What is the history of Dedham, Massachusetts?
Dedham was settled in 1635 by people from Roxbury and Watertown and incorporated in 1636, and is the county seat of Norfolk County, MassachusettsNorfolk County. Its motto, and at one time the name of the town, is “Contentment”. When the Town was incorporated the residents wanted it to be named Contentment, but the Massachusetts General Court overruled them and named the town Dedham, after Dedham, Essex in England. Some of the original inhabitants, including Samuel Morse, were born in Dedham, Essex. The first public meeting was held on August 15, 1636 in which 18 men signed the town covenant. They swore that they would “in the fear and reverence of our Almighty God, mutually and severally promise amongst ourselves and each to profess and practice one truth according to that most perfect rule, the foundation whereof is ever lasting love.” They also agreed that “we shall by all means labor to keep off from us all such as are contrary minded, and receive only such unto us as may be probabl
