USA > New York > Hudson-Mohawk genealogical and family memoirs, Volume IV > Part 64
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99
by whom: Kenneth Gray Reynolds, born at Albany, September 17, 1892. ii. Marcus T. Reynolds, born at Great Barrington, Massa- chuetts, August 20, 1869, architect, resident of Albany, New York in 19II.
DEXTER The family name of Dexter is derived from the title of the English city, Exeter, in Dev- onshire, written as though the person came from there, D' Exeter, and then contracted into Dexter. The Dexter arms: Shield: Ar- gent, two chevrons azure, a canton gules. Crest : A tree, pendant therefrom two weights.
Richard de Excester, progenitor of the fam- ily in Ireland, and who died in 1269, was governor and lord chief justice of Ireland, and it is believed that he emigrated from Dev- onshire, for there are good reasons. Other changes in the spelling of the name, leading to the common and more modern form of Dexter, were de Excester, Dexcestre, Dex- cester, Dexetir, Decetir, de Exon, de Exonia and de Exeter.
The family traces descent from Richard de Exonia (Exeter), to whom was certified a grant by Edward I., king of England, August 9. 1281, made by Philip de Monte Gomeri (filed "MtGomery"), which reads, in part : "Know all men both of the present and the future that I Philip de Monte Gomeri have given and granted and by this my present charter confirmed to my Lord Richard de Exonia and his heirs or his assignees one townland in Connaught-which is called Moyletrath which my Lord the King gave to me with all its appurtenances-for him and his heirs or his assignees to have and to hold in chief from my Lord the King-with moors, pastures, waters, and all liberties and free usages pertaining to the said townland :- free- ly, quietly, happily, peacefully, entirely, hon- orably and hereditarily forever, and for this, to my Lord the King and his heirs Richard himself and his heirs or his assignees are to give the twentieth part of the service in fief of one soldier for all service, suit in court, collection or demand."
King Edward 1. made a grant on June 12, 1304, to Richard de Exonia for an important tract situated in Connaught, Ireland, as fol- lows: "Be it known that we have given and granted on our own part and that of our heirs to our beloved and faithful Richard de Ex- onia nine townlands with their appurtenances in Connaught, in Ireland, namely townlands of Dengvnmacossen, Conylloscv, Narraghtyn, Corkillebrangyle, Corcropanlistostv, Rathfar- eth, Tobirnetalpie. Torpan and Monynannan
1729
HUDSON AND MOHAWK VALLEYS
which the same Richard holds in tenancy by the commission of our beloved and faithful John Wogan our Justiciar in Ireland, made for the same Richard under our direction for ·eighteen pounds delivered to us yearly at our exchequer in Dublin, in accordance with the certification made at our order by the afore- said Justiciar and returned to us under the .seal of the same Justiciar."
Concerning the appointment of Richard de Exonia as Chief Justiciar on the bench in Dublin: "Be it known that we have ap- pointed our beloved and faithful Richard de Exonia our Chief Justiciar on our bench in Dublin for hearing and deciding pleas on the same bench, together with our other faithful Judiciars assigned to this place according to law and custom of these parts as long as we shall please. In (testimony) of which, etc. Under the hand of the King at Langeleye on the fifth day of June, 1308."
Carrickdexter was long the seat of the chief branch of the Dexter family, until Genet Dexter. its heiress, married into the Rock- fort family. Two miles from there, in the year 1585, lived Margaret Dexter, in the Cas- tle of Rathaldon. She married Michael Cu- sacke. This estate is now in the town of Slane, and is possessed by the Marquis of Conyngham, while upon the property still may be seen the ruins of the house that is called Castle Dexter.
