Gregory Dexter
Encyclopedia
Gregory Dexter was a printer, Baptist
minister, and early President of the combined towns of Providence
and Warwick
in the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
. He was in New England
as early as 1638 when he had a five-acre lot assigned to him in Providence
. He had been in the printing business in London, and still operated that business in 1643 when his establishment printed Roger Williams'
translation of the native languages. As an experienced stationer, he offered his expertise to the printing operation in Boston
in 1646, asking for no compensation other than an annual almanac
.
Dexter became active in colonial affairs in 1647, as the four towns of the colony were consolidating into a unified government. He later became a commissioner from Providence during the early 1650s, after William Coddington
had received a commission to remove the two island towns of Portsmouth
and Newport
from the unified government. Dexter became the President of the combined towns of Providence and Warwick
, during the final year of the split government, and the towns were re-united with his successor. Dexter was a Baptist, and following his presidency he renewed his association with the Baptist church in Providence
, becoming the pastor of the congregation in 1669. He was considered to be very pious, seldom smiling, and in social interaction was always ready to engage his company with a sermon.
, England near the town of Olney, which lies just over the county line in neighboring Buckinghamshire
, Dexter moved to London and entered the printing business, gaining a reputation for printing controversial tracts often critical of the crown. He printed a pamphlet on "Prelatical Episcopacy" for the poet John Milton
. While in London Milton became involved with the Baptist church and began corresponding with Roger Williams
in New England. About 1638 Dexter was in New England
where he was assigned a 5-acre lot in Providence, and in July 1640 he and 38 others signed an agreement to form a government there. This agreement gave authority to five selectmen to handle the business of the town, leaving difficult matters to arbitration. He possibly returned to England, because in 1643 his printing establishment in London printed Williams' book, A Key into the Language of America
, the first English translation of a Native American language. If he had actually left New England, then he returned in 1644, rejoining Williams in Providence, and joining the Baptist church
there. He continued to work as a printer, and in 1646 he was requested in Boston
to get the printing operation running there. For his services he requested no remuneration; he only asked that they send him their almanac
once a year.
had obtained a patent for the Rhode Island colony in 1644, the island towns of Portsmouth and Newport continued to be governed separately from Providence and Warwick. In 1647 the town of Providence elected Dexter as chairman of a committee to meet with similar committees from the three other towns to organize a united government of the four towns. The unification was accomplished, and under the new government Dexter was a member of the General Court of Trial in 1648. In 1651 William Coddington
had been successful in getting a commission in England making him the governor of the two island towns of Portsmouth and Newport, leaving Providence and Warwick with a separate government for three years from 1651 to 1654. During these years Dexter was a commissioner from Providence, then the town clerk of Providence from 1653 to 1654, and also from 1653 to 1654 was President of the two towns of Providence and Warwick.
One of the first acts of his administration was to order his two predecessors, John Smith
and Samuel Gorton
, before the General Assembly to answer charges of misdemeanors occurring during their terms. Another act of Dexter's was to enter a remonstrance against the two island towns for their warlike stance against the Dutch, for fear that this would "set all New England on fire, for the event of war is various and uncertain." At the conclusion of his term as president, Dexter re-invigorated his association with the Baptist church
in Providence, and about 15 years later, upon the death of Rev. William Wickenden
, became pastor of the congregation.
During King Phillips War, from 1675 to 1677, Dexter was at Long Island
for part of the duration. This was the greatest crisis that had yet visited the Rhode Island colony, and the General Assembly, desiring to have the "advice and concurence of the most judicial inhabitants" voted that in its next sitting the body have the company and counsel of 16 persons, one of whom was Dexter.
Dexter continued his association with the Baptist Church late into his long life. He died at an advanced age in Providence, and is buried in the North Burial Ground
there. The Baptist historian, Morgan Edwards
, wrote of him, "Mr. Dexter was not only a well bred man, but remarkably pious. He was never observed to laugh, seldom to smile. So earnest was he in his ministry that he could hardly forbear preaching when he came into a house or met with a concourse of people out of doors. His religious sentiments were those of the Particular Baptists."
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
minister, and early President of the combined towns of Providence
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
and Warwick
Warwick, Rhode Island
Warwick is a city in Kent County, Rhode Island, United States. It is the second largest city in the state, with a population of 82,672 at the 2010 census. Its mayor has been Scott Avedisian since 2000...
in the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
The Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations was one of the original English Thirteen Colonies established on the east coast of North America that, after the American Revolution, became the modern U.S...
