Elizabeth Rich was born in 1893 in a small house at Rich's Cove. She and her brother Llewellyn and sister Ava attended the school in town, presumably through the eighth grade. When she was thirteen, she took a job as a housekeeper, working for a summer family for the tidy sum of one dollar a week. She became the island's postmistress in 1926 and held that position until mandatory retirement at age 70. One day after she retired, the island post office changed its status to that of a rural station and she was able to continue as postmistress until her passing in 1988.

Although Miss Lizzie was seen by many as something of a matriarch of the island community, she wasn't particularly fond of being thought of as a "cherished institution." The community in general held a deep love and respect for Miss Lizzie, and a certain sense of awe. She was a woman of strength and independence; she had earned the respect she was given.

Left to right: Elizabeth, Llewellyn and Ava Rich, c. 1900

In 1971, Miss Lizzie broke her hip and it became necessary for her to use a walker. This must have been extremely difficult for her, not only because of the difficulty in getting around, but because she now had to rely on the help of others for some of her basic needs. She did her best to maintain her independence, though, and was known to continue to get her own water from the well, lashing the bucket to the walker for carrying.

When Miss Lizzie passed away in 1988, it was a great loss to the island community. She is held in the memory of the island with a great fondness and reverence.

Note: Photos on this page were originally published in Here on the Island by Charles Pratt. These photos are uncredited and are in the public domain.