson (?-1698) of Anne Arundel County, a Maryland legislator. Dickinson's brother John (ca. 1726-1789) was a major officeholder in Dorchester County.

By 1774, Dickinson had married Elizabeth Walker (?-1776), a daughter of the Rev. Philip Walker (?-1776), rector of St. Mary's Whitechapel Parish in Caroline County from 1756-1757. In 1784 Dickinson married his deceased wife's sister, Ann (?-by 1787), who was the widow of both Andrew Mein and Edward Hindman (?-1781). The latter had been Treasurer of the Eastern Shore, 1778-1779. Dickinson's third marriage, in 1757, was to Deborah Perry (ca. 1748-1805), the daughter of William Perry (?-1750) of Talbot County. Dickinson was the father of sons Charles, Philip, and Henry, and of daughters Elizabeth, and Rebecca.

Henry Dickinson began his public career in 1768 as receiver of alienation fines, a position he held for at least three years. From 1774 to 1776 he served in several Maryland Conventions as a representative from Caroline County, and in 1777 he was elected to the Lower House for each of the two Assembly sessions held that year.

He served on the Committee of Observation from Caroline County during the Revolutionary War and was appointed loan officer for the Continental Loan Office in 1777.

During his tenure as Treasurer of the Eastern Shore from 1779 to 1789, he also served as justice of the Caroline County court from 1779-1782 and from 1786-1788, and as an Orphan's Court justice for two years. In 1786, he was a judge of the Court of Appeals for Tax Assessment in Caroline County.

Henry Dickinson died in November, 1789, in Caroline County leaving an estate of considerable value.


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