Edward Dickerman

Edward Dickerman was born to Jonathan Dickerman and Merab Rice on the 4th of March, 1804 in Wallingford, Connecticut. A shirt-tail relative of Caroline, he operated a smithy in Mount Carmel where “the people went for business, and then lingered for discussion”. It was Edward who heard of Cecil Burleigh and brought him from New York to work in his shop in 1853.

When Edward was 25, he married Laura Hotchkiss of Hamden. They had six children, of whom four lived to adulthood: Elford, Mark, Sumner, and Margaret.

During the Civil War, Edward’s son Mark would serve alongside Cecil in the 20th Connecticut. Edward and Laura lived a half-mile to the south of Cecil and Caroline on the road to the small town of Mount Carmel.

Cecil did not seem to think highly of Edward, considering him one to put money and status above friends and family – somebody willing to take advantage of others for personal gain.

Edward passed away as a widower on May 19th, 1899 in Mount Carmel, Connecticut.

Sources

• FamilySearch
• “Families of Dickerman Ancestry”, page 440

In these letters:

1. Date Author Description
2. 1863-02-08
   • Caroline Burleigh
   • In this interesting letter, Caroline writes an adorable account of Louise, a letter from Austin, the rising costs of fabric, and much more.
3. 1863-02-03
   • Caroline Burleigh
   • Caroline writes about her cold, the baby, how her funds were doing, paying debts, and a birthday party.
4. 1863-01-18
   • Caroline Burleigh
   • Caroline writes to Cecil about her money situation, how she enjoys sending him things, complains how the government doesn’t care for their soldiers, and speaks about the local news.
5. 1863-01-15
   • Caroline Burleigh
   • In this long letter, Caroline complains about the state of the war, the moral affect of the war upon the men who are fighting it, how the armies don’t respect the Sabbath, and her daily schedule.
6. 1862-12-07
   • Cecil Burleigh
   • Cecil writes to Caroline about his improving health, the cold, his winter quarters cabin, and advises her how to feed their horse during the winter.
7. 1862-11-16
   • Cecil Burleigh
   • A letter from Cecil to Caroline about the ongoing construction of winter quarters, business back at home, the cold weather, when they will be paid, and the fellow members of his mess.
8. 1862-11-02
   • Cecil Burleigh
   • Cecil writes about a scare he experienced when some New York soldiers ended up in front of his line; the chance of moving more; possible impending battle; being on picket duty; and then advises Caroline on what to send in the next care box.
9. 1862-10-28
   • Cecil Burleigh
   • In this lengthy letter from Cecil, he tells of his Regiment’s waiting for marching commands and comments rather charmingly on his Aunt Laura’s view of wine (“oh my how nice she is”). He then describes the poor weather, prominent sicknesses, and uninspiring army commotion they’d been pleasured with.
10. 1862-10-26
    • Cecil Burleigh
    • Cecil writes to Caroline about the poor weather, their lack of protections from the elements, waiting for marching orders, and rumors started at home by Mark.
11. 1862-10-22
    • Cecil Burleigh
    • Cecil writes about receiving a box of edibles from home, McClellan’s inability to get into a fight, and building log huts. In a lengthy P.S. he addresses the rations and the weather.
12. 1862-10-21
    • Cecil Burleigh
    • Cecil complains about Col. Ross requiring the sick men to attend the inspection, thanks Caroline for sending a box, speaks about Harpers Ferry and the battle there, and writes of other business.
13. 1862-10-12
    • Caroline Burleigh
    • Caroline writes about friends visiting, her headaches, selling potatoes, and pleads with Cecil not to throw his life away in the case of battle.
14. 1862-10-08
    • Cecil Burleigh
    • Cecil writes to Caroline about business at home, directions for shipping a box, complains about the army grub, and speaks about how lovely a place Frederick was and how the Rebs treated the townsfolk very well.
15. 1862-10-05
    • Cecil Burleigh
    • Cecil writes about his camping situation, the lack of good food, and his dislike for playing cards.
16. 1862-10-03
    • Caroline Burleigh
    • Caroline writes about how her letters may not be getting through, some splendid peaches that she got from a relative, and a visit from Mr. Thayer.
17. 1862-09-28
    • Cecil Burleigh
    • Cecil writes about being frustrated by the tactical gridlock, how ugly the Potomac River and Virginia state are, and how he wishes that Caroline would write more often.
18. 1862-09-21
    • Caroline Burleigh
    • Letter from Caroline Burleigh to her husband discussing how much their daughter missed him, selling the family horse, and how much she longs for his letters.
19. 1862-09-21
    • Cecil Burleigh
    • Letter from Cecil Burleigh discussing business, camp life of a new recruit, and reassuring his wife.
20. 1862-09-18
    • Cecil Burleigh
    • Cecil writes about his first march and losing a shirt and pair of drawers.