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Timeline: Point of Shoals Lighthouse
1837: A request is made by Beverly Kennon, Captain of the United States Navy, to construct a lighthouse at three locations along the James River in Virginia; Day’s Point, Point of Shoals and Deep Water & Lyon’s Creek Shoals. 1850: The U. S. Lighthouse Board authorizes $3,500 for preliminary work in the engineering & design …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/template-timeline-point-of-shoals-lighthouse/
Pages Rock Lighthouse
Due to increased river traffic along the York River, Congress appropriated $25,000 on March 3, 1891, to construct a lighthouse on a shoal which jutted out from Blundering Point, about 5 miles north of Yorktown, Virginia. After borings were made, it was determined that the river bottom was not firm enough to support a lighthouse …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/pages-rock-lighthouse/
Timeline: Pages Rock Lighthouse
1883: The U. S. Lighthouse Board recommends that a lighthouse be constructed at Pages Rock, in the York River, approximately five miles from Yorktown, Virginia at a cost of $25,000. The combination of railroads at West Point and the increasing commerce on the York River are the reason for the request. This request is repeated …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/template-timeline-pages-rock-lighthouse/
Keepers Mascot: Lil’ Bit
Mascot #112 is Lil’ Bit, who lives with mascot #111, Jingle Belle, as well as humans Jennifer and Cyndi. This is her story: My name is Lil’Bit and I’m going on 18 years old. My original owner was an elderly woman who decided that I was just too much for her to handle. She took …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keepers-mascot-lil-bit/
Keepers Mascot: Jingle Belle
Mascot #111 is Jingle Belle, who lives with mascot #112, Lil’ Bit, as well as humans Jennifer and Cyndi. This is her story: My name is Jingle Belle and I’m a twelve-year-old Havanese. I was born in Budapest, Hungary and was brought to the United States when I was 3 months old. I was living …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keepers-mascot-jingle-belle/
Timeline: Nansemond River Lighthouse
1874: The Virginia State Legislature passes an act to cede the land necessary for the construction of a lighthouse on April 16. 1876: On July 31, 1876, Congress appropriates $15,000 to build a lighthouse at the mouth of the Nansemond River, Virginia. 1877: A five-acre tract of land is titled to the United States for …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/template-timeline-nansemond-river-lighthouse/
Timeline: Killock Shoal Lighthouse
1884: On July 7, 1884, Congress appropriates $10,000 to construct a small lighthouse and fog signal on Killick Shoal, in Chincoteague Bay. A site is selected in August—on the outer end of the shoal on the north side of the channel, approximately 3-1/8 miles from the Assateague light. 1885: The deed for the site is …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/template-timeline-killock-shoal-lighthouse/
Keeper Bio: Steinhise, Thomas Jefferson
Date of Service: 1918 – 1941 1879: Born on September 29 in Leonardtown, Maryland.Marries wife, Ada Viola Wible. The couple raises sixteen children. Works as a waterman and blacksmith.1918: Joins U.S. Lighthouse Service. Serves as Assistant Keeper at Tangier Sound Lighthouse (Virginia) with brother-in-law.1919: Serves as Keeper at Lower Cedar Point Lighthouse (Maryland). Resigns for …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keeper-bio-thomas-jefferson-steinhise/
Keeper Bio: Carman, Lewis Riggin
Date of Service: 1936 – 1947 1907: Born October 13 in Delmar, Wicomico County, MD1926: Marries Gladys Ruth Elmore on September 1 in Crisfield, Somerset County, MD.1931: The couple has their first child, a son, Lewis Riggin Carman, Jr. on April 16.1932: The couple has their second child, a daughter, Caroline Virgie on October 24.1936-1938: …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keeper-bio-lewis-riggin-carman/
Keeper Bio: Sutor, Thomas
Date of Service: 1853 – 1861 1802: Born sometime around 1802 in Maryland1830s: Marries his wife, Susannah in Havre de Grace Maryland. They go on to have five children, 3 daughters, Ellenor, Sarah B. Frances E. and 2 sons, Louis and Samuel.1850: Per census records, Thomas and his family live in Havre de Grace where …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keeper-bio-thomas-sutor/
Keeper Bio: O’Neill, Henry E.
