Category: Heritage-Maryland

Keeper Bio: Meeds, Sarah E.

Date of Service: 1901 1844:  Sarah E. is born in Maryland. 1866:   James E. Meeds marries Sarah E. in Maryland. 1900:   In the U.S. Census, James Meeds, age 61, is listed as lighthouse keeper at Fort Carroll, along with his wife, Sarah. 1901:  Sarah E. Meeds is appointed as a laborer at Fort …

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Keeper Bio: Meeds, James E.

Keepers

Date of Service: 1873 – 1901 1839:  James E. Meeds is born in June in parents Edwin & Mary Meeds in Maryland. 1866:  James E. Meeds marries Sarah E. in Maryland. 1862-1865:  James E. Meeds fought in the 8th Maryland Infantry Regiment during the Civil War. 1873-1901:  James E. Meeds is appointed Principal Keeper of …

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Keeper Bio: Levy, Sarah

Date of Service: 1853-1855 1805+/-:  Sarah Levy is born in Maryland. 1853-1855:     Sarah Levy is appointed Principal Keeper at Fishing Battery Lighthouse, MD., after her husband John Levy died. Her salary is $400/year. Sources: Chesapeake Chapter Keeper’s Database; familysearch.org; uslhs.org    

Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keeper-bio-sarah-levy-2/

Keeper Bio: Levy, John

Keepers

Date of Service: 1853 1871+/-:  John Levy is born. 1853:  John Levy is appointed the first Principal Keeper at Fishing Battery Lighthouse, MD. John Levy dies soon after being appointed. His salary was $400/year. His wife Sarah Levy was named Principal Keeper after his death. Sources: Chesapeake Chapter Keeper’s Database; familysearch.org; uslhs.org  

Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keeper-bio-john-levy/

Keeper Bio: Grymes, Martha C.

Date of Service: 1894-1903 1868:    Born on July 9th in King George County, VA. to parents Benjamin and Ann Grymes. 1870:   In the U.S. Census, Martha, 2 years old, lives with her brother Benjamin, and parents on Mathias Point in King George County, VA. 1880:    In the U.S. Census, Martha, 12 years old, …

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Keeper Bio: Grymes, Benjamin C

Keepers

Date of Service: 1886-1919 1861:  Born to parents Benjamin and Ann Grymes in King George County, VA. 1870:  In the U.S. Census, Benjamin, 9 years old, lives with his sister Martha, and parents on Mathias Point in King George County, VA. 1880:  In the U.S. Census, Benjamin, age 19 and single, lives with his sister …

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Keeper Bio: Wible, George Martin

Keepers

Date of Service: 1914 – 1925 1885: Born on June 12th in Accomack County, VA. 1914: Served as First Assistant at Point No Point Lighthouse, MD. His annual salary was $480. 1917:  Served as First Assistant at Tangier Sound Lighthouse, VA. His annual salary was $480. 1917 – 1925: Promoted to Principal Keeper at Tangier …

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Keeper Bio: Hudgins, George Frank

Keepers

Dates of Service: 1932-1942 1900:  George Frank Hudgins born on October 1st, 1900, to parents Alex B. & Cora Powell Hudgins, in Mathews County, VA. 1920:  In the U.S. Census, George F. Hudgins lives in Mathews County, VA. with his parents and 2 brothers. His occupation is listed as a Sailor. 1926:  George F. Hudgins …

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Keeper Bio: Davis, James

Keepers

Date of Service: 1830 1796:   James Davis marries Mary Clarke on October 1st in St. Mary’s County, MD. 1830:   James Davis serves as Principal Keeper at Point Lookout Lighthouse, MD from September 20th through December 3rd, when he died on duty. His salary was $350. Sources: Chesapeake Chapter Keeper’s Database; familysearch.org; uslhs.org  

Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keeper-bio-james-davis/

Keeper Bio: Davis, Ann

Date of Service: 1830-1847 1830:  James Davis (father of Ann Davis), is appointed Principal Keeper at Point Lookout Lighthouse, MD. On September 20th. 1830:  James Davis dies on duty on December 3rd. 1830:  Ann Davis is appointed Principal Keeper at Point Lookout Lighthouse, MD. On December 12th. Her annual salary is $350. 1831:  In a …

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Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keeper-bio-ann-davis-2/

Keeper Bio: Parker, John F.

