Baxter was born at Rickhurst (Rykhurst), Alfold, Surrey, on 20 October 1781.
Early in life he settled in Lewes as a bookseller and printer.
Among the earliest of Baxter's enterprises was the publication of a large quarto Bible, annotated by the Rev.
Baxter's other publications include several important works on the topography of Sussex, and ‘The Library of Agricultural Knowledge’ With his youngest son, William Baxter, he started the Sussex Agricultural Express.
[1] George Sinclair wrote an article On the cultivation of the natural grasses for the publication.