Michael Wrayton & Aggie's Light
My Great-grandfather, Michael Wrayton came to the S.E. coast of Nova Scotia from Ireland during the winter of 1830/31 aboard the Brig Mary, with Capt. Duncan at the helm. He was 21 years old. He and his partner were actually heading for St. John, N.B. to start a merchant business, but the Brig Mary had problems off the coast of N.S. so he stayed for the long run in the Shag Harbour area. (there is another whole story around the Brig Mary and the court case that followed this trip) He set up as a merchant in Doctor’s Cove and spent several years there. He married Maria Cunningham, daughter of Capt. James Cunningham and Addra Jane (Guyon) of Churchover. N.S. in 1843 and they had eleven children. My Grandmother, Agnes Elizabeth Wrayton was the ninth child, born in 1859. In about 1860 he purchased Stoddard’s Island from the Stoddard brothers and moved his large family to the island, renaming it Emerald Isle. In 1870 the lighthouse was built on the island and Michael Wrayton was the first lightkeeper on the East coast to