Date of Service: 1881 – 1919 1841: Born on June 6 in Havre de Grace, Maryland. 1850s: The O’Neill family moves to Baltimore, Maryland. 1861: Henry enlists on September 12 in Baltimore, as a Private in Company D, 5th Maryland Infantry in the Union Army. His father, John O’Neill Jr., is named Keeper at Concord …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keeper-bio-henry-e-oneill/
Keeper Bio: O’Neill, Esther
Date of Service: 1863 – 1881 1797: Born in Fulton County, New York. 1830s: Marries John O’Neill, Jr. The couple have seven children, one of whom died as an infant. The remaining six children are Martha, Mary, Virginia, Charles Zelotes, Indiana, and Henry. 1861: Esther’s husband, John O’Neill, Jr. is appointed Keeper at Concord Point …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keeper-bio-esther-oneill/
Keeper Bio: O’Neill, Jr., John
Date of Service: 1861 – 1863 1800: Born in Havre de Grace, Maryland to John and Mary O’Neill Sr. 1830s: Marries his wife Esther, from Fulton New York and have 7 children, one of whom died as an infant. The remaining six children are Martha, Mary, Virginia, Charles Zelotes, Indiana, and Henry. 1860: Lives in …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keeper-bio-john-oneill-jr/
Timeline: Great Wicomico River Lighthouse
1888: On October 2, Congress appropriates $25,000 to build a lighthouse at the mouth of the Great Wicomico River on Virginia’s Western Shore. 1889: Proposals for bids to furnish the ironwork went out in January and bids received were opened on February 13. The winning bid was $13,975 for this lighthouse and the Holland Island …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/template-timeline-great-wicomico-river-lighthouse/
Timeline: Dutch Gap Canal Lighthouse
1864: Union troops dig a canal by removing 67,000 cubic yards of soil to open 174 yards of the canal so that Federal gunboats can move upriver to the Confederate defenses of Richmond. 1871: The canal is improved and dredged, cutting almost five miles off the loop around Farrar Island. 1873: Congress appropriates $15,000 on …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/template-timeline-dutch-gap-canal-lighthouse/
Greenbury Point Lighthouse
In 1846, the Maryland House of Delegates passed a resolution to construct a lighthouse in Greenbury Point on the north side of the entrance to the Severn River & Annapolis Harbor. On March 3, 1847, $3,500 was appropriated to construct the lighthouse. The land for the lighthouse was purchased at a price of $367.000 and …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/greenbury-point-lighthouse/
Timeline: Greenbury Point Lighthouse
1846: The Maryland House of Delegates passes a resolution to construct a lighthouse on Greenbury Point on the north side of the entrance into the Annapolis Harbor, Maryland. 1847: Congress appropriates $3,500 on March 3, to construct a lighthouse at the harbor of Annapolis, Maryland. 1848: The lighthouse is completed and first lighted in December. …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/template-timeline-greenbury-point-lighthouse/
Timeline: North Point Range Lights
1819: Congress appropriates $9,000 on March 3, for the construction of two lighthouses on North Point and one on Bodkin Point. 1820: Congress appropriates an additional $6,600 on May 15. 1822: Congress appropriates an additional $6,600. 1822: Two stone masonry lighthouses are built on the northern entrance to the Patapsco River to help guide mariners …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/template-timeline-north-point-range-lights/
North Point Range Lights
On March 3, 1819, Congress appropriates $9,000 to construct a lighthouse on the Bodkin and two lighthouses on North Point at the mouth of the Patapsco River, Maryland. Additional funds were appropriated in 1822 and 1823. When the two lights at North Point were lined up one above the other, mariners knew that they were …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/north-point-range-lights/
Timeline: Leading Point Lighthouse
1866: Congress appropriates $30,000 on July 28, 1866, to construct two lights to mark Brewerton Channel, on the Patapsco River, Maryland. The front light is to be built on a shoal at Hawkins Point and the rear light is to be built on Leading Point, a total of 1-1/8 mile apart. 1867: On December 16, …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/template-timeline-leading-point-lighthouse/
