Stratford Point Lighthouse

Abel Beach, in 1767, built the first house and barn on Stratford Point. It stood about twenty rods west of the lighthouse. His own residence was in the village across the street from the site of the first meeting house at Sandy Hollow. He was a prominent man in business and enterprise. Legrand Cannon, a merchant from New York City, bought the house and estate of Abel Beach at Stratford Point, about 1768 and Mr. Beach’s homestead in the village east of Sandy Hollow opposite the site of the first meeting house. This house was built by Nathan Beach, father of Abel, in 1722, who left it to his son Abel. Mr. Cannon bought also a brig of Abel Beach, which he run to the West Indies. Edward DeForest married a daughter of Legrand Cannon and to this daughter the father gave the house and land at the point. Mr. DeForest lived there several years until he killed his wife’s servant woman by stabbing her with a pitchfork, which created much talk, but nothing was done about it. The first lighthouse at Stratford Point was built in 1822. It was 28 feet high to the base of the lantern. The adjacent structure was the bell tower, installed in 1865 which took 20 minutes to wind and ran half an hour. Replaced in 1881 with the current structure.

1872 Lordship lighthouse.	1876 Lighthouse Point.	With bell tower in the 1800's	Crabbing at Point 1890's	1894 Lighthouse	1800's Lighthouse	Original Lighthouse with bell tower
Lighthouse after 1913	Lighthouse charcoal drawing	1902 Lighthouse charcoal drawing	1949 A Beacon at Night	Lighthouse after 1911 with foghorn	Early Lighthouse Point	Early Lighthouse
Stratford Point Light	Lighthouse Point postcard	Lordship lighthouse with carriages	Old lighthouse	1920s Lighthouse & Remington Gun Club	Lighthouse color postcard	Lordship Lighthouse Point
Lordship lighthouse postcard.	1955 Lighthouse Point.	1966 Lighthouse.	1978 Coast Guard Lighthouse	Lighthouse1947	Lighthouse Christmas card	Lighthouse without turrett
Lordship lighthouse crane

All photos courtesy of the Stratford Historical Society

Stratford Point Lighthouse Keepers and Stories - The light must never go out.

March 19, 1879 - John L. Brush, keeper of the Stratford light, has resigned and his resignation has been accepted by the proper officers. The cause is not stated, but perhaps the life was too exciting, dangerously accelerating the action of the heart. We say—perhaps! Light housekeeping is not generally perilous.

AUGUST 8 1888 - Keeper Judson, of the Stratford lighthouse, has a cocker spaniel dog that has become an expert fish catcher. He took up the sport of his own notion, and pursues it regularly and enthusiastically. The other day he carried to his master a two-pound-and-a-half eel.

JULY 18. 1897 - AGNES JUDSON, HEROINE How a Brave Connecticut Girl Rescued Two Drowning Men: Miss Agnes Judson of Bridgeport. Conn., a shy, modest girl in her teens, last week performed a deed of heroism worthy of Grace Darling. Miss Judson Is the daughter of the keeper of Stratford Point light-house. A few afternoons ago Herman Chase and Edward Howe of Bridgeport went in a small boat fishing off Stratford light. Around off the shore, while the tide was slack, they had excellent luck, but when the tide turned and begun running fast they attempted to pull up the anchor. In so doing they upset the boat and both were thrown into the rushing water. Chase could swim a little, but the other man could not at all. Chase managed to hold up his companion, however, but with this burden could not reach the upturned boat. He called loudly for help, but the scene of the accident was too far off to attract the attention of any one on the shore. Miss Judson was at that time in the lantern of the lighthouse, and she spied in the distance the two men struggling for their lives. Down the spiral stairs the young girl rushed, and as she reached the open door she seized the rope of the alarm bell and rang it violently a few times: then ran on the water's edge. On her way she seized a piece of rope, and with it plunged into the fast tide and swam bravely out. She had nearly reached the half drowned men when her father and brother came running down the beach, having heard the alarm bell, while they were at work in an adjoining field. They also plunged into the water to rescue a daughter and a sister. In case the men should in their terror, seize her. Miss Judson upon reaching the men threw the rope to them and aided Chase in supporting his half-unconscious companion. The father and brother swam to the boat, righted it and then reaching the others, soon had them safely aboard. Though half dead from fright and their wetting, the two men were soon none the worse for their accident, and after having dried their clothing, returned in their boat to Bridgeport. Miss Judson absolutely refused to receive from them any gift or recognition of her deed of heroism, seeming to be well satisfied with their profuse thanks.

