Timothy Dexter: The Dumbest Rags-to-Riches Story - Sam O'Nella Reaction

[@TickLikesBombs]

Fun fact, after the successful shipment of warming pans to the Caribbean, Dexter was convinced it was cold down there and later shipped a boatload of winter clothing. Of course, there was a group of people (I forget what they were doing in the Caribbean) that were heading to modern day Russia and decided to buy the shipment there so they wouldn't worry about it later

[@theautomator8372]

Of friggin course

[@mauer1]

trading is so easy, just be at the right place at the right time.

[@sandri291]

Those people who tell you that smart investing advice is Time in the market, not Timing the market should learn a thing or two from Ol Timmy Boy@@mauer1

[@SEAZNDragon]

Even without the Russia trip he probably still made some money on the winter clothes, albeit slower. I saw a video on pirate clothes from the Golden Age where the creator mentioned every pirate would still have some winter clothes as 1) piracy was not limited to the Caribbean and 2) its gets cold on the ocean.

[@ruslans2006]

@@mauer1Or just be absurdly lucky

[@dominicchuaa]

timothy dexter is the epitome of the sentence "task failed successfully"

[@whiteink225]

I was about to comment that lol

[@silverstudios6916]

This is true

[@justarandomcommenter570]

Timothy somehow got 1-intelligence but maxed out his bartering skills and luck :P

[@trocoplaytv1254]

​@justarandomcommenter570 that's a clever way to put it take my like!

[@mikitz]

@@justarandomcommenter570 Luck of 10, when everyone else's was at 1.

[@ZorValachan]

The trolling on his book with "Here's the missing punctuation. Put it where you feel like it.' is quite hilarious.

[@movietimeateds69]

I have tried to read that "book" many times. Never got passed the first couple "pages". It's legit nonsense, and the poor spelling and lack of punctuation makes it very difficult to read/understand.

[@Username-je7of]

I once read “A Pickle for the Knowing Ones”. It was like reading Les Miserables, but I didn’t have to pretend it was a profound masterpiece.

[@BobofWOGGLE]

Hey, at least Les Mis has an excuse. French is an awful language.

[@samuelterry6354]

You didn't have to pretend it was a masterpiece because you knew that it was.

[@MLCrisis1790]

Dankula read a bit of it at the end of his Dexter video. I had to restart my brain after hearing it.

[@reginabillotti]

Les Miserables, for as long as it is, is coherent. ( yes, even when Hugo puts the plot on hold to get on a soapbox. Even those parts are internally coherent and have some relevance to the story. )

[@Gio34811]

If Timothy dexter was born today he would’ve been bought all of GameStop shares the day before everyone realized Wall Street was shorting the fuck out of it

[@bfure1]

Would have gotten his first job as a pizza driver and accepted a tip of like 20 Bitcoin

[@JGD714]

@@bfure1 then asked his rich snob friends what to do with it so they would've told him to buy it all up believing it would fail, and so he would spend all his money on bitcoin when they were worth cents.

[@xellos5262]

He was born today. He bought twitter last year.

[@tacticallemon7518]

@@xellos5262there’s a difference between dumb luck and dumb

[@JeyC_]

​@@tacticallemon7518 how is Elon dumb?

[@ethandexter9470]

So I found out recently that he is an ancestor of mine. We have the same last name so i thought it was a coincidence until I learned there’s actually a relation! Bought his book real fast haha

[@arifhossain9751]

Say, uh... Ya got any trading advice?

[@ShadeOnTheUtube]

@@arifhossain9751 buy apples

[@zizonesol]

please bless us with your ancestor's luck XD

[@mitchellwright5478]

Masshole too? I’d be interested to see if the Dexter family, like my own that has roots back to the 1640’s here has also stayed locals

[@ethandexter9470]

@@mitchellwright5478 North Carolinian. The Dexter side of my family comes from California

[@saintcynicism2654]

You can find his book online, by the way, and it is absolutely worth a read. You'll give yourself a headache just trying to parse what he's trying to say half the time, but it's an absolutely hilarious insight into just what was going on in this man's head. Because the whole thing reads like it's literally just stream-of-consciousness from beginning to end, it's all over the place.

