Category: Heritage-Virginia

Keeper Bio: Hudgins, Oliver R. “Ollie”

Keepers

Date of Service: 1885 – 1903 1861:   Born on October 21, in Mathews County, VA. to parents Warner & Laura Hudgins. 1863:   Kate Billups is born on October 22, in Mathews County, VA. to parents Robert & Mary Billups. 1885:   Oliver Hudgins marries Kate Billups on March 12 in Mathews County, VA. 1885-1886:  Serves …

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Keeper Bio: Twiford, Lavinia

Date of Service: 1848 – 1849 1797:  Lavinia Twiford is born in VA. 1848-1849:     Lavinia Twiford is appointed Principal Keeper at Watts Island Lighthouse, VA. following the death of her husband, James W. Twiford. Sources: Chesapeake Chapter Keeper’s Database; familysearch.org; uslhs.org; 

Permanent link to this article: https://cheslights.org/keeper-bio-lavinia-twiford-2/

Keeper Bio: Twiford, James W.

Keepers

Date of Service: 1835 – 1848 1835-1841:  James W. Twiford is appointed the first Principal Keeper at Watts Island Lighthouse, VA. His salary is $350/year. 1845-1848:  James W. Twiford is appointed Principal Keeper at Watts Island Lighthouse, VA. where he served until his death in October. His salary was $350/year. Sources: Chesapeake Chapter Keeper’s Database; …

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Keeper Bio: Trader, Emma Jane

Date of Service: 1870 – 1871 1817:  Emma Jane Dixon is born on June 28th, in VA. to parents Tinsley & Pamelia Dixon. 1836:  Samuel Trader marries Emma Jane in VA. 1860:   In the U.S. Census, Samuel (46) lives with his wife Emma (41) in Madison, VA. with their 5 children. His occupation is …

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Keeper Bio: Trader, Samuel

Keepers

Date of Service: 1870 – 1874 1813:  Samuel Trader is born on August 30th in VA. 1836+/-:   Samuel Trader marries Emma Jane in VA. 1860:  In the U.S. Census, Samuel (46) lives with his wife Emma (41) in Madison, VA. with their 5 children. His occupation is listed as seaman. 1870:   Samuel Trader serves as …

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Keeper Bio: Selden, Judy

Date of Service: 1871-1872 1839:   Judith Hale is born in April, in Virginia. 1858+/-:   George Henry Selden marries Judith Hale in Westmoreland, VA. 1871-1872:     Judy Selden is appointed Second Assistant at York Spit Lighthouse, VA. Her salary is $400/year. (Her husband George H. Selden serves as Principal Keeper)    

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Keeper Bio: Selden, George Henry

Date of Service: 1870 – 1886 1837:   George Henry Selden is born in March, in Virginia. 1839:  Judith Hale is born in April, in Virginia. 1858+/-:  George Henry Selden marries Judith Hale in Westmoreland, VA. 1864-1866:  George H. Selden enlists in the U.S. Navy in September 1864, where he served as Petty Officer on the …

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Keeper Bio: Richards, Phoebe D.

Date of Service: 1873 – 1879 1824:  Phoebe is born in Pennsylvania. 1879-1879:  Phoebe D. Richards is appointed First Assistant at Craney Island Lighthouse, VA. (Her husband Elisha Richards is Principal Keeper). Her salary is $420/year. 1879:  Phoebe D. Richards writes a letter to the Secretary of the Navy pleading her case to remain as …

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Keeper Bio: Richards, Elisha

Keepers

Date of Service: 1873 – 1879 1822:  Elisha Richards is born in New Jersey. 1873-1879:     Elisha Richards is appointed Principal Keeper at Craney Island Lighthouse, VA. (His wife Phoebe D. Richards is First Assistant). His salary is $540/year. 1879-1879:  Phoebe D. Richards is appointed First Assistant at Craney Island Lighthouse, VA. (Her husband Elisha Richards …

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Keeper Bio: Parkinson, Abram

