Luke Tobey (baptized 2 July 1727; died 1775) of Scituate and Rochester, Mass., and His Wife Anne Swift

Luke Tobey was baptized at Scituate, Plymouth County, Massachusetts on 2 July 1727, son Thomas and Mary (Damon) Tobey. [Second Church Scituate Records, later the Unitarian Church of Norwell, p 373] His last name is also spelled Toby. He is my 7th great-grandfather on my grandfather Arthur Washburn Ellis Davis’ side of the family.

On 30 August 1750 Luke Tobey married Anne Swift at Rochester, Plymouth County, Massachusetts. [Rochester VR 2:306 citing First Congregational Church Records, Rochester] Marriage Intentions Luke Toby & Anne Swift both of Rochester Entered & published at Rochester August 11th 1750. Saml Wing  Clerk. [Massachusetts Vital Records 1646-1800, Rochester, p 23]

Evidence points to Anne being the daughter of William Swift and his first wife Keziah Rider, born 18 January 1733/4 at Sandwich on Cape Cod. [Sandwich VR 1:118] Anne (Swift) Tobey named a daughter Keziah, not an especially common name, and a son William; she is the only Anne Swift I have found in records to be of the right age; many people from Sandwich settled in Rochester; no other marriage or early death records found for an Anne Swift of Sandwich. She was only 16 years old at her marriage, but that’s not unheard of, especially since her father had died in 1748, leaving his second wife and four minor children, two being step-daughters. William Swift was a descendant of Mayflower passenger Richard Warren. 

Luke Tobey of Rochester served in the French and Indian Wars in Col. Doty’s Regiment, 1758-60. His regiment went to Canada. [Leonard] Luke Toby is recorded as a private, serving 3/26/48-4/23/49, total of 36 weeks 2 days of service, in Capt. George Berry’s company. [Massachusetts Soldiers in the French and Indian Wars, 1744-55, p 445]  This date range was before the actual war broke out, but from my limited knowledge the term “French and Indian Wars” encompassed earlier conflicts including King George’s War.

Luke and Anne had ten children, all born Rochester. [Rochester Vital Records 1:294-5 citing baptisms recorded at the Second Church of Rochester, later Mattapoisett] The mother’s name of Abigail for the first three children must be an error as Luke married Anne in 1750 and he was the only Luke Tobey in town. I have only seen transcriptions and not the actual church register to look more closely at her name. 

1. Keziah Tobey baptized 10 April 1754, daughter Luke and Abigail; married Ephraim Dexter 29 Dec 1771; died Mattapoisett 24 Oct 1807.

2. Thomas Tobey baptized 10 April 1754, son Luke and Abigail; married 1) Betty Norton 17 October 1776 (Rochester VR 2:305], 2) Abigail Smith intentions 19 February 1780. Not sure if this is also him but seems likely: Deacon Thomas Tobey of New Bedford married Kezia Lincoln October 1794, Marcy Pope 1801, Hetty Willis 1814 [Rochester VR 2:305]. Deacon Thomas Tobey died 2 May 1831 age 78.

3. William Tobey baptized 10 April 1754, son Luke and Abigail.

4. Luke Tobey baptized 9 May 1756, son Luke and Anne Tobey.

5. John Tobey baptized 11 Oct 1758, son Luke and Ann. 

6. Elisha Tobey, baptized 26 November 1760, son Luke and Anne.

7. William Tobey, son Luke and Anne, baptized 18 Sept 1763. 

8. Mary Tobey, daughter Luke and Anne baptized 14 February 1768; Polly Tobey (intentions: Mary) married Reuben Dexter February 1796 [Rochester VR 2:305]. 

9. Elizabeth Tobey, baptized 1 Aug 1773, daughter Luke and Anna; married Shubael Weeks, intentions 20 March 1798 [Rochester VR 2:305].

10. Anne Tobey, baptized 11 May 1786, daughter Luke and Anne. Anne must have been born years earlier as her father died in 1775. 

I descend from Keziah. I wrote about Keziah and Ephraim Dexter here.

On 29 January 1772, Luke Tobey and his wife Ann Tobey listed as members of the Second Church in Rochester, Mattapoisett Precinct, when Mr. LeBaron was ordained. [Leonard]

Luke Tobey died at Rochester after 29 January 1772, when he is a listed member of the Second Church, and before 29 December 1775, when an inventory of his estate was taken. Mostly likely he died in 1775. If he was baptized as an infant, he was about 48 years old. 