[@Gravelgratious]

Timothy was rolling 20 all his life, the American dream!

[@corvair5454]

Guy was a halfling

[@DoctorElk]

I need Christopher Nolan or someone to make a biopic about Timothy Dexter. I would pay top dollar to see it in theaters.

[@skeletonentertainment4201]

And make it as serious and dramatic as possible to truly emphasize just how absurdly fascinating Timothy's life is

[@jonathanradut2595]

I don’t think anyone would believe it was real. I barely do and I do think the story is real.

[@HerrBert1976]

Was thinking about the Coen Brothers

[@prestonjones1653]

Have a little pop-up in the middle to say "Yes, this is still a true story."

[@aidanvannynatten2787]

To all the snobby film critics who frown upon Forrest Gump for being so unrealistic bc nobody could ever truly have the sheer amount of dumb luck he has in that movie, I present them with this man’s life story… Also, there’s no way in hell that when Sam says ‘No punctuation, random capitalization’, it actually is a Game Grumps reference, right? Either way, I would’ve never once guessed that random caps was common in writings of the period and would’ve (appropriately, I might add) assumed that it was unique to ‘A Pickle for the Knowing Ones’

[@theautomator8372]

I remember hearing this story a couple years and being weirdly angry at hearing it. Like the stars had to of aligned for this guy to be so lucky.

[@desmondcoppin591]

Many people are born rich. They are just as lucky.

[@SwineBrothers]

I love when you're like this can't be real. It mirrors my own reaction. Then I look it up and sure enough. Reality is stranger than fiction for sure.

[@ntfoperative9432]

Because in reality, you don’t have to make it sound believable

[@SwineBrothers]

@@ntfoperative9432 Plus, reality isn't planned out. People tend to do a lot with 0 planning, and sometimes not always rationally.

[@jonathanrichwine1996]

I told his story to my supervisor at work a couple weeks ago, he looked it up and read the Wikipedia page, then came back and asked how a movie about him hasn’t been made yet.

[@BlandSpagetti]

Because audiences wouldn’t believe it

[@tacticallemon7518]

because he didn’t get wealthy off selling his soul to a corporation

[@FisDurJeff]

I feel like this needs to be an Adam Sandler movie.

[@Syntex366]

After watching this my sister actually bought Dexters book, and it is several times worse than Sam could have ever explained in its terrible spelling.

[@FeatheredFiend1]

After watching the original video, I looked up “A Pickle for the Knowing Ones” to see for myself. Sure enough, a quick search online and I found a copy of the book with the original spelling/punctuation. Attempting to read it gave me a headache, but it was hilarious😂

[@Halberd38]

Can’t wait for the multi-part book review of “A Pickle for the Knowing Ones” in all of its many-hour-long glory!

[@aj2k08]

Just sorted my patreon membership 😁 - Thanks for all your great work Chris - I’ve been a sub since the very early days and really appreciate all the work, humility and insight you bring to every video - original and reaction. You’ve reignited my love for history in the last couple of years and I really look forward to every video you drop 🔔 Keep it up mate! Adam in the UK

[@VloggingThroughHistory]

Thanks so much Adam!

[@Ryne4S]

Hi Chris, thanks for making these great videos everyday, watching your amazing reactions and explanations are helping me going through depression, I'm probably wouldn't have been here without your uploads.

[@ShadeOnTheUtube]

Just incase anyone didn't take the time to read it, the wiki at the end has an excerpt from the book, reading: "Ime the first Lord in the younited States of A mercary Now of Newburyport it is the voise of the peopel and I cant Help it and so Let it goue" Translated: I'm the first Lord of the United States of America, now of Newport. It is (a position as) the voice of the people, and (because) I cant help it, so let it go. Let it goue... Let it go...