(I) Richard Dexter, progenitor of the fam- ily in America, was born about the year 1606. He came from within ten miles of the town of Slane, in county Meath. Ireland, where lived the descendants of Richard de Excester, the Lord Chief Justice of Ireland. When the great Irish massacre of the Protestants be- gan, October 27. 1641, Richard Dexter took his wife, Bridget, together with three or more children, and fled to England. He remained there only a brief time, for he was residing in Boston, Massachusetts, prior to February 28. 1642, as on that day he was admitted a "Townsman" of that place. Upon what ves- sel he sailed is unknown. He signed a peti- tion as an inhabitant of Charlestown, Mystic side, May 16, 1648, and he resided there un- til he purchased a farm in Malden, Massa- chusetts. December 7, 1663: but from Janu- ary, 1677-78. until his death, he probably lived with either his daughter Elizabeth or Ann. He and his wife were members of the church at Malden, and in 1650 she signed a petition from that church to the general court. He signed a remonstrance to the general court, May 16, 1643, with the inhabitants of Mystic side, against a proposed highway from Winnisimmet to Reading, as the Malden rec-
ords state. He received a deed from Edward Lane, of Boston, December 7, 1663, of a farm containing forty acres, in Malden, and the same property, later increased to two hun- dred acres, was occupied several centuries by his descendants in direct line. Ile also re- ceived a deed as early as 1650, from Robert Long, and still others, at subsequent periods, In 1666-67, he gave a deed of some of his property to "James Melins," who 'hath mar- ried my daughter Elizabeth,-mariner, of Charlestown," and who was supposed to have been lost at sea practicing his vocation. In a deed of January, 1677, he speaks of his de- ceased son-in-law as "the late James Meal- ings."
By a deed dated February 24, 1674, evident- ly looking to the closing of his estate before his death, he made provision as follows: "to my sonne John, of Charlestown, of all my farm-houses and lands, and appurtenances be- longing, which I have in Malden, and which I bought formerly of Mr. Edward Lane; and half of my land and wood near Spot Pond. being part of the lot given me by the town of Charlestown-excepting one acre of marsh land near Blanchard's farm, and about four acres my dwelling house stands upon, for my daughter Ann Pratt's use, where her house now standeth-John to pay him 10 pounds a year during his life-5 pounds in Indian corn and pork, at prices current, and 12 loads of wood, to be delivered at his dweel- ing house in Charlestown, with half of the apples."
It is set forth in the records of those times that Richard Dexter was a tythingman, prob- ably of Boston, and according to the records of the Middlesex court he was styled "Con- stable." According to his testimony in that court in 1666, he was that year sixty-eight years of age. In 1652 he was residing in Misticke, as then written, according to a docu- ment of September 22 of that year. His wife. who was born about 1612, died about 1675. and he died at Charlestown, Massachusetts. in 1680.
Children : 1. Alice, died between Novem- ber 25. 1681. and August 22, 1682: married. about 1653. Benjamin Muzzy, and had Ben- jamin, born April 16, 1657: Joseph, born March 1, 1658-59, and Sarah. 2. Elizabeth, died about October. 1693: married (first) James Mellins, a mariner ; by whom: Eliza- beth, born September 4, 1659: Mary, July 8. 166t: James. April 14. 1663: Mary, 1664: Richard, April 24, 1665: John, September 17, 1666; Sarah, November 27, 1668; Thomas, May 11, 1670: William, August 22, 1671 : she married (second). May 14. 1680, Stephen
1730
HUDSON AND MOHAWK VALLEYS
Barrett. 3. John, born in 1639, see forward. 4. Ann, married John Pratt. 5. Sarah, born at Charlestown, November 1, 1644; married, 1666, Edward Pinson.
(II) John, third child of Richard and Brid- get Dexter, was born in 1639, died at Malden, Massachusetts, December 8, 1677. The farm upon which he lived was transferred to him by his father, February 24, 1674-75; but re- serving to himself for life a free rental. At this time his residence was stated as Charles- town, where his daughter was born. He was . fatally shot in the back by Captain Samuel Hunting, surviving the accident four days. He married Sarah, who afterwards married (before April 2, 1684) William Boardman, and possibly had a third husband, Daniel Hitchins, of Lynn, Massachusetts. Boardman was admitted freeman of Malden, March 12, 1689-90, and was elected constable of Rum- ney Marsh. Children: 1. John, born Au- gust 21, 1671, see forward. 2. Sarah, born Charlestown, Massachusetts, June 11, 1674; married, Reading, May 19, 1697, John Brown. 3. Richard, born Cambridge, Massachusetts, November 6, 1676, died at Malden, April 21, 1747.
