Biography

Found in 18290726FMS_WHS1. He is the uncle of Dr. Mahlon Dickerson Canfield, WHS's brother-in-law. His niece, Caroline Canfield Piatt has gone to stay with him. During his life he served as adjuant-general, giving him the title General, which stuck with him, although he resigned that position in 1808. He served on many Congressional Committees and was appointed Secretary of the Navy, serving from 1834-1838.

Might be the uncle MDC mentions in 18410112MDC_FMS.

Julia Mary Dickerson, MDC's maternal cousin (referred to in letters from LCC as "Cousin Julia"), may also be connected to Mahlon. She never married, and in the 1850 census, she is living with a Mahlon Dickerson, aged 80. This is most certainly her uncle, and since Mahlon Dickerson died in 1853, it is possible she was taking care of him in his old age.

Mahlon's mother was Mary Coe and his father, Jonathan Dickerson. Mahlon had many other siblings: "Silas, Ruth d.y., Mary (MDC's mom), Jonathan , Moses d.y., Aaron, John B. (Julia Mary Dickerson's father), Philemon, Jesse d.y., Anne d.y."