[@jojoecr7626]

This man shows a heck ton of restraint by not just turning this into the Sam o Nella reaction channel for a month and milk it shamelessly. Mad respect.

[@joshuahardy8011]

Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.

[@kruksog]

Sometimes? Oftentimes.

[@PhantomBanker]

3:51 Not a VTH video without Chris bringing in his ancestors! 😅

[@RoydeanEU]

Or ohio 😂

[@fatboy7609]

Funny thing. There was a typewriting school that used Pickle for the Knowing Ones to teach their students to look at the page at all times as they tried to copy it.

[@iattacku2773]

So real life Forrest Gump

[@Nerdnumberone]

I don't think Gump would shoot at or beat people with a cane quite as much.

[@brotherbruno1783]

All the statues he had included interchangeable plaques so you could put the plaque of any statue onto any other statue you want. Just for the heck of it.

[@ET_Bermuda]

Yeah, the misspelling and random caps was VERY common before the introduction of the dictionary. It's a large part of the reason why the dictionary was created. The dictionary is just a guide, it's not law. As long as two people know the meaning of the word being said/written then it's a real word. Great recent example would be Barbenheimer.

[@Nerdnumberone]

Spelling wasn't standardized, but even for the time, his spelling was highly unorthodox.

[@phillee2814]

@@NerdnumberoneSpelling still isn't standardised - on this side of the Atlantic, North of the US Northern border (so in most of North America, by area), and in the antipodes, we all use English spelling, not US.

[@Nerdnumberone]

@phillee2814 There isn't a single standard, but there are only ~1~3 accepted spellings for each word rather than a bag of phonics and a shrug. If you don't use one of the accepted spellings, you will be considered incorrect.

[@porkadillo9752]

@@Nerdnumberone Absolutely. Compare a "Pickle for the Knowing Ones" to Bingham's "The Columbian Orator" from about 5 years prior and it's like night and day. It's pretty clear that Dexter never received any kind of formal writing education.

[@tacticallemon7518]

@@Nerdnumberone muhn, hoo nids stuhndurdized phonetics wen yu cuhn du theis shit wehth thuh english langwuage? Jokes aside, what the fuck is english when that’s remotely understandable?

[@nonamesplease6288]

This proves that it's better to be lucky than good.

[@dancing_odie]

When people talk about "the American dream" this is who I think of.

[@Gavin4D]

My Great Great Great Grandfather was the mayor of Glovertown in Newfoundland, but one of my ancestors was John Cabot, the guy who was on the first voyage to Newfoundland! Basically my whole family on my moms side is from Newfoundland, but I was born in Alberta.

[@wisdomleader85]

Thank you for this video, Chris. I got fascinated by Timothy Dexter's story after watching one of Mr. Ballen's episodes, and it's great to see you do a commentary with details for another video about him. If the RNGesus pisses on some people's head everyday, the way he treated Timothy Dexter was, he woke him up, made his bed, then put breakfast on his table every morning. 😂

[@multigodslayer1760]

Surely this is the inspiration for Homer Simpson

[@RazalasTrebla]

I wonder who was Timothy Dexter's Frank Grimes equivalent. I like to imagine it was one of those rich guys that gave him bad advice.

[@Sevofthesands]

I said this before on other videos but i will say it again. Timothy dexter seemed totally insane but the kind of insane that you want to have a beer with.

[@gyo900]

FINALLY THE TIMOTHY DEXTER REACTION YEEEEEES

[@crazyand2099]

I recommended this one on Patreon along with the pre-industrial surgeries video.

[@TheLibermania]

I have the book. It was 15 Euro pn Ebay. I gave up after 5 lines just for the fact that i couldn't make up what he meant. Edit: If you want i can send it to you, when i'm home from my vacation.

[@Fryepod3628]

Consistently lucky people are so interesting. Glad you picked this one up Chris, hysterical everytime.

[@elonmuch491]

Simon Whistler actually made a video about this dude on his channel “today I found out” too! I’d love to see you react to that one haha

[@jasi5534]

Can´t imagine ppl not liking Sam. He is one of KZbins most liked creators I´m sure.

