History of Dedham, Massachusetts, USA

For some time the first settlers called this town Contentment. Its name was changed to Dedham in honor of the martyr, John Rogers,
who preached at Dedham in England, and was probably known to some of the first settlers here.

From Dedham have at various times been formed the towns of Medfield and Medway, Wrentham and Franklin, Needham, Bellingham, Walpole, and Dover.

Dedham is watered by the Neponset and Charles ; and, as early as 1639, the citizens dug the first canal in the State, now called Mother
Brook, to connect Charles and Neponset rivers, and furnish suitable
sites for mills.

The chief manufactures are cotton, woollen, and silk goods, paper, shoes, bonnets, and cards.

The Ancient Oak, older than the town, is a curiosity, as is also the
pedestal of William Pittas Pillar, at the corner of Court House
Square.

Fisher Ames, an accomplished orator and profound statesman, was
born in Dedham.

Dedham is the county town, where the courts are held and the
records ...

About 2 o'clock on Saturday morning, fire broke out in a house (formerly the alms-house) in Dedham, owned by Mr. J. F. Richards, which, together with another house and barn, was entirely destroyed. The houses were occupied by thirty-six Irish families. One of the tenants, Mr. David McHugh, was making his egress from his house, having under each arm a child, when he was run against by some one equally anxious to make their escape, causing him to drop one of his children, a boy about 7 years of age. Sad to relate, the boy was burned to death.

Dkdham, a post-township of Norfolk county, Massachusetts, on the south side of Charles river. Population, 4447.

Dedham, a post-village, capital of Norfolk county, Massachusetts, is situated in the above township, on Charles river, 12 miles S. W. of Boston; connected with the Boston and Providence railroad by a branch rail road about 2 miles in length. It contains 3 or 4 churches, a number of handsome dwellings, 2 newspaper offices, and a bank.

DEDHAM, a township, capital of Norfolk co., in the state of Massachusetts, 13 m SSW of Boston, watered by Charles and Neponset rivers, and one of their branches, and intersected by Boston and Providence railroad, a branch which runs to the village which is situated on Charles river. Pop. of township, 3,920. It had in 1840, 12 stores,, 3 woollen factories, 2 cotton factories with 4,200 spindles, 2 tanneries, 4 grist and 4 saw mills, a paper factory, and 2 printing offices.

A house built in 1639 still stand in Deadham, Mass., and is the oldest in New England. It is beautifully situated under heavily branching elms, with a moss-covered roof. Much of the original furniture, 240 years of age, still remains, and has been in the possession of one family, named Fairbanks, during all of that time.

DEDHAM is a fine old town, the seat of justice in Norfolk County, about ten miles southwest of Boston by the New York and New England Railroad, which passes through the eastern side of the town. The northeastern part has two branches of the Boston and Providence Division of the Old Colony Railroad, which has a beautiful station of Dedham granite in the principal village. The town is bounded north by Needham and West Roxbury district (Boston), east by Hyde Park and Canton, south by Norwood and Walpole, and west by Dover. The Charles River forms a part of the northwestern line, and the Neponset the eastern line.

The assessed area is 12,224 acres, including 3,494 acres of woodland. The largest ponds are Buckminster in the southwest, whose outlet swells Bubbling Brook, and Wigwam Pond in the north, which sends its stream to Charles River. Near the latter stream is Mother Brook, discharging into the Neponset its own waters and about one third of the Charles River, drawn from it by a...

Dedham, a post-village, capital of Norfolk co., Mass., is on Charles River, in Dedham township, and on branches of the Providence Branch of the Old Colony Railroad, 10 miles S.W. of Boston, the branches extending to Forest Hills, to Readville, and to West Roxbury. It has also a station on a branch of the New York & New England Rail road. It has a handsome court-house, 6 churches, a national bank, a savings-bank, a public library, a high school, 2 newspaper offices, and manufactories of woollen goods, chocolates, and cocoas. This is the native place of Fisher Ames. Pop. of the township, in 1890, 7123.

Dcdham, a banking post-village, capital of Norfolk co., Mass., and residential suburb of Boston, is on the Charles River, in Dedham township (town), and on the New York, New Haven and Hartford R., 9 miles SW. of Boston. It has a handsome court-house, etc., and manufactories of woollen goods, carpets, machinery, pottery, etc. This is the native place of Fisher Ames. Pop. of the town in 1900, 7457.

Legacy Place:

This open-air shopping and entertainment destination has a variety of shops, restaurants, and a cinema. It's a great place to spend an afternoon shopping or catching a movie.

Dedham Square:

Explore the historic Dedham Square, which is lined with charming shops, cafes, and restaurants. It's a great place for a leisurely stroll and to soak in the local atmosphere.

Dedham Historical Society and Museum:

Dive into Dedham's history at the local historical society and museum. Learn about the town's founding in 1636 and its role in American history.
Mountain Reservation has hiking trails that lead to the summit, providing panoramic views of the surrounding area.

Fairbanks House:

Visit the Fairbanks House, one of the oldest surviving timber-frame houses in North America. The house dates back to 1637 and offers guided tours for a trip back in time.

Noble & Greenough School Arboretum:

Explore the beautiful campus of Noble and Greenough School, which...