SOURCE: (1) From charts prepared by Miriam Dexter; (2) "Recollections of the Pioneers of Lee County, Illinois;" Dixon, Ill. 1893;
Recollections of the Pioneers of Lee Co., Inez Kennedy, Pub, Dixon, IL.
c1893. pages 24-36. This book includes the Family Bible records
with the names, birthdates and deathdates of John (born 1803) Dexter's
parents: "John Dexter, son of Elisha Dexter, was born in the state of
Connecticut on the 13th day of Feb., 1773. Died, Oct. 30, 1815. Jane
Dexter was born Feb 11, 1772. Died, July 14, 1839. John Dexter and Jane
Niece were married at Genesee, NY, 1796."
The Bible record also includes the names, birthdates and some
deathdates of John (born 1803) Dexter's siblings:
Amos Dexter born Feb 3, 1797.
Elizabeth Dexter was born Oct 31, 1798. Died Sep 1816.
Hiram Dexter was born April 24, 1801.
John Dexter was born Oct 8 1803. Died, May 22, 1888.
Mary Dexter was born July 27, 1805. Died, Dec 1849.
Elisha Dexter was born June 8, 1807. Died. April 1859.
Asahel Dexter was born March 14, 1809.
Ahijah Dexter was born Feb 6, 1811.
Evelyn Dexter letters, pg 141:
"Toronto Directory 1837, Vaughan...........Hiram Dexter, Con 1, Lot 37.
"York Co. Methodist." Source? Sounds like a census.
Evelyn Dexter letters pg 124: A will of Hiram Dexter Jr. of Vaughan
Twp., in York Co., Canada. Will made in 1861. (Sounds like he is
unmarried.) Probably a son of Hiram Dexter b 1801.
Names sisters Mary Ann Dexter alias Wyatt,
Margret Dexter alias Hamilton,
Elizabeth Dexter alias Mason and(Robert? Mason)
Matilda Dexter alias Leonard and
Harriet Dexter unmarried, (in 1861)
brother Benjamin S half of Lot 32 in 6th conc of Vaughan;
stepmother Elizabeth and father Hiram Dexter.
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Elizabeth Dexter Mason had these children:
William Mason b 1846, Margaret Mason b 1847, Robert Mason b 1850, all
born Markham, York Canada.
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I have a family group sheet made out on Hiram Dexter and Margaret
Williams of Twp of Vaughan, from the above will. I also have a son
"William born about 1836 and Benjamin born abt 1838." I think these
are deductions I made from the 1851 census of King Twp., York Co,
Ontario.
That 1851 census has Hiram Dexter, Yeoman, Episcopal Methodist, b
1800, and Elizabeth b 1806. William Dexter 1836, Benjamin Dexter
1838, Henry (Sherriff?) 1838, Peter (Sherriff?) 1842, Harriet Dexter
1843, David Dexter 1843, Ruth Dexter 1847, Priscilla Dexter 1849.
Matilda and Hiram are at their md sister's Eliz Dexter Mason in 1851
census.
I thought Margaret Williams Dexter may have died in childbirth with
Harriet (born 1843) and Hiram Dexter,remarried Elizabeth (possibly
surnamed "Sherriff") by whom he had David 1843, Ruth in 1847, and
Priscilla in 1849. (Both David and Harriet in 1843? Why not David in
Hiram's will?)
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From the Book "Old Time Thornhill" by Doris M. FitzGerald, Canada 1970,
pg 25:
"John Dexter came to Upper Canada from New York State about 1796, in a
family group. He received lot 43, con.l, Markham as a Crown Grant and in
1801 traded it for lot 38, con.l, Vaughan, then held by Captain Richard
Lippincott. The eight Dexter children were among the first pupils at the
Cober (Langstaff) school and remained on the farm until 1828 when the
north 105 acres were sold to Wm Southby Gapper, a British half pay
officer, for 125 pounds. Eventually parts of the south half of lot 38
were also disposed of, but two of John Dexter's sons, Ahijah and Hiram,
remained in the area. They operated saw mills on the Don, at the back of
lots 37 and 38, con l, Vaughan."
(There is more to the article about Dexters.)
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I think that John B. and Elisha Dexter tried to get free title to their land
in Canada, in 1829 (after their father was hung in 1815). Amos and
Hiram were married before 1829. John and Elisha, both, married in the
year 1829.