Samuel Dexter Runs Half The Cabinet
Samuel Dexter was both Secretary of War and Treasury during the John Adams Administration.
Samuel Dexter
Samuel Dexter was the third member of his family with the same name.
His grandfather was an important Massachusetts preacher and his father was a member of the colonial and revolutionary governments.
After the British left Boston, General George Washington stopped at the Dexter residence on his way to New York.
Skipping the Violence
Samuel did not fight in the Revolutionary War, instead deciding to attend Harvard.
Dexter studied law under Levi Lincoln before opening his own practice.
Before his 30th birthday, he had already spent several years in the State Assembly and established himself as an important leader.
Secretary of War
Dexter found himself elected to the US House of Representatives during the mid 1790’s and in the final year of the decade was promoted to the Senate.
His time in the Legislature was short lived, however, as he was tapped by President John Adams to serve as the 4th Secretary of War.
This is a bit surprising, as Samuel had zero military experience.
Secretary of Treasury
When Oliver Wolcott, Jr resigned, Dexter was given yet another high ranking position, taking over as the 3rd Secretary of Treasury.
For the month of January in 1801, Samuel was at the helm of both the War and Treasury Departments, making him one of the most powerful people in the young nation.
A few months later Thomas Jefferson came in as President and asked Dexter to stay on as Secretary of the Treasury until Albert Gallatin could make it to town. This brief stint technically makes him a member of two Presidential Cabinets.
Dexter returned to Massachusetts where he ran unsuccessfully for Governor on several occasions.
John Adams has appeared in many articles I have written.
Here are a few of my favorites:
Dixwell the Regicide’s Grave - A Visit with Roger Sherman
John Adams Responds to the Ladies
Humphrey Plowjogger’s Secret Identity
Dexter appears in most biographies of John Adams, including my favorite ‘Passionate Sage.’
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