Powisset Farm – A Brief History
One of the most visible reminders of Dover’s rich agricultural heritage is Powisset Farm. Situated on Powissett Street, the land is said to have been used by Dedham residents to pasture cattle as early as the 1660’s and has been farmed continuously for more than three centuries. Onetime local historian Frank Smith (1914) tells us that Powisset Farm was first settled by Samuel Chickering (1689-1778), presumably at some point shortly after his marriage to Mary Harding in 1720. Smith adds that the Chickering homestead was situated “near Rattlesnake Rock” which may be the area known today as Powissett Peak, although
Student Aids with Exhibits At Sawin Museum
The Dover Historical Society is fortunate to have a new student intern working in the Sawin Museum. Cole White, a seventh grader at The Charles River School, has already contributed thoughtfully to several exhibits, including reimagining the depiction of our townspeople’s involvement in World War II. In another exhibit project underway, Cole is helping to convey the spirit of Dover life during the colonial period, inspired by a copy of the speech that Daniel Webster gave in 1825 at the new Bunker Hill monument, specifically addressing a group of veteran Minute Men. This speech was discovered in a drawer at
Introduction to the Dover Historical Society
Welcome to what will be a monthly column about the history of Dover. This month will be an introduction to me, to the Dover Historical Society, and to the little museum that is our base of operations. In the months ahead I hope to present a variety of locally oriented historical matters, focusing upon the organizations and people that have made the town what it is today, and the roles played by Dover residents in national and world events. My name is Elisha Lee and I first came to Dover with my parents in 1959. I grew up on Powissett
Acquisition of Rare 18th Century Record Book
Despite the pandemic, the Dover Historical Society has been moving forward. Although its two museums, Caryl Farm and the Sawin Museum, are closed, the Society is planning for the day when they can once again be open to visitors. The museums have undergone a reorganization of their collections and new exhibits are being planned. The Society has just announced that it has acquired an extremely rare 18th Century tax record book for the Fourth Precinct of Dedham. The handwritten 150 page record lists real estate, personal property, and poll taxes paid by the residents of what is now Dover during the
