Ellen Kemble (Bartol) Brazier was born in New York City in 1844, the eldest of four children of Barnabas and Emma Bartol. Her father had many business interests in sugar refining and the family was able to travel the world from his wealth and success. The family spent most of their time in Philadelphia, but like many of the city’s wealthy residents, they often summered elsewhere. Ellen Bartol married Joseph Harrison Brazier in 1866 and they had two children. When her father Barnabas died, Ellen inherited some of his remaining fortune and as a part of high society, she had a summer cottage in Kennebunkport built. Working with Maine architect John Calvin Stevens, she oversaw the designs of Juniper Ledge, this gorgeous, eclectic shingled residence in the Cape Arundel summer colony. Ellen would summer at the cottage until her death in 1925, but before she died, she joined her daughter in the 1910s and 1920s at Women’s Suffrage events and fundraisers, helping to pass the 19th Amendment, allowing women the right to vote in the United States. Ellen is buried in the West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia next to her husband, not far from her parents.
Buildings of New England 
The Bartol family had a big place on Checkley Point at Prouts Neck. I think it’s still there. Interestingly, there was a cottage about 500 yards east of the Bartol cottage that was owned by the late Mary Bolton. It was called ‘Juniper Ledge’ and has been demolished.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I still need to explore Prouts Neck sometime!! I’ll have to find historic images of the other Juniper Ledge!
LikeLike
Great article. I know that my mother-in-law was the last of the lineage to own the property. Ann Clyde Stevens. My wife and I visited a few times, while living in NH. If I recall correctly, the owner was a banker from Canada.
Thanks for the memories
Donald Fones.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! I am glad people are reading all these and finding connections to buildings of the past!
LikeLike