Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1890-06-19
A Lighthouse Heroine.


A paragraph has been floating around iu
the newspapers to the effect that MRS.
Grant has had charge of the Matinicus light,
north of the Penobscot River, for twenty
eight years; at first as assistant, but was
given full charge in 1856" This is mis-
take. In an article on Marine Lights and
their Keepers" written by an ex-mayor OF
Rockland Me, for the Rookland Free
Press Of Jan. %. 1876, correct account is
given of Mrs. Grants remarkable career.
Matinicus Rock is small, rugged, and,
except In favorable weather, inaccessible.
In 1916 the old lighthouse with wooden
towers was replaced by two stone towers
eighty feet high and forty feet apart. and
the former dwelling was converted into an
clubhouse. In 1853 Samuel Burgess was
the keeper. His family consisted of an
invalid wife. four small daughters and a
son, who was much of the time away fish
ing in the Bay Chaleur and elsewhere.
The eldest daughter, Abbie f.. then
fourteen years of age, was his chief If not
his only assistant. She was expected to
care for the principal part of the domes-
tic affairs, and also TO aid in the light
house work. She modestly says: II took
great deal of pride in doing the light
house work. and tried TO do my duty" In
the occasional absence of Mr.. Burgess, the
whole care Of the lights devolved upon
Abbie. She soon became very skillful and
entirely equal to the task, as after events
proved.
On Jan. ~ 1856 when Abbie was sew
entecn, there came the memorable gale
which swept away the Minot's Ledge light
house. \ letter written By Abbie to a
friend soon after the storm thus describes
1t:
"DeGT - You have often expressed
a desire 20 view the ocean when angry.
Had yon oeen here on the 10Th of January.
| surmise YOU would have been fully salts
fed. Father was away. Early in the day,
a. the tide arose, the sea made a complete
breach over the rock, washing every NOV
able thing away, and Of the old dwelling
not one stone was left upon another, The
new dwelling was flooded, and the win
dowS had to he secured to prevent the vio-
lcucc OF the spray from breaking them in
As the tide came, the sea rose higher and
higher, till the only endurablc places were
the light towers. II they stood. We were
saved otherwise our fate was only
too certain. But for some reason. know
not why, had no mis- giviugS and went on
with my daily work as usual. For four
~ .i,, :, - - - -,
"e'N'' p"'"@ ~ i'uS" "'"tHe, no 'a""
ing could be effected on the rock During
this time, we were without the assistance
of any male member OF our family. Though
at times greatly exhausted with my laborS
not once did the light fail Under God, |
was able To perform all my accustomed
duties, as well a. my fathers.
You know the hens were our only com
panions. Becoming convinced, rs the
gale increased, that unless they were
brought into the house they would be lost,
| said to mother, i must try and save
them. She advised me not to attempt 1t.
The thought, however, Of parting with
them without an effort was not to be en-
dured ; so seiLing basket, | ran out a few
yards after the rollers had passed and the
sea had fell of a little, with the water knee
deep, to the coop, and rescued all but one
III WAS the work of moment and | was
back in the house with the door fastened
hut was none too quick for at that moment
nv little sister. standing at the window
exclaimed, 'Oh, look, look there the
worst sen Is coming That wave destroy
ed the old dwelling and swept the rock
cannot think YOU would enjoy remaining
here any length Of time. for the sea is
never still, and when agitatcd its roar
SHUTS out tN cry OtHtf sbuutl, even tlfDH IL
ing our voices
In the spring of 1851, Mr.. Burgess left
the rock to obtain his salary. aud to lay in
provisions and fuel He was prev vented by
the weather from returning, and his fam
lily ran short Of food. After waiting TIL
famine stared them in the face, tn" son
started IN = ittle skit equipped with u sail
lllaut ny 'Hc a'u Oh ms >'St'f' iot S"S'ui
4i' Nfh " a. ~ lNu- II was NtA hpA'Nl W.
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Mas seen NJ ihV't 'ot tMehIs one Jay
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