Broad Oak (Dedham)

[1] Though Dedham was intended to be a Utopian commune, and there was little disparity in wealth, Richards went by the title of "Gent" and, unlike others, aspired to a manor.

[2] After Cook's death, the land was sold by his estate to Anthony Fisher in 1652.

[4] Early records of the town indicate that Richards was interested in building a "manor house" on his extensive land holdings.

[5] The Broad Oak estate and house were located northwest of the Dedham village, on a bend in the Charles River, off West Street near the present day border of Needham.

[6] It is presumed that Jonathan Richards, a widower, may have lived on the land for a time after he sold it to Burgess.