The Islands: Lighthouses: Simcoe Island Keepers

 

 

Simcoe Island Keepers

 

Copyright 2004 Pat McAvoy-Costin





Term

Name

Source

Additional Info

1860-1880

DUNLOP, John

County of a Thousand Lakes

John DUNLOP was born in Ireland and married to Jane. According to the British Whig, (Kingston), by Feb. 17, 1880 John DUNLOP, was a retired lighthouse keeper, from Simcoe Island. His pension was $133.08 for the past year.

John and Jane DUNLOP were the parents of nine children-according to Russ Waller. The children were C.C. born around 1830, John W. b 1832, Neil, b 1834, Jane b.1837, Mary b. 1839, Gertrude b. 1841, Albina b. 1843, Albert b 1845, Andrew b 1848.

Their son, Albert, followed in his father’s footsteps to become the next known keeper.

1880- 1890

DUNLOP, Albert

1881 Census

When his father John DUNLOP retired, his son Albert took over the keeper position. Albert married to Fanny SLUMAN, daughter of Arnold SLUMAN and Olive GEE or GHEE, on May 12, 1879 according to Trinity Anglican Church records on Wolfe Island.

On the 1881 census—courtesy the http://www.familysearch.org site, Albert is listed as being 35 and Fanny 27. They are listed as having one daughter, Jenny living with them—she was born in May of that year. Also living with them was Maud SHUMAN, 16—the name probably should be SLUMAN. This was most likely Fanny’s younger sister. Later records mention two additional daughters—Leah b. 1882 and Albina b. 1886.

By 1883—Albert DUNLOP was receiving a $400 per year salary according to the British Whig.

1890-1894

DUNLOP, Franklin

British Whig, June 2, 1890

By 1890, Albert DUNLOP was no longer lightkeeper—but another DUNLOP was—Franklin DUNLOP. He saw the Jessie Breck ship go down. Neither Russ Waller or The Islands Family Tree—(Chris Morrell etc.) have a record on Franklin so I do not know what his relationship to the previous DUNLOP keepers was.

1894--1937

VEECH, Stannes

Sentinels in the Stream—Lighthouses of the St. Lawrence River, Fischer & Bouchard, Simcoe Island—An Eves Perspective

Stannes VEECH was paid an annual salary of $800. He was required to hand crank the system of weights and cogs every several hours to ensure that the light would revolve continuously.

1937--1942

CLELAND, John

Simcoe Island—An Eves Perspective

George EVES was his helper.

1942-1943

EVES, George and ORR, Lewis

Simcoe Island—An Eves Perspective

 

1943--1973

ORR, Howard and ORR, Robert

Sentinels in the Stream, Simcoe Island—an Eves Perspective.

Howard was listed as a former lighthouse keeper at Simcoe Island. He purchased and dismantled the keeper’s house and boat house on Pigeon Island. I assume he was somehow related to the ORR family that was light keepers at the Snake Island Light for many years. His assistant was his brother Robert ORR. They worked together for thirty years and retired in 1973.

1973--1990

CORCORAN, Robert

Sentinels in the Stream—Lighthouses of the St. Lawrence River, Fischer & Bouchard, Simcoe Island and Eves Perspective.

Robert Corcoran transferred from another lighthouse to Nine Mile Point. He is listed as the last light keeper at Simcoe Island’s Nine Mile Point. He retired in 1990 when the lighthouse was automated.

 

 

New information from Simcoe Island, An Eves Perspective—by Sanford Sydney EVES—a reference book from the Wolfe Island Library.







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