Richard Dexter

Richard Dexter was born on September 14, 1777, in Haverhill, Massachusetts.¹ He worked for Nathaniel and Abigail Peabody in New Hampshire for eleven years. In November 1798, First Lady Abigail Adams’ sister, Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody, recommended Richard Dexter to work in the presidential household writing: “He sustains a good Character, & has been a person in whom Mrs Peabody has placed great confidence, proving himself worthy of trust by his uncommon fidelity–He says he will go on tomorrow morning, upon trial for two months…”² 

In December 1798, Abigail sent Richard to the President’s House in Philadelphia, writing to her husband, “if you like him as I think you will, I would have him to attend particularly upon you, that you may have a Servant whom you can understand he appeard very desirous of pleasing and he wishes to spend his leisure, if any he has, in learning to write and spell. cousin William will do well to assist him in this.”³ It is unclear exactly what Richard’s role was, however, this letter indicates that he planned to train with John Adams’s nephew and private secretary, William Smith Shaw. When the Adams family moved into the White House in November 1800, it seems Richard Dexter moved in as well. A letter written by Abigail Adams in January 1801, notes his relationship with Abigail Adams’s lady’s maid, Becky Tirrell: “Richard and Becky have not yet proposed a similar subject [marriage], to me–I trust they think themselves Young enough Yet–.”⁴ 

After the Adams family left the White House in March 1801, Richard returned with them to Quincy, Massachusetts and began serving as the property manager of their estate, Peacefield. He continued to work for the family until 1817. Richard married Becky on August 23, 1804, and they had two children. ⁵  Dexter died on May 30, 1820.⁶