Cyanotypes from Bessie Marsh Dickinson

[Student Group]

History

These photos were part of a photo album of cyanotypes, compiled by Bessie Marsh Dickinson. She lived in Amherst, and attended Amherst High School and Smith College (late 1900-1902). Her album contained photos of Golden Gate at North Amherst, Shutesbury, Mt. Tom, Amherst, Pansy Park, Charlestown, Riverside Park, Mass Agricultural College, Pelham Hills, Smith College, Connecticut River, Titan's Pier, Mount Holyoke, Mt. Sugarloaf, Belchertown Ponds, and some European photos. I scanned the Smith College and the South Hadley photos for this website.

With a last name of Dickinson, and living in Amherst, I wondered if Bessie was related to the poet Emily Dickinson. I researched Bessie's family tree, and found her father's name was Willard Rankin Dickinson, born 07/20/1839, son William & Vesta H. Rankin Dickinson. William Dickinson, born 11/07/1815, was the son Lucius & Betsy (Shumway) Dickinson. Lucius Dickinson, born 1/23/1790, was the son Enos & Lois (Dickinson) Dickinson. Enos Dickinson, born 3/28/1746, was the son Nathan & Thankful (Warner) Dickinson.

Enos was the connection to Emily's line. Enos was brother to Nathan Dickinson, born 10/19/1735, and he was Emily Dickinson's great grandfather. Many thanks to the staff at the Jones Library in Amherst, who helped me to piece this together, and to Jill Hobgood, who added some information about Smith College.

See the photos