Page "Martha's Vineyard" Paragraph 13

Mayhew's successor as leader of the community was the Hon.

Leavitt Thaxter, who married Martha Mayhew, a descendant of Thomas Mayhew, and was an Edgartown educator described by Indian Commissioner John Milton Earle as " a long and steadfast friend to the Indians.

" After living in Northampton, Thaxter, a lawyer, returned home to Edgartown, where he took over the school founded by his father, Rev.

Joseph Thaxter, and served in the State House and the Senate, was a member of the Massachusetts Governor's Council and later served as U. S. Customs Collector for Martha's Vineyard.

Having rechristened his father's Edgartown school Thaxter Academy, Hon.

Leavitt Thaxter was granted on Feb. 15, 1845, the sum of $ 50-per-year for " the support of William Johnson, an Indian of the Chappequiddic tribe.

" By this time, Leavitt Thaxter had taken on the role, described in an act passed by the General Court of Massachusetts, as " guardian of the Indians and people of color resident at Chappequiddic and Indiantown in the County of Dukes County.

" Thaxter Academy, founded by Leavitt Thaxter as first principal in 1825, became known for educating both white and Native American youth.