(III) John (2), eldest child of John (1) and Sarah Dexter, was born August 21, 1671, died at Malden, Massachusetts, November 14. 1722. In deeds he was styled a weaver, and possessed the farm at Malden, receiving a deed for one-fourth of it from his brother, Richard, May 19, 1703, in consideration of sixty pounds, and one-fourth from his sister. Sarah, of Boston, May 6, 1697, for a like amount, and as his father made no will, he probably acquired the half of it as being the oldest son and so entitled by the law of that period. Ile was a deacon in Malden church ; selectman in years 1709-10-16-17-21 ; moder- ator of a town meeting in 1722. Captain John Dexter was in command of a company of foot under George I. The commission issued to him is of interest, and it reads: "To John Dexter, Gentleman, Greeting: "By ver- tue of the Power and Authority, in and by His Majesty's Royal Commission to Me granted, to be Captain-General, &c. over His Majes- try's Province of the Massachusetts Bay, aforesaid: I do (by these Present) reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Loyalty, Courage and good conduct, constitute and appoint you, the said John Dexter (to) be Captain of the Company of Foot in Malden in the Regim. of Militia whereof the Hon- orable Spencer Phipps, Esq. is Colonel. You are therefore carefully and diligently, to dis- charge the Duty of a Captain in Leading, Or- dering and Exercising said Foot Company in
Arms, both Inferior Officers and Souldiers ; and to keep them in good Order and Disci- pline ; hereby commanding them to Obey you as their Captain." This was dated September 16, 1717, and was signed by Samuel Shute. He left all his estate to his wife for his chil- dren, with the conditional understanding that if she remarried, John and Richard were to. pay her twelve pounds yearly.
Captain John Dexter married Winnefred Sprague, born at Malden, December 31, 1673,. died there December 5, 1752, daughter of Samuel Sprague (baptized June 3, 1632) and Rebecca (Crawford) Sprague, who were mar- ried at Boston, August 23, 1655. Children : 1. John, born at Malden (as were all the oth- ers), January 3, 1696-97, died there March 4, 1696-97. 2. Winnefred, March 30, 1698, died there June 30, 1698. 3. Samuel, October 23, 1700, see forward. 4. John, April 10, 1702, died at Malden, July 4, 1705. 5. Tim- othy, July 28, 1703, died at Malden, Novem- ber 30, 1703. 6. Timothy, July 28, 1704, died. at Malden, October 17, 1704. 7. John. Decem- ber 19, 1705, died at Malden, May 17, 1790. 8. Richard, June 15, 1713, died Topsfield, No- vember 25, 1783.
(IV) Rev. Samuel Dexter, third child of Captain John (2) Dexter and Winnefred ( Sprague) Dexter, was born at Malden, Mas- sachuetts, October 23, 1700, died at Dedham,. Massachusetts, January 29. 1755. He received from his father by will one hundred pounds, being a smaller sum than was bequeathed to his brothers, with one hundred and fifty pounds to be added after his mother's death, and for this extra allowance he waited long, for she lived a widow thirty years. However, when his father made the distribution of his property while alive, he recorded the fact that he had given to Samuel both learning and books. He was of unusual studious quali- ties, and was sent to Harvard, graduating in 1720. He was admitted to the church May 1, 1720, ordained May 6, 1724, as the fourth minister of the First Church of Dedham, and continued as such until his death, at that time under the charge of Rev. Alvan Lamson. He- had kept school previously at Taunton. for six months, and commenced a school at Lynn, February, 1721, where he continued for one year, and then engaged in teaching in Mal- den, continuing for six months. From that time he improved himself in preaching. He received an unanimous call to be rector, with. an offer of one hundred and fifty pounds yearly salary. His reply shows the sincerity of the man, and in its quaintness is of inter- est, commencing as follows: "Honored and' Beloved: Seeing that the Sovereign Jehovah,.
