Norfolk County Registry of Deeds
William P. O'Donnell
Register of Deeds & Assistant Recorder of the Land Court

Gallery

John Hancock information sheet — John Hancock was an American merchant, statesman, and prominent Patriot of the American Revolution. He was the first signer of the Declaration of Independence, First Governor of Massachusetts and signed legislation that created Norfolk County.

Norfolk County notable land document — Established on June 20, 1973 when Governor John Hancock signed the legislation that created Norfolk County.

Changing landscape of Norfolk County from 1793 to 2018 — In 1793, Norfolk County consisted of 21 towns with an area of 445 square miles and a population of 23,828. Now, it is made up of 28 communities.

225 years of recorded history of Norfolk County from 1793 to 2018 — Old Norfolk County was established in 1643 and was entirely different from the present Norfolk county. The present Norfolk County took effect in June 1793.

Norfolk country registry of deeds location throughout the years — Norfolk country registry of deeds has always been located in Dedham. Governor Hancock signed legislation to create Norfolk County in 1793.

Registers of Deeds Early Years — The first register of deeds for Norfolk country was elected in 1793. 5 out of the first 6 elected were from Dedham.

Registers of Deeds Modern Years — 5 of the most recent Registers elected. 4/5 have served 20+ years.

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds Registry of Deeds Transcription Project — Norfolk County Registry of Deeds Registry of Deeds Transcription Project. Handwritten transcriptions of more than 450,000 doccuments.

William Blanchard, Revolutionary war veteran & tavern owner — William Blanchard born in 1747 served during the American revoloution. Blanchards tavern served as Avon town hall until 1975.

John M. Thayer, civil war general& Nebraska U.S senator — John M. Thayer was born in Bellingham in 1820. He later grew up and moved to Nebraska, where he would end up becoming senator as well as governor.

Sylvanus Thayer "Father or West Point" — Sylvanus Thayer was born in Braintree in 1785. During the war in 1812 he was promoted to major and directed the defense.

Frederick Law Olmsted. Father of American Landscape Architecture — Frederick Law Olmsted is considered the father of American landscape architecture. Established first full. time landscape architecture firm , located in Brookline.

Paul Revere, American patriot — Paul Revere born in Boston was a Boston tea party ring leader. Revere eventually purchased a copper foundry in Canton.

Zealous Bates Tower, Union Army General — Zealous Bates Tower born in Cohasset was a Union Army General who helped win the battle of Nashville.

Louis Brandeis, Supreme Court Justice — Louis Brandeis known as “The People Lawyer”. He opposed unlimited government power and upheld laws guaranteeing freedom of expression. He lived in Dedham.

Joseph F. Enright, Navy Cross recipient — Submarine commander Joseph F. Enright known for sinking the Japanese supercarrier “Shinano” which is considered the largest single victory of the submarine war.

Seth Boyden & Uriah Boyden — Seth and Uriah Boyden, born in foxborough. Invetors of malleble cast iron foundry and Boyden observatory. Inspiration for Boyden library in Foxborough.

Horace Mann, Albolitionist and Education reformer — Horace Mann, Albolitionist and Education reformer, considered the father of American education.

Elisha Niles Holbrook — Elisha Niles Holbrook, The founder of Holbrook. Was very active in the petition to make East Randolph a separate town in 1872.

Charles Martin Loeffler, Musician — Charles Martin Loeffler was a Musician in the Boston symphony orchestra, one of the most influential composers of his time. Retired in Medfield and was known locally as “Farmer of Medfield”.

James "Grizzly" Adams — James “Grizzly” Adams was a mountaineer and bear trainer born in Medway. He captured one of the largest bears ever. He established the grizzly bear as California’s state animal.

Charles Wessley Emerson — Charles Wessley Emerson is the founder of Emerson college. Emerson owned a farm in Millis.

Howard D Johnson, Entrepreneur — Howard D Johnson born in Boston was an entrepreneur. His business “Howard Johnson’s” was a top food chain and even dabbled into the lodging industry.

Sunita L. Williams. , Astronaut — Sunita L. Williams graduated from Needham high. She served in the navy where she serviced helicopter combat support, and even became an astronaut. Williams became the first person to finish a marathon in space.

Dr. Hellen P. Cleary — Dr. Hellen P. Cleary became the first woman to be on the town of Norfolk board of selectman. First citizen recognized on the Norfolk wall of gratitude.

