Career
He commanded the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts in 1728. Thaxter"s grandson Benjamin Lincoln (son of Elizabeth Thaxter) was the 1st United States Secretary at War and 2nd Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts. Thaxter was Colonel of the Hingham regiment of militia and one of His Majesty"s Council.
Magistrate, justice of the peace.
Delegate to the General Court 1697, and from 1708 to 1712 incorporated, also from 1711 to 1718 incorporated An assistant, and otherwise distinguished in pulic posts.
Selectman 1695, 1705, 1706, and 1717. His father Lieutenant John Thaxter (1625/26 - 1686/87) served as selectman and representative to the General Court in the mid-1600s.
In 1664 while serving against the Dutch at New York, he was made Lieutenant under orders from Richard Cromwell.
Later he was promoted to Captain and commanded a troop of cavalry. Thaxter"s grandfather, Deacon Thomas Thaxter, was the first person of the name in America. Thaxter had not inherited a very large estate from his family.
But by his industry and enterprise, he became Hingham"s most wealthy and influential citizen.
He died at 76 years old and was buried in Hingham Cemetery (Burials of Note - Hingham Cemetery) In 1878, the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts visited and decorated the graves of Government. John A. Andrew, General Benjamin Lincoln and Samuel Thaxter, the two last named past commanders of the company.