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Writer's picturePatricia Fanning

"The Chickering Place", Chickering Rd. & Walpole Sts.

Dean Chickering (1788-1852)

Sally Guild Chickering (1791-1823)

Mary D. Dean Chickering (1797-1897)


The Chickering Place ca. 1880

Chickering Rd. & Walpole Sts. ca. 2015

Dean Chickering was born on March 20, 1788 in Andover. On February 25, 1818, he married Sally Guild of Dedham. Sally Guild was the daughter of Oliver Guild, Sr. and Anna Bullard Guild and the granddaughter of Aaron Guild. She was born on December 30, 1791.


Dean Chickering was a farmer. He and Sally Guild Chickering had two children: Sarah Ann and Dean. According to Dedham records, the infant Dean Chickering died on January 4, 1823 “by reason of premature birth, 4 days old.” On April 25, 1823, Sally Guild died “of complicated complaints” likely to do with childbirth. She was 31.


On December 14, 1825, Dean Chickering married Mary Dean, the daughter of John Dean and Millie Ellis Dean. Mary Dean taught school in Sharon, Walpole, West Dedham, and in the Old Brick School house on Pleasant Street. She had taught at the Clapboardtree District School in South Dedham from 1818 until 1825, one of the earliest references found to a woman teaching in the district schools. She resigned her teaching position when she married.



One of several area schools Mary Dean Chickering taught.
Old Brick Schoolhouse Pleasant and Sumner Sts.

Site of Old Brick Schoolhouse ca. 2023

The couple lived in the house at the head of Hoyle Street on Walpole Street, which became known as the “Chickering Place.” It is still standing today at the corner of Chickering Road and Walpole Street. Dean and Mary Chickering had one son, John Dean Chickering, born in 1835.


Dean Chickering died on December 20, 1852 of heart disease. His widow continued to live in the Chickering house for another 45 years, was very active and never had a serious illness. Her son’s wife died young and Mary cared for her grandchildren. On the occasion of Mary’s 100th birthday in 1897, a reception was held at her home. Less than a month later, on July 16, 1897, Mary Dean Chickering died following a fall in her home.




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