Moss Dickinson

Moss Dickinson was born in Denmark, Lewis Co. New York to Barnabus and Lydia Dickinson on June 1st 1822.  His parents were descendants of the Pilgrim Fathers who landed in New England aboard the Mayflower.  By 1827 the Dickinsons had moved to Cornwall, Ontario where Barnabus started a stage coach service carrying mail and passengers between Montreal and Kingston.

    For Moss' tenth birthday his father took him to Kingston to see the opening of the Rideau Canal.  He later married Elizabeth Trigge.

    By 1847 Moss had purchased a number of ships and barges to transport livestock, grain, logs, cheese, and passengers between Ottawa and Kingston, servicing all the tiny villages that had sprung up along the route.  In 1850 Dickinson's fleet numbered 16 steamers and 60 barges.

    In late 1859 and early 1860, Dickinson and his partner Joseph Currier  built the Mill in Manotick.  The following year Moss' wife Elizabeth died five months after the birth of daughter Elizabeth.  From 1864 to 1866 Dickinson was the Mayor of Ottawa.  In 1867 Dickinson built the fine old home, directly across from the Mill in Manotick.  The building served as general store and the first post office in the new town, then in 1870 he moved his family into it to be closer to the milling business.

    The year 1882 was a busy one in the Dickinson household.  The Dickinson house was the campaign headquarters for the election of Sir John A. MacDonald.  Moss was elected to represent the riding of Russel. Dickinson House The Dickinson house was again the headquarters for the election in 1887.  Moss did not run in this election.

    By 1896 Moss' health was failing and he was rarely seen around the Mill.  His son George took over the Mill operations.  On July 19th , 1897, Moss Kent Dickinson died in the house he had built in the town he had named.  He is buried in Ottawa's Beechwood Cemetery beside his wife Elizabeth.