Matinicus Rock Lighthouse

In the spring of 1853, Samuel Burgess was appointed keeper of Matinicus Rock Light Station. His family included an invalid wife, a son and four daughters. Within a few years the son left to become a fisherman and, in fact, Samuel also spent a great deal of time away from the light station fishing in Bay Chaleur. His only assistant was the eldest daughter, Abbie. She became quite proficient in the duties of lighthouse keeper. On January 19, 1856, when she was 17 years old and while her father was off the island, a winter gale lashed the islet.

The year is 1826, the new country is just fifty years old. The nation's coastline bustles with commerce. The young government, responding to the needs of industry, attempts to make the shipping lanes as safe as possible and acquires title to a lonely rock in the Atlantic off Maine's coast. Matinicus Rock is a barren outcropping off the coast of Maine. It is the southernmost feature of the Matinicus archipelago of five islands (four are partially wooded) and numerous high barren rocks.