Luke died intestate and his estate was declared insolvent. He is called yeoman, late of Rochester.  Samuel Jenney was administrator of the estate. [Plymouth County Probate Records 1775-1780, vol 24-25, page 233-234]

The inventory of his estate was taken 29 December 1775 by Moses Barlow, Nathaniel Hammond and Benjamin Dexter Jr. Unfortunately it is not itemized and lists only general categories.

An inventory of the Estate of Mr Luke Toby late of Rochester deceased

His wearing apparel £2 3 6

His movables indoors & out and household furniture etc 9 19 6

His Real Estate 23 6 8

Sum Total £35 9 2

These are to certify that at the request of the widow of the above sd Toby deceased we have taken the above inventory of all the estate the sd Toby died seized of as set forth to us by the sd widow according to our best skill and judgement.

On 30 December 1775 Moses Barlow & Benjamin Dexter Jr made oath to the inventory. On 4 March 1776 the estate of Luke Toby was declared insolvent. 

March 4 AD 1776, Plymouth to the Honorable William Sever Esqr Judge of the Probate of Wills &c Humbly therewith Samll Genney of Rochester in said County yeoman Admr on the Estate of Luke Toby late of said Rochester Deceased that your petitioner apprehend said Estate is insolvent wherefore he prays that such proceeding may be had thereon as the law requires.

A 13 February 1777 examination by Joshua Snow and Nathaniel Hammond presented of the claims of creditors against the estate of Luke Toby was sworn to at court on 3 March 1777: 

The sd Estate indebted to Elnathan Eldridge by Note 6 2 6

To Zacheus Toby by note & interest 1 2 6

To Nathaniel Jenne of Dartmouth note & interest 1 16 6

To Dominicus[?] Hovey note & interest 1 6 7

To Gideon Besto note & interest 1 6 4

To Ezra Stetson by note & interest 1 9 4

Thos Toby’s Acct 6 3 4

Solomon Young’s Acct 1 1 2

Joseph Connon’s Acct 1 1 1

To Benjn Blossom’s Acct 1 3 4

To the estate of Samll Wing, late of Rochester 1 5 10

To Doct Perry’s Bill 3 6 6

Total £24 4 1

That Dr. Perry is owed a considerable amount of money indicates that Luke had been ill, likely for some length of time. If Luke was unable to work due to a lengthy illness, that may have contributed to his bleak financial situation. 

I have not found Anne’s death record but she did outlive her husband as she is mentioned, not by name but as “widow,” in Luke’s estate inventory. She may have married, second Samuel Jenney: Anna Tobey married Samuel Jenne[y] intentions 6 January 1776. [Rochester VR 2:305] No Rochester death record found for Anna Jenney.

Anna "Jenne" signature

Anne is the only Anne/Anna in Rochester records at this time, other than her daughter who was just a child. Samuel Jenney must have been a relation or close family friend as he was administrator of Luke Tobey’s estate. 

A Samuel Jenney died Rochester 1778. He was a mariner who wrote his will 19 May 1777. He mentions wife Anne/Anna, sons Nathaniel, Ignatious, Benjamin, Lettes, and daughter Anne. I don’t see any mention of step-children. His son-in-law Timothy Snow (husband of Anne) was executor who made oath to the estate inventory 7 Sept 1778. [Plymouth County Probate file 11448] 

A possible third marriage for Anne: Anna Jenney married Benjamin Hammond 1 September 1784. [RVR 2:191] I don’t find a Rochester death record for Anne/Anna Hammond.

Sources:

Wilford J. Litchfield, Scituate Massachusetts Second Church Records (in Abstract) 1645-1850, reprinted from the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 1909

Mary Hall Leonard, History of Mattapoisett and Old Rochester, 1907

Rufus Babcock Tobey and Charles Henry Pope, Tobey (Tobie, Toby) Genealogy: Thomas of Sandwich, James of Kittery, and Their Descendants, 1905

James Pease (1637-1719) and his Wife Elizabeth Norton of Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard

James Pease was born Edgartown, Dukes County, Massachusetts on 15 March 1636/37 [based on age at death on his gravestone], the son of John Pease and his first wife Lucy whose maiden name is unknown. Lucy’s maiden name is sometimes given as Weston, but that is the surname of her stepfather. I wrote about his parents here. James is my 8th great-grandfather on my grandmother Milly (Booth) Rollins’ side of the family.

