Presque Isle Township Museum Society

The Garrity Family — Decades of Service

Based on Patrick Garrity’s experience mapping the upper Great Lakes, President Abraham Lincoln appointed him Keeper of the Old Presque Isle Lighthouse in 1861. Light keeping was in the Garrity family’s blood. Five of Mary and Patrick’s six children who lived to adulthood made their careers tending lighthouses and supporting family members who tended the lights.

For 74 years, from when Patrick Sr. was first appointed in 1861 until 1935 when his son, Thomas, retired, a member of the Garrity family was keeping the New or Old Presque Isle lights burning.

Anna Garrity was one of the first female lightkeepers in Michigan when she served as the keeper of the Range lights.

Mary and Patrick Garrity, Sr.

1885 Garrity Family Photograph at Presque Isle Lighthouse

Description provided with the photo. Back Row Left: Chas. Stinton, Fancy grocer- Jefferson Ave.; Tom Garrity, Asst. Light Keeper Presque Isle Lighthouse; Wm. (Buff) Ducharme, of prominent Detroit family; John Garrity; Shellingham, Durcharme family coachman; Fr. Reaney, Missionary priest, killed or died in China, His father was Capt. Reaney in charge of District Light House; John Owens

Middle Row Left: Ann Garrity, Keeper of Presque Isle Range Light; Patrick Garrity, Sr., Keeper of Presque Isle Light, Died 3/30/1903; Mrs. Patrick Garrity, Apron description "When daytime is fleeting. I take up my knitting"; Kate Garrity, Keeper of Weather Signal Station- Presque Isle Light; Mrs. Mary Garrity McDougall, wife of Dan'l (Snatchblack McDougall), Ann Owens, Daughter of Peter and sister of Jimmie

Front Row Left: Jimmie Owens, "Punch"- Garrity family dog, Pat Garrity, Later Keeper of several stations

Kathryn (Kate) Garrity

Anna Garrity

Visit the Garrity Family photo album for more family photos and the Historical Documents album to view letters of appointments and pay increases received by the Garrity family.

Eastern Carolina University Master's Student Thesis on Garrity Family, Sophia Stuart, April 2018

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