Date of Service: 1870
1826: John Jacob DePass (half Spanish/Portuguese and half Negro) is born in London, England, to parents Abraham & Sarah DePass.
1860: The U.S. Census shows John and his family living in New Orleans, LA.
1861: John DePass enlists in Company E of the 1st Infantry Regiment Louisiana National Guard. DePass was commissioned to 1st Lieutenant in Company E, 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, a regiment of “Free Colored” men that supported the Union cause.
1862: John DePass enlisted in the 73rd USCT and was mustered in as Captain of Company F.
1863: The commanding officer of the 73rd USCT requests the resignation of all non-white officers. DePass resigned in February.
1866: John marries Celestine Butt in Norfolk, VA. They had one son.
1870: John DePass is named Principal Keeper at Craney Island Lighthouse, VA., in May, where he remains until August 1870. (His wife Celestine DePass served as First Assistant)
1892: John DePass died on June 3, at the age of 60 in Albany, NY. He is buried at the Albany Rural Cemetery, Albany, NY.
Sources: Chesapeake Chapter Keeper’s Database; familysearch.org; uslhs.org; Charles W. Davidson (g-g-grandson) and Mark Bodnar (ARC Trustee)
