History Detective 101: Learn to transcribe John Dickinson's documents Sept. 24
The Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs will host a workshop from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 24, on transcribing and interpreting historical documents that can be used to illuminate the life of John Dickinson, one of the founding fathers of the United States and the so-called Penman of the Revolution.
Conducted by Madeline Dunn, curator of education for the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, and site supervisor Gloria Henry, the workshop will take place at the John Dickinson Plantation, the patriot’s boyhood home and country estate, at 340 Kitts Hummock Road in Dover. Admission to this adults-only workshop is free and open to the public but, due to seating limitations, reservations must be made by calling 302-739-3277 no later than Friday, Sept. 23.
The mansion house at the John Dickinson Plantation, also known as Poplar Hall, was built in 1740 for Samuel Dickinson, father of John Dickinson. John Dickinson spent his boyhood years there and later, after inheriting the property from his father, utilized the plantation as his country estate in addition to his city homes in Philadelphia, and later, Wilmington.
John Dickinson, born in Talbot County, Md., on Nov. 8, 1732; moved with his parents in 1740 to Dover, where he studied under a private teacher, studied law in Philadelphia and at the Middle Temple in London, was admitted to the bar in 1757 and commenced practice in Philadelphia. He was a member of the Assembly of Lower Counties, as the state of Delaware was then called, in 1760, member of the Pennsylvania Assembly in 1762 and 1764 and delegate to the Stamp Act Congress in 1765. He represented Pennsylvania at the Continental Congress 1774-76 and attended for Delaware in 1779. He was a brigadier general of Pennsylvania militia, president of the state of Delaware in 1781 and returned to Philadelphia and served as president of Pennsylvania 1782-85. He returned to Delaware and was a member of the federal convention of 1787 which framed the Constitution and was one of the signers from Delaware. He died in Wilmington Feb. 14, 1808 and was interred in Wilmington Friends Meetinghouse Burial Ground.
The John Dickinson Plantation is administered by the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, an agency of the state of Delaware. Primary funding for division programs and services is provided by annual appropriations from the Delaware General Assembly and grants from the National Park Service, a federal agency.
