Caleb Cooley Dickinson

Caleb Cooley Dickinson was a native of Hatfield who was a very successful farmer and businessman. During his lifetime the citizens of Hatfield regarded him as odd or eccentric. He never married and his relationships with his neighbors were characterized by a high degree of suspicion that they were trying to cheat him on business deals. His will, probated in 1882 left all his money to the City of Northampton for the establishment of a hospital for the sick poor of Hatfield, Whately and Northampton. He chose Northampton because he felt that the men of Northampton were better businessmen and could manage money better. It is probable that the litigation over the will of Oliver Smith was one factor in selecting Northampton. His relatives contested the will claiming that he was insane while defenders of the will stated that he was merely eccentric. The will remained in force and on Jan 10, 1886 the first patient was admitted. The Cooley Dickinson Hospital is the second oldest hospital in Western Massachusetts

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