Exciting NEW information on our website!
Category: Featured
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/new-news/
Crossed-the-Bar • Al Smith • 1942 – 2019 & BJ Smith • 1944 – 2020
This painting of Al was commissioned by our Chapter Secretary and presented to Al’s wife in appreciation for all the work Al performed for our Chapter. Shortly after he submitted his membership and 40+3 reports for this newsletter, Membership Chairman Al Smith was hospitalized. On January 16, Al lost his battle with brain cancer. He …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/al-smith-crossed-the-bar/
Scouts take the 2019 MD Lighthouse Challenge
This quarter we celebrate the scouts that completed the 12th Maryland Lighthouse Challenge. The Farrell family from Valrico, Florida. Sierra, a Junior and Kayla, a Daisy Girl Scout along with their mom, Jennifer, completed what is the equivalent to the 2019 Maryland Lighthouse Challenge in June to earn the “Keeping the Lights Shining” Scout patch …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/scouts-take-the-2019-challenge/
Keeper Bio: David W. Collison
Date of Service: 1907 – 1917 1873: Born on July 30 to Robert & Mary Collison, Maryland. 1907-1909: Served as the First Assistant at Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse in MD. His starting salary was $420/year and his ending salary was $480/year. Early 1900s: Married his wife Ellen and raised six children. 1909-1912: …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keeper-bio-david-collison/
Keeper Bio: Julian Haywood Austin
Date of Service: 1921 – 1948 1898: Born on February 20 to John Lotson Austin & Markey Poyner Austin, in Frisco, NC 1916-1917: Joins the U.S. Lighthouse Service and was stationed on three lightships, including LV71. 1918-1921: Worked on multiple “oilers” for the U.S. Army. 1921: Returned to the U.S. Lighthouse …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keeper-bio-julian-haywood-austin/
Keeper Bio: Josephine McWilliams Freeman
Date of Service: 1876 – 1912 1843: Born on January 14 to parents Dr. Joseph & Eliza McWilliams in St. Mary’s County, Maryland. 1850: Dr. Joseph L. McWilliams, the father of Josephine, sells 2.75 acres on the southwest corner of Blackistone Lighthouse at a price of $300 to the U.S. government as a …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keeper-bio-josephine-freeman/
Keeper Bio: Martha Nuthall
Date of Service: 1850 – 1861 1803: Birth of Martha McClelland in Maryland. 1843: John W. Nuthall age 40, widower, married Martha McClelland age 40 on January 3, 1843. 1849: John W. Nuthall listed as Keeper at Piney Point Lighthouse. His annual salary is listed as $350/year. 1850: In the 1850 …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keeper-bio-martha-nuthall/
Keeper Bio: John W. Nuthall
Date of Service: 1849 – 1850 1803: Birth of John W. Nuthall to Charles Nuthall and Anne McClelland. 1826: John W. Nuthall age 23, married Maria Norris on January 31, 1826, in St. Mary’s County, Md. 1843: John W. Nuthall age 40, widower, married Martha McClelland age 40 on January 3, 1843. …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keeper-bio-john-nuthall-2/
Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse News
The structure of the lighthouse is showing severe deterioration, and a contractor has been selected to complete a major restoration of the steel beams that hold up the cottage style lighthouse. Work started this fall, and will continue next spring. The USLHS received a grant from the Maryland Historic Trust for $100,000, and has raised …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/thomas-point-shoal-lighthouse-news/
Chapter Receives Maryland Governor’s Citation
Maryland Governor’s Citation conferred to the Chesapeake Chapter “in recognition of the unique and historic role which the Lighthouse has played in helping to build our great Nation…in celebration of the 12th Maryland Lighthouse Challenge
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/chapter-receives-maryland-governors-citation/
Keeper Bio: Claudius Foster Sutton
Date of Service: 1897-1931 1869: Born in Craven County, North Carolina on December 11, 1869. 1897: Works as a cook at Smith Point Lighthouse in Virginia for $30. 1898-1901: Works as First Assistant at Pages Rock Lighthouse in Virginia. His annual salary was $420. 1901: Marries his wife Virginia Mildred Oliver on October 9, in …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keeper-bio-claudius-foster-sutton/
Keeper Bio: Thomas Jefferson Steinhise
Date of Service: 1918 – 1941 1879: Born on September 29 in Leonardtown, Maryland.Marries wife, Ada Viola Wible. Couple raises four children – daughters – Beulah and Helen, and sons, Charles and Thomas Earl. 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: …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keeper-bio-thomas-jefferson-steinhise/
Keeper Bio: Lewis Riggin Carman
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: Thomas Sutor
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: Henry E. O’Neill
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: Esther O’Neill
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: John O’Neill, Jr.
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/
Our Sponsors – 2019 MD Lighthouse Challenge
WE THANK OUR SPONSORS! Sawyer Chesapeake Bay FishingCharters & Chesapeake Bay Tourswww.sawyercharters.com/ A special thank you to artist Donna Elias for her generous donation of her talent in the form of beautiful watercolors for our souvenirs!
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/our-sponsors-2019-md-lighthouse-challenge/
Historical Placard: Sandy Point Shoal Lighthouse (Outdoor)
The Sandy Point Shoal Lighthouse outdoor placard was presented July 12, 2019. It is located in Sandy Point State Park, Annapolis, Maryland. Click on photo to enlarge Contact: Programs Director programs@cheslights.org
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/historical-placard-outdoor-sandy-point-shoal-lighthouse/
Lighthouse Challenge and Festival Dates
Regional Lighthouse Challenge and Festival Dates.
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/lighthouse-challenge-festival-dates/
Keeper Bio: Barney Crockett Thomas
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: Fannie Mae Salter
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 away. Mrs. …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keeper-bio-salter-fannie-mae/
Keeper Bio: Clarence Walter Salter
Date of Service: 1894 – 1925 1877: Born in Mathews County, VAMarried Fannie May Hudgins. Had three children – two daughters – Jessie Olga Salter Crouch and Mabel Salter Best; and one son – Charles Bradley Salter.1894 – 1903: Serves at Old Plantation Flats lighthouse.1903 – 1908: Serves at York Spit Lighthouse as First Assistant …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keeper-bio-salter-clarence-walter/
Keeper Bio: Charles Linwood Sadler
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: Wesley Foster Ripley
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: Charles Edwin Respess
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: John O’Neill
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: Levi D. Marchant
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: Frank Raymond Lewis
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/
Keeper Bio: William James Kelly
Date of Service: 1918 – 1945 1900: Born on January 29 to William S. Kelly and Bertha Wallace Kelly.1918 – 1920: Begins Lighthouse Service. Serves as Assistant Keeper at Old Plantation Flats Lighthouse (VA) – an off-shore screwpile lighthouse on the Eastern Shore of the Bay, southwest of Cape Charles City, VA. His salary was …
Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keeper-bio-william-james-kelly/
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