James married Elizabeth Norton, born about 1645, the daughter of Nicholas Norton and his wife Elizabeth whose maiden name is also unknown. Record keeping certainly wasn’t a priority in early Martha’s Vineyard. 

Elizabeth and James had eight children [Banks III; all named in James’ will]:

1. James born about 1664; married Hannah Dunham; died before his father’s 1711 will 
2. John born about 1666 and died before his father’s 1711 will 
3. Martha born about 1669; married Joseph Atkins
4. Stephen born about 1670
5. Matthew born about 1675; had a child out of wedlock with Hannah Marchant; married Mary Green; died February 1717/18 at Edgartown
6. Nathaniel born about 1678; m. Abigail Vincent
7. Mary born about 1680; m. Isaac Chase
8. Mehitable born about 1685

I descend from Matthew whom a wrote about here as well as Martha which you can see here.

At the Essex County court 8 Oct 1660 James Pease sued Francis Usselton for “Belying his wife.”  [Banks II] Belying would have meant spreading false information/slandering someone. 

On 30 December 1661 officers of the train band were chosen: Thomas Bayes leader, Thomas Jones clerk, and James Covell drummer. In 1662 the company consisted of 24 additional men including John Pease and James Pease. [Banks II]

On 5 August 1685 it was “voted that Thomas Daggett, James Pease Sr and Isaac Norton are Impowered in behalf of the town to Treat with Richard Ellingham about finishing the Meeting house and to conclude with him or any other according to their Discression for finishing said House, finding Timber and all the Necessarys about the same and what they shall do In the Towns Behalf shall sattisfie and Be obliged to Perform.” A meeting house was built on Pease Point Way with a cemetery adjoining it. [Banks II] Pease Point was where James grew up; I’m uncertain if he also raised his family there. 

Details of a few of the many land transactions James was involved in at Edgartown [Banks II]: 

• On 29 Jan 1663 Quanomica Neck was divided; 26 April 1664 tract know as Meachemy’s Field near the Planting Field and the same day Felix Neck were divided. Lot owners in the three divisions include Nicholas, Isaac and Jacob Norton and James Pease. 
• On 18 June 1667 as a reward for their services in “dispossessing” forcibly or otherwise Usselton, the representative of “intruders” Tallman and Layton Richard Sarson, John Eddy, John Gee and James and John Pease each were deeded one-sixth of a parcel of land at Edgartown. 
• On 31 Jan 1669 James Pease sold his share described above to Thomas Trapp. On 26 August 1669 his father John Pease sold his share to Thomas Lawton. 
• On 14 Feb 1676 the largest tract held in common, the “Plain” was divided, and James Pease and his father John were some of the men who received land there. 
• Land called Squash Meadow purchased in April 1682 from an Indian known as Tom Tyler, son of sachem Wampamog, by Andrew Newcomb and John Coffin one half, and James Covel, James Pease, Isaac Norton, William Vinson and Joseph North the other half. 
• A 27 Feb 1684 division of woodland lots mentions lot between James Pease and Mrs. Ann Sarson and those included in the division included James Pease.
• On 14 April 1707 the town confirmed 31 March previously several tracts of land were purchased from “divers Indians” by Joseph Norton, Thomas Daggett, Mathew Mayhew, Thomas Harlock, Benjamin Smith, and James Pease. [Edgartown Records I:89]

James, one of two surviving sons from his father John Pease’s first marriage, is mentioned in his father’s will, dated 4 March 1674[?/5] and proved on an unknown date James, who “God hath been pleased to bless him in his labors & endeavors and I have been helpful to him so that he is very well to pass in his estate far beyond myself, I do therefore…give to my eldest son James Peas twelve pence.” John left his property to his current wife Mary and their eight children. [Dukes County Deeds 1:340] 

Elizabeth (Norton) Pease died before 22 April 1706, when James married, second, Abigail (Travis) Covell at Edgartown. [Edgartown Vital Records, p 112] Abigail was widow of Ezra Covell. 