[@starman6468]

That makes a pickle for the knowing ones a single extremely long, unfinished sentence.

[@mikeydubbs8565]

Massive error in Sam’s video. Although Dexter was born in Malden, all of the events in the video took place in Newburyport

[@Velochromantic]

Hey Chris! I’m in Florida, and The Sarasota Rare Coin Gallery / Sarasota Numismatics in Sarasota, FL had a $45 Continental Currency signed by Snowden - their website and eBay show sold out, but might be a good place to start or check with! Keep up the content!!

[@henryJBonaparte]

I have been waiting for so darn long for you to react to this video!! It's my absolute favorite from his channel, that an his video about the most controversial pop3s!

[@ScarredBert]

I really appreciate that you do the research I want to do but am too high to actually put the effort into doing ❤

[@kruksog]

I find your perspective and knowledge so interesting. I disagree with you deeply when it comes to politics, but I appreciate your knowledge and calm, friendly demeanor. I like what you do.

[@dabatman5187]

A challenge everyone should do is read the first page of his book. It is absolute insanity

[@wallythewondercorncake8657]

Kinda similar to the pizza hut thing, my local pub is an 18th century church. Also with your ancestry having a father and son on different sides of a conflict, there's also something like that in my ancestry. My great grandad was German and fought for the Kaiser, then moved to Britain and his son was a para in the British army in WW2

[@imme8471]

Yes more Sam O’Nella! He has lots of historically relevant videos :)

[@johansvensson833]

the book can be found for free on the guttenberg project it is an amazing read

[@Batmans_Pet_Goldfish]

My favorite one. Thanks for doing this video!

[@Mattsashl09]

This is almost a Forest Gump kind of situation in history.

[@DanielRodriguez-gs2xj]

Where is the hollywood movie for this man? He is a damn icon and needs his own movie. Starring James Franco cause i feel he would do it very well.

[@phillee2814]

They just set it more recently and called it "Forest Gump".

[@jakoski]

Timothy Dexter consistently bet on yellow and somehow still won every time.

[@0boro]

I'd watch a comedic historical movie about this man.

[@ArnaudReille]

The last video of the Italian campaign is released, the most brilliant ever.

[@Maukustus]

as a european not very well versed in united states history i think that i could easily mix up who signed/wrote the constitution with people who signed/wrote the DOI

[@MrFoxtheSpy]

You like this guy for the same reason people like Eric Cartman or other similar characters. Complete bastards, usually really dumb, but absolutely hilarious to read about or see on TV.

[@dragonquesti8629]

Timothy Dexter is the name of my grandpa, so it's pretty cool that he shares a name with such an interesting figure

[@prodsxmmit]

You shared this video to your grandpa yet? (The original one)

[@dragonquesti8629]

@@prodsxmmit no I should mention it to him though

[@svenrio8521]

10:12 That guy became a Senator by 312 votes, one of the closest elections in senate history. So remember that next time you think one vote doesnt matter.

[@maximilianbeyer5642]

Wasn't that at a time when there were only a few thousand voters per state though?

[@arjunsandhar578]

Great vid

[@13basses]

If i remember right his mansion and the statues were destroyed at one point and the house that exists now is a re-creation of it.

[@russoanthony8140]

Love being early, and love the content Chris! Might I recommend Five Evil Leaders by Sideprojects?

[@Razgriz85]

Used to be a Pizza Hut in my home town, but it got demolished not long after it shut down and a McDonalds was built in its place.

[@laxbrobighitter]

Somehow, this may be my favorite of your reaction videos 😂😂

[@GhostWatcher2024]

We have an insurance agency in an old tacobell building.

[@Histography1453]

Do Norton next

[@bbvestieofthemagbloodaltar7665]

Isn't this the 1000th upload on this channel? Cuz if so, that's huge!

[@nontrashfire2]

My town had a "Liquor Hut". They just put a banner over the "Pizza" portion of the sign.