I731
HUDSON AND MOHAWK VALLEYS
in whose hands are the hearts of all men. hath so far united the affections of the church and congregation in this place, that they have elected me ( who am less than the least of all saints) to the work of the evangelical minis- try among you, and hath inclined your hearts freely to offer, of your temporal good things so far as you have done for my support, I do therefore hereby declare (though with trem- bling, do I engage in so great a work, for who is sufficient for these things?) that I freely embrace your invitation, because I be- lieve it to be my incumbent duty, and thank- fully accept your offers."
He married, Boston, Massachusetts, July 9. 1724, Catherine Mears, born at Boston, Sep- tember 25, 1701, died at Dedham, June 10, 1797, daughter of Samuel Mears (born May 22. 1671. died May 10, 1727) and Maria Catherine ( Smith) Mears, daughter of Cap- tain Thomas Smith, mariner, whose portrait is in the Hall of American Antiquities at Worcester, Massachusetts. Mrs. Samuel Dex- ter married, when a widow, Samuel Barnard, of Salem, Massachusetts.
The Rev. Samuel Dexter had all the temer- ity of the timid lover of the stage or novel when approaching the subject of selecting and winning a life partner. In his diary he made record on November 22, 1723: "This day was very cold. I communicated something of my mind to the young lady-which I hope (and I think I have reason to hope), may, through the smiles of indulgent Providence be the Person in whom I may find the good thing, and obtain favor of the Lord. I think I have not been rash in my proceedings, she is as far as I can find, a Woman of Merit, a woman of good temper, and of prudent con- duct and conversation, and oh ! Lord I would humbly wait upon thee for so signal a Bless- ing." He was evidently successful in his hopes and surmises, for he wrote in his diary, under date of October 23, 1724, this quaintly worded sentence: "My companion is a kind, tender, and virtuous person, and I hope I have in her a good thing, which is from the Lord God, make her so to me."
Her father kept a public house, as then termed, called the "George Tavern," located on the line between Boston and Duxbury, which was burned July 31, 1775, and he then conducted the Sun Tavern in Cock-court, Dock Square, and after that the "Governor Hancock." When Samuel Mears died, Rev. Mr. Dexter wrote of him: "He was in gen- eral, a just, honest man and very charitable for one of his capacity; had a very hard death, and I hope has exchanged earth for heaven. My wife has lost a tender, loving
father, and I have lost a very kind, bountiful friend.'
Children of Rev. Samuel Dexter and Cath- erine Mears, all born at Dedham, were: I. Samuel, born March 18, 1725; baptized March 21, died at Dedham, April 9, 1725. 2. Samuel, born March 16, 1725-26; baptized March 20; died at Mendon, June 10, 1810. 3. John, born January 30, 1727-28; baptized February 4; died at Dedham, November 5. 1731. 4. Ebenezer, born October 17, 1729, see forward. 5. William, born September 12, 1731 ; baptized September 19; died at Ded- ham, May 26, 1736. 6. Catharina, born Sep- tember 28, 1733 ; baptized September 30 ; died at Dedham, February 2, 1734-35. 7. Jolm, born August 12, 1735; baptized August 17; died at Marlborough, February 7, 1800. 8. Catharina, born November 21, 1737; bap- tized November 27 : died August 30, 1814. 9. Rebecca, born October 4, 1739 ; baptized Octo- ber 7; died May 31, 1823. 10. William, born July 17, 1741 ; baptized July 19; died at Ded- ham, June 9, 1749. 11. Mary, born October 12, 1743; baptized October 13; died May 13, 1775.
