Red House, unrestored 1973

Here is an old photograph of the Red House at the time the Maguire family purchased the property, in 1973. Work had yet to commence. Much is hidden behind old apple trees, which still stand to this day.

 Swan's Island resident and current property owner, Ann Marie Maguire states the original owners had a large apple orchard. "I remember an old apple tree that had "walked" down the hill behind the house," she said. "It would grow old, die and fall over, and then a branch would grow roots from contact with the ground, and the cycle would resume. "You could trace it happening 3 or 4 times, and this may give some idea of the age of the orchard.  It may go back to the late 1700's."

Tearing off the old porch

Denis Maguire hard at work

Work on this old house has continued since the early 1970s. This front porch, not part of the original structure, was taken down. (photo courtesy Ann Marie Maguire)

Restoration

Restoration of the original house has been ongoing since the early 1970s. The Maguire family bought the house in 1973. (photo courtesy Ann Marie Maguire)

Martin Potter

Martin Potter: 

Here is an intriguing person. Martin Potter farmed the land, but was also a photographer and printer with his own printing press (which was sold at auction). The Potter family owned the farm for about 100 years until Martin died and the property sold to pay for taxes. According to the current owner of the property, he was a tall man and known for his strength. He never married and died intestate. (photo courtesy Ann Marie Maguire)

Red House, pre-1949

Here is an old photograph of the farmstead before electricity came to Heath Road, pre-1949. The barn, almost falling down on it's own, was taken down in the 1970s. Modifications to the property came in over the years. It is believed there were a number of outbuildings on the property, in addition to the barn and attached shed, including a possible spring house for cold storage of food. Family members who lived here in years' past raised sheep on both sides of Heath Road, as well as chickens. (photo courtesy Ann Marie Maguire of Swan's Island)

old roads, relics of a different time

In the woods beyond the field behind the red house are traces of old roads. Remains of house foundations, rock walls and a couple of very old car chassis offer indications of life here long ago. The web of these roads, now well over-grown paths, show that Whitefield's history extends well beyond its woods, its pastures, the rippling ponds and brooks.