Date of Service: 1870-1871 1870-1871: Served as Assistant Keeper at Lower Cedar Point Lighthouse, MD. His salary was $400/year.  Sources: Familysearch.org, Chesapeake Chapter Database.

Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keeper-bio-john-f-parker/

Keeper Bio: Lewis, John B.

Date of Service: 1875-1886 Born in Maryland. 1875-1877: Served as Assistant Keeper at Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse, MD. His salary was $420/year. 1877-1886: Served as Principal Keeper at Craighill Lower Range Front Lighthouse, MD. His salary was $540/year.  Sources: Familysearch.org, Chesapeake Chapter Database.

Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keeper-bio-john-b-lewis/

Keeper Bio: Evans, Orlando

Date of Service: 1871-1874 1871-1874: Served as Assistant Keeper at Lower Cedar Point Lighthouse, MD. His salary was $400/year.  Sources: Familysearch.org, Chesapeake Chapter Database.

Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keeper-bio-orlando-evans/

Keeper Bio: Darnell, Robert

Date of Service: 1870-1875 1870-1875: Served as Principal Keeper at Lower Cedar Point Lighthouse, MD. His beginning salary was $600/year and his ending salary was $550/year. 1870: In the Lighthouse Inspection Report, Robert Darnell is described as young, no family, and has a good capacity for his duties as keeper.  Sources: Familysearch.org, Chesapeake Chapter Database, …

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Keeper Bio: Arnold, James A.

Date of Service: 1896-1919 Born in Virginia. 1896-1919: Served as Principal Keeper at Lower Cedar Point Lighthouse, MD. His beginning annual salary was $575/year and his ending salary was $960/year.  Sources: Familysearch.org, Chesapeake Chapter Database.

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Keeper Bio: Gray, Araminta

Date of Service: 1822-1823 1822: Bodkin Point Lighthouse, MD is constructed, and John Gray is appointed Principal Keeper in January. 1822: John Gray dies in August. William B. Barney of the fifth U.S. Naval District, recommends that his widow, Araminta, be appointed Principal Keeper. Stephen Pleasonton endorses his letter and then forwards it to President …

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Keeper Bio: Tatham, Rosannah

Date of Service: 1844-1849 1843: Daniel Tatham is appointed Principal Keeper in April at Bodkin Point Lighthouse, MD. His annual salary is $400/year. 1844:  Daniel Tatham passes away in July and his wife, Rosannah, is appointed Principal Keeper at Bodkin Point Lighthouse, MD. Her annual salary is $400/year. 1849: Rosannah Tatham resigns as Principal Keeper …

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Keeper Bio: Thomas, Sarah

Date of Service: 1857-1859 1855: George Thomas is named Principal Keeper at Cove Point Lighthouse, MD. His salary was $350/year. 1857: Keeper Thomas dies on duty at Cove Point Lighthouse, MD. 1857-1859: Sarah Thomas, wife of George, is named Principal Keeper at Cove Point Lighthouse, MD. Sources: Chesapeake Chapter Keeper’s Database; familysearch.org; uslhs.org    

Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keeper-bio-sarah-thomas/

Keeper Bio: Hagelin, Mary

Date of Service: 1866-1868 1808: Mary Jennings Hagelin is born in England. 1838: John H. Hagelin is born on September 12th. 1864-1867: John H. Hagelin, son of Keeper Charles Hagelin and Mary Hagelin, is appointed the First Assistant at Cove Point Lighthouse, MD. His salary is $150/year. 1866-1868: Mary Hagelin is appointed the First Assistant …

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Keeper Bio: Hagelin, John H.