James wrote his will on 21 July 1711 and it was probated 2 April 1719. [Ancestry.com, “Massachusetts, US Wills and Probate Records, 1635-1991,” original pages number 85-89 in Dukes County Probate Records]

James’ will is quite lengthy. He is called a planter of Edgartown and left the following bequests:

• After his wife Abigail dies or remarries, his grandson Nathan Pease, son to his son James Pease deceased, all land and swamps lying at Mechmicks Field in Edgartown, all meadow or marsh at Sanchacontaket, one-half share of Commons in Edgartown that he bought of Joseph Codman with all housing and fencing. 
• Grandson Samuel Pease, son of his son John Pease deceased, lands and swamps adjoining land called the planting fields that he bought of Thomas Tupper, all the land and meadow and half commonage (except what he already gave to his son John Pease in his life time) he bought of Thomas Dagget, swamp land he bought of Major Matthew Mayhew, all lands and meadow or marsh he bought of Simon Ahearn, two north most lots at Chapaquidek [Chappaquiddick], two and a half wood lots lying westward of the road to Sachacontaket from the Harbour in Edgartown.  Samuel to pay £5 to Theophilus and Nathaniel Pease, sons of his son Nathaniel Pease, £20 to Joseph Pease son of his son Matthew Pease; if Joseph dies before age 27 then to go to his brother Matthew Pease. 
• Son Stephen Pease his house in Edgartown, all lands, meadow and swamps adjoining, one whole Commonage in Edgartown which he bought of his father, two southward lots at Chapaquidik, two lots of land at Felixes Neck. Stephen to pay £5 legacy to grandson Nathan Pease within one year and £7 each to his grandsons Theophilus and Nathaniel Pease, sons of his son Nathaniel within two years after they turn 21. 
• Son Matthew Pease all that my land he now hath enclosed and improved: and for as much that my said son Matthew Pease hath been a rebellious son and takes very bad courses and will by no means be reclaimed from his evil course of life: I will that he shall have nothing more of my estate then what I have herein already named to be given unto him only one shilling in money within six months after my decease to be paid to him by executrix which shall be here after named: and it is to be understood and not otherwise that the same land given unto my said son Matthew Pease is meant the land of mine which is within his enclosure southwestwardly of Mr Thomas Trapps now dwelling house.
• Son Nathaniel Pease one shilling in money to be paid to him by my executrix within six months after my decease. I have given to him considerable value at and since his marriage. But he is a disobedient child and hath and doth live a very bad life and will not be reclaimed. I therefore give him nothing more of my estate.
• I give nothing to my daughter Mehitable because I have already given her a considerable value since her marriage.
• My mind and will is that my wife Abigail Pease shall have the sole & whole possession and improvement of all my real estate wheresoever & whatsoever the same is and during the time of her widowhood. I give and bequeath unto my said loving wife Abigail Pease all my personal estate whatsoever & wheresoever the same is or may be found whether money, plate, household stuffs, cattle sheep horses, and all bonds and other debts dues owing to me: only my mind and will is that in case at the death of my said wife there should remain any of my plate household stuffs money cattle sheep or horses given as aforesaid.
• I give and Bequeath what shall so remain as aforesaid unto my daughter Mary the wife of Isaac Chase and to my Daughter Martha, the wife of Joseph Atkins, in two equal shares to be divided between them.

He named wife Abigail executrix. He signed with his mark. Witnesses: Benja Skiffe, Pain Mayhew, Mary Mayhew

On 2 April 1719 the estate of James Pease late of Edgartown was proven at court held at Chilmark. The administration was committed unto Abigail Pease widow to the deceased.  Per order of ye judge of Probate Pain Mayhew.

James died 27 March 1719 at Edgartown. He was age 82 years, 12 days. Death date is from his gravestone at Tower Hill Cemetery, also known as Old Burying Ground and Old Town Cemetery. His name is spelled Peese ont he stone, which is a replacement dating to 2016. [Findagrave.com Memorial ID 40738962] 

James Pease/Pees Gravestone source: Findagrave.com

Sources:

Charles E. Bank, History of Martha's Vineyard, Vols. I (1911), II (1911), III (1925) 

Robert Charles Anderson, The Great Migration Begins, 2007

Torrey’s New England Marriages to 1700

David Pease and Austin Pease, A Genealogical and Historical Record of the Descendants of John Pease, Sen., 1869

Ephraim Dexter (1741-1823) and His Wife Keziah Tobey of Rochester/Mattapoisett, Massachusetts

Ephraim Dexter was born Rochester, Plymouth County, Massachusetts on 31 December 1741, the son of Ephraim and Martha (Clark) Dexter. [Rochester VR 1:110] He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. I wrote about Ephraim's parents here.