. He was in New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
as early as 1638 when he had a five-acre lot assigned to him in Providence
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
. He had been in the printing business in London, and still operated that business in 1643 when his establishment printed Roger Williams'
Roger Williams (theologian)
Roger Williams was an English Protestant theologian who was an early proponent of religious freedom and the separation of church and state. In 1636, he began the colony of Providence Plantation, which provided a refuge for religious minorities. Williams started the first Baptist church in America,...
translation of the native languages. As an experienced stationer, he offered his expertise to the printing operation in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
in 1646, asking for no compensation other than an annual almanac
Almanac
An almanac is an annual publication that includes information such as weather forecasts, farmers' planting dates, and tide tables, containing tabular information in a particular field or fields often arranged according to the calendar etc...
.
Dexter became active in colonial affairs in 1647, as the four towns of the colony were consolidating into a unified government. He later became a commissioner from Providence during the early 1650s, after William Coddington
William Coddington
William Coddington was an early magistrate of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and later of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, serving as the Judge of Portsmouth, Judge of Newport, Governor of Portsmouth and Newport, Deputy Governor of the entire colony, and then Governor of the...
had received a commission to remove the two island towns of Portsmouth
Portsmouth, Rhode Island
Portsmouth is a town in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 17,389 at the 2010 U.S. Census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water. Most of its land area lies on Aquidneck...
and Newport
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
from the unified government. Dexter became the President of the combined towns of Providence and Warwick
Warwick, Rhode Island
Warwick is a city in Kent County, Rhode Island, United States. It is the second largest city in the state, with a population of 82,672 at the 2010 census. Its mayor has been Scott Avedisian since 2000...
, during the final year of the split government, and the towns were re-united with his successor. Dexter was a Baptist, and following his presidency he renewed his association with the Baptist church in Providence
First Baptist Church in America
The First Baptist Church in America is the First Baptist Church of Providence, Rhode Island, also known as First Baptist Meetinghouse. The oldest Baptist church congregation in the United States, it was founded by Roger Williams in Providence, Rhode Island in 1638...
, becoming the pastor of the congregation in 1669. He was considered to be very pious, seldom smiling, and in social interaction was always ready to engage his company with a sermon.
Early life
Born in NorthamptonshireNorthamptonshire
Northamptonshire is a landlocked county in the English East Midlands, with a population of 629,676 as at the 2001 census. It has boundaries with the ceremonial counties of Warwickshire to the west, Leicestershire and Rutland to the north, Cambridgeshire to the east, Bedfordshire to the south-east,...
, England near the town of Olney, which lies just over the county line in neighboring Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan home county in South East England. The county town is Aylesbury, the largest town in the ceremonial county is Milton Keynes and largest town in the non-metropolitan county is High Wycombe....
, Dexter moved to London and entered the printing business, gaining a reputation for printing controversial tracts often critical of the crown. He printed a pamphlet on "Prelatical Episcopacy" for the poet John Milton
John Milton
John Milton was an English poet, polemicist, a scholarly man of letters, and a civil servant for the Commonwealth of England under Oliver Cromwell...
. While in London Milton became involved with the Baptist church and began corresponding with Roger Williams
Roger Williams (theologian)
Roger Williams was an English Protestant theologian who was an early proponent of religious freedom and the separation of church and state. In 1636, he began the colony of Providence Plantation, which provided a refuge for religious minorities. Williams started the first Baptist church in America,...
in New England. About 1638 Dexter was in New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
where he was assigned a 5-acre lot in Providence, and in July 1640 he and 38 others signed an agreement to form a government there. This agreement gave authority to five selectmen to handle the business of the town, leaving difficult matters to arbitration. He possibly returned to England, because in 1643 his printing establishment in London printed Williams' book, A Key into the Language of America
A Key Into the Language of America
A Key into the Language of America is a book written by Roger Williams in 1643 describing the Native American languages in New England in the 17th century...
, the first English translation of a Native American language. If he had actually left New England, then he returned in 1644, rejoining Williams in Providence, and joining the Baptist church
First Baptist Church in America
The First Baptist Church in America is the First Baptist Church of Providence, Rhode Island, also known as First Baptist Meetinghouse. The oldest Baptist church congregation in the United States, it was founded by Roger Williams in Providence, Rhode Island in 1638...
there. He continued to work as a printer, and in 1646 he was requested in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
to get the printing operation running there. For his services he requested no remuneration; he only asked that they send him their almanac
Almanac
An almanac is an annual publication that includes information such as weather forecasts, farmers' planting dates, and tide tables, containing tabular information in a particular field or fields often arranged according to the calendar etc...
once a year.
