Matinicus Rock Lighthouse

A 34 acre island located 22 miles offshore of Rockland, ME

History of the Light Station

• In 1826, the U.S. Government purchased Matinicus Rock for $20.

• The next year, a stone house and two wooden lighthouses were built for $3,700.

• Each lighthouse was outfitted with seven parabolic reflector lamps that used whale oil for fuel.

• President John Quincy Adams appointed John Shaw as the first keeper at an annual salary of $450.

New BuildingsIn 1846, a new house and two attached lighthouses were built using the island’s granite.

Lighthouse Heroine

• Abbie Burgess moved to Matinicus Rock in 1853 at the age of 14 when her father Samuel was appointed keeper.

• Abbie was one of 10 children.

• Her mother was in poor health so Abbie assumed most of the household duties.

• Abbie also learned how to maintain the two lighthouses when her father was off the island.

Harper’s Young People – May 2, 1882

The Keeper’s Duties

• Maintained two lighthouses every night from sunset to sunrise.

• Maintained a fog signal in the form of a bell.

• Maintained the station’s buildings: towers, keeper’s dwelling, and boathouse.

• Kept accurate records: oil burned, hours of fog signal operation, vessels passing, rescue accounts, visitors, and inventory of the government’s property.

The Storm of January 19, 1856

In a letter to a friend, Abbie Burgess described the terrifying and exhausting ordeal of weathering the storm in her father’s absence.

You have often expressed a desire to view the sea out upon the ocean when it was angry. Had you been here on the 19 January, I surmise you would have been satisfied. Father was away. Early in the day, as the tide rose, the sea made a complete breach over the rock, washing every movable thing away, and of the old dwelling not one stone was left upon another of the foundation.

The new dwelling was flooded and the windows [shutters] had to be secured to prevent the violence of the spray from breaking them in. As the tide came, the sea rose higher and higher, till the only endurable places were the light-towers. If they stood we were saved, otherwise our fate was only too certain.

But for some reason, I know not why, I had no misgivings and went on with my work as usual. For four weeks, owing to rough weather, no landing could be effected on the Rock. During this time we were without assistance of any male member of our family. Though at times greatly exhausted by my labors, not once did the lights fail. Under God I was able to perform all my accustomed duties as well as my father’s

You know the hens were our only companions. Becoming convinced, as the gale increased, that unless they were brought into the house they would be lost, I said to mother: “I must try to save them.” She advised me not to attempt it. The thought, however, of parting with them without an effort was not to be endured, so seizing a basket, I ran out a few yards after the rollers had passed and the sea fell off a little, with the water knee deep, to the coop, and rescued all but one. It was the work of a moment, and I was back in the house with the door fastened, but none too quick, for at that instant my little sister, standing at a window, exclaimed, “Oh, look! look there! the worst sea is coming!”

That wave destroyed the old dwelling and swept the Rock. I cannot think you would enjoy remaining here any great length of time for the sea is never still and when agitated, it roars, shuts out every other sound, even drowning our voices.

Abbie rescues the chickens.

Captain John GrantReplaces Keeper Burgess

• In 1861, John Grant was appointed Keeper of the Matinicus Rock Station by President Lincoln.

• Abbie Burgess (age 22) stayed on the island to teach the Grants how to operate the lighthouses.

• Abbie fell in love with Issac, the keeper’s son, and they married that year.

Mr. & Mrs. Isaac Grant

• In 1870, Issac Grant replaced his father as the lighthouse keeper.

• Abbie became her husband’s Assistant Keeper.• Issac and Abby had four children (Francis,

Melvina, Mary Louise, and Harris) while living on Matinicus Rock:

Whitehead Light Station

• In 1875, Issac & Abbie Grant were transferred to the Whitehead Lighthouse, on another Maine island.

• Abbie was appointed as Assistant Keeper • Issac was awarded a

Life saving medal

for rescuing a man.

Baby Bessie DiesIssac’s brother remained on Matinicus Rock as the lighthouse keeper. His two year old daughter Bessie died on the island in 1879. They couldn’t bring her to the mainland for burial, so they placed her in a crevice and walled up the opening with brick.

Abbie’s Final Wish

Sometimes I think the time is not far distant when I shall climb these lighthouse stairs no more. It has almost seemed to me that the light was a part of myself.

I wonder if the care of the lighthouse will follow my soul after it has left this worn-out body! If I ever have a gravestone, I would like it to be in the form of a lighthouse or beacon.

Abbie died June 16, 1892 at 53 years of age.

Abbie is buried at the Forest Hill Cemetery in Spruce Head, ME. A lighthouse statue marks her grave.

Matinicus Rock – 1857

Tall, granite towers replaced the ones that were attached to Abbie’s house. Three families lived at the station and covered walkways connected the houses.

Present Day

The stone base of Abbie’s old house still remains but the original towers at both ends have been capped off.

Matinicus Rock Light Station

In 1883, one lighthouse was discontinued and the tower capped off.

Automated Light Station

In 1983, the last lighthouse keeper left the rock when a fog detector and a daylight sensor was installed.

U.S. Coast Guard Helicopter

The Coast Guard flies into Matinicus Rock every few months to service the lighthouse. The wooden platform was built as a landing site.

Today, the Audubon Society’s scientists live in the house during the spring and summer months in order to observe the seabirds that nest on the island.

Present - Day Use