Keepers

Date of Service: 1877 – 1880 1853:   Abram Parkinson is born in Maryland to parents Abraham and Henrietta Parkinson. 1860:   In the U.S. Census, Abram (7), lives with his parents Abraham and Henrietta Parkinson, as well as his sister, Mary Josehine (9). 1870:   In the U.S. Census, Abram (16), lives with his father …

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Keeper Bio: Parkinson, Abraham

Keepers

Date of Service: 1869 – 1879 1815:  Abraham Parkinson is born in Maryland. 1845:  Abraham Parkinson marries Henrietta Marie Hood on March 20th, in MD. 1860:   In the U.S. Census, Abraham lives in Annapolis with his wife Henrietta, son Abram, and daughter Mary Josephine. His occupation is shoemaker. 1863:   Abraham’s wife, Henrietta Parker …

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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, 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  

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Keeper Bio: Kendall, Susan

Date of Service: 1865-1867 1821+/-:   Susan W. Heath Kendall is born in Virginia. 1865-1867:     Susan Kendall is appointed First Assistant at Point of Shoals Lighthouse. Her salary is $300/year. (Her husband Thomas L. Kendall is Principal Keeper) 1870:   In the U.S. Census, Thomas lives with his wife, Susan, in Northampton County, VA. Sources: Chesapeake …

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Keeper Bio: Kendall, Thomas L.

Keepers

Date of Service: 1854-1870 1813+/-:    Thomas L. Kendall is born in Virginia. 1854-1861:  Thomas L. Kendall is appointed the first Principal Keeper at Point of Shoals Lighthouse, VA. His salary is $500/year. 1861-1865:     Thomas Kendall enlists in the 5th Virginia Cavalry. The lighthouse is discontinued during the Civil War. 1865-1868:     Thomas L. Kendall is reinstated …

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Keeper Bio: Huneke, Margaret

Date of Service: 1865-1869 1865-1869:     Margaret Huneke is appointed First Assistant at White Shoal Lighthouse, VA. Her beginning salary is $300, and her ending salary is $400. (Her husband, Peter J. Huneke served as Principal Keeper).   Sources: Chesapeake Chapter Keeper’s Database; familysearch.org; uslhs.org    

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Keeper Bio: Huneke, Peter J.

Keepers

Date of Service: 1865-1870 1865-1870:     Peter J. Huneke is appointed Principal Keeper at White Shoal Lighthouse, VA. His beginning salary is $500, and his ending salary is $600. (His wife, Margaret Huneke served as First Assistant). Sources: Chesapeake Chapter Keeper’s Database; familysearch.org; uslhs.org  

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Keeper Bio: Hatsell, William F.

Keepers

Date of Service: 1870-1880 1870-1872:     William F. Hatsell is appointed Principal Keeper at Point of Shoals Lighthouse, VA. His salary is $600/year. (His wife Rebecca Hatsell is First Assistant). 872-1878:     William F. Hatsell is appointed Principal Keeper at Bodie Island Lighthouse, NC. His salary is $820/year. 1878-1880:     William F. Hatsell is appointed Principal Keeper at …

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Keeper Bio: Hatsell, Rebecca

Date of Service: 1871-1874 1871-1872:     Rebecca Hatsell is appointed First Assistant at Point of Shoals Lighthouse, VA. Her salary is $400/year. (Her husband William F. Hatsell is Keeper) 1872-1873:     Rebecca Hatsell is appointed Second Assistant at Bodie Island Lighthouse, NC. Her salary is $350/year. 1873-1874:     Rebecca Hatsell is appointed Third Assistant at Bodie Island Lighthouse, …

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Keeper Bio: Dewees, Amelia

Date of Service: 1857-1861 1818:   Born to parents Robert & Amelia Lively in Elizabeth City, VA. 1857-1861:     Amelia Lively Dewees is named Principal Keeper at Old Point Comfort Lighthouse, VA. Her salary is $550/year. 1861:   Resigns as Principal Keeper on May 12th. 1865:   Amelia Lively Dewees dies on August 10th in Elizabeth City, …

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Keeper Bio: Cropper, Ellen Mary

