February is Black History Month, and the Twin Lights Historical Society would like to recognize and honor Samuel Schanck, whose contributions to Twin Lights in the 1840s went unacknowledged and uncompensated.
According to U.S. census data and the Black Birth Book of Monmouth County, Schanck was born on June 21, 1817, to Mary Ann, an enslaved woman owned by Cornelius Johnson, the patriarch of a well to do white family. Schanck spent his early years laboring for the Johnsons, and when Cornelius Johnson’s daughter, Elenore, married Joseph Thompson — who would later become head keeper of Twin Lights — Schanck was forcibly transferred to their household.
When Joseph Thompson was appointed head keeper of Twin Lights in 1844, Schanck took on the responsibilities of an assistant keeper, including the “first watch in the stationary tower” where he kept the light burning through the night, as well as essential maintenance duties like polishing the Fresnel lens and its brass frame and ensuring the fuel supply. In addition, he handled farm work and other labor essential to the operations of Twin Lights. Despite the importance of his work, Schanck was never given an official title or pay. Schanck’s contributions were recorded in the personal journal of Jesse Bartleson, a paid assistant keeper under Thompson.
Schanck gained his freedom on September 15, 1848, at the age of 31, and remained in the local community. The New Jersey Gradual Abolition of Slavery law of 1804 stated that children born to enslaved mothers after July 4, 1804, would be freed at age 21 for women and 25 for men. However, many enslaved individuals were likely not informed of their rights and remained in bondage beyond the legal age of emancipation.
In 1849, Joseph Thompson was removed from his position as head keeper of Twin Lights for inappropriate conduct.
New Jersey officially abolished slavery on January 23, 1866, when it became one of the final states to ratify the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
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