Isaac DEXTER - Revolutionary War Deserter

I've probably mentioned that my first choice for PATRIOT in my quest for membership in DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) was my 4th great-grandfather, Isaac Dexter.  My research was near completion as I had found much of my information before I even considered DAR.  I also had ordered a record from DAR headquarters with Isaac Dexter as the Patriot, approved for a distant relative.

Well needless to say, when I could not prove that Isaac Dexter was not a deserter, I was forced to turn to one of my other Revolutionary War patriots - the father of Isaac's daughter-in-law, Chloe Washburn.  So Isaac is not my official Patriot, but he is nonetheless a very interesting ancestor and worthy of further mention.

ISAAC DEXTER, b. 13 June 1744, Rochester, Ma. (VR), d. 5 Dec 1804, Wayne, Me.; son of Constant Dexter and Meribah Dillenoy (Delano). Went to New Sandwich (now Wayne, Me.) ca 1780. (ref: Genealogy of the Dexter Family in America, Descendants of Thomas Dexter - Warden, Dexter, 1905, pg 47; Owl, Vol 18, #4, Sept 1917, pg 1686).


His father, Constant Dexter    b. 27 November 1706, d. 1756
     Constant Dexter married Meribah Delano, daughter of Nathan Delano and Elizabeth Miller, 4 Aug 1731 Int. Constant Dexter was born on 27 November 1706 at Rochester MA.4 He was the son of Benjamin Dexter and Sarah Arnold. Constant Dexter died in 1756 at Crown Point Expedition.
Children of Constant Dexter and Meribah DelanoBetty Dexter b. 19 Mar 1733
Meribah Dexter b. 16 Jan 1735/36
Drusilla Dexter b. 12 Mar 1737
Sarah Dexter b. 28 Jun 1739
Nathan Dexter+ b. 8 Feb 1741
Isaac Dexter b. 16 Jun 1744, d. 15 Dec 1804
Thomas Dexter b. 7 Mar 1745
Stephen Dexter b. 3 Jan 1747
Gideon Dexter b. 29 Jun 1750

Citations
   1. [S225] Warden & Dexter, Gen of Dexter Fam in America. Patsy Lawler Husson, Family Tree.
   2. [S49] Marriage Registers of Charlotte County NB.
   3. [S95] Unknown author, Gen History of Delano. Patsy Lawler Husson, Family Tree.


His mother, Meribah DILLOWAY OR DELANO OR DILLENOY OR DELANOY was born 18 Sep 1709 in Middleboro, Plymouth County, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of Nathan DELANO and Elizabeth MILLER. She married Constant DEXTER 1731 in Massachusetts, son of Benjamin DEXTER and Sarah ARNOLD. He was born 27 Nov 1706 in Rochester, Massachusetts, and died 1756.

ISAAC DEXTER: Hist. of Winthrop by Stackpole, 1929, Pg 348:
Isaac Dexter, born in Sandwich, Mass., 13 Jan. 1746, settled in New Sandwich (now Wayne, pictured above) in 1779. His wife, Keziah (Wing) b. 31 Dec 1746, and five children came with him. He lived on lot No. 148 [see Winthrop Map in front of Book]. The pond which bears his name extends completely across the lot, nearly one half being in Winthrop, and the remainder a large part is water. The land on the west side is best adapted for tillage and here, in what is now Wayne, he set up his domicile. He was a Baptist and the early religious meetings were held in his barn. The Baptist church of Wayne was organized in his house, 9 Jan, 1794, and he was chosen one of its deacons.

History Of Wayne, Maine, 1898, pg 15: Isaac Dextor, born in Sandwich Mass., Jan 13, 1746, came to the plantation called New Sandwich, now Wayne in 1780, with his sons, Stephen, Nathaniel, Freeman and Constant. His other sons, Gideon, Isaac Jr., and Amasa, were born in New Sandwich. Isaac settled on the west side of the pond that bears his name on the road to North Monmouth. It is claimed that he built the first framed house in the town. In this house the Baptist Church of Wayne was organized, and Isaac Dexter was chosen its first deacon. In 1801 he was chairman of the board of selectmen; in 1802 he was collector of taxes. He died in 1804.  From the web:  Isaac came to Wayne in 1779 with his wife and 5 children. Settled on Lot#148 on which lies the pond now called Dexter Pond. The pond extends completely across the lot, nearly one half being in Winthrop. Isaac built his home on the west side of the pond in Wayne since that portion of the lot was best suited for tillage. Isaac was a Baptist, and the early religious meetings were held in his barn. The Baptist church of Wayne was organized at his house 1-9-1794, and he was chosen as one of the deacons.

Military record from the records of cousin Dick Bucknum:
Dexter, Isaac, Sandwich. Sargent, Capt. Ward Swift's (2nd Sandwich) co., which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775; service, 3 days. Dexter, Isaac, Sandwich. Capt. Barachiah Bassett's co.; pay abstract for travel allowance to and from camp at Cambridge dated Jan 13, 1770. Dexter, Isaac, Sandwich (also given Rochester). List of men raised for Continental service [year not given]; residence, Sandwich; engages for town of Dartmouth; also, Private, 8th co., Col. John Bailey's regt.: Continental Army pay accounts for service May 18, 1777, to Oct 18, 1777; credited to town of Dartmouth; reported deserted; also, Capt. George dunham's co., Col. Bailey's regt.; company return [year not given]; residence, Rochester; also, Col. Bailey's (2d) regt.; list of deserters subsequent to Jan 1, 1777, as returned by Ezra Badlam, Lieut. Col. Commandant of said regt.; age, 30 yrs.; stature, 5 ft. 8 in.; complexion, light, hair, light; residence, Rochester; term, 3 years; deserted Oct. 28, 1777

More About DEA. ISAAC DEXTER:
Issue: 9 children
Military service: Revolutionary War, deserter
Misc: 1801, selectman
Residence: 1779, New Sandwich (now Wayne), Maine
Source 1: Dexter Fam, 1905 pg 31, 47
Source 2: Winthrop by Stackpole, pg 348
Source 3: Wayne, Maine-1898, pg 15, 292 More About ISAAC DEXTER and KEZIAH WING: Marriage: ca. 1767, Prob Sandwich, Massachusetts