Date of Service: 1867-1871 1831+/-:   Ellen Mary Jackson is born in Maryland. 1848:  Ellen Mary Jackson marries Zorabable H.H. Cropper on February 2nd, in Baltimore, MD. 1850:  In the U.S. Census, she is 19 years old, married to Zorabable H.H. Cropper. 1860:   In the U.S. Census, Ellen Cropper is 28, living with her husband …

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Keeper Bio: Clegg, William L

Keepers

Date of Service: 1876-1883 1876:  William Clegg is named First Assistant at Lambert Point Lighthouse, VA. His salary is $420/year. 1876-1883:   William Clegg is named Principal Keeper at Lambert Point Lighthouse, VA. His salary is $540/year. (His wife Mrs. J.V. Clegg, served as First Assistant) Sources: Chesapeake Chapter Keeper’s Database; familysearch.org; uslhs.org  

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Keeper Bio: Clegg, Mrs. J.V.

Date of Service: 1876-1882 1876-1882:     Mrs. J.V. Clegg is named the First Assistant Keeper at Lambert Point Lighthouse, VA. Her salary is $420/year. (Her husband William Clegg served as Principal Keeper Sources: Chesapeake Chapter Keeper’s Database; familysearch.org; uslhs.org    

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Keeper Bio: Boole, Sallie

Date of Service: 1867-1872 1820:   Sally Bell is born in Virginia. 1840:  Marries David Nottingham Boole on November 23rd. 1867-1872:     Sallie Boole, named the First Assistant Keeper at Hog Island Lighthouse, VA. Her salary is $400/year. (Her husband David Boole served as Principal Keeper) 1895:  Sallie Boole dies on January 15th. She is buried at …

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Keeper Bio: Boole, David Nottingham

Keepers

Date of Service: 1864-1872 1821:   David Boole is born in Northampton County, Virginia. 1840:  Marries Sally Bell on November 23rd. 1864-1872:     David Boole is named Principal Keeper at Hog Island Lighthouse, VA. His beginning salary is $400/year, and his ending salary is $560/year. (His wife Sallie Boole served as First Assistant) 1896:   David N. Boole …

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Keeper Bio: Powell, Robert Franklin

Keepers

Date of Service: 1907-1921 1870    Born on 1870, in Mathews County, VA. to parents Thomas & Mary Powell. 1897    Marries Maria Jane Winder on April 28, 1897, in Mathews County, VA. 1907-1913      Serves as First Assistant Keeper at Deepwater Shoals Lighthouse (VA). His beginning annual salary was $435, and his ending annual salary was …

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Keeper Bio: Ripley, James Temple

Keepers

Date of Service: 1900-1930 1873   Born on March 8, 1873, in Mathews County, VA. to parents John S. & Elizabeth Davis Ripley 1900   Serves as First Assistant Keeper at Cherrystone Bar Lighthouse (VA). His annual salary was $435. 1901-1905      Serves as First Assistant Keeper at Pages Rock Lighthouse (VA). His annual salary was $420. 1905-1907       …

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Keeper Bio: Hurst, James Beauregard

Keepers

Date of Service: 1888-1919 1862  Born on July 24, 1862, in Mathews County, VA. to parents John & Elizabeth Hurst. 1885  Marries Narcissus Phillips Hudgins on February 22, 1886, in Mathews County. They had 2 daughters and one son. 1888-1891  Serves as First Assistant Keeper at York Spit Lighthouse (VA). His annual salary was $440. …

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Keeper Bio: Davis, William Edward

Keepers

Date of Service: 1909-1930 1861   Born on October 13, 1861, in Mathews County, VA. to parents Larkin & Sarah Winder Davis. 1889  Marries Mary Elizabeth Marchant on January 24, 1889 1900   In the U.S. Census, his occupation is listed as a farmer in Mathews County, VA. 1909-1917  Serves as First Assistant Keeper at Windmill Point …

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Keeper Bio: Thomas, John William

Dates of Service: 1888-1895 1846  Born on November 9, 1846, in Mathews County, VA. to parents John B. & Sarah Thomas 1872  Marries Emma J Davis. The couple raises eleven children. 1888-1890   Serves as Second Assistant Keeper at Wolf Trap Lighthouse (VA). Annual salary – $400. 1891-1893  Serves as First Assistant Keeper at Wolf Trap …

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