A lighthouse love story
Point Prim lighthouse in Digby holds special meaning
Nick Bell and his fiancé Rebecca Denton always knew the Point Prim lighthouse in Digby was special to their families but didn’t know why.
The connection, they’ve learned, is quite meaningful.
Bell and Denton both live in Truro and met each other in high school. They are getting married in a few months.
Bell’s great-great-grandfather Richard Soy was one of two survivors of the Princess Louise shipwreck that happened off the shore of Point Prim in December 1883.
Denton’s great- great- greatgrandfather was Capt. William Ellis, the lighthouse keeper at Point Prim at the time of the shipwreck.
The couple started talking to some relatives in the area last month and finally put two and two together.
Denton’s great- great- greatgrandfather saved Bell’s greatgreat- grandfather from the shipwreck.
“We knew each other all these years and had no idea,” said Bell.
“We’ve always visited the lighthouse with family but never put it together,” added Denton.
Denton and Bell were already planning to come to Digby to visit relatives, but after finding out this news, they were especially excited for this trip.
“It’s really hard to believe, but I guess this just goes to show every- one in the world is connected in some way or another,” said Bell.
The Friends of Point Prim group that looks after the lighthouse hosted a dinner at the lighthouse on Aug. 5.
Bell and Denton, along with their families, attended the event with a different outlook on the historic lighthouse.
“If William Ellis didn’t save Richard Soy, we wouldn’t be where we are today,” said Denton.
The couple is glad to see Point Prim in such good shape after so many years. They give thanks to the community that supports the lighthouse for all their hard work.
“This is a really memorable spot for our families and it’s so great to see the effort the community puts into this place,” said Bell.
At the dinner the public was invited to take a tour inside the historic lighthouse.
Many residents of the area said they have visited the lighthouse many times but had never seen the inside.
“I’ve been here so many times, but I’ve never been inside,” said Kristen Sabean of Weymouth.
Tourists from near and far attended the event in hopes of getting a tour of the lighthouse.
David Lay and Helen Coxe live in Maine but they’ve been travelling to Digby annually for years.
The lighthouse is always a stop on their trip.
“It’s just beautiful here,” said Coxe. “My father always came here to visit and I think since then, there’s been six generations of our family coming here to visit Digby.” Nick Bell and his finance Rebecca Denton have a special connection with the Point Prim lighthouse in Digby. David Lay and Helen Coxe live in Maine but visit Digby annually and each year Point Prim is always on their to do list.