{"id":1696,"date":"2020-03-11T11:03:55","date_gmt":"2020-03-11T15:03:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nelights.com\/blog\/?p=1696"},"modified":"2025-03-06T11:31:17","modified_gmt":"2025-03-06T16:31:17","slug":"connecticut-female-lighthouse-keeper-lived-to-95-father-lived-to-100","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nelights.com\/blog\/connecticut-female-lighthouse-keeper-lived-to-95-father-lived-to-100\/","title":{"rendered":"Connecticut Female Lighthouse Keeper Lived to 95, Father Lived to 100"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Black<\/a>

Black Rock Harbor lighthouse in Bridgeport, Connecticut<\/p><\/div>\n

Great Genes! Lighthouse Keeper Catherine Moore Lived to 95, Father Lived to 100, at Black Rock Harbor Lighthouse in Connecticut<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

It must be those genes!<\/p>\n

Black Rock Harbor lighthouse, also known as Black Rock Harbor Light, was built in 1808 and is sheltered by Fayerweather Island, making it ideal for marking the harbor entrance.<\/p>\n

After his death, Stephen Moore, who replaced the first keeper, John Maltbie, and his daughter Catherine (Kate), tended the lighthouse between 1817 and 1878 for over 70 years. Catherine (Kate) Moore took over the complete duties of the lighthouse when her father became disabled in 1819. Her father remained the official Keeper until 1871, while Catherine remained his assistant to tend the lighthouse until his death at 100. Yes, the lighthouse was tended by both father and daughter for over 70 years! A similar situation also happened with Rhode Island\u2019s lighthouse keeper, Ida Lewis, of Lime Rock Light<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Catherine Moore was appointed Keeper to secede from him when she was 66 and remained at the station for another seven years. During the 62 years she spent tending the light for her father and as keeper, Kate is credited with saving 21 lives at the lighthouse.<\/p>\n

Many survivors were brought to the lighthouse and provided food and shelter, but neither Kate nor her father were reimbursed for their expenses. As was the case for most keepers in those days, she and her father also had the daunting, emotional, and exhausting task of recovering the bodies of those who had perished in the wrecks.<\/p>\n

In addition to tending the lighthouse, Catherine cared for a flock of sheep, carved and sold duck decoys, and had a little oyster business. She had no problem flaunting a shotgun to those who might trespass on her oyster beds, claiming that, as a representative of the United States Government, the oyster beds were her property.<\/p>\n

She lived to be 95 years old and spent her remaining years living at a cottage across from the local yacht club, where she had a relaxing view of Fayerweather Island.<\/p>\n

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