(c) 2014 Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston

Josephine Dexter

1848 - 1937

Biography393 Commonwealth was designed by Little and Browne, architects, and built ca. 1899 for Josephine (Moore) Dexter, the widow of Chicago attorney Wirt Dexter. Their daughter, Katharine Moore Dexter, lived with her. While they were awaiting the completion of their home, they lived at Arthur Little’s home at 2 Raleigh (he and his wife, Jessie Maria (Whitman) Means Little, were living at their home in Swampscott). Josephine Dexter is shown as the owner of 393 Commonwealth on the 1908 and 1917 Bromley maps.

In about 1924, Josephine Dexter transferred 393 Commonwealth to Katharine McCormick, who was the assessed owner from 1925 and is shown as the owner on the 1928 and 1938 Bromley maps.

In the fall of 1926, Katharine McCormick purchased 407 Commonwealth and made it her home.

In 1929, Josephine Dexter purchased Prangins, an estate outside of Geneva, Switzerland, primarily for Katharine McCormick’s use.

Josephine Dexter continued to live at 393 Commonwealth until her death in November of 1937.
https://backbayhouses.org/393-commonwealth/

Josephine Anna Dexter (Moore)
Birthdate: 1848 (89)
Death: 1937 (89)
Immediate Family:
Wife of Wirt Dexter
Mother of Samuel Dexter and Katharine McCormick
https://www.geni.com/people/Josephine-Dexter/6000000044953933890

Person TypeIndividual

Last Updated8/7/24

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