Robert M. Dickinson (bef. 1836 - 1889)

Born before 4 Feb 1836 in Liverpool, Lancashire, England

Husband of Caroline Matilda (Rodgers) Dickinson — married 19 Aug 1861 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Descendants

Died 1 Nov 1889 after age 53 in New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada

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Biography

Robert M. Dickinson, with mother Eliza (nee Penn), her second husband Thomas Harris, along with brothers Frank and Charles (last name Dickinson by Eliza's first husband), as well as half-sister, Eliza Harris, went to British Columbia, Canada from Liverpool, England by way of California in 1858/59, at the height of the Cariboo gold rush.

From Wikipedia: Robert Dickinson (1835 – November 1, 1889) was an English-born businessman and political figure in British Columbia. He represented New Westminster City in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia from 1875 to 1878.

He was born in Liverpool and went to British Columbia, Canada from England by way of California in 1858/59, at the height of the Cariboo gold rush, with his mother Eliza, his step-father Thomas Harris and his brothers Frank and Charles. Dickinson had been a timber merchant's apprentice in Liverpool. He worked in his step-father, Thomas Harris's, butcher shops, eventually taking over the operation in New Westminster. He served as president of the municipal council for New Westminster from 1863 to 1865 and was mayor from 1874 to 1875, from 1880 to 1881 and from 1883 to 1888. Dickinson also served as president of the local Mechanics' Institute and of the Royal Columbian Hospital. He died in New Westminster at the age of 53.

Dickenson Street in New Westminster was named after him.

He is buried at Fraser Cemetery, New Westminster, BC (The Fraser Cemetery was established circa 1870. It is the final resting place for a number of the City’s pioneer families as well as notable personalities such as John “Gassy Jack” Deighton, Captain William Irving and Raymond Burr, just to name a few.)

Records

Record of baptism:

• Name Robert Dickinson
• Gender Male
• Christening Date 04 Feb 1836
• Christening Place SAINT PETER, LIVERPOOL, LANCASHIRE, ENGLAND
• Father's Name William Dickinson
• Mother's Name Eliza

British Columbia Death Registrations:

• Name Robert Dickinson
• Event Type Death
• Cause of Death Sudden Cardiac Failure
• Event Date 01 Nov 1889
• Event Place , British Columbia, Canada
• Gender Male
• Occupation MERCHANT
• Age 53
• Birth Year (Estimated) 1836
• Birthplace Liverpool, England

Census

Sources

• "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JWJR-R6X : accessed 21 November 2015), Robert Dickinson, 04 Feb 1836; citing SAINT PETER, LIVERPOOL, LANCASHIRE, ENGLAND, reference ; FHL microfilm 93,880, 93,881, 93,882.

• "England and Wales Census, 1851," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKVX-SH48 : accessed 26 November 2015), Robert Dickinson in household of Thomas Harris, Liverpool, Lancashire, England; citing Liverpool, Lancashire, England, p. 43, from "1851 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.

• 1851 England, Wales & Scotland Census from findmypast.co.uk

• Robert Dickinson (BC politician) from www.wikipedia.orh

• 1881 Canada Census from findmypast.co.uk

• "Canada Census, 1881," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MV69-6C2 : accessed 8 November 2015), Robert Dickinson, North, New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada; citing p. 24; Library and Archives Canada film number C-13284, Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 1,375,920.

• Robert Dickinson - Record Detail from www.archives.newwestcity.ca

• Mayors of New Westminster, BC from www.nwheritage.org

• "British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLLF-W3G : accessed 8 November 2015), Robert Dickinson, 1889.

• Fraser Cemetery, New Westminster, BC from www.nwheritage.org

• Gravestone of Robert & Wife Dickinson from www.nwheritage.org

• "British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLLF-W3G : 30 September 2015), Robert Dickinson, 1889.

• "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q291-2V13 : 15 March 2016), Robert M Dickinson, 1889; Burial, New Westminster, Greater Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada, Fraser Cemetery; citing record ID 154743036, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.

• FindAGrave Memorial #154743036 from www.findagrave.com