Havre de Grace in Harford County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Keepers

Photographed by Carl Gordon Moore Jr., January 2, 2021

1. The Keepers Marker

Inscription. At every lighthouse in the United States, the lighthouse Keeper's House was built to house a keeper and his family. In most families, the wife and children would help keep the lights burning. In many cases, when the keeper died, the wife or son would become keeper. Concord Point had many members of the O'Neill family as keepers. John O'Neill, the first keeper, never did move his family into the 1880 Census Keeper's House as he already was an established businessman in town and owned a home nearby. He served at the lighthouse from 1827-38 with an annual salary of $350. Other keepers included: Thomas Courtney 1838-41 and 1844-49, John Blaney 1841-44 and 1849-53, Thomas Sutor, 1853-1861 and John O'Neill, Jr. 1861-1863. John O'Neill Jr.'s widow, Esther O'Neill, was official keeper from 1863 until her retirement in 1881. Her son, Capt. Henry E. O'Neill served from 1881-1919 and was the last keeper of the lighthouse. His annual pay was $500. His son, Henry F. O'Neill (Harry) served as custodian/laborer until the keeper's property was sold in 1920.

[photo caption]
John O'Neill Jr. was keeper from 1861 to 1863

[1880 census notice]
Page

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No. 49
Supervisor's Dist. No. 2
Enumeration No. 46
Note A.--The Common Year begins June 1, 1879, and ends May 31, 1880.
Note B.--All persons will be included in this Enumeration who were living on the 1st day of June, 1880. No others will. Children born since June 1, 1880, will be omitted. Members of Families who have died since June 1, 1880, will be included.
Note C.-- Questions Nos. 13, 14, 22 and 23 are not to be asked in respect to persons under 10 years of age.
Schedule 1.-- Inhabitants in Havre de Grace, in the County of Harford, State of Maryland
enumerated by me on the Ninth day of June, 1880.
_____
Enumerator.

www.concordpointlighthouse.org
Maryland Heritage Areas Authority
LSHG

Erected by Friends of Concord Point Lighthouse, Havre de Grace, MD.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1827.

Location. 39° 32.451′ N, 76° 5.135′ W. Marker is in Havre de Grace, Maryland, in Harford County. It is on Concord Street. Just NW of

Photographed by Carl Gordon Moore Jr., January 2, 2021

2. The Keepers Marker

Between slats of the white fence can be seen rear of "Post U.S. Lighthouse Service Use" plaque.

corner of Lafayette and Concord streets; N of "Post U.S. Lighthouse Service Use" plaque; notice in photo 2 that this is still further south than the keeper's house. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Havre de Grace MD 21078, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Baltimore Metro Region

and in Central Maryland.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

in the Chesapeake Bay Region,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Adding On (here, next to this marker); Hero's Reward (a few steps from this marker); Post U.S. Lighthouse Service Use (a few steps from this marker); Concord Point Lighthouse Grounds (a few steps from this marker); Did you Know? (a few steps from this marker); Keeper's House (a few steps from this marker);

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Keeper of the Light (within shouting distance of this marker); Havre de Grace (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Havre de Grace.

Other markers no longer nearby. Adding On (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Did You Know? (was a few steps from this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Credits. This page was last revised on January 21, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 3, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. This page has been viewed 268 times since then and 19 times this year. Last updated on January 18, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 3, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.