Rebecca Crouch
1825 – 1895
Rebecca Louisa Sherwood Crouch was born November 17, 1825 in Baltimore, Maryland. In 1840, she married John M. Crouch of Cecil County, MD. John Crouch is listed as the constable for the 5th District in Cecil County, Maryland in 1853.
From 1865 to 1873 Crouch was appointed Principal Lighthouse Keeper at Turkey Point Lighthouse. His beginning salary was $350 per year and his ending salary was $529 per year. The Crouches raised 3 children together at the lighthouse.
On July 3, 1873, John Crouch died while on duty. He was buried at Harts United Methodist Church Cemetery in Elk Neck, MD.
His wife Rebecca was named keeper. Her beginning salary was $520 per year. Her ending salary was $560 per year.
On February 10, 1875, Rebecca recorded in the daily log that a tug, Enterprise, “came here yesterday to send telegraph to Baltimore they have been frozen up off here since the 7th”. She later recorded on February 22 that “a tug frozen in the ice left for Baltimore today.”
In April of 1889, a machine operated fog bell is established at the station in a newly constructed bell tower. The next year, the keeper’s house was raised one story, adding an additional 4 rooms. A new front porch was also built.
Rebecca Crouch lived at Turkey Point Lighthouse a total of 30 years. She died on July 11, 1895 and was buried at Hart’s United Methodist Church along side her husband. Her daughter, Georgiana Brumfield, was appointed Keeper on July 28, 1895.
The following is an excerpt from her obituary: “For fifty-four years the force of her religious life and womanly character has been felt in that community. She was endowed with unusual intelligence, quick perceptions, and excellent judgement. She was a great reader, an excellent conversationalist, and a constant student of the Bible.”
