1849 - Fire in Dedham. Loss of Life.

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.