James Dickinson (130)

James Dickinson (c. 1743–c. 1785) was an educator and surveyor, and a member of the American Philosophical Society, elected in 1768. Born in Philadelphia, he was bound out to APS member Israel Pemberton followed by another apprenticeship beginning in 1761 under APS member Robert Proud, master of the Friends Public School. In 1765 Dickinson began work as a surveyor, and by 1772 he was working on the Delaware-Susquehanna canal project. He joined APS members William Smith, David Rittenhouse, and John Lukens in their preparations to observe the 1769 Transit of Venus. Dickinson’s activities during the Revolutionary War are unknown, but in 1785 he secured an appointment as deputy surveyor for the Donation Lands in northwestern Pennsylvania, territory promised to Continental Army soldiers in exchange for their continued service. This survey required treating with Seneca leaders, whom Dickinson quickly discovered were angry over previous incursions and insufficient compensation for their land. When Dickinson these leaders refused to guarantee his further safe passage, Dickinson returned to Pittsburgh. Following his refusal to continue the survey, he was promptly removed from his position and no further records of his work, activities, or death exist. (PI)