Hello. I am trying to find out where and when John DEXTER married Mary Anna CLARK.

John DEXTER was reportedly born in Killingly, CT, in 1833 (or in 1830's), and Mary Anna CLARK was reportedly born in 1837 (or in 1830's) in Westport, MA.

I know almost nothing about their children. But, from "family stories," I suspect they had an older son born in the 1860's and a younger daughter born in the 1870's. It is also possible that they lost several children during that time period.

John and Mary DEXTER might have been living in Westport, MA, in 1870, but they might not have been there in 1860. I am wondering if they lived in Killingly, CT, during those years.

Around 1890, they moved to Melrose, MA, probably to adopt a baby, whom I now believe was their granddaughter.


This little girl grew up to become my grandmother. As a youth she spent a great deal of time in foster homes and in "The Temporary Home for Women and Children" in Boston, MA. She married in 1911.

I would very much like to find out the name of her birth-mother.

As far as the birth-father goes, she reported on her marriage certificate that William and Mary CLARK were her birth-parents. But, her Adoption records stated that her birth-parents were UNKNOWN.