Lord Timothy Dexter's chest, mysteriously resurfaced before Awakening the Spirit, The following is a list of chest contents provided
by the Ken and Dominique Dear's Web site (link
within).
A Clock - Dexter was an avid collector of clocks, obsessed with timekeeping.
As a biographer once remarked, Dexter "out-Einsteined Einstein"
on the theory of time and space.
A Bunny - Its movements sometimes used for divination, a bunny or
hare is often associated with transformation, the receiving of hidden
teachings and intuitive messages. Timothy Dexter followed the "Ould
Wayes" and the Celtic Lunar Calendar, so perchance he himself saw
the bunny in the Full Moon. The Knowing Ones certainly do -- do you
see the bunny?
A copy of Dexter's anthology, "A Pickle for the Knowing Ones,"
first published May 1802 - Reprinted by the Historical Society of Old
Newbury.
Scraps of Script seemingly drafted by his Lordship himself - Messages
left behind and submissions from the Otherworld. Instructions for invocations
from his Book of Shadows and "thorts & axsions" to provoke
new beginnings.
Gloves - To recall his former apprenticeship and trade as a leather
dresser. Dexter's shop was at the "Sign of the Glove" opposite
Somerby's Landing on the corner of Green and Merrimac streets, now the
landscaped corner of the Green Street parking lot planted with crabapple
trees.
Dragonfly Impression - Dexter believed that he would reincarnate by
transforming to human form through a dragonfly darning needle.
Dragonfly Incense Utensil -- A most useful tool to measure and mix
incense and such during invocations.
Dexter Spoon - To stir and properly measure portions for potions and
concoctions.
Obsidian Stone - All Obsidian stones share the characteristic of making
the user aware of their flaws and how to address them, often in very
visual terms. Excellent for grounding and for protecting from physical
or emotional harm, it provides shielding from negativity in the environment.
While as a grounding stone Obsidian helps to stabilize, as a scrying
tool, it can offer an accurate reflection of the changes that need
to be made. Its answers can be quick and somewhat pointed. It will
help to provide a clear course of action and let you know what challenges
are the most necessary to face; not always the easiest or most pleasant
lessons.
The Rainbow Obsidian is like a rainbow amidst the darkest storm.
Rainbow Obsidian brings light into the darkness of self. It brings
a sense of joy, energy and belief in the possible. Employing this
stone in pyramid form should prove the Waterside people's optimal
hope for transforming the very best in Lord Dexter and in ourselves
as well, preparing us to commence New Beginnings.
Bell - A favorite donation of Timothy Dexter. One such bell is still
used today at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. Listen for its
clear tones. Cast in 1796 by the Warner Co. of London, England, the
inscription on the bell reads, "Given by Timothy Dexter, Esq. at
the cost off $333.33 to the Second Presbyterian Society of the city
of Newbury Port," and was donated to the Harris Street Church while
Dexter lived at the Tracy House.
Tassels - To trim and dangle on his Lordship's preposterous "Bonney
partey" hat!
Frog Bank -- Dexter often made reference to the frog, symbolically
comparing humankind to toads. It seems the frog was also held up as
a kind of sign or omen, as mentioned on page 36 of "A Pickle for
the Knowing Ones."
To many cultures, the frog is a symbol of magic which can teach
you to leap swiftly from one level of consciousness to another, from
this world to the Otherworld. The frog can also help you find the
courage to accept new ideas, nurture yourself and find connections
between ideas. The representation of the bank is obvious. Dexter was
a wise and canny investor with a Midas touch.
A Pouch of Pennies - Two hundred in count, plus one Canadian penny.
Using the conversion of the Consumer Price Index, this would be equivalent
to about $28 in the period Dexter lived at the Tracy House. Just how
many coins will Charon charge Dexter to cross the River Styx from the
Otherworld?
"Fugios" - Designed by Benjamin Franklin, these were the
very first coin of the United States of America. So-called because on
one side of the copper coin the word "Fugio" is inscribed
beside a sundial. Fugio in Latin means, "I Fly, so with the sundial
it implies, "Time Flies," below which is inscribed one of
Franklin's favorite mottos: "Mind Your Business".
On the other side of the coin are 13 entwined rings, one for each
of the 13 states. In the center of the coin, the words, "United
States" surround the slogan, "We are one".
Franklin's Fugio Cents were minted in 1787 and immediately entered
circulation. By the time Washington was inaugurated as the nation's
first president in 1789, Fugio Cents were already in wide circulation,
prompting the decimal monetary system to be later adopted by Congress.
When President Washington came to Newburyport, staying overnight
at the Tracy House Oct. 30, 1789, and breaking fast at the Dalton
House the following morning, Fugios were jingling in the coffers of
shops and the pockets of the Waterside people.
Where are these Fugios now? While collectors place high value on
these coins, the Fugio Cent's combined message continues to enrich
us all: "Time Flies So Mind Your Business and We Are One."
Peace and prosperity can be found in the balance.