Date of Service: 1903 – 1930
1867: Born in Mathews County, VA.
1887: Serves as an oysterman. Marries Willia Peters on February 27. The couple raises one child – Edith Pearl.
1903 – at least 1913: Serves as Assistant Keeper at Stingray Point Lighthouse (VA). Starting annual salary – $420; ending – $480.
1915: Serves as Keeper at Windmill Point Lighthouse (VA). Annual salary $600.
1920: Works as a farmer.
1921 – 1923: Serves as Second Asst Keeper at Smith Point Lighthouse (VA).
1923 – 1926: Serves as Keeper at Old Plantation Flats Lighthouse (VA).
1924: Keeper Sadler is awarded the Inspector’s Efficiency Gold Star.
1926 – at least 1930: Serves as Keeper at Great Wicomico River Lighthouse (VA).
1926 On August 1 off the Great Wicomico River Lighthouse, Keeper Andrew Broaddus Sadler and Assistant Keeper Frank Raymond Lewis render aid to the disabled yacht Redwing.
Circa 1930: Retires from U.S. Lighthouse Service with more than 20 years of Service.
1947: Passed away on July 1 at age 80 and is buried at Smither Cemetery, Hudgins, VA. Survived by wife Willia who passed away in 1951.
Keeper Andrew Broaddus Sadler Anecdote
Keeper Sadler served at five different light stations during his career with the US Lighthouse Service. Only one of these stations, Smith Point Lighthouse, is still standing today. However, there is a replica of the Stingray Point Lighthouse (built in 2003) in Deltaville, VA, and a replica of the Old Plantation Flats Lighthouse (built in 2004) in Cape Charles on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.
In 1905 while serving at Stingray Point Lighthouse, The Mathews Journal reported that Keeper Sadler had an extended spring visit from his wife Willia, who was accompanied by Misses Josie Hudgins and Emma Sadler. And during the severe winter of 1912, his duty as the assistant keeper was no doubt impacted by ice floes that trapped Keeper Levi D. Marchant at Stingray Point Lighthouse for 30 days, by himself. On August 1, 1926, Keeper Sadler, and Assistant Keeper Frank Raymond Lewis rendered aid to the stranded yacht Redwing off the Great Wicomico River Lighthouse. And in the fall of that same year, wife Willia returned for an extended visit with Keeper Sadler, this time taking in the fresh air and panoramic views provided by the Great Wicomico River Lighthouse.
Sources – Weldon Lewis Sadler II; Lighthouse Friends – https://www.lighthousefriends.com; Chesapeake Chapter data base; Chapter Historian, Jennifer Jones; The Mathews Journal – May 4, 1905; The Baltimore Sun – April 11, 1921, and Daily Press – October 10, 1926.
