Like many New England towns, my hometown of Dedham, Massachusetts, has a rich history. Though Dedham boasts the Fairbanks House and claims the oldest tax-supported school system in the country, I find one of the town’s most venerable societies to be particularly interesting: The Society in Dedham for Apprehending Horse Thieves.
This Society was founded on 4 June 1810 after a string of horse thefts in the town. Before the establishment of a police force, thirty-five men created their own group in hopes of curbing horse theft in the area. The Society would appoint a select group of men to serve as riders for one year, and were called upon when a horse was stolen.
The group was successful in apprehending thieves, such as William Crane in 1835, and spawned other societies in surrounding towns. However, membership dwindled throughout the nineteenth century, until a Dr. Edward Knobel began fundraising for the society in 1899 and reignited interest.
Local clubs and societies can be a great way to learn additional information about your ancestors. For example, on our website, we have a database called Massachusetts: Grand Lodge of Masons Membership Cards, 1733-1990. These membership cards contain a wealth of information on Massachusetts Masons, including birthplace, occupation, and membership date. Contacting local historical societies and town organizations may lead to record collections you never would have thought to look at.
Records for the Society in Dedham for Apprehending Horse Thieves are still in existence, and more information about the society can be found on their website.
