The Hunter Family of Southerness, Kirkbean Parish, Kirkcudbright, Scotland

Considered to be Scotland's second oldest lighthouse, Southerness lighthouse is located in the village of Southerness, Kirkbean Parish, Kirkcudbright. The lighthouse stands in an open roadstead in the Solway of Firth. The area is steeped in maritime history as one of its most famous native sons was John Paul Jones, the founder of the United States Navy and Revolutionary War hero. Robert Hunter was the first lighthouse keeper of Southerness beginning in 1807. He would serve as lighthouse keeper for the next 46 years. His first marriage to Barbara Seaton was an irregular marriage without the banns having been called in their own respective parishes. Hunter would eventually become a Kirk Elder of the Church of Scotland. After the death of his wife, Robert would remarry and have four additional children. This then is a tribute to the life and times of Robert Hunter and of his children: James, Helen, Andrew and Thomas Hunter