Date of Service: 1864-1867 1838:  John H. Hagelin is born on September 12th to parents Charles M. & Mary Hagelin. 1862-1868:  Charles M. Hagelin, John’s father,  is named Principal Keeper at Cove Point Lighthouse, MD. 1864-1867:  John H. Hagelin, son of Keeper Charles Hagelin, is appointed First Assistant at Cove Point Lighthouse, MD. His salary …

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Keeper Bio: Raabe, William

Date of Service: 1890-1925 1855:  Born June 27th in Germany. 1869:  Immigrates to the United States from Germany. 1880:  Occupation is listed as a Sailor living in Baltimore with his wife, Annie, in the U.S. Census. 1890–1891:  Serves as First Assistant at Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse, MD. His salary is $420/year. 1891:  Serves as First …

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Keeper Bio: Talbott, Joseph Francis

Keepers

Date of Service: 1883-1922 1857:  Born December 10th to in Anne Arundel County, MD. 1876-1879: Serves as an apprentice as a Brass Finisher in Baltimore, MD., at J.H. Register & Sons. 1879-1883:   Works as a Fireman with the United States Lighthouse Service. 1883:   Serves as Assistant Keeper at Currituck Beach Lighthouse, Corolla, NC., from February …

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Keeper Bio: Wingate, Henry Clay

Date of Service: 1902 – 1927   1862:  Born May 19 to parents Thomas and Mary Wingate in Dorchester County, MD. 1880: Occupation is listed as Sailor in the U.S. Census 1889:  Henry is discharged from the Army on November 16 (Spanish American War) 1890: Marries Nettie J. Dodge. 1900: Occupation is listed as day …

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Keeper Bio: Hagelin, Charles M.

Keepers

Date of Service: 1862-1868 1812: Charles M. Hagelin is born in Sweden. 1838: John H. Hagelin is born on September 12th. 1862-1868: Charles M. Hagelin is named Principal Keeper at Cove Point Lighthouse, MD. His beginning salary was $350/year. (His wife Mary Hagelin served as First Assistant) 1864-1867: John H. Hagelin, son of Keeper Charles …

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Keeper Bio: Thomas, George

Keepers

Date of Service: 1855-1859 1855: George Thomas is named Principal Keeper at Cove Point Lighthouse, MD. His salary was $350/year. 1857: Keeper Thomas dies on duty at Cove Point Lighthouse, MD. 1857-1859: Sarah Thomas, wife of George, is named Principal Keeper at Cove Point Lighthouse, MD. Sources: Chesapeake Chapter Keeper’s Database; familysearch.org; uslhs.org    

Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keeper-bio-george-thomas/

Keeper Bio: Tatham, Daniel

Keepers

Date of Service: 1843-1844 1843: Daniel Tatham is appointed Principal Keeper in April at Bodkin Point Lighthouse, MD. His annual salary is $400/year. 1844:  Daniel Tatham passes away in July and his wife, Rosannah Tatham, is appointed Principal Keeper at Bodkin Point Lighthouse, MD. Her annual salary is $400/year. 1849: Rosannah Tatham resigns as Principal …

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Keeper Bio: Gray, John

Keepers

Date of Service: 1822 1822: Bodkin Point Lighthouse, MD is constructed, and John Gray is appointed Principal Keeper in January. 1822: John Gray dies in August. William B. Barney of the fifth U.S. Naval District, recommends that his widow, Araminta, be appointed Principal Keeper. Stephen Pleasonton endorses his letter and then forwards it to President …

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Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keeper-bio-john-gray/

Keeper Bio: Lawson, Noah Moffett

Keepers

Date of Service: 1865-1871 1827: Born on December 10 to parents Isaac & Hannah Sterling Lawson in Somerset County, Maryland. 1851: Marries Nancy Wickett Ward on November 4th in Somerset County, MD. 1844-1864: Noah Lawson is a sailor involved in commercial coastal trading from Baltimore to New York. In 1851, he was promoted to Master …

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Keeper Bio: Lawson, Nancy Wickett Ward

Date of Service: 1869 – 1871 1833: Born on April 18 to parents Noah & Patty Anne Ward in Somerset County, MD. 1851: Marries Noah Moffett Lawson on November 4th in Somerset County, MD. 1867-1871: Nancy’s husband, Noah, Serves as Keeper for the newly constructed Janes Island Lighthouse, MD., starting in October 1867. 1869: A …

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Keeper Bio: Stowe, Cale Ballance

Keepers

Date of Service: 1913-1924 1889:  Cale Ballance Stowe was born on April 12, 1889, to parents Henry B. & Jane Burrus Stowe in Hatteras, NC. 1910:  In the U. S. Census, Cale’s occupation is listed as a sailor. 1912:  Marries Frances Swain on May 21, 1912, in Hatteras, NC. 1913-1914: Serves as First Assistant at …

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