Thomas Dickey

DICKEY, GAGE

Posted By: Bill Rathbun (email)
Date: 1/20/2004 at 18:00:37

The Fairfield Ledger, Oct. 2, 1939. Sec.C, p.2.
GAGE STORY by Charles Gage. Thomas Dickey built the first tavern in July, 1839 on the present site of the Tribune Printing Co. He had been a friend of the Gage's back east and gave them a warm welcome to the new country. Christmas came soon after and through the generosity of Mr. Dickey, a Christmas dinner was planned. The following children were invited to attend: Hugh H. Shuffleton, and sister Mary Jane, Cranmore Gage and Dickey's son Dudley. Since candy was unknown at this time, the children were given nuts and crabapples. This was the first Christmas party in Fairfield and a happy day for the children. When Ebenezer Gage first came to Fairfield, there were only seven families living here. They were Samuel Shuffleton, J.A. Pitzer, Thomas Dickey, W.E. Stone, Gilbert Fox, J.T. Noberly, John Ratcliff and their families and three single men, Richard Irwin, H.B. Notson and Thomas Gray.