DEDHAM, a town of Massachusetts, U.S.A., on the Charles river, Iom. S.W. of Boston; the county seat of Norfolk county. It is served by the New York, New Haven and Hartford railroad. The population was 10,792 in 1920 (26% foreign-born white) and 15,136 in 1930. The principal manufactures are woollens, car pets and pottery (a variety of true crackleware) . Dedham was one of the first two inland settlements of the colony, "planted" in 1635 and incorporated in 1636. A free public school, supported by direct taxation, was established in