On 29 December 1771 Ephraim Dexter Jr married Kezia Tobey both of Rochester. [Rochester VR 1:110; Records of the First Church Rochester, 1737-1797, p 176]

Keziah was baptized 10 April 1754 at Rochester, the daughter of Luke and Anne (Swift) Tobey. [Rochester VR 1:294] Warden has her maiden name as Sober which is an error—original record does read Tobey. They were married by Revd Jonathan Moore; recorded by Town Clerk David Wing. [ancestry.com, “Rochester Town Records and Earmarks, with Births, Marriages, and Deaths”]

Keziah’s first name is also spelled as Kezia and Kesiah. They are my 6th great-grandparents on my grandfather Arthur Washburn Ellis Davis’ side of the family.

Keziah and Ephraim had eleven children, born Rochester [Warden, Beers]:

1. Martha b 28 Sept 1772 [calculated from age at death]; m Prince Snow 1794 [Rochester VR 2:113]; d 29 Jan 1852 at Rochester, age 79 [MA VR 67:273]
2. Anna b 6 Jan 1774 [calculated from age at death]; m James Snow 1795 [intentions 6 Dec, Rochester VR 2:108]; d 18 Aug 1860 at Mattapoisett, age 86 [MA VR 139:308]
3. Keziah b 5 October 1775 [from grave record]; m Ebenezer Holmes in November 1805 [Rochester VR 2:112]; d 2 June 1835 at Rochester, age 57 years [Rochester VR 2:399]
4. Luke b 16 Nov 1777 [from grave record]; m September 1802 Joanna Pierce [Rochester VR 2:112]; Warden has his death as 9 November 1856 but vital records have as 2 May 1856 at Rochester but lists his father as Luke Dexter [MA VR 103:223]; he was about age 78
5. Ephraim b 28 April 1779; married 1) 22 Oct 1802 (intentions) Achsah/Axey Snow and 2) 27 April 1806 Rachel Snow [Beers]; d 27 June 1862 at Mattapoisett, age 83 [MA VR 157:355]
6. Gideon b 1781 [calculated age at death]; intentions to Mary Dexter 30 Sept 1804 [Rochester VR 2:111]; d 31 Jan 1827 [Rochester VR VR 2:374] age 45; tragically he froze to death while attempting to aid a ship in distress [The Boston Recorder and Telegraph]
7. Thomas b 9 March 1783 [calculated from age at death]; married 1) 5 Nov 1814 Hannah Luce [Rochester VR 2:115] and 2) 18 March 1850 Lydia C. Swift [Beers]; d 22 Feb 1871 at Mattapoisett, age 87 years [MA VR 239:346]
8. Jane b May 1785 [calculated age at death]; m James Cathell intentions 7 March 1810 [Rochester VR 2:111]; d 21 Nov 1875 at Rochester, age 90 [MA VR 275:329]
9. Alden b 4 July 1788 [from gravestone]; married 1) Lucy Barrows in 1810 and 2) Polly Crowell on 19 Sept 1862; d 8 Oct 1869 at Mattapoisett, age 81 [MA VR 221:325]
10. 10.Polly b 25 Feb 1790; m Larnet Hall in 1811 [Rochester VR 2:113]; d 12 March 1864, age 83/84, at Lexington, Minnesota [grave record Yankee Cemetery in Le Sueur County] 
11. 11.Alice b 17 May 1792; d 1801 [dates from Warden & Beers but not in the published Rochester Vital Records]

I descend from Martha whom I wrote about here.I find it remarkable that of the ten children who survived childhood, eight lived to advanced ages for the time—late 70s to age 90.

The death records of Alden, Jane, and Thomas give parents as Ephraim and Keziah (Tobey) Dexter. There is some inconsistency among the rest: Anna’s parents are Ephraim and Elsa Dexter; Luke’s father is Luke Dexter with no mother’s name; Ephraim’s mother Kezia’s maiden name is Cushman.

Sons Alden, Thomas, Luke, and Ephraim are all listed as caulkers on their death records. They were skilled tradesmen who undertook the tedious and physically demanding process of waterproofing vessels by driving fibers into the seams between the wooden planks and applying pitch or tar to the exterior. As caulkers often worked in teams, I expect the brothers worked side by side. 

Ephraim and Keziah lived in a part of Rochester that became the coastal town of Mattapoisett in 1857.