JUNE 20, 1911 - NOTE IN FLOATING CAN TELLS OF SEA DISASTER: A little tin can sealed at both ends floated ashore at the Stratford lighthouse the other day and was picked up by Theodore Judson, keeper of the light. On being opened the can was found to contain a scrap of old paper bag on which was written the following: "Ship Mary S. Crayne, London to River Platte, wrecked off Hatteras, February 2d, 1901. Have been on raft ten days. Last bit ate and drank. Please tell mother. James P. O'Reilly. No. 22 St. Catherine Street, Montreal, Canada."

JULY 22, 1916 - Large Submarine Off Atlantic Coast: Theodore Judson, keeper of the Stratford light house, reports sighting at 9.45 a. m. today a large submarine bound east in Long Sound. The vessel was larger than the United States navy submarines, he says. He immediately notified this city, thinking the German submarine Bremen had arrived, but investigation showed that the vessel was a Lake submarine which had left earlier in the day. Commander R. H. M Robinson, general manager of the Lake Torpedo Boat company, says that the G-3, a United States submarine which came, to the Lake ship yards for repairs, left for New London.

JANUARY 9, 1918 - Stratford Keeper of Light Says Ice Worst Ever: Captain Theodore Judson, keeper of the Stratford Light says last week's storm was the worst in his many experiences at Stratford Point. There was more ice than he had ever seen and if the cold weather had continued a little longer the Sound, in his opinion, would have been frozen from shore to shore. Captain Judson has been in charge of the Stratford Light for over 20 years and in that time has seen many varieties of weather. When it is possible the genial captain comes up to the center afternoons and tells stories of the many strange happenings that have occurred near the lighthouse.

