Editing Dedham, Massachusetts (section)

===18th century===
{{Main|History of Dedham, Massachusetts, 1700–1799}}
Just 15 months after [[History of Dedham, Massachusetts, 1700-1799#Dissent and division of the church|asking for their own church]], 40 men living on the north side of the Charles River suddenly asked the General Court to separate them from Dedham.{{sfn|Lockridge|1985|p=106}}{{sfn|Hanson|1976|p=111-112}} Their petition cited the inadequate services provided, namely schools and churches.{{sfn|Hanson|1976|p=111-112}}{{sfn|Lockridge|1985|p=106}} They also said that, if they were simply to be made a precinct instead of a separate town, that they would suffer political reprisals.{{sfn|Hanson|1976|p=112}}{{sfn|Lockridge|1985|p=106}} Dedham agreed that the services were inadequate and did not oppose the separation, but did try to reduce the amount of land the separatists were seeking.{{sfn|Hanson|1976|p=112}}{{sfn|Lockridge|1985|p=107}} Dedham also asked for a delay of one year.{{sfn|Lockridge|1985|p=107}} The General Court agreed with the petitioners, however, and created the new town of Needham with the original boundaries requested.{{sfn|Hanson|1976|p=112}}{{sfn|Lockridge|1985|p=107}} Those who remained in Dedham still held rights to the unallotted lands in Needham, however, and any decrease in taxes would be offset by a decrease in expenditures.{{sfn|Hanson|1976|p=112}} There may have also been some satisfaction in separating themselves from those on the other side of the [[History of Dedham, Massachusetts, 1700-1799#1704 Elections|1704 power struggle]].{{sfn|Hanson|1976|p=112}}

In November 1798, [[David Brown (Massachusetts protester)|David Brown]] led a group in Dedham protesting the federal government; they set up a [[liberty pole]], as people had before the [[American Revolution]]. It carried the words, "No [[Stamp Act 1765|Stamp Act]], No [[Alien and Sedition Acts|Sedition Act]], No [[Alien and Sedition Acts|Alien Bills]], No Land Tax, downfall to the Tyrants of America; peace and retirement to the President; Long Live the Vice President", referring to then-President [[John Adams]] and Vice President [[Thomas Jefferson]].{{sfn|Stone|2004|p=64}}{{sfn|Tise|p=420|1998}}{{sfn|Curtis|2000|p=88}} Brown was arrested in [[Andover, Massachusetts|Andover]] but because he could not afford the $4,000 bail, he was taken to [[Salem, Massachusetts|Salem]] for trial.{{sfn|Tise|p=421|1998}} Brown was tried in June 1799.{{sfn|Stone|2004|p=64}} Although he wanted to plead guilty, Justice [[Samuel Chase]] urged him to name those who had helped him or subscribed to his writings in exchange for freedom.{{sfn|Stone|2004|p=64}} Brown refused, was fined $480,{{sfn|Tise|1998}}{{sfn|Simon|2003|p=55}} and sentenced to eighteen months in prison. It was the most severe sentence up to then imposed under the [[Alien and Sedition Acts]].{{sfn|Stone|2004|p=64}}{{sfn|Tise|p=421|1998}}