Jacob and Rebecca Carroll

Jacob and Rebecca Carroll with children, 1888

Private Collection, Courtesy of Carroll Family

Quick Facts

Significance:

Second generation who lived at Carroll Homestead

Place of Birth:

Mount Desert Island, Maine

Place of Burial:

Southwest Harbor, Maine

Cemetery Name:

Southwest Harbor Cemetery

Jacob Carroll, John Carroll's only son, inherited his father's property after his death in 1867 but did not live in the Mountain House. With John passing away, the dynamics of the Carroll Homestead changed dramatically. Rachel stayed in the Mountain House alone, and it wasn’t until 1871 that the Carroll Homestead was lived in by the second generation, who would stay until 1900.

Jacob had been a sailor since the age of fourteen, spending most of his life at sea, crossing the Atlantic five times and sailing around the world once. Finally, at the age of 40, Jacob returned to Mount Desert Island and married Rebecca Whitmore Lurvey on December 6, 1870. Rebecca had lost her first husband, Enoch Lurvey, Jacob’s cousin, in a shipwreck. Together with Rebecca’s young son, they moved into the Mountain House.

Captain Carroll

Now married and with a family to tend to, Captain Carroll made shorter voyages to sea. He was captain of the Helen, which was used in the coasting trade until 1878. The Helen carried cargoes of lumber, fish, granite, and lobsters to cities along the east coast. Jacob also owned shares in her and other ships; owning a portion of several ships protected him against loss in the event of a shipwreck. Jacob was a very successful captain and his family’s standard of living rose considerably during this time period.

Family Life

Growing up at the Mountain House for Jacob and Rebecca’s eight daughters and two sons was an experience filled with many responsibilities and great freedom. The children attended the nearby school at Norwood Cove, and once their chores were done, the Carroll children could roam the island at will. They were often seen climbing Beech and Dog (St. Sauveur) Mountains, or fishing and swimming in Echo Lake. Dogs, cats, chickens, cows, brothers, and sisters were their playmates. In summer there were picnics at Valley Cove, and in winter, sledding and skating on any number of nearby hills and ponds. Together in the kitchen, the family spent their evenings reading, reciting poetry, or listening to tales from Jacob’s travels at sea. It was common to hear them singing sea chanteys or hymns learned in church.

Family Tree

Jacob and Rebecca had 10 children; the youngest two were referred to by their middle names.