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  • Title: Elisabeth Lansdale Duval Hobelman - Marietta House
  • Location: Glenn Dale, MD
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Marietta House Museum in Prince George’s County, MD was the early 19th century plantation home of Associate Supreme Court Justice Gabriel Duvall, along with several descending generations of Judge Duvall. Marietta House was also where multiple generations of enslaved families and individuals lived and labored. Elisabeth Lansdale DuVal Hobelman(1893-1987), was the great-great granddaughter of Judge Duvall, and was one of the first U.S. female wireless operators in the early 1900’s. She was also one of the first female operators to serve aboard a ship. Her service was from Dec.4, 1917 to Dec.1918. Elisabeth wrote about her adventures aboard ship, and cites her interest to “learn all about the business of the wireless”. She thought of it as a way to contribute to her country during WWI. Marietta House has a copy of her wireless license and her termination letter, citing that men were returning to service after the war, so her services were no longer needed.