Rhode Island
Though Roger WilliamsRoger Williams (theologian)
Roger Williams was an English Protestant theologian who was an early proponent of religious freedom and the separation of church and state. In 1636, he began the colony of Providence Plantation, which provided a refuge for religious minorities. Williams started the first Baptist church in America,...
had obtained a patent for the Rhode Island colony in 1644, the island towns of Portsmouth and Newport continued to be governed separately from Providence and Warwick. In 1647 the town of Providence elected Dexter as chairman of a committee to meet with similar committees from the three other towns to organize a united government of the four towns. The unification was accomplished, and under the new government Dexter was a member of the General Court of Trial in 1648. In 1651 William Coddington
William Coddington
William Coddington was an early magistrate of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and later of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, serving as the Judge of Portsmouth, Judge of Newport, Governor of Portsmouth and Newport, Deputy Governor of the entire colony, and then Governor of the...
had been successful in getting a commission in England making him the governor of the two island towns of Portsmouth and Newport, leaving Providence and Warwick with a separate government for three years from 1651 to 1654. During these years Dexter was a commissioner from Providence, then the town clerk of Providence from 1653 to 1654, and also from 1653 to 1654 was President of the two towns of Providence and Warwick.
One of the first acts of his administration was to order his two predecessors, John Smith
John Smith (Governor)
John Smith was an early colonial settler and President of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. He lived in Boston, but was later an inhabitant of Warwick in the Rhode Island colony where he was a merchant, stonemason, and served as assistant. In 1649 he was selected to be...
and Samuel Gorton
Samuel Gorton
Samuel Gorton , was an early settler and civic leader of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations and President of the towns of Providence and Warwick for one term...
, before the General Assembly to answer charges of misdemeanors occurring during their terms. Another act of Dexter's was to enter a remonstrance against the two island towns for their warlike stance against the Dutch, for fear that this would "set all New England on fire, for the event of war is various and uncertain." At the conclusion of his term as president, Dexter re-invigorated his association with the Baptist church
First Baptist Church in America
The First Baptist Church in America is the First Baptist Church of Providence, Rhode Island, also known as First Baptist Meetinghouse. The oldest Baptist church congregation in the United States, it was founded by Roger Williams in Providence, Rhode Island in 1638...
in Providence, and about 15 years later, upon the death of Rev. William Wickenden
William Wickenden
William Wickenden was an early Anglo-American Baptist minister, co-founder Providence, Rhode Island, and signer of the Providence Compact. Wickenden Street in Providence marks where he originally settled in the seventeenth century and is named in his honor.-Immigration to New England:Wickenden...
, became pastor of the congregation.
During King Phillips War, from 1675 to 1677, Dexter was at Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
for part of the duration. This was the greatest crisis that had yet visited the Rhode Island colony, and the General Assembly, desiring to have the "advice and concurence of the most judicial inhabitants" voted that in its next sitting the body have the company and counsel of 16 persons, one of whom was Dexter.
Dexter continued his association with the Baptist Church late into his long life. He died at an advanced age in Providence, and is buried in the North Burial Ground
North Burial Ground
The North Burial Ground is a cemetery in Providence, Rhode Island, dating to 1700. Providence had no public burial ground and no Common until the year 1700 because Rhode Island's religious and government institutions were so rigorously kept distinct, dating back to its founding by Roger...
there. The Baptist historian, Morgan Edwards
Morgan Edwards
Morgan Edwards was a Welsh historian of religion, Baptist pastor, and notable for his teaching on the 'rapture' before its popularization by John Nelson Darby ....
, wrote of him, "Mr. Dexter was not only a well bred man, but remarkably pious. He was never observed to laugh, seldom to smile. So earnest was he in his ministry that he could hardly forbear preaching when he came into a house or met with a concourse of people out of doors. His religious sentiments were those of the Particular Baptists."
See also
- List of colonial governors of Rhode Island
- Colony of Rhode Island and Providence PlantationsColony of Rhode Island and Providence PlantationsThe Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations was one of the original English Thirteen Colonies established on the east coast of North America that, after the American Revolution, became the modern U.S...