[@DieselWeasel]

I'm always a little disappointed when people know his segue is coming and cut it off early on this episode, because it's literally the most replayed segment of the video, by a LOT. XD

[@JohnReedy07163]

Thank God that Louisville was built by Horse Farmer's and Breeders. Cause me being from "Blue Ridge Manor" sounds way cooler than from "Louisville, KY". Great Stuff as always!

[@Thetroel]

Funny enough I work at a Pizza Hut that moved right next to the old building, so I get to see that top out of the window of the store.

[@Great_Olaf5]

You know, in my area, it's more often that Pizza Hut buys other businesses than close locations, so this video gave me the impression that they would add their hat onto buildings they bought... If you want more, I _think_ Count Danjula did a video on this guy too.

[@svenrio8521]

The Count may be to spicy for this channel 👀

[@janetd5121]

If Timothy Dexter were alive today he would be elected president.

[@HistoryMonarch1999]

Your story reminded me of that episode form futurama where one of the characters ancestor was making fake currency for the British during the revolution

[@Prussiaz]

Just looked up J.Snowden and saw some of the currency! That is such an interesting historical note and I know you have a million of them! Hope you can get your hands on one someday, I dread to find out how much these go for on auction

[@beigarthavenir4988]

Timothy Dexter is a prime example of a luck only build.

[@grandroyal66]

This is off topic and maybe not history but.. to a big celebration of the 80's. The short movie: Kung Fury (swedish) deserves to not be forgotten. :)

[@theinsanepumpkincarver]

Do you plan on doing more historical photo/videos? Really enjoyed those.

[@Genesis50000]

bit late but a small nugget of local history from my town had one of the last 4 K-Marts in the US, it kept limping on until the big C hit.

[@Dragonite43]

10:14 OH! You were talking about Al Franklin. XD

[@VloggingThroughHistory]

Al Franken, yeah.

[@MLCrisis1790]

Count Dankula did a Mad Lads video as well. It was one of his best

[@Mtioo1]

More Sam'o Nella, great

[@lgb8996]

yo when you find someone that has a continental dollar with your 9th grade grandad signature on it please upload it!

[@cosmickid1794]

This needs to be a mini-series somewhere........

[@michaelgaunt2542]

Its time for me once a year 3 week VTH obsession

[@jabber1990]

"I'm gonna do what's called a 'pro-gamer move' apparently"

[@shanewallace2564]

I kind of want to read that guys book just to see, you know?

[@yellowboi4661]

Hey VTH, Epic History TV released last episode of Napoleon's campaign

[@shradicle8576]

Hey chris u probably already know, but Epic History just posted the last part to Napoleon's first campaign

[@roballister5269]

another video on this guy please lmao

[@robdixon7732]

Funny I got a Michael's by my house that you can see used to be a Children's Palace (castle design).

[@BrandonSmith84]

I found a Jedediah Snowden and a Joseph Snowden on the Continental Currency

[@korallebrutalis6713]

Hey, Chris, it's been awhile since I've visited your channel. And yesterday, I just had a sudden interest with history and I'm just binging most your reactions, and I'll check out some of your original stuff aswell later, but I have a question, do you know Joshua Norton? If so, then, feel free to ignore my request! But if you happened to not know him, maybe you could do a reaction of him, Sam also talkes about him, and has a video about him.

[@randomuser942464]

Crazy how the world works lol

[@BojoPigeon]

Falling up three flights of stairs and landing in a swimming pool full of gold coins

[@lawden210]

Did not know about the fact regarding random capitalisation back then! Was that because the modern rules of capitalisation weren't thought of yet, or a sort of insufficient literacy?

[@UnlicensedOkie]

The old Pizza Hut here is now a cigarette/tobacco shop

[@Joeyy1024]

Still waiting for your reaction to his Banana Republics video.

[@dragonmaster10712]

thiS is veRy IntereStiNg!🎉

[@mikeydubbs8565]

If you want to learn more about Dexter, check out Count Dankula’s video on him in his Absolute Mad Lads series