Coltons Point in St. Mary's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
St. Clement's Island Lighthouse
"None of the Lighthouses … are Safe"
On May 19, 1864 Confederates raided St. Clement's Island to destroy the 1851 lighthouse. Capt. John Goldsmith, a county residence who had once owned the island, led the attack, having joined the Confederate army in Virginia. In a thirty-foot sailboat, Swann, Goldsmith slipped past a United States gunboat anchored nearby and landed on the island intending to blow up the lighthouse. Keeper Jerome McWilliams, a former neighbor, knew Goldsmith and persuaded him that it would be dangerous to McWilliams pregnant wife to move her from the keeper's dwelling adjacent to the lighthouse. Goldsmith gallantly abandoned that part of his plan and contented himself with destroying the lens and lamp and making off with the oild and light tender.
"And I am of the opinion that, while there are so many 'rebel sympathizers' in Maryland and the Eastern Shore of Virginia, none of the lighthouses there located are safe without a guard on shore to protect them." Cmdr. Foxhall A. Parker, U. S. S. King Philip St. Mary's, Maryland, May 21, 1864
Caption of photo in middle of marker
Blackistone Lighthouse, St. Clements Island, ca 1920
Text of inset on right side of marker
Black Nancys
Although omnipresent Union gunboats patrolled the Potomac River and a Federal supply depot located just north of St. Clements Island at Bushwood Wharf, Confederate blockade runners nevertheless slipped back and forth to Virginia undetected. "Black nancys," local dories painted or stained black, played an important role in the nightly runs. These small, light boats slid quietly through the darkness laden with supplies for the South.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Places • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses, and the Maryland Civil War Trails series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is May 19, 1864.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 13.477′ N, 76° 45.029′ W. Marker was in Coltons Point, Maryland, in St. Mary's County. Marker was on Point Breeze Road, 0.2 miles east of Colton Point Road (Route 242), on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Coltons Point MD 20626, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Saint Clement’s Island (here, next to this marker); The Black Diamond Incident (a few steps from this marker); Mother of Light Shrine (a few steps from this marker); St. Clements Manor (a few steps from this marker); Journey to an Island (within shouting distance of this marker); With Great Emotion of Soul (within shouting distance of this marker); Dory Boats (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Clement's Island Museum (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Coltons Point.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced by the linked marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 26, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 15, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,510 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 22, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. 2. submitted on September 4, 2009, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. 3. submitted on March 7, 2009, by Jason Rearick of Lexington Park, Maryland.