The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-05-06
An Eccentric Character.
Lord Timothy DEXTER.

Passengers over the Eastern Railroad
observe. at the left, before they enter the
city of Newburyport from the west,
large house amid surrounding green,
surmounted by u tall cupola, aud this
bearing ttspfiigy of-a huge -cHytc. Be
fore time is followed for asking question
concerning it, the train moves by, and the
question is rarely asked. This was the
residence of Lord Timothy Dexter-a rich
and queer combination of shrewdness, ig-
norancc credulity. self-esteem. imbccility.
licentlousncss, prodiSslity-who lived in
Ncwburyport many years, and died IN the
house above named. October 26, 1906, ut
the age Of sixty-iirc.
HIS life presents strange catalogue OF
events. ailording another illustration OF
the adag,, that "fortnne Elvors fools"
Though there appeared to be method In
much of his madness, and much that pass.
ed for luck seemed really the result OF
shrewd foresight, he was nevertheless en-
titled to the motley garb, though he sport
ed black and assumedto be "tho first in
the west, and the greatest philosopher of
the world"
Timothy Dexter was born In Maiden,
near Boston. in the year 1743, and was
bred in the lcather-dressing business,
which business was almost exclusively
confined to Charlestown. This was the
time when deer. sheep and goat-skins
were prepared for clothing, and ut the
period of his apprenticeship, the secret Of
prcparing morocco, similar to that brought
from the I,evant, was discovered. part Of
the monopoly of which Dexter probably
enjoyed. Commencing business ut tvcn-
ty-onc. he. By industry and frugality,
became thrifty, married. the widow OF a
neighboring leather-dresser, and had 40
cumulated several thousand dollars In
specie mt the close of the wir. At this
dark period, when the national paper cur
rency was reduced to merely nominal
value, and it was sacrificed Mt u. ruinous
discount. John Hancock and Thomas Rus
sell, Boston merchants, attempted To keep
up public confidence by buying this mOr-
cy, which attracted the attention Of young
dexter for he believed such men would
do no unsound net, and he proceeded to
invest every cent he possessed, and all
that his wife possessed, in purchasing the
government scrip that was in the market.
All doubt was soon after removed by the
funding system Of Hamilton, and dexter
had realized princely fortune. for that
day. There is hardly an instance. in our
own season of quick fortunes. that can
surp,Ss this for rapidity, but the only
claim to shrew,lness that can be seen In Il
is the imitation Of Hancock and Russell,
that has little more merit that can be
claimed for instinct.
With the acquisition Of fortune came
the craving for distinction, but the society
of that period was Of u Kind thai no par
venu foot could enter. Tho accident of
wealth gave no entrance card 10 the mere
ly moneycd, and Dexter found himself
shut out. Boston rejected him, Salem
treated him worse, If anything. and he
alighted. money-h,gs and all, In Newbury-
port, which hc made the scene of his eX-
altcd career. Lands were cheap, and ut
that time the failure of some merchants
who hid venturcd too largely enabled him
to purchase deeply. which he did. buying
two ..palaces" rs they werc then regarded.
one of which he sold, the other one-that
which we see from the car window-hc
occupied. Here he commenced that Ca
reer Of extravaganza. which won for him
the title of lord" that he. with his crar-
ing for prominence accepted. an account
of which he thus gives: "Ime the first
Lord in the Younited States of Americary
Now of Ncwburyport il is the voisc Of the
peopol and cant Help II and so let 1t be
gone" 80
To act in lorlly manner, he COM
menccd course Of dissipation and prodi-
gality. His elegant mansion and grounds
he at once disfisurcd by procuring rudely
carved fgurcs of great men, whose names
were familiar to him. that he placed In the
most slightly situations, outraging taste.
but at which the vulgar stared and won-
dcred. while the shrewd laughed. His
roofwas graced with minarets tipped with
gold balls. and everything was rcsplen-
dent in the glory OF bright paint. Direct
~ In front Of his door was q Roman arch,
on the centre OF which stool General
Washington in his military garb; on tho