History of Athens, (Greene County) New York United States of America

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Samuel Dexter, cabinet officer, was born in Boston, Mass., May 14, 1761; son of Samuel Dexter, and grandson of the Rev. Samuel Dexter. He was graduated at Harvard in 1781 and was admitted to the bar in 1784. He practised in Worcester and Middlesex counties, subsequently removing to Boston, Mass. He was a representative in the state legislature, 1788-90; a representative in the 3d congress, 1793-95, and a United States senator in the 6th congress, 1799-1800. He resigned his seat in the senate in June, 1800, to accept the cabinet position of secretary of war offered him by President Adams. He was transferred by President Adams to the treasury department in December, 1800, and continued as secretary of the treasury through the administration of Mr. Adams. He then resumed the practice of his profession and frequently appeared before the United States supreme court at Washington. He supported the war measures advocated by President Jefferson, and in 1812 the Republican policy of war. In 1815 President Monroe offered him the mission to Spain which he declined. In 1816 he was the Republican candidate for governor of Massachusetts and published an address to the electors announcing the radical differences between his views and those of the party. His name was not withdrawn and he was defeated at the polls. He was president of the first society formed in Massachusetts to promote temperance, and a fellow of the American academy of arts and sciences. He was an overseer of Harvard, 1819-15, and received from that institution the honorary degree of LL.D. in 1813. He died at Athens, N.Y., May 3, 1816.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Athens, (Greene County) New York

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