John Dean of Dedham

Settled in Dedham MA by 25 April 1677 (first appearance: recorded birth of a child there). Marion Deane Cooper's 1956 genealogy and Saunderson 1876 both note that his parents and English origin are unknown. Family tradition suggests three Dean brothers came from Yorkshire England, one settling Dedham (this one), one in or near Concord NH, one near Albany NY. Another theory connects him as a son or nephew of the Taunton Dean brothers (Walter and John, came on Bevis 1638). NEITHER theory is documented. This is the wedge through which a Mayflower connection might still hide, BUT no evidence of a Mayflower passenger ancestor has been found. The most likely scenario is that John Dean of Dedham is a 1672-era English emigrant unrelated to the Pilgrims.