Keepers of the Baker Island Light:
William Gilley, 1828-1848
John Rich, 1848-1855?
Joseph Bunker, 1855-1856?
Rev. John Elisha Bunker, 1856-1860
Warren Bunker, 1860-1867?
Alden Jordan, 1867-1883
Roscoe G. Lopaus, 1883-1888
Howard P. Robbins, 1888-1902
George Conners, 1902-1915
Harold E. Moore (1918)
Vurney King, 1915-1930?
Joseph Muise, 1930-1932
Thomas Frank Faulkingham, 1932
Wayne Holcomb, 1944-1945
1950s:
Sanford W. Colson
Ernest Mathie
Howard B. Clement, c.1953-57?
Joseph & Annie Muise (1930-1932)
Joseph and Annie Muise, courtesy of the Muise family
|
Joseph Muise, courtesy Lighthouse Service
|
The service of Joseph and Annie (Seavey) Muise, while brief, was arguably the most dramatic of all Baker Island lightkeepers.
When they arrived in 1930, they had three children ages 8-10: Ronald, Willard, and Madeline; as well as an infant daughter Adele.
Joseph Muise's own story was notable: he was born in Nova Scotia. After the death of his mother, Rose, his sea captain father abandoned Joe, age 12, in Southwest Harbor with his little sister. He joined the Lighthouse Service at the suggestion of his wife's brother George Seavey, and the life suited his family well.
When they arrived in 1930, they had three children ages 8-10: Ronald, Willard, and Madeline; as well as an infant daughter Adele.
Joseph Muise's own story was notable: he was born in Nova Scotia. After the death of his mother, Rose, his sea captain father abandoned Joe, age 12, in Southwest Harbor with his little sister. He joined the Lighthouse Service at the suggestion of his wife's brother George Seavey, and the life suited his family well.
Ronald Muise, 1919-1932. Photo courtesy of the Muise family.
In August of 1932, the three older children were playing on a raft near the bar, when an accident occurred, resulting in Ronald's drowning. The Coast Guard crew came from Islesford, as well as doctors from Seal Harbor; but to no avail.
The Muise family was bereft and requested a transfer from Baker Island.
The Muise family was bereft and requested a transfer from Baker Island.
Joseph Muise's keeper's log entry from August 1932, heartbreakingly brief: "23. Cleaned brass. Son Ronald was drownt 6 30 pm. ...25. Went to SWHarbor to attend son furnal." [Image NARA]
The travails of the Muise family were not over, however.
In November, still awaiting transfer, Annie went into labor with the couple's fifth child. Literally a dark and stormy night, Joseph couldn't leave the light, and called the U.S. Lifesaving Service across the bar in Islesford. Annie was picked up by a crew bound for Southwest Harbor; but baby Prudence wouldn't wait and was delivered offshore into the wool peacoats of the surfmen!
The event was stoically recorded in Keeper Muise's log, but detailed dramatically in the Bar Harbor Times:
In November, still awaiting transfer, Annie went into labor with the couple's fifth child. Literally a dark and stormy night, Joseph couldn't leave the light, and called the U.S. Lifesaving Service across the bar in Islesford. Annie was picked up by a crew bound for Southwest Harbor; but baby Prudence wouldn't wait and was delivered offshore into the wool peacoats of the surfmen!
The event was stoically recorded in Keeper Muise's log, but detailed dramatically in the Bar Harbor Times:
Courtesy NARA
Bar Harbor Times, November 1932
It was an honor to meet two of the surviving Muise sisters, Ann and Adele, at a ceremony honoring their parents and brother Ronald at the Mt. Height Cemetery in Southwest Harbor in 2016.
After Prudy's birth, the Muise family was transferred from Baker Island. They happily served for many years at the Burnt Island Lighthouse in Boothbay Harbor, and actors portray the family in a "living history museum" experience there.
We are sorry that Baker Island was a place of sorrow for the Muise family and think of Ronald often.
After Prudy's birth, the Muise family was transferred from Baker Island. They happily served for many years at the Burnt Island Lighthouse in Boothbay Harbor, and actors portray the family in a "living history museum" experience there.
We are sorry that Baker Island was a place of sorrow for the Muise family and think of Ronald often.
Adele, Ann, and Prudence Muise, courtesy of the Muise family.