Owners

The famous Thaxter family owned property on Commercial St. In 1874, Levi Lincoln Thaxter owned the property through 1883. He was born on February 1, 1824 and died on May 31, 1884. During his 60 years of life, Levi Thaxter married famous American poet Celia Thaxter. The couple had three sons—Carl Thaxter, John Thaxter, and Roland Thaxter. The Harvard graduate, Levi Lincoln worked as a lawyer. He was a well educated man who had taste in literary circles, culture, and refinement. 

Levi Thaxter’s wife, Celia Thaxter was a beloved American poet that represents the late 19th century to early 20th century.  At age four, Celia’s father became a lighthouse keeper on White Island, Isles of Shoals. As she grew up in the Isles of Shoals, she returns to Appledore Island where she took care of her mother. Her famous work, An Island Garden, was written in the last year of her life. The book is a reflection of her garden and flowers. Celia’s garden was reconstructed by Dr. John M. Kingsbury in 1977 and can be visited now (“An Island Garden, by Celia Thaxter, 1894, 1895, Illustrated by Childe Hassam” n.d.). 

" Soon will set in the fitful weather, with fierce gales and sullen skies and frosty air, and it will be time to tuck up safely my Roses and Lilies and the rest for their long winter sleep beneath the snow, where I never forget them, but ever dream of their wakening in happy summers yet to be." 

An Island Garden, 126 

Like the Father and Mother, Roland Thaxter—the youngest son—was a famous and most valuable mycologist of 20th century. Roland Thaxter was born in 1858 and became a Professor of at Harvard University. Roland Thaxter was into the practical field of agricultural mycology. 

His greatest work is his Contribution Towards a Monograph of the Laboulbeniaceae. His outstanding work is one of the greatest pieces of work in the field of mycology. 

Roland also served as editor of Annals of Botany, scientific journal published by Oxford University Press, until his death in 1907.