Ephraim’s father, Ephraim Sr, was a 4th generation mill owner but I haven’t found any indication that Ephraim Jr continued the family business, but he is infrequently mentioned in records. His father Ephraim Dexter wrote his will on 10 Oct 1724 which included the following bequest: “To my two dutifull sons Ephraim and Caleb I give all the residue of my estate of whatever nature, to be equally divided between them, obliging them to pay equally my funeral charges & all other debts which I may owe at my decease, obliging them also to keep a good riding beast for my beloved wife for her to ride on when she thinks proper.

Also I appoint my two sons Executors of this my last Will and Testament. In testimony of which I I do hereunto set my hand and seal this tenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and twenty four.” Caleb signed some of the documents in the probate file but Ephraim did not; would have been nice to see his signature!

Ephraim Dexter of Rochester served on the Jury at the July 1765 Plymouth Court of Common Pleas. [Plymouth County Court Records 8:152]

In 1768 Ephraim Dexter was on the committee with John Clark and Obed Barlow to dismiss Rev Ivory Hovey; some months earlier they made choice of minister Ebenezer Meiggs. [Leonard]

Ephraim Dexter served in the Revolutionary War. Ephraim Dexter, private, Capt Nathaniel Hammond’s (2d) Rochester Co. which marched 20 April 1775 in response to the Alarm of April 19, 1775 to Marshfield; service 4 days; also Capt Nathaniel Hammond’s Co., Col Ebenezer Sprout’s (4th Plymouth County) regt.; service 15 days; company marched from Rochester to Rhode Island on an alarm in December 1776; also Capt Nathaniel Hammond’s Co.: 4th Plymouth County Regt; commanded by Lt Col White; enlisted 30 July 1780; discharged 8 August 1780; service 9 days, at Rhode Island on Alarm. [Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in the Revolutionary War, p 720]

An application to the Sons of the American Revolution, approved 9 February 1924, provides details to identify the soldier as this Ephraim: born 31 Dec 1741 Rochester; m Kezia Tobey 29 Dec 1771; she was born 1740?; died 24 Oct 1804 [sic]. Another application approved 12 July 1926 has Ephraim Dexter born 1741; died 1823 m Kezia Tobey born 1754, died 1807, m 1771. [ancestry.com “Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications 1899-1790”]

In 1776 Ephm Dexter was taxed 11s 11d 2q on the Assessors’ Rate Bill of the Inhabitants of Rochester, includes Polls, Real, Personal, and Faculty Taxes. Polls were assessed 5s 5d. [Leonard]

December 1786 Plymouth Court of Common Pleas, Ephraim Derter [sic] of Rochester was juror. [Plymouth Colony Court Records 10:62]

Ephraim owned a large amount of land in Rochester/Mattapoisett as seen in the 1798 Mass and Maine Direct Tax, Rochester [13:80, 129]:

P. 129: Occupied by Ephraim Dexter, owned by Ephraim Dexter at Rochester; 600 acres, valued at $540 

12 houses, 18 acres, $16.20

13 houses, 75 acres, $67.50

3 houses, 150 acres, $135

20 houses, 180 acres, $162

Total $920.70

P. 80: Ephraim Dexter occupant, Ephraim Dexter owner, Rochester, 1 dwelling, 2 acres, $450 value

Ephraim Dexter is a head of household in the 1800 Federal Census for Rochester but the image quality is poor and I cannot decipher the number of people in the household. He is again a head of household in the 1810 Federal Census for Rochester. I don’t find him in the 1820 census. 

Kesiah Dexter wife Ephraim died 24 October 1807 in her 50th year. [Rochester VR 2:375]  Her age seems to be an error as it would indicate she was born after her date of baptism. I have not found anything indicating Ephraim married again.

Ephraim Dexter died 5 April 1823 at Mattapoisett. [Rochester VR 2:688 citing grave record] He was 81 years of age and is buried Pine Island Cemetery. [Find a Grave Memorial ID 126196197] I have not found a probate record for Ephraim. Perhaps he had already gifted his land to his children, making a will unnecessary.  

Ephraim Dexter's gravestone (source: FindaGrave.com)

Sources:

William A. Warden, Genealogy of the Dexter Family in America: Descendants of Thomas Dexter Together with the Record of Other Allied Families, 1905

JH Beers & Co, Representative Men and Old Families of Southeastern Massachusetts, 1912

Mary Hall Leonard, History of Mattapoisett and Old Rochester, 1907