Point Lookout Lighthouse
Ann Davis Documents
1830- 1847
Justification for keepers term of office. Click on the specific document ID to see the original document. Many sources have suggested that Ann Davis was James' wife, however, a review of Marriages in St. Mary's County and the will of one of James' children makes reference to Ann as the brother's sister. Also, the references below refer to Miss Davis, which would be improper to refer to a widow as Miss. The letters from the inspectors, referring to her as Miss Davis would most likely be correct, since people in the field would have intimate knowledge of the keeper's personal lives. (Special thanks to Linda Davis Reno for her input and proof that Ann Davis was the daughter of James Davis and NOT his wife.)
Document |
Document Type |
Date |
Description |
| NA-18-610 | Handwritten Letter |
12/07/1830 | Appointment letter for Ann Davis. |
| NA-18-589 | Handwritten Letter |
09/26/1832 | Last sentence reads: "It appears that the letter recommending Ann Davis for Keeper in the place of James Davis, that the latter died on the 3rd December 1830, to which period you will pay his salary, being a few days over two months salary due to him." |
| NA-18-619-622 | Handwritten Letter |
09/10/1838 | Inspection report, noting repairs needed to leaky house at Point Lookout and: "I am particularly anxious that this establishment should be put in good repair, as Miss Davis is reported to be one of our best keepers". |
| NA-6-001 | Receipt | 05/28/1840 | Receipt of goods, signed by Ann Davis. |
| MN-102-1-2-3 | Inspection Logs | 1843 | "This establishment is marvelously clean and well kept
by the correct Miss Davis" "This establishment as usual, very clean and carefully kept by Miss Davis." |
| NA-E17C-18431021 | Inspection Report |
10/21/1843 | An inspection report that glows with praise: ".... This establishment is marvelously clean & very well kept by the correct Miss Davis ~~" |
| PR-06-AD.jpg | Payroll Register | ~1847 | Lists Salary as $350; "Dead" noted next to her name. |
| NA-E17C-18461127ab | Handwritten Letter |
11/27/1846 | A letter from Ann Davis, complaining about the conditions at the lighthouse. Her language is quite colorful and dramatic! Ann Davis died in the following year. |
| NA-18-617 | Handwritten Letter |
06/24/1831 | The last sentence says "Miss Davis cannot be allowed to sell liquors on the lighthouse premises". The letter talks about James Davis and paying his salary. |
| Marriages
and Deaths, St. Mary's County, Maryland, 1634-1900 by Margaret Fresco page 77 |
Book | 1796 | James Davis, the first lighthouse keeper, married Mary Clarke. A marriage license was issued to them on October 01, 1796. |
| St. Mary's County, Maryland Wills, 1821-1835 by Linda Davis Reno, page 114. | Book | 1830 | Joseph
Davis, 4/29/1830-6/8/1830 (EJM #1, fol. 144).
Oldest Daughters: Catherine Davis,
Mary Davis, and Elizabeth Davis, my three best beds and furniture and the
two trunks and the chest with what they contain which was left
by their mother.
Youngest Daughter: Ann Davis, now living with her grandmother Greenwell, a bed as good as the ones devised to my other daughters which is to purchased by my Executor. I wish her to remain with her grandmother as long as her grandmother lives if my Executor sees fit. Executor: I give full power to take all or any of my said children to his own house or to place them wherever he may please but if the under named persons will take them, I wish him to let them take them. I wish my Executor to keep my daughter Catherine Davis. I wish my sister Ann Davis to have my daughter Mary Davis. I wish my sister Charlotte Heard to have my daughter Elizabeth Davis. Executor: To rent my land until my youngest daughter arrives at the age of 16 and then to sell it along with the remainder of my personal estate (if any remains after the payment of my debts) and divide the money equally among my daughters aforesaid. Brother: Amos Davis, my surveying apparatus. Colonel Enoch J. Millard is to have use of it any time he wishes during his life as he first enabled me to purchase it. Nephew: William Heard, my wearing apparel, including my sword. Executor: Brother, Amos Davis. Witnesses: Thomas F. Ward, Samuel Wise, Thomas Hardy, John Wise.
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