Keep the Lights Burning Abbie Author:Peter & Connie Roop Abbie Burgess and her family moved to Matinicus Rock, off the coast of Maine, in 1853 when her father became lighthouse keeper there. On January 19, 1856, Captain Burgess went after desperately needed supplies for his family and oil for the lamps. He left Abbie in charge of the lights while he was gone. Soon after he sailed, a tremendous stor... more »m came up that lasted four weeks. During all that time, Abbie and her sisters took care of their sick mother, and Abbie kept the lights burning.
Abbie continued to take care of lighthouses for the rest of her life. Today, her grave is marked by a small lighthouse, a miniature copy of the lighthouse on Matinicus Rock.
Abbie's story is famous in the history of brave lighthouse keepers. KEEP THE LIGHTS BURNING, ABBIE is based on her own accounts of the storm and on information from other historical sources.