Trip back in time marks Dexter’s 200th anniversary

DEXTER — On June 17, 1816 the town of Dexter — then part of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts — was officially incorporated, named in honor of Judge Samuel Dexter who at the time was the Democratic candidate for governor of the commonwealth. Exactly 200 years later an afternoon celebration to make the occasion was held on the front steps of the town hall.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom

200 YEARS AS THE TOWN OF DEXTER — Dave Pearson reads the proclamation incorporating the town of Dexter on June 17, 1816 exactly 200 years later during a ceremony at the Dexter Town Hall. Also dressed in attire from two centuries prior are, from left, Town Councilor Sharon Grant, Town Manager Shelley Watson, Deputy Clerk Susan Page and Town Clerk Kim Hughes. See story on page 2.

Resident, former town manager and longtime employee of Dexter, Dave Pearson played the part of John Phillips, who was the presiding officer at the reading of the proclamation 200 years prior. Pearson recreated the events of 1816 by reading the proclamation officially incorporating the town of Dexter while dressed in period costume including dress coat and stovepipe hat.

Also in early 19th century attire was Town Manager Shelley Watson, Town Clerk Kim Hughes, Deputy Clerk Susan Page and Town Councilor Sharon Grant. The four stood on the steps in front of Pearson, and Watson said the four women planned to be wearing their dresses during the 200th-themed Fourth of July parade

With scroll in hand Pearson read aloud, “Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the year of our Lord one thousand, eight hundred and 16, an act to establish the town of Dexter. Section one be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives the general court assembled and by the authority of the same that the township No. 4 in the fifth range of the townships north of the Waldo Patent in the county of Penobscot as described by the following boundaries be and and hereby is established as a town by the name of Dexter. Be east of the town of Garland, south of the township No. 4, west of the township No. 5  and North by the town of Sangerville and the said town of Dexter is hereby vested with all the powers and privileges and shall be also subject to all the duties and requisitions of other incorporated towns according to the constitution and laws of this commonwealth.

“Section two be it further enacted that any justice of the peace for the county of Penobscot is hereby authorized upon application thereof to issue a warrant directed to a freehold inhabitant of the said town of Dexter requiring him to notify and warn the inhabitants thereof qualified to vote in town affairs to meet at such convenient time and place and within such town to be appointed for said warrant for the choice of such officers as towns are by law empowered and required to appoint at their annual town meeting. This bill having been read three times in the House of Representatives and enacted June 15, 1816 and reported to me by Timothy Bigelow, clerk of the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and today in the Senate June 17, 1816, this bill having had second separate readings passed to be enacted. John Phillips presiding.”

State Rep. Ray Wallace (R-Dexter) and State Sen. Paul Davis (R-Sangerville) then presented a Legislative Sentiment. Rep. Wallace read, “Be it known to all that be the members of the Senate and the House of Representatives join in recognizing the town of Dexter as it celebrates the 200th anniversary of its incorporation as a town. Named in honor of the Honorable Judge Samuel Dexter of Massachusetts, the town was settled in 1801 and was incorporated in 1816 .

“We join the good citizens of the town of Dexter as they celebrate the town’s bicentennial of incorporation and we send our best wishes.”

Attendees, including residents and visitors to town, then went inside for cake served by the Dexter Regional High School Key Club. The two desserts featured icing reading “Anniversary celebration” and “Dexter 1816-2016.”

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom

CONGRATS FROM THE LEGISLATURE — State Rep. Ray Wallace (R-Dexter), right with State Sen. Paul Davis (R-Sangerville) reads a Legislative Sentiment to the town of Dexter on the 200th anniversary of the community’s incorporation on June 17 at the town hall. Listening and dressed in period clothing are, from left, Town Councilor Sharon Grant, Town Manager Shelley Watson, Deputy Clerk Susan Page and Town Clerk Kim Hughes.