Lighthouse Keeper recognition ceremony for Keepers Noah and Nancy Lawson – May 8, 2021

Our second ceremony of the day on May 8th 2021 at 2pm and was the “second” one in more ways than one.  It was the second one that day, the second one in Asbury Cemetery, plus it was for the second husband-wife team we have honored, Noah and Nancy Lawson.  Noah Lawson had been a seasoned mariner sailing out of Baltimore for 20 years when he decided to join the U. S. Lighthouse Service in 1865 and serve on the Janes Island Lightship near his home town of Crisfield.  That also makes him the second Lightship sailor we have honored with the new Lightship Crew insignia.  In October 1867, the new Janes Island Lighthouse was completed and he transferred to it as the Head Keeper.  In October 1869, a fire destroyed Keeper Lawson’s personal residence and in November 1869 his wife Nancy was approved for the position of Assistant Keeper at the Janes Island Lighthouse.  The husband-wife team served there together until late 1871 when they both resigned from the U. S. Lighthouse Service.  The keeper couple is buried in the Olde St. Peter’s United Methodist Church cemetery and the church staff there assisted with the ceremony.

Any questions, email Keeper Grave Dedication Ceremony programs@cheslights.org