Leading Point Lighthouse
On July 28, 1866, Congress appropriated $30,000 to construct two lights that would mark the Brewerton Channel on the south shore of the Patapsco River approaching Baltimore Harbor. The rear light, Leading Point, was built on a high bluff of land approximately one mile from the front light, Hawkins Point, built on a shoal in …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/leading-point-lighthouse/
Keeper Bio: Thomas, Barney Crockett
Date of Service: 1917 – 1950 1896: Born on February 4 in Tangier, VA to John W. and Emma (Crockett) Thomas.1917: Married Ella H. Crockett on September 16. Couple raises six children; two sons – Everett and Hanson; and four daughters – Emma, Catherine, Violet, and Doris. 1917: Serves aboard the Coast Guard cutter Apache.1917 …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keeper-bio-thomas-barney-crockett/
Keeper Bio: Salter, Fannie Mae
Date of Service: 1925 – 1947 1882: Born in Mathews County, VA. 1904: Marries Clarence Walter “Harry” Salter. Had three children – two daughters – Jessie Olga Salter Crouch and Mabel Salter Best; one son – Charles Bradley Salter. 1922: Husband serves as Keeper of Turkey Point Lighthouse, North East, Maryland. 1925: Keeper Salter passes …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keeper-bio-salter-fannie-mae/
Keeper Bio: Salter, Clarence Walter
Date of Service: 1894 – 1925 1877: Born in Mathews County, VA 1894 – 1903: Serves at Old Plantation Flats Lighthouse. 1904: Married Fannie May Hudgins. Had three children – two daughters – Jessie Olga Salter Crouch and Mabel Salter Best; and one son – Charles Bradley Salter. 1903 – 1908: Serves at York Spit …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keeper-bio-salter-clarence-walter/
Keeper Bio: Sadler, Charles Linwood
Date of Service: 1944 – Retirement 1906: Born on June 12 in Mathews County, VA.1928: Married Mabel Martha Diggs. Raises four children.Joined Coast Guard buoy tender after a career of commercial boating.1944 – 1953: Serves as civilian First Assistant Keeper at Cove Point Lighthouse, Lusby, Maryland. Sadler and his family live in station’s three-story keeper’s …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keeper-bio-sadler-charles-linwood/
Keeper Bio: Ripley, Wesley Foster
Date of Service: 1881 – 1916 1835: Born on June 18 in Mathews County, VA.1858: Marries Laberta F. Jarvis on November 11. Couple raises ten children: Martha, Louisa, Mary Ellen, Wesley, Mary E., Tommie, Robert, Delena, Maria, and Luther. 1860s: Ripley serves during the Civil War for the Confederacy on the Giles Light Artillery – …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keeper-bio-wesley-foster-ripley/
Keeper Bio: Respess, Charles Edwin
Date of Service: 1888 – 1915 1862: Born on July 24 – Barn Creek, Gwynn’s Island, VA.1888 – 1890: Assistant on Cape Charles Light Vessel #46. 1891 – 1893: Captain of newly christened Cape Charles LV #49.1892: Married Annie “Lovie” Grimstead on July 13.1893 – 1894: Service at Cherrystone Bar as Assistant ($435/year) and Old …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keeper-bio-charles-edwin-respess/
Keeper Bio: O’Neill, John
Date of Service: 1827 – 1838 1768: Born in Ireland on November 23. 1786: Immigrated to America at age 18. Works as a gunsmith. 1794: Served in the militia during Whiskey Rebellion. 1790s: Marries Mary Virginia O’Neill and moves to Havre De Grace. Manages a nail factory and serves as town commissioner. Has five children …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keeper-bio-john-oneill/
Keeper Bio: Marchant, Levi D.
Date of Service: 1882 – 1921 1856: Born on April 1 in Mathews, Virginia.1879: Marries Emma Susan Dixon on September 25. Couple raises five children: Ruby, Elizabeth, John Dixon, Talmadge, and Levi Theodore. 1882 to 1883: Keeper Marchant begins service on December 31 as Acting 2nd Assistant Keeper at Wolf Trap Lighthouse, Virginia. Salary – …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keeper-bio-levi-d-marchant/
Keeper Bio: Lewis, Frank Raymond
Date of Service: 1922 – 1948 1894: Born on November 23 in Mathews, VA. 1917 to 1919: Serves as a Corporal in the U.S. Army during WWI in France; 7th Company, 154th Depot Brigade based in Camp Meade.1921: Marries Clementine Ware Forrest on April 25 in Norfolk, VA. Couple raises two children – …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keeper-bio-frank-raymond-lewis/