George F Willit, Industrialist Activist — George F Willit was a brilliant business man. As a volunteer he led the reconstructing of Norwoods property tax rate. Willic founded the Norwood Civic association, the Norwood Housing association, the Norwood hospital and established the Norwood Trust company.

James H. Shannon — James H. Shannon was Plainville’s first town clerk and best known for being the designer of Plainville town seal.

Lee Remrick, Broadway and film actress — Lee Remrick was a world famous actor born in Quincy. She made her Broadway debut in 1953 and her film debut in 1959. She has work that has received academy award and golden globe nominations. She is honored as a star on the hollywood walk of fame.

Audie Cornish, Journalist and national public news anchor — After Audie Cornish graduated Randolph high and Umass Amherst she went on to become a journalist for associated press and covered the after math of 9/11. She went on to publish interviews for New York Times magazine and is now cohost on NPR’s award winning radio magazine.

Deborah Sampson, Veteran of American Revoloution — Deborah Sampson attempted to join the army as a man, she was caught once but eventually was enlisted. She was wounded in her first battle and pulled out the musket balls from her leg by herself. When her gender was discovered she was honorably discharged.

Mary Baker Eddy — Mary Baker Eddy was a Christian Science Church founder who lived in Stoughton.

Francis W. Bird — Francis W. Bird was an industrialist and legislator who lived in Walpole. Bird was extremely active in state politics.

Katharine Lee Bates — Katharine Lee Bates was the author of “America the Beautiful”. She grew up in Wellesley and was the daughter of a congregational pastor.

Barry C. Reed — Barry C. Reed was an attorney known as an attorney who specialized in medical malpractice. He went on to become an acclaimed author.

Abigail Smith Adams — Abigail Smith Adams was born in Weymouth Ma in 1744. She marriedJohn Adams and went on to become the First Lady of the United States. She was the mother of president John Quincy Adams.

Hellen Keller — Hellen Keller was an advocate for disabled/ suffragist. Helen was diagnosed with a disease that made her deaf and blind. She earned an education in Boston and went on to become a well known celebrity and lecturer by sharing her experiences.

John Adams — John Adams was the 2nd president of the United States. John grew up in Braintree (Now Quincy).

John Quincy Adams — John Quincy Adams was the sixth president of the United States. He was born in Braintree (Now Quincy) and was the son of John Adams

John F. Kennedy — John F. Kennedy was the 35th president of the United States. He was born in Brookline Ma. Kennedy graduated form Harvard in 1940.

George H.W. Bush — George H.W. Bush was the 41st president of the United States.He was born in Milton Ma. in 1941 he enlisted and became the youngest aviator. He was active in philanthropic efforts after his presidency.

Governors 1793-1945 — There were 6 governors that served in Ma from 1793-1945.

Governors 1953-2018 — There were 5 governors that served in Ma from 1953-2018.

Queen Elizabeth II — Queen Elizabeth II is Norfolk County Property Owner. The Queen owns two houses in Wellesley.

Nobel Prize Winners — There are 5 Nobel Prize Winners that are from Ma. Two from Brookline, two from Wellesley and one from Sharon.

Click here to read an article about the closing of the Registry of Deeds Disaster Recovery Office in Dedham, published in December 2024 by The Quincy Sun. Click here to read an article about the lack of an occupancy permit to use the relocated Disaster Recovery Office published in October 2025 by The Dedham Times.

Click here to see: An IT Rebuttal that Aired on Quincy Access Television. Click this link to view: An Extended Registry IT Technology Rebuttal to County Commissioners-December 8, 2021

County Consultant Abrahams - Not an IT Security Expert

Click here to read an article published by the Franklin Observer, informing Norfolk County residents that the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has ruled in favor of the Norfolk Registry of Deeds. Click here to read Judge Cahillane's Decision and Order in the Norfolk Superior Court.

Click here to read an article appearing in State House News entitled “Another County Lawsuit: Register Wins Again.” Click this link to see the Judgment of Judge Leighton of the Norfolk Superior Court.

Click here to watch a five-minute video of the Plymouth County and Norfolk County Registers of Deeds testifying on HB3971. Or click here for Written Testimony and Reasons to Support HB3971 (An Act directing a study on the feasibility of placing registries of deeds for county government that have not been abolished under the oversight of the secretary of the commonwealth).

In honor of Veterans Day, the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds will be closed Wednesday, November 11, 2026.

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds is closed, today, Wednesday, November 11, 2025, in recognition of Veterans Day and of the brave men and women of the Armed Forces past and present.