FEBRUARY 9, 1919 - VETERAN LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER RETIRED AFTER 40 YEARS OF WORK RECALLS CANDLE BEAMS: Captain Theodore Judson Says Candle’s Flickering Flame Served to Guide Mariners Away from Stratford Rocks When He Took Charge of Lighthouse – Recalls Interesting Experiences and Boat Wrecks on Stratford Reef – Will Devote Time to Farming. Bronzed and weather beaten by 40 years service as keeper of the Stratford lighthouse in which he saw the evolution from tallow candle power to the present kerosene lighting equipment, Theodore “Thede” Judson has just been retired and pensioned from the service. He is restless with inactivity now and as the memory of those long years which composed his life work come thronging back, there is a tinge of regret that the silver threads among the gold will no longer permit his active service in this capacity. A typical character for Joseph Lincoln, this grizzled sea dog and a most familiar figure in the old town, the picture of health which he presents belies his years. In the spring of 1880 he took the post on the isolated stretch of land known as Stratford Point. He had previously tried his hand at the painting and plumbing business, this aiding him greatly in the discharge of his duties, but for the most part he had been a follower of the sea. It was here that the four Judson children were reared and here they received the bulk of their education for a cow path was the only means by which the spot could be reached. When possible the children were carried five miles to the school at Stratford center in an old four seated carriage but in the cold winter months between Thanksgiving and April, the road was impassable and Mrs. Judson a school teacher in her younger days, drilled them in their lessons proudly asserting that on their return to school in the spring, they were far ahead of their classes. Mr. Judson humorously referring to the method of transportation states that the town owes him money as it is required to provide means for the children to go to and from school. It is a confirmed fact Mr. Judson states proudly that the Stratford light though not as powerful as many, can be seen farther than any other light on the Sound and that westbound boats pick up its beam even before that of the New Haven light while eastbound vessels see the beacon long before they record the Middleground light. When asked if he had any unusual experiences or adventures with fish, he gave a roaring laugh and without a moment’s hesitation narrated the following tale which he claims to be the truth. It seems that his son was accustomed to take fishing parties out in a small launch as the mouth of the Housatonic River abounds in mackerel, bass, blues and other species. On this occasion he was accompanied by two gentlemen who had been trolling without success for several hours; they were about to return when there was a fearful tug at the end of the lines which catching them unawares snapped the string and the large fish made off with about 75 feet of the line in tow. Encouraged by this the men stayed out for more than an hour longer and with a final troll approached the landing in shallow water. Again a tug was felt on one of the lines. The bottom could now be seen and it was noted that there was nothing on the hook. The tugging continued however and upon hauling in the line it has found to be entangled in another line, one end of which was wrapped securely around a large rock and on the other end was a big bass weighing more that five pounds. It was found to be the same fish which had escaped them earlier in the afternoon and in swimming around had caught the string on the rock which held it until the arrival of the fishermen. Despite the vigilance with which the light was tended storms and other perverse conditions caused a number of boats to be wrecked at this point which is one of the worst spots along the Sound. Among the wrecks within recall of the veteran keeper were those of the John Beatty, Ida Mathis and Jane. Several fishing smacks and yachts have been driven to pieces on the breakwater in the entrance opposite during a gale; four barges of the James McWilliams Line were swamped off the point. A schooner loaded with lumber was also beached on the shore. As a sideline, Mr. Judson took to breeding spaniels with which he claims to have fully supplied the Navy with mascots. He states that pets raised by him are now around the homes of Admirals “Fighting Bob” Evans, Snow, Rogers and McKenzie. Tracing the improvements made during his service he tells of the tallow candles which first gave power to the light, these later giving place to the improved lamps burning sperm oil. These in turn were relieved by lamps operated by lard oil, the final improvement providing kerosene. Until 1911 a bell was used to warn the passing ships of the dangerous shoals. Then sirens were added which now in foggy weather give howling blasts heard for many miles. Sharks have never been a real source of trouble in this section according to Mr. Judson who says they are not of the man-eating variety and only playful. He tells of wading around in shallow water after clams or eel pots while a five foot baby would be cavorting a short distance away and never thinking it cause for danger. A 300 pound sand shark was caught several seasons ago off this point but he believes their appearance is rare. Included in the list of visitors of note to the lighthouse in his day, were Admiral Winfield Schley famous in connection with his exploits during the Spanish-American War and as an artic explorer featuring in the rescue of Greeley, Mrs. Jessie Fremont wife of a presidential nominee, Admiral Jesse Roper, J.M. Blitts and E.W. Chadwick. When he first took the office it was under the direct supervision of the Army and Navy council who furnished inspectors but was later changed to the auspices of the Department of Labor. Mr. Judson speaks of the present injustice of the pension system. The pension provided for is three quarters of the average salary for the last five years of service. A short time ago lighthouse keepers throughout the country were granted a wage increase which would nearly have doubled his salary but he worked under this order so short a time that it mattered little in his pension award. From the point of his extended service he believes that consideration should be taken of this change. Mr. Judson has now moved up into Stratford Center and occupies the old Thompson homestead on East Broadway. He owns an extensive piece of property in the Lordship section where hi will spend the remainder of his summers in agricultural pursuits.

MARCH 27, 1919 - "THEDE" JUDSON QUITS STRATFORD LIGHT POST - Keeper There 39 Years, Captain Decides It's Time for Him To Get "Good Rest": Captain Theodore Judson, who has kept the Stratford Light for 39 years and has never taken a vacation, is to leave that service April 1, and devote the remainder of his days to getting a good rest. Captain Judson was born in Stratford, fished in the waters of the Sound and Housatonic River when a boy, learned the trade of plumber, and in 1880 was appointed keeper of the light. He had followed the seas to some extent before becoming a plumber. For about 30 years Captain Judson maintained the light without an assistant except what he received from his wife, a son, and his two daughters. About nine years ago, however, he was allowed an assistant. William Petzolt, who will succeed to the care of the light, comes from Stamford, and for a number of years had charge of the Governor's Island light in New York harbor.

