During the War for Independence, Dickinson enlisted as a private in the Continental Army, having been a colonel in the provincial militia. Later became President of Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania.
The former individual is believed to be Israel Whelen. His name is frequently misspelled; see also Israel Whelan or Wheelen (the spelling "Whelen" seems to occur most often, and is the spelling given for the holdings of his personal papers in Philadelphia, so this is taken as correct).
