Category: Keepers-Bios

Keeper Bio: Crabbe, John Phillip

Date of Service: 1871-1875 1842+/-:   John Phillip Crabbe is born in Westmoreland County, Virginia. 1871-1872:   John Crabbe serves as Assistant at York Spit Lighthouse, VA. His salary is $400/year. 1874-1875:     John Crabbe serves as Assistant at York Spit Lighthouse, VA. 1886: John Crabbe is a farmer in Westmoreland County, VA. 1912: John Phillip Crabbe …

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Keeper Bio: Bowling, Joseph Ignatius

Keepers

Date of Service: 1893 – 1911 1843:   Born June 8 in Baltimore, Maryland to parents Thomas & Susana Bowling. 1869+/-:   Marries his wife, Mary Elizabeth Vaughan. 1880:   In the U.S. Census, Joseph I. Bowling, age 37, lives with his wife and 6 children in Baltimore, MD. His occupation is listed as a sailor. 1893–1895:  …

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Keeper Bio: Goeshy, Beatrice Evelyn

Date of Service: 1931- 1955 1910:  Beatrice Evelyn Seward is born on September 10th, to parents Howard & Alice Seward in Baltimore, MD. 1930:  In the U.S. Census, Beatrice (21), lives with her sister in Baltimore, MD. Her occupation is listed as Stenographer. 1930:   William M. Goeshy marries Beatrice Seward on December 28th, in …

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Keeper Bio: Goeshy, William Marion

Date of Service: 1916 – 1955 1896:  Walerian Marion Gorsky (aka William Marion Goeshy) is born on April 22 in Wielke, Austria. 1909:   William (Walerian) (age 16) arrives at Ellis Island with his father Piotr Gorski on October 22 on the vessel President Lincoln. 1915:   William receives his “Certificate of Efficiency to Lifeboat Man” on …

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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. 1862:   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 as …

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Keeper Bio: Edwards, Pamelia

Date of Service: 1855 – 1869 1816:  Pamelia Edwards is born in Maryland. 1855:  Pamelia Edwards is appointed Principal Keeper at Point Lookout Lighthouse, MD. On April 7th. Her annual salary is $350. 1869:  Pamelia Edwards resigns as Principal Keeper on June 4th. Her annual salary is $520. 1893:  Pamelia Edwards dies. Keeper Pamelia (Permelia) …

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Keeper Bio: Edwards, Martha Ann

Date of Service: 1853 – 1855 1853:  Martha Ann Edwards is appointed Principal Keeper at Point Lookout Lighthouse, MD., after her father (who previously served as keeper) died on duty. Her annual salary is $350. 1855:  Martha Edwards resigns on April 7, as Principal Keeper. Her annual salary is $350. 1855:  Martha Edwards marries Thomas …

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Keeper Bio: Edwards, Richard Dent

Keepers

Date of Service: 1853 1810:  Richard Dent Edwards marries Lydia Dyson on February 7th, in St. Mary’s County. 1853:  Richard Edwards is appointed Principal Keeper at Point Lookout Lighthouse, MD. On April 20th. His salary is $350/year. 1853: Keeper Edwards dies on duty on July 14th. His daughter, Martha is appointed Keeper on July 19th. …

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Keeper Bio: Bowling, Margaret

Date of Service: 1874 – 1879 1848:  Born in Maryland. 1860s:   Marries James T. Bowling in Maryland. 1874-1879:  Margaret serves as 2nd Assistant at Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse, MD. (Her husband James T. Bowling is Principal Keeper) Her salary is $400/year. 1892:   Died November 19th at age 43 or 44 in Baltimore, Maryland. She is …

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Keeper Bio: Yewell, William J.

Keepers

Date of Service: 1859-1860 1859-1860:  William J. Yewell is appointed the first Principal Keeper at Sandy Point Lighthouse, MD (land). His salary is $350/year. 1860:   William J. Yewel dies will serving as Principal Keeper at Sandy Point Lighthouse, MD (land) Sources: Chesapeake Chapter Keeper’s Database; familysearch.org; uslhs.org;  

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Keeper Bio: Yewell, Mary

Date of Service: 1860 – 1861 1860-1861:  Mary Yewell is appointed Principal Keeper at Sandy Point Lighthouse, MD. (land), after her husband’s death (William J. Yewell). Her salary is $350/year. Sources: Chesapeake Chapter Keeper’s Database; familysearch.org; uslhs.org; 

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Keeper Bio: Whiteford, Mary Jane

Date of Service: 1867 1867:   Mary Jane Whiteford is appointed First Assistant at Sandy Point Lighthouse, MD. (Land). Her salary is $200/year. Sources: Chesapeake Chapter Keeper’s Database; familysearch.org; uslhs.org; 

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Keeper Bio: Whiteford, Courtney

Keepers

Date of Service: 1867-1869 1867-1869:   Courtney Whiteford is appointed Principal Keeper at Sandy Point Lighthouse, MD (Land). His beginning salary is $350 and ending salary is $540/year. Sources: Chesapeake Chapter Keeper’s Database; familysearch.org; uslhs.org;  

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Keeper Bio: Waterworth, Hellen Isabella

Date of Service: 1871-1875 1844:   Hellen Isabella Waterworth is born in Maryland. 1871-1875:  Hellen Isabella Waterworth is appointed First Assistant at Hawkins Point Lighthouse, MD. Her salary is $400/year. Sources: Chesapeake Chapter Keeper’s Database; familysearch.org; uslhs.org; 

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Keeper Bio: Waterworth, Kate L.

