Dedham
Dedham
Stories set here
- A Family's Loss at LancasterJonathan and Joshua, grandsons of the original Jonathan and Grace Fairbanks, were killed in a raid in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, along with Jonathan's unnamed seven-year-old daughter. Joshua was fifteen. Jonathan's unnamed wife was taken captive with six other town women and later released through government negotiation, carrying memories of bodily and spiritual suffering.
- Jason Fairbanks and the Legends After the HangingJason Fairbanks, youngest son of Ebenezer Fairbanks, was hanged on September 1, 1801 for murdering Elizabeth Fales. The narrative recounts his physical impairment, intellectual pursuits, claims of innocence and a failed double suicide, escape to Canada, reported confession, recapture and trial. It calls him 'Jonathan' during the escape account without explanation. A storm interrupted the hanging, and subsequent legends claimed that friends revived him and that he escaped to South America; the narrator compares these tales to those about Elvis Presley.
- Carrie’s Roots and a Treasured Lock of Red HairThe family traces Carrie’s Fairbanks ancestry and Newton’s Guild ancestry, notes the neighboring family grave sections near Dedham’s old St. Paul Church, and recounts Carrie’s birth, marriage, children and death. A lock of her red hair passed from Belle to Barbara Guild Miller. Floyd was born after both grandparents had died.
Events here
1636
Jonathan enters the Dedham township covenant
Jonathan and three unnamed teen sons joined 120 others in promising proportional taxation and protection of the Christian faith.
10 years after entering the township covenant
Jonathan makes a public confession of faith
After initially objecting to doctrine requiring a public declaration, he joined the church following loving persuasion by the Deacons.
Family corrections
Notes sent in by the family and approved on review. They sit alongside the original record — the book's wording is never changed.
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