Insurance in Dedham, MA

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Garrity Insurance Agency has deep roots within the Dedham community - learn more about the Dedham community below!

Geography

Dedham, Massachusetts is a town in Norfolk County, immediately southwest of Boston. Located along the Charles and Neponset Rivers, Dedham is home to the first man-made canal in North America. Known as Mother Brook, this canal was built in 1639 and links the two rivers, providing water power for mills. Dedham covers 10.6 square miles of land and has a population of approximately 25,000.

Dedham is neighbored by cities and towns including Boston, Needham, Westwood, and Canton. Residents have access to public transportation including several bus routes, and the commuter rail line of the MBTA. The train runs on the Franklin line to South Station, with stops at Dedham Corporate Center and Endicott.

Today, Dedham is primarily a residential town, with retail and service industries dominating the local economy. A new shopping mall, Legacy Place, opened in 2009 bringing over 80 stores and restaurants to the town, along with a 15-screen movie theater. Other recent developments in the town include the Jewish Rashi School, and the refurbishment and repurposing of several public schools in the town.

History

Dedham, Massachusetts is one of the oldest inland settlements of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and was first settled in 1635. It was named for Dedham in Essex, England and incorporated as a town a year later.

Dedham is a town of firsts and notables, many of which date back to the 1600s. Some of these historic events include:

• The first man-made canal in North America (1639).
• The first public school funded by taxpayers (1644).
• Oldest existing frame dwelling in the United State (Fairbanks House, 1636).
• Oldest dated piece of American furniture (armchair purchased in 1648).

Dedham saw several historic events happen within its limits. It saw the development of The Massachusetts Game of baseball as the Massachusetts Association of Baseball Players met in Dedham in 1858. Abraham Lincoln spoke in Dedham in support of Zachary Taylor in 1848. Also in 1961, the National Association of Government Employees was formed in Dedham.

Legal Matters

Throughout the history of Dedham, matters of the law have been settled in the courts and have been of considerable interest across Massachusetts, the nation, and around the world. 

Dedham has had several major court cases play out in its courts:

• The Fairbanks murder trial in 1801 brought wide public interest as the son of a prominent family was accused of murdering the daughter of another local family who had turned down his marriage proposal. Fairbanks was found guilty and sentenced to death, escaped, and was recaptured. The trial reports were published and books were written about it, and the execution drew over 10,000 witnesses.
• The Dedham case of 1818 involved the legalities of electing a minister, and it was decided that towns, not churches had the ultimate power. The Dedham case set important precedent for the separation of church and state.
• The Sacco and Vanzetti trial in 1921 was a murder and robbery case against alleged anarchists. The case brought heavy security due to public belief that Sacco and Vanzetti were being used for political and economic gains. The case brought national and world-wide attention and the eventual execution caused protests around the world.

Dedham, Massachusetts is primarily a residential town that has a rich history dating back to the earliest settlements of North America. Early founders kept records, many of which survived, creating a rich resource for historians. Modern day Dedhamites enjoy state of the art shopping and recreation, as well as the proximity to Boston, creating a flourishing suburb.