Date of Service: 1890 1841:  Kate L. Waterworth is born in Germany. 1890:  Kate L. Waterworth is appointed First Assistant at Hawkins Point Lighthouse, MD. Her beginning salary is $560/year and ending salary is $575/year. (Her husband James M. Waterworth serves as Principal Keeper) 1912:   Kate L. Waterworth dies in Maryland. Sources: Chesapeake Chapter Keeper’s …

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Keeper Bio: Waterworth, James M.

Keepers

Date of Service: 1877-1890 1835:  James M. Waterworth is born in Maryland to parents Samuel and Jane Waterworth. 1877-1882: James M. Waterworth serves as First Assistant at Hawkins Point Lighthouse, MD. His salary is $400/year. 1882-1890:  James M. Waterworth is promoted to Principal Keeper at Hawkins Point Lighthouse, MD. His beginning salary is $540/year and …

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Keeper Bio: Waterworth, Samuel

Keepers

Date of Service: 1869-1877 1806:  Samuel Waterworth is born in Ireland. 1866-1867: Samuel Waterworth is named Superintendent of Lamplighters in the western district of Baltimore, MD. 1869-1877:  Samuel Waterworth is named Principal Keeper of Hawkins Point Lighthouse, MD. His beginning salary is $600/year and ending salary is $540/year. (His son James M. Waterworth serves as …

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Keeper Bio: Waterworth, Thomas J.

Keepers

Date of Service: 1876-1882 1837:  Thomas J. Waterworth is born in Frederick County, MD. 1857:    Thomas J. Waterworth enlists in the United States Navy on May 16th. 1876-1877:  Thomas J. Waterworth serves as First Assistant at Hawkins Point Lighthouse, MD. His salary is $400/year. 1877-1882:  Thomas J. Waterworth is promoted to Principal Keeper at Hawkins …

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Keeper Bio: Valliant, Harriet

Date of Service: 1851 – 1856 1794:  Harriet Smith is born in 1794. 1812:  Jeremiah Valliant marries Harriet Smith on October 27, in Dorchester, MD. 1851:  Jeremiah Valliant (husband of Harriet Valliant) dies at the age of 69 while serving as Principal Keeper at Sharps Island Lighthouse, MD. He is buried at Spring Hill Cemetery, …

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Keeper Bio: Valliant, Jeremiah

Keepers

Date of Service: 1841-1843, 1849-1851 1782:  Jeremiah Valliant is born on March 6th in Talbot County, MD. 1812:  Jeremiah Valliant marries Harriet Smith on October 27, in Dorchester, MD. 1841-1843:  Jeremiah Valliant is appointed Principal Keeper at Sharps Island Lighthouse, MD. His salary is $350/year. 1849-1851:  Jeremiah Valliant is appointed Principal Keeper at Sharps Island …

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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; 

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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: Speake, Thomas E.

Keepers

Date of Service: 1887 – 1917 1846:  Thomas E. Speake is born in August to Thomas & Mary Speake in MD. 1876:   Thomas Speake marries Buena Clagett in MD. 1887-1917:     Thomas E. Speake is appointed Principal Keeper at Upper Cedar Point Lighthouse, MD. (His wife Buena Speake serves as First Assistant) His beginning salary is …

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Keeper Bio: Speake, Buena V.

Date of Service: 1895 – 1917 1847:   Buena Clagett is born in December in MD. 1876:  Thomas Speake marries Buena Clagett in MD. 1895-1917:     Buena Speake is appointed First Assistant at Upper Cedar Point Lighthouse, MD. (Her husband Thomas E. Speake is Principal Keeper) Her beginning salary is $360/year and ending salary $480/year. 1935:  …

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Keeper Bio: Smoot, Mary E

Date of Service: 1875 – 1882 1837:   Mary Brawner is born in 1837 in MD. 1858+/-:   Richard M. Smoot marries Mary Brawner in MD. 1875-1876:     Mary E. Smoot is appointed First Assistant at Upper Cedar Point Lighthouse, MD. Her salary is $400/year. (Her husband Richard M. Smoot serves as Principal Keeper). 1876-1882:     Mary E. …

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Keeper Bio: Smoot, Richard M

Richard M. Smoot-Courtesy USLHS

Date of Service: 1872 – 1886 1833:    Richard M. Smoot is born to parents William & Violetta in MD. 1858+/-:  Richard M. Smoot marries Mary Brawner in MD. 1872-1876:  Richard Smoot is appointed Principal Keeper at Upper Cedar Point Lighthouse, MD. His salary is $550/year. (His wife Mary Smoot serves as First Assistant). 1876-1886:     Richard …

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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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