JUNE 30, 1923 - HUNTING FOR BILL KIDD'S TREASURE: Connecticut has been the magnet for those hopeful souls who have tried to locate the treasure buried by the nefarious pirate, Captain Kidd. One of the most amusing attempts was made at Stratford Point in the middle 1850’s. It is all told, most humorously by "Thede" Judson, the former keeper of the Stratford Point lighthouse.

JUNE 10, 1925 - HEAVY FOG HANGS OVER LORDSHIP HORN IS ACTIVE: Lightkeeper Pitzolt Keeps Double Vigil during Assistant's Absence. After experiencing nearly as many varieties of weather and temperature in a fortnight as the proverbial "57" ranging from nearly 100 in the shade, through hail and thunderstorms to 10 degrees above freezing, Lordship and the adjacent coastline settled down for the night to a dense fog at ten o'clock Monday evening, when Lightkeeper Pitzolt started the fog horn engine at Stratford Point. In the absence of Assistant Lightkeeper Dean, who is a away with Mrs. Dean on a two days trip to Hartford, Mr. Pitzolt must do relief-duty as well, which means a continuous vigil without delay until his assistant's return. Week-end guests of the Pitzolts were Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Taylor of Hartford. Among the many occupants of cottages in the Stratford Point colony are: Mr. and Mrs. Harry Curtis, Wallingford, Mr. and Mrs. William Glenny, Hartford, Mr. and Mrs. Charles B. Hart, Montclair, Mrs. Charles Miller and son Vining, and daughter Rosalie, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Benjamin, Pelham, N. Y., Mr. and Mrs. Harold Bradstreet and family, Stratford, who bought the former Roscoe Hart cottage, and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Sanford, Remington Street. Bridgeport who are in the Judson cottage. It was reported that Short Beach at the Point end, although remote and unseen by the majority of incoming motor-visitors, and unknown too many, was thickly packed all day Sunday until the early evening's gale suddenly swept inland. It was the largest crowd ever visiting at that point in one day, and a very comfortable retreat from the prevailing heat elsewhere.

