Charles Dickson removed from New England to Nova Scotia among the first settlers when he was young. He resided in Kings County until about the year 1771; he then removed up the Bay to Onslow, and purchased a large tract of land from William McNutt, at Onslow Parade, where he commenced and carried on a large business at farming, merchandize, building and sailing ships. He was an active man for business; he was Registrar of Deeds for Colchester, and representative of Onslow in the House of Assembly, as before mentioned. On September 16th, 1780, he was appointed Justice of the Peace for what are now the counties of Colchester and Pictou. In 1796, he went to the West Indies in one of his vessels; on his return he called at Halifax and took ill of yellow fever, and died there on September 3rd, 1796. His widow was married again to Joseph McLain. After his death, his four sons carried on the business for a few years, under the firm of John Dickson & Co. He was married to Amelia Bishop in 1772. She died November, 1846.
John Dickson, their eldest son, was born in Onslow, June 7th, 1773. He was married to Lydia Hamilton, October 20th, 1796. They had four sons and five daughters. He followed the sea as Captain a considerable length of time. He was the Senior Justice of the Peace for the County several years. He died at Onslow, December, 1858, aged 85 years. His widow died March, 1866. Charles Dickson, their second son, was born April 6, 1775. He was married to Rachel Todd Archibald, December 31st, 1799. They had five sons and six daughters. He was a carpenter by trade. He died March, 1821. Mrs. Dickson died in 1819. Robert Dickson, their third son, was born July 8, 1777. He was married to Lavinia De Wolfe in 1798. They had seven sons and three daughters. He was a Justice of the Peace, Commissioner of Sewers, representative of Onslow, and Colonel of the Militia. He was an extensive farmer. He died November, 1836. His widow died July, 1854, age 78 years. William Dickson, their fourth son, was born in 1779. He was married to Rebecca, second daughter of Colonel Thomas and Martha Pearson, of Truro, January 29th, 1801. They had six sons and six daughters. He represented Truro in the House of Assembly eight years. He died February 15th, 1834. Mrs. Dickson died June, 1833, age 49 years. Abigail Dickson, their eldest daughter, was born in 1781. She was married to Andrew Wallace, of Halifax, February 27th, 1798. They had three sons and one daughter. Mr. Wallace died, and she was married again to Robert Lowden, of Merigomish. They had four sons and two daughters. She died in 1868. Sarah Dickson, their second daughter, was born in 1783. She died when young. Mary and Olivia Dickson, their twin daughters, were born in 1785. Mary was married to Dr. John Murray Upham, son of Judge Upham, of New Brunswick, in 1803. They had one son and two daughters. She died at Tatamagouche, December 6th, 1872. Olivia Dickson, was married to Colonel David Archibald, February 5th, 1801. She had five sons and five daughters. She died February 7th, 1872. Elizabeth Dickson, their fifth daughter, was born in 1786. She was married to S. G. W. Archibald, March 16th, 1802. They had eleven sons and four daughters. She died May 13th, 1830. Thomas Dickson, their fifth son, was born in 1788. He was married to Sarah Ann Patterson, of Pictou. They had one son and eight daughters. He studied law with S. G. W. Archibald. He died in Pictou town, about 1857. His wife died about 1850. Their children are all dead. Lavinia Dickson, their sixth daughter, was married to Rev. John Burnyatt, April 27th, 1823. They had two sons and one daughter. She died October, 1860. Mr. Burnyatt died April 7th, 1843, aged 59 years.
