Light keepers were a rare breed. It was a noble profession. Both men and women keepers ensured the light burned at night, rescued shipwreck sailors while keeping the lighthouse in tip top shape. Many were commended for their heroics. They endured hardships but continue to serve. Lighthouse families were proud of their tradition of sacrificial service.
Anne Dudley was the first female light keeper at St. Marks Lighthouse in Florida. She began serving in 1850. She and the lighthouse withstood a hurricane in 1851. Dudley continued to serve until 1854. Charles Fine served as light keeper 1892 until his death in 1902, he was followed by his wife, Sarah, who served 1904-1919. Their youngest daughter married Light John Gresham who became a lighthouse keeper. He served until 31 years. His son joined the Coast Guard in 1957 and served at the lighthouse until it was automated in 1960.
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Even the smallest light shines bright in darkness-Donna Raye
Small acts of kindness are making a difference during the pandemic. In 2020 90% of people surveyed by Survey Monkey supported others by texting, calling, sending a care package or running errands. In 2020 there was also a surge in three major areas of kindness: donations, volunteerism and helping strangers.” It is evidence that people respond to those in need, creating in the process, more happiness” for others and themselves. Many people are not just opening their hearts but also their wallets. Americans broke records all for Giving Tuesday in 2021 with a 9% increase. Surprisingly people with lower incomes give more per capita to charity than those in the upper income brackets. Until recently the “small” work of assistant female light keepers was unnoticed. Yet these women joined ranks with their husbands and served valiantly alongside them. The Lighthouse Service benefited from the service of wives who were assistant keepers because they did not require the expense of additional housing. The early 1870s could be considered a time when assistant female light keepers let their light shine in darkness at Tybee Island Lighthouse. There were three female light keepers who served at the lighthouse. Despite facing a hurricane in 1871 that damaged the lighthouse light keeper, Frances O. Sickel continued to serve. She served as Assistant Light Keeper 1870-1873. Second Assistant Light Keepers: Mrs. M.L. Cohen 1869-1870, Emma Manchester 1870. St. Augustine Lighthouse had two female light keepers.
Both women had a measure of sorrow and circumstances that thrust them into becoming light keepers. Harn served as the 2nd Assistant light keeper for six months in 1889 after the death of her husband. Maria Andreu’s husband fell while painting the exterior of the lighthouse. Maria Andreu served as Head Light Keeper 1859-62. She was the first Hispanic American female to serve in the Coast Guard and command a federal shore installation. I just heard on NPR that 70 percent of healthcare workers are suffering from stress. Many are dealing with PTSD because of the pandemic. The pandemic has strained the healthcare industry and its workforce. Nurses are bearing the brunt of the crisis. While there is an 800 number for doctors dealing with stress there’s not one for nurses. Sixty nine percent of doctors are men. Eighty nine percent of registered nurses are women.
Women in the healthcare industry are working to develop an 800 number for nurses called Don’t Check Out. There’s been an escalation of nurse suicides. Women have traditionally faced unfair treatment. Many misperceptions continue to persist about the role of women in society. I must admit that I overlooked women light keepers. I had visited lighthouses for over 4 years before discovering that there were female light keepers. I had climbed St. Augustine Lighthouse more than four times but never stopped to look at the placard of Kate Harn inside the lighthouse. St. Augustine had two female light keepers. Where’s my refund? It’s a common refrain during tax season. Refunds are processed pretty seamlessly considering the volume. Yet when most people think of employees in the federal government, they think only of bureaucrats, not the people who process refunds. The IRS employees processed over 240 million returns in FY 2020.
The pandemic stimulus payments, free Covid tests, etc. were processed by the amazing federal workforce. A federal employee developed the first Covid vaccine. The life of a public servant is often one of self sacrifice and forgetting one's personal troubles—-like the death of a loved one during Covid. We have short memories. Most people also fail to recognize that the federal government has often led the way in parity in pay. In 1776, George Washington raised the salary of keepers from $120 to $333.33. Alexander Hamilton, his Secretary of Treasury pushed for the Lighthouse Act to federalize lighthouses. Washington’s government shouldered its first major public works bill, a lighthouse on Portland Head. It was completed in 1791. Although women could not vote and were treated unfairly in most positions, the United States Lighthouse Board in the 1800s treated women differently. Women received equal pay and supervised men in lower positions. Many men and women served as light keepers. The Strout family of Portland Head Lighthouse created a dynasty of light keepers. Joshua Strout, Head Light Keeper, 1869-1904, Mary E. Strout, Assistant Light Keeper, 1869-1877, Joseph Strout served as Assistant Light Keeper 1877-1904 before becoming head light keeper, 1904-1928 elainemarieartist.com Irs.gov As people return to the office after working from home many are facing anxiety and stress. To ease the transition back to the office many companies are giving their employees the option of hybrid work. Flexibility is great but will employers be prepared for the mental health challenges returning employees may face? There's been a 25% increase in stress since the pandemic began.
