Individual Details

Left money ($2000) for the poor of Newburyport Samuel Richardson turned Dexter's house on High St. into a tavern. ...'Lord Dexter, the first in the east, the first in the west, and the greatest philosopher in the western world.'Lord Timothy Dexter of Newburyport, Mass. Marquand, JP. Minton, Balch & Co. NY 1925. 1st Ed. 378 pages. 6.5' x 8.5'. no dj Black hard cover with paste on title cover and spine. illu. eps. Lord Timothy the 'First in the East, first in the West, And the Greatest Philosopher in the Western World.' Very good condition. Who has not heard of 'Lord Timothy Dexter,' a citizen of Newburyport, and notorious for his extravagancies and foolish exhibitions? He was a son of Nathan and Esther (Brintnall) Dexter, and was born in Malden, Mass., Jan. 22, 1746-7. He wrote, 'I was born when great powers ruled, on Jan. 22, 1747. On this day, in the morning, a great snow storm; the signs in the seventh house; whilst Mars came forward Jupiter stood by to hold the candle. I was to be one great man.' He went to Newbury Port and engaged in the business of a leather dresser in Newburyport; and in May, 1770, he married a widow' who was nine years his senior. This was Elizabeth, daughter of John Lord of Exeter, N. H., and widow of Benjamin Frothingham of Newburyport, a glazier. He prospered in business; and entered into speculation in various ways. He was sharp at a bargain but met all his engagements promptly and squarely. He had dream and fortune telling books of his own. Having secured what was estimated in his time and place an independent fortune, Mr. Dexter turned his attention from money making to money spending, and an endeavor to achieve notoriety. He gave liberally to the poor and religious societies. Meanwhile, he styled himself 'King of Chester,' and undertook to exercise kingly prerogatives over his neighbors; but they put an end to his audacity and impudence by the aid of the horsewhip Lord Dexter had an idea that he would like to be buried, when he died, in his garden. He built a tomb, not a lightless vault, but a basement story, so to speak, of a pleasant summer house. He then had his coffin prepared. He searched for, and found here and there, mahogany boards full of knots, gnarls, and richly colored veins. The coffin was beautifully made lined and pillowed. Massive silver handles were employed. He was delighted with it, and tried it. He then placed it on exhibition in one of his rooms. Now he had his coffin and tomb, he turned his attention to his funeral. But the only thing he could do about that was to hold a rehearsal. Cards were sent to certain persons inviting them to his funeral; and his wife and children were dressed in mourning. Some wag read the burial service and pronounced a eulogy. The procession moved to the tomb, the coffin was deposited therein and the door locked. The mourners returned to the' house, and filled up on the choicest wines. Soon, cries were heard in the kitchen; Dexter was caning his wife, because she had shed no tears. 'Lord' Dexter wrote a pamphlet entitled '' A Pickle for the Knowing Ones.' It principally concerns himself. The pamphlet constitutes the last chapter of this book......'Lord Dexter, the first in the east, the first in the west, and the greatest philosopher in the western world.'

Birth	23 Jan 1746/47	Malden, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States
Marriage	22 May 1770	Newburyport, Essex, Massachusetts, United States - Elizabeth Lord
Death	22 Oct 1806	Newburyport, Essex, Massachusetts, United States
Burial		Old Hill Burying Ground, Newburyport, Essex, Massachusetts, United States
Will
Title (Nobility)		Lord

Spouse	Elizabeth Lord (1737 - 1809)
Child	Samuel Lord Dexter (1772 - 1807)
Child	Nancy Dexter (1776 - 1851)

Father	Living
Mother	Esther Brintnall (1746 - 1809)