Date of Service: 1877 – 1910
1845: Thomas W. Costin is born on November 1, in Northampton County, VA.
1877-1883: Thomas Costin is appointed the First Assistant on November 1, 1877, at Cape Charles Lighthouse, VA, with an annual salary of $440.00.
1879: Thomas marries Rosaline Hitchens on January 28, in Northampton County, VA.
1883-1896: Thomas is appointed Acting Keeper at Piney Point Lighthouse, MD, on October 15, with an annual salary of $520.00.
1892: Charles Maurice, age 3, youngest son of Keeper Thomas Costin and Rosaline, dies at Piney Point Lighthouse.
1892: Rosaline Costin, the wife of Thomas, dies on August 31, at Piney Point Lighthouse.
1894: A new roof is installed on the Keeper’s Quarters on July 11.
1894: Thomas Costin, age 45, marries Ida Dent on August 8, at Trinity Episcopal Church, St. Mary’s City.
1896-1910: Thomas is issued a Certificate of Examination of Acting Lighthouse Keeper by the 5th District Inspector and recommended for full appointment as Principal Keeper at Piney Point Lighthouse on March 20, 1896.
1909: An Efficiency Report is completed on June 8, for Keeper Costin. It reads: “Is responsible for lighting and extinguishing the light, and for public property at station and its preservation. Runs fog bell.”
1910: Thomas W. Costin dies on duty, on September 10, after serving a total of 33 years in the Lighthouse Service.
Sources –April Havens, Piney Point Museum, Official Register of the U.S., National Archives, St. Louis, Mo., Personal Information Sheet, Dept. of Commerce and Labor, May 15, 1904, Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940, National Archives, St. Louis, Mo., Personal Information Sheet, Dept. of Commerce and Labor, May 15, 1904, Chroniclingamerica.loc.gov, Saint Mary’s Beacon. 1867-1893, January 21, 1892, Saint Marys Beacon, Vol. 51 P.4, Maryland Marriages”, 1666-1970 database, National Archives, St. Louis, Mo., Efficiency Report, Dept. of Commerce and Labor, June 8, 1909