Several years ago, I worked in a stressful industry where people called out sick every Monday. We called it “Sick Leave Mondays” because of the volume of calls. Little was done by management to resolve the root cause. However, fellow employees doubled down and did the lion’s share of work without compensation or notice. Enslaved Black people often fulfilled the duties of a light keeper without pay or recognition. They filled in when the light keeper was absent or sick. An elderly Black woman kept St. Simons Lighthouse, when the lighthouse keeper was sick. who.int nytimes.com elainemarieartist.com The Gay Head Cliffs in the town of Aquinnah on Martha's Vineyard are so spectacular that they make it to the bucket list. The popularity of the colorful cliffs and the Gay Head Lighthouse is nothing new. One light keeper, according to a newspaper article, retired on disability due to "visitor-itis!"
Tourists probably weren’t a concern during the service of Gay Head's assistant female light keeper, Lydia Adams. There were no roads for easy access to the lighthouse during her term, 1869-71. She had other priorities. Lydia Adams was responsible for the Gay Head Lighthouse in the absence of the Head Light Keeper, Horacio Pease. Adams also shared the workload. Keepers ensured that Lights were punctually lit at sunset and kept burning until sunrise. The lens and lantern were cleaned daily. A watch book was kept when there was more than one keeper. The events of the day were recorded. Rescuing distressed vessels was also a part of the job. The Gay Head Lighthouse was built in 1799 to warn mariners about the treacherous, submerged obstructions called the “Devil’s Bridge.” Uslhs.org Family life can make or break a career. Tight knit families can be a source of comfort.
Light keepers often lived in isolation. This often brought families closer together because they depended on each other. Wives, daughters and sons sometimes fulfilled the duties of a light keeper without pay. The Lighthouse Board built lighthouses to accommodate families. New Dorp Lighthouse, Staten Island was a family station. Surrounded by a Moravian Cemetery and a daunting forest, New Dorp light keepers faced challenges getting to the lighthouse. The government’s right of way was a tiny path through the trees. The government had to cede land to the owners of the cemetery to gain access to their roadway. Despite the precarious and treacherous surroundings, New Dorp Lighthouse was bustling with family activities. It was a cozy, small family station located two miles from the shore. The tiny four room dwelling was topped by a six foot square tower that was sixty feet above ground. Access to the lighthouse tower was inside the home so there was no apparent: break between work and family life. Like most families, light keepers had their share of sorrow. John Langston who served as light keeper 1877-1901. Lost his 16 year old daughter Margaret who died suddenly in February 1896. After his death his wife, Annie C Langston, served as light keeper, 1901-1902. Female light keeper Mary Coons served briefly in 1908 after the death of her husband. Every profession has its idle workers. Light keeping was no different. But it was unpaid family workers who stepped up. Most served faithfully without recognition.
In 1849, Light Keeper Silas Bedell had little regard for Princes Bay Lighthouse or his daughter. He often left his daughter in charge while pursuing other interests. He was a former stagecoach driver who had no experience, instructions and apparently no regard for lighthouses. William Davis, was a startling contrast. He was the longest serving light keeper at Princes Bay Lighthouse (1886-1917). He credited his loving wife for having the “best kept” lighthouse in the area. When an inspector said that Mrs. Davis at 72 years should be in bed, Mr. David replied “you can’t keep the woman from cleaning, you might as well try to keep birds from flying into the lens.” To which she replied, “I’m not going to have Mr. Davis keep the tower cleaner than I keep my house.” Their love and dedication was duly noted by the inspector. Family members like Bidell’s daughter, Mrs. Davis and Harriet Reill contributed to the successful performance of lighthouses. Reill served as the only official female light keeper at Princes Bay Lighthouse, 1848-1849. She became a light keeper after Henry Reill. Lighthouse friends.com The Gay Head Cliffs in the town of Aquinnah on Martha's Vineyard are so spectacular that they make it to the bucket list. The popularity of the colorful cliffs and the Gay Head Lighthouse is nothing new. One light keeper, according to a newspaper article, retired on disability due to "visitor-itis!"
Tourists probably weren’t a concern during the service of Gay Head's assistant female light keeper, Lydia Adams. There were no roads for easy access to the lighthouse during her term, 1869-71. She had other priorities. Lydia Adams was responsible for the Gay Head Lighthouse in the absence of the Head Light Keeper, Horacio Pease. Adams also shared the workload. Keepers ensured that Lights were punctually lit at sunset and kept burning until sunrise. The lens and lantern were cleaned daily. A watch book was kept when there was more than one keeper. The events of the day were recorded. Rescuing distressed vessels was also a part of the job. The Gay Head Lighthouse was built in 1799 to warn mariners about the treacherous, submerged obstructions called “Devil’s Bridge.” Uslhs.org |
AuthorWhen I am not traveling to or painting lighthouses, I am writing or researching lighthouses. Archives
December 2022
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