Category: Keepers-Women

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: 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: 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, 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Peterson, Sarah E.

Date of Service: 1915 1915:   John Peterson dies on duty at Hawkins Point Lighthouse on February 17th at age 75. 1915:   John Peterson’s wife, Sarah E. Peterson is appointed Principal Keeper at Hawkins Point Lighthouse, MD., following the death of her husband. She served at this position for approximately 30 days. Sources: Chesapeake …

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Keeper Bio: Parkinson, Mary Josephine

Date of Service: 1874-1877 1851:  Mary Josephine Parkinson is born in Maryland to parents Abraham and Henrietta Parkinson. 1860:  In the U.S. Census, Mary (9), lives with her parents Abraham and Henrietta Parkinson, as well as her brother, Abram (7). 1870:  In the U.S. Census, Mary (18), lives with her father Abraham, and brother, Abram …

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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: 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    

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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: 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: 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: 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: 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, 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: 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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Keeper Bio: Pettigrew, Amy W.

Date of Service: 1882 1853: Amy Wood is born in Edenton, NC., to parents William & Malvine Wood. 1860s: Amy Wood marries Haywood Pettigrew in Edenton, NC. They go on to raise 3 girls. 1870: In the U.S. Census, Amy and Haywood Pettigrew live in Tyrell County, NC. 1882: Amy W. Pettigrew served as Acting …

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Keeper Bio: Parker, Venus

Date of Service: 1912 1862: Born in Virginia approximately 1862. 1870s: Marries William Major Parker. 1886-1912: Lived with her husband, William Major Parker, Principal Keeper at Killock Shoal Lighthouse, VA. 1912: Venus Parker’s husband, William Major Parker died on duty January 22nd at the age of 57. Venus took over his duties of Principal Keeper …

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