"The Cedars was built by Sylvester Brown, who lived there for some time before moving to Northeast Harbor and selling to Thomas Savage, who sold to James Scott." - “Traditions and Records of Southwest Harbor and Somesville, Mount Desert Island, Maine” by Mrs. Seth S. Thornton, p. 151-152 – 1938.
The Browns built their house, later called “The Cedars”, before 1900. Sylvester’s father-in-law, John T.R. Freeman had his store just around the corner on Main Street and owned the land from there to what was later called Freeman Ridge so it is probable that he gave or sold the land to the Browns at about the time of their marriage.
Nell Thornton says that Sylvester Brown sold the property to Thomas Savage. Thomas was apparently a farmer or farm gardener.
The twice widowed Myra Ellen (Barrett) Lord Dresser purchased the house from Thomas and Nellie Savage on March 24, 1904. Nell Thornton’s account of the history of the house omitted Myra’s ownership. She may or may not have lived in the house.
Myra sold the house to her daughter and son-in-law, James H. and Lizzie Lord Scott on July 7, 1908.
James H. Scott was born to John J. and Rachel K. Scott in January 1872 in Ellsworth, Maine. James married Lizzie J. Lord (1869-1956), daughter of Seth R. and Myra Ellen (Barrett) Lord on December 31, 1900 in Ellsworth, Maine. The property at 7 Wesley Avenue was devised to Lizzie J. (Lord) Scott on September 28, 1921. 7 Wesley Avenue is called “The Cedars” on the Sanborn 1921 map. James H. Scott died in September 1929 and Lizzie, the manager of a “rooming house” in 1930, kept “The Cedars” for thirty-five years. It is reasonable to assume that Lizzie turned the house into a rooming house and named it “The Cedars” as everyone else before Lizzie had other professions.
“Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Toomey of Boston have rented furnished housekeeping apartments at The Cedars. Mr. Toomey is employed at the Seawall radio station. Mrs. Scott will continue to let the remainder of her rooms to transients as usual.” – The Bar Harbor Times, Wednesday, June 10, 1925.
“Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Harding and children of Gott's Island have taken housekeeping apartments in the garage building belonging to Mrs. James Scott of The Cedars.” – The Bar Harbor Times, Wednesday, June 17, 1925
“Mr. and Mrs. Walter M. Robinson have taken rooms at the Cedars for the remainder of the summer.” – The Bar Harbor Times, Wednesday, August 19, 1925
Lizzie Lord sold “The Cedars” to Richard G. and Barbara Wallace Robinson on July 10, 1956. Brendon Herbert Thurston was born on July 10, 1915 to Herbert W. and Gertrude E. (Kelley) Thurston in Tremont, Maine. Brendon married Effie Florence Murphy (1921-1988), daughter of Forest Emery and Lottie Frances (Conary) Murphy, on October 15, 1935 in Maine. Brendon Herbert Thurston died on October 31, 1980 in Seal Cove, Maine.
“The Cedars” was sold to Juanita Dorr Wilson on August 8, 1967.
Juanita Esther Dorr was born on July 19, 1929 to Sylvester Warren and Nellie Myra (Robinson) Dorr in Southwest Harbor, Maine. Juanita married Howard Edwin Wilson (1928-1966). “The Cedars” was devised to Juanita’s son, Michael E. Wilson on November 27, 1995. Juanita Esther (Dorr) Wilson died on December 18, 1997 in Southwest Harbor, Maine.
