Although most lighthouse keepers were men, two women served at Cape Lookout. Second Assistant Keeper Charlotte Ann Mason Moore was appointed on August 21, 1872, and served until 1875. At the time, Charlotte Ann's father, Manaeu Mason, was the principal keeper, and B.P. Davis was the First Assistant. In 1876 Emily Julia Mason became Principal Keeper. She served until 1878.
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| View from the top of Cape Lookout Lighthouse |
I don't know anything more about Charlotte and Emily Mason, though their responsibilities were identical to other keepers. Maybe our readers can direct us to sources of more information.
Click here to learn more about the duties of a lighthouse keeper: http://villagecraftsmen.blogspot.com/2012/09/more-about-lighthouse-keepers.html.
This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is a tribute to a wonderful man who did much for Ocracoke Island, Marvin Wyche Howard (1897-1969). You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news052113.htm.
well if one googles US history 1872 one will be shocked to read the US had an Epizootic the nation's horses were dying off thus a power shortage --no horses to pull wagons and garbage piled up etc etc. A time of a national crisis may have played into a woman selected?? I would think the deacade following the end of the War between the States would have been a time of healing or was it "reconstruction" D.Downer
ReplyDeleteI know this is a long shot, but any chance these ladies were kin to Charlie Mason that lives there on Ocracoke? Is Mason a common name on the OBX?
ReplyDeleteMason is a common coastal NC name. "Corky" Mason, who married an Ocracoke gal was from "across the sound." His sons, Charles & Rodney, live on the island. I don't know if or how they might be related to Charlotte & Emily.
DeleteManaen "Manny" Mason was my 3rd great grandfather and, therefore, Charlotte and Emily were my 2nd great grand aunts. I have researched this family and I haven't found a relation to Charles Mason. However, I have not been able to discern the parents of Manny.
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