(V) Dr. Ebenezer Dexter, fourth child of Rev. Samuel and Catherine ( Mears) Dexter, was born at Dedham, Massachusetts, October 17, 1729, baptized October 19, died at Marl- borough, Massachusetts, May 4, 1769. He was a physician, practicing at Marlborough. He married, Marlborough, February 7. 1754, Lydia Woods, born at Marlborough, October 17, 1736, died there December 24, 1774, daughter of Colonel Benjamin Woods, born Marlborough, June 5, 1691, died in 1740, mar- ried, August 8, 1717, Elizabeth Morse, born January 4, 1699, daughter of Joseph and Grace (Warren) Morse. After the death of Dr. Dexter, she married. Marlborough, June 30, 1771, Dr. Samuel Curtis. All their chil- dren were born at Marlborough, Massachu- setts. Children: I. William, born April 17, 1755, died at Marlborough, December 4, 1785- 2. Samuel, November 14. 1756, see forward. 3. John, December 10, 1758, died at Boston, October 31, 1807. 4. Jason Haven, June 25, 1762, died at Marlborough, August 25, 1770.
(VI) Samuel (2), second child of Dr. Ebe- nezer and Lydia (Woods) Dexter, was born at Marlborough, Massachusetts. November 14. 1756, died at Albany, New York, August 29, 1825. He was an apothecary, and took up his residence in Albany at the end of the eighteenth century. Ile married, Northamp- ton, Massachusetts, May 29, 1790. Elizabeth Province, born at Northampton, July 4. 1763, died at Albany, October 18, 1846, at the resi- dence of her son, James, on the north side of
1732
HUDSON AND MOHAWK VALLEYS
Beaver street, opposite where stood the "Mid- dle" Dutch Church. She was the daughter of John Province ( son of John Province and Margaret Jer), born at Glasgow, Scotland, in 1719, came to America, May 10, 1740, set- tling in Boston, died July 6, 1792 ; he married, May 9, 1748, Sarah, daughter of Captain Jo- seph and Mary (Townsend) Prince, born in 1730, died March 11, 1810, and was buried in the Prince family tomb in the Granary burial-ground at Boston, Massachusetts.
Of the remarkably fine character of Mrs. Samuel Dexter, it was said: "Seldom has death during the last half century bereaved us of one leaving such records of goodness as the late Mrs. Samuel Dexter. So well was her kindly heart known and appreciated, that when strangers in former times made this city their temporary residence, often disheartened and afflicted, they were reminded that one hospitable door was open to them, where they could meet a cordial welcome, and find all the delights of home, in which word is cen- tered most that is dear to us. In her dwell- ing was seen all that taste and ingenuity could dictate. So entirely free was she from all sel- fishness, that no enjoyment was prized unless shared with others. If truth showed frailities in members of the community, she never cen- stred them. The poor had experienced her kindness so long, that they relied as confi- dently upon the stores set apart for them as if in their own possession, and her contri- butions were bestowed in so kind a manner that the wretched never lost their self-re- spect."
Children : 1. Eliza Hunt, born March 25, 1791, died May 7. 1799. 2. Frederick Sam- uel, January 25, 1793, died June 30, 1793. 3. James, born at Albany, New York, January 17. 1795, died there August 14. 1867, unmar- ried: graduated at Union College, 1813; was admitted to the bar by the New York supreme court, January 17, 1823, and was one of Al- bany's leading practitioners. 4. Elizabeth Ann, born at Albany, March 24. 1797. died there August 30, 1840; married, Albany, May 6. 1823, Marcus Tullius Reynolds, who was born in Minaville, Florida township. Mont- gomery county, New York, December 29, 1788, died in Albany, July 11, 1864, son of Dr. Stephen and Lydia ( Bartlett ) Reynolds. 5. George, see forward.
(\']]) George, son of Samuel (2) and Eliz- abeth ( Province) Dexter, was born at Al- bany, New York, July 2, 1799. died there July 21. 1883. After being given an elemen- tary education in the city schools, he was sent. at the age of sixteen, to Union College, from which he graduated with full honors.
He studied law, was admitted, but never prac- ticed. In his early life he manifested those traits of self-reliance and energy which en- abled him subsequently to be the architect of his own fortune. About 1827, when he mar- ried, he engaged in business with Henry Rawles and James Archibald McClure in the drug business, locating on the south side of State street, which firm became one of great prominence, as its business spread, un- til it eventually vied with those in the me- tropolis. After a time he withdrew and went into business on his own account at No. 57 State street, and his place was known as "Apothecaries' Hall." In 1850 he formed a partnership with Joseph Nellegar, and ac- quired the property at the northeast corner of State and Pearl streets, the most promi- nent intersection of streets in Albany's busi- ness section. This partnership continued for eighteen years when, having secured a com- fortable fortune by the application of the rule of absolutely fair dealing, he retired.
In 1839 and 1840 he yielded to solicitations of friends to enter political life, and was chosen to represent the old fifth ward in the board of supervisors, and he was elected in 1848 and 1849 to represent the sixth ward in the common council. He was actively con- cerned in the founding of the Albany Medi- cal College, and for a number of years was a trustee. For a very long time he was a ves- tryman of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, and on his death was senior warden. The rector, Rev. Dr. Walton W. Battershall, paid his memory the following tribute: "His life of eighty-three years was to a singular degree identified with the history of the parish. From his baptism in the little, stone church that stood underneath the fort in the middle of State street, the first Episcopal church west of the Hudson river in all America-what a host of memories concerning the history of this city and this parish were gathered up in his life. He represented much that was best in its type of character and life. The cour- tesy of the old days, the simple tastes, the spotless integrity, the faith and reverence, the serenity and content and freedom from the push and rush of these more recent days- all these were conspicuous traits of his char- acter, and entered into the kindly, genial flow of his life. He was a man who won your trust and love, and he never betrayed them. The world, the church, the life of the house- hold, and friendship, and business, has need of such men-men whose fidelity you can lean on as an oaken staff. They are the moral salt of a community, and their memories are a precious inheritance and an inspiration to
1733
HUDSON AND MOHAWK VALLEYS
gentle and true and loyal living." The vestry of St. Peter's made record, in part, as follows : "He was a man of great beauty of character, whose kind and genial nature made his life rich in friendships, and who sustained all the trusts and relations of life with a rare cour- tesy, dignity and fidelity. He was for many years a member of the vestry, giving to it his judicious counsel and unwearied labors. We order the chancel draped with the customary badge of mourning."
After retiring from business, he continued to occupy an office on the ground floor of the same building, where he was wont to meet with his friends daily for the sole pur- pose of continuing the intimate companion- ship of a large circle of acquaintances, and was a most entertaining conversationalist, for his recollections comprised a varied lot of most interesting local history, dating back to the time when he made the trip, in company with his father, upon the first journey of Robert Fulton's famous steamboat, the "Clermont." He could also vividly describe the visit of Lafayette, September 17, 1824, when given a rousing, public reception by the city.
He was in his nature strongly conserva- tive, always honest, sincere and upright in his purposes and conduct. He was a staunch adherent of the old Whig party, as long as it lasted, and he then became an earnest sup- porter of the Republicans. He was a liberal contributor to all the public charities and be- nevolent enterprises. He was a trustee of the Albany Savings Bank for many years, un- til his death.
Bishop William Croswell Doane made this tribute in his address before the convention of the Episcopal Church, in 1884. "A very prominent figure has passed away from Al- bany in the death of Mr. George Dexter, for many years one of the most active and useful members of the vestry of St. Peter's church, and at the time of his death, its senior war- den. I miss his kindly greeting, which was almost a daily pleasure in my life upon the street, and the whole town misses him, as one of the few left of the old-fashioned gentlemen of Albany, 'a serene and genial old friend. who, without being garrulous, took pleasure in stirring up his old-time reminiscences of people and things in the Albany of a former day. Ile loved to talk,' I quote from the same graceful notice of him by my dear friend, Mr. Orlando Meads, 'of the school and school- mistresses of his early years, of the clergy- men, and especially of the old rectors of St. Peter's. their habits, peculiarities and the many interesting facts connected with them.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.