1931 - STRATFORD POINT LIGHTHOUSE: Getting down to more modern times we still see the legend of the “Ever Burning Light” at Stratford Point being borne out. Theodore Judson a former keeper of Stratford Light and still living within sight and sound of his beloved tower has a wealth of romantic stories to tell of happenings concerning the light. Mr. Judson who has had over 40 years experience of lighthouse duty round these shores, once tended Old Stratford Light – the tower that was erected on the Point in 1821. Mr. Judson tells vivid yarns of the extreme difficulty in the old days in keeping the light going both from the attacks of bird and the congealing of the lard oil on cold nights…this form of oil being the only available illuminant. Thousands of birds of every species and description would flock round the naked night in the tower lantern after breaking the thin glass that protected the flame and frequently dash right into the flame itself nearly extinguishing it. Mr. Judson says that he has spent many an anxious night up in the lantern room in the old days battling with the birds and keeping them at bay so that the light might burn uninterruptedly. Then again on cold nights the lard oil with which the light was maintained would congeal and refuse to function, necessitating the use of a stove in the lantern room to keep the oil melted. It was quite a common occurrence declares Mr. Judson to find the lard tank in the morning literally filled with all manners of birds, insects and moths in millions, that had broken the lantern glass and had met their doom in the molten grease. Even today myriads of birds attracted by the mighty glare from the prismatic lenses, batter themselves nightly against the thick glass of the lantern. Morning invariably sees hundreds of shattered little bodies in the sea, on the grass and among the rocks as well as strewn all over the lantern gallery, victims of a hopeless battle against the radiance of the powerful electric glow with which the lighthouse is equipped. Why winged creatures persist in dashing themselves against unbreakable glass behind which gleam and flash warning rays that send their helpful message over Long Island Sound is a question to which even scientists find it difficult to give answer. But the fact remains that thousands of birds of every description are lost annually through this unaccountable yet persistent combat with the Stratford and other lighthouses. Not only are the sea birds victims, but myriads of others in their flight north for the summer season are attracted by the light as they swing over the marshes at Lordship. Many of species that are rarely seen in this locality are at times found battered at the base of the tower. The keepers of the Stratford Point Light tell of many strange birds that they have seen fluttering round the lantern at night during the hours when the lamp is burning, the soft thudding against the glass keeping up an unceasing tattoo during the long night watches. Among the many more or less common specimens they say are occasionally found some birds which very infrequently visit this region. So thick does this feathered crowd become at times that the Stratford lighthouse men report that it has the effect of depreciating the intensity of the light, thus lessening its range. Head Keeper W.F. Petzolt tells the story of how on one occasion he was down at the base of the tower when the crashing of glass echoed through the structure. Hastily dashing upstairs to the lantern room he found one of the glass panes of the outer windows shattered and a big duck-like bird flopping about inside the gallery. This bird proved to be one of the rare Fulvous Tree Duck species, a native of Mexico rarely if ever seen in the vicinity of Bridgeport. Eagles, bitterns, hawks, herons, varieties of gulls and ducks rarely seen alive in this locality are found dead by the keepers. A few summers ago a fine specimen of a duck resembling the elder was found by 2nd Keeper H. Dean floating among the rocks in the sea at the foot of the lighthouse, while Theodore Judson a former keeper of the Stratford Lighthouse relates how one stormy night he heard a violent banging and knocking at the window of the lantern. Opening the door leading on to the gallery he was struck a severe blow across the face by what seemed to be a large leathery wing which beat furiously into his eyes. Catching a glimpse of the creature as it came under the glare of the light he saw a large bird-like body with a short thick neck and wide flat head armed with a long powerful beak that viciously snapped and lunges at him. The creature at the same time kept uttering piercing shrill cries and fought furiously against the glass. Mr. Judson declares that the thing attacked him with its steel-like beak and long claws inflicting several nasty wounds. The bird got away. Mr. Judson can make no explanation as to the nature of the strange visitor. The records of the lighthouse show that there have been a large number of gallant rescues made by keepers of the light at various times of persons who had got into difficulty in craft among the rocks and in the mouth of the Housatonic River to the east of the Point. A few years ago the lighting apparatus was much improved, a new lens and vapor oils system being installed and the light considered up to date. At that time a modern compressed air fog horn was also installed. And on foggy nights the echoes of the Housatonic River are awakened by the mournful notes of the great horns flinging their penetrating warning far out into the Sound. With the ever increasing activity in navigation on the Sound and the value mariners placed on Stratford Light, the United States Lighthouse Service decided that it would still further increase the efficiency of the light be superseding the old oil system with electricity. And so today when the sun is set and the dark pall of night envelopes the Sound a beam of light sweeps from Old Stratford Point from a powerful 750 watt electric lamp operated by current derived by transmission wires from shore. By means of powerful prismatic lenses the light is caught up, collected and thrown out in one concentrated ray with an intensity of over 300,000 candlepower. Once every 30 seconds the flash sweeps the sea being visible for many miles, forming a strong reliable light visible in any fog, a light that mariners invariably use as their chief departure beacon in setting their course down the Sound. Electricity has also superseded the old gasoline engine in the operation of the fog horn which sends a three blast warning seawards every 40 seconds. Head Keeper Petzolt and Second Keeper James Kirkwood are on duty day and night. During the long hours between dusk and dawn there is much to be done in watching the light, keeping the mechanism that operates the revolving apparatus wound up, holding in readiness for immediate use the auxiliary oil burners that are installed in the lantern room in case the electricity fails. For it is the creed and motto of every member of Uncle Sam’s Lighthouse service that the “light must never go out.”

NOVEMBER 24 1933 - FISHERMAN SAFE AFTER DRIFTING 38 HOURS IN LONG ISLAND SOUND: Slowly finding his way back to life, Cornelius Wurst, 47, of New York City lay on a cot in Bridgeport hospital Thursday and told a story of lost hope as a result of having tossed helplessly about Long Island Sound for 38 hours in a 14-foot rowboat from Monday to Wednesday. William Petzolt, keeper of the Stratford light, found Wurst Wednesday as the exposure victim lay unconscious in the small boat in which he left Port Jefferson, L.I. on a clamming trip Monday afternoon. The boat, half full of water and with the lost oar gone, was drifting into Stratford harbor with the tide when seen by the keeper. Petzolt brought Wurst to shore where he dressed him in dry clothes and called the police. "It's too wonderful for words,” Wurst said between periods of sleep "to be alive and breathing again after spending hours on the water and believing every moment was the last between yourself and a watery grave."

JANUARY 25, 1947 - STRATFORD POINT by Charlotte Lillingston: In the early seventies the lighthouse at Stratford Point (called the most southern extension of the New England Coast) was nearly as primitive as when it was first established by the government. Prior to this date there is no history available. The present lighthouse stands upon the same spot and is equipped with all modern aids to efficiency. There was a glamour over the old tower whose brilliant light through long lonely years faithfully warmed “Those who do down to the sea in ships” of the dangers of reef and sandbar. The location on land made it possible to provide the keeper with a small comfortable dwelling for his family and the assistant keeper, also a small barn as shelter for the necessary “horse and buggy” the only available means of transportation. It was not permitted to keep a cow and this being before the days of canned milk; a half mile walk to the nearest house was a part of the price for a quart of milk. The government provided an acre of ground for raising vegetables for the table. Meat and groceries were obtained from the village four miles away with the aid of the family horse. As the roads were impassible at times during the winter months it was necessary to keep a stock of necessities on hand. It was a lonely and desolate spot in winter and as isolated as many of the offshore lights. There were no trees, the vegetation consisting of clumps of beach plums, sumac, bayberry and trailing blackberry vines. The keeper standing at the top of the tower looked toward a far horizon on every side; when the sun rose beyond the fine blue line that was the coast of Long Island, he seemed to stand on the “Top of the World” for he had no comparison. There were three houses within the three mile area, but so far away they furnished no real association. One house was a fine old farm house originally owned by an Englishmen of title who had long since passed away. This house was known to the village as “The Lordship.” It still stands in 1938 as the nucleus of the thriving settlement of summer cottages still bearing the name of “The Lordship.” The tower was a wooden structure painted alternately black and white, tapering from the ground to the lantern room which was (as it is now) a circular room enclosed by glass containing the lantern mounted on a clock constructed to operate the revolving light. The big lantern was like a circular two fold screen opening at the side and standing on edge. Each side had a bull’s eye lens surrounded by ribs of prismatic glass. Expansion of these discs at the center made room for the burner with chimney. The clock was accurate and had to be wound every four hours. On top of the lantern was placed a brass reservoir containing lard oil which reached the burner through a brass tube. It was supposed to contain enough oil to last through the night but in winter it frequently has to be replenished before morning. In 1870 and prior to that date lard oil was used. It was non explosive and moderately illuminating, the lens magnified the flame until the beam was brilliant. In winter this oil congealed and had to be cut out of the tanks in chunks which were melted over a fire until it could be poured into the reservoir of the lantern. A coal fire was maintained all winter in a small cylinder stove on the floor below the lantern to keep the oil from congealing while the light was in operation. Beside the lighthouse tower on the side fronting the Sound was a frame structure known as the Bell Tower. This consisted of a massively built room, the roof of which formed a platform supporting the heavy bronze bell that was rung continuously during a fog. The machinery for ringing the bell was really an enormous heavy clock tuned to run four hours and alas it took a strong man a half hour to wind it up again. I do not know the names of the early “Keepers” but recall hearing the names of Van Wyck, Rufus Buddington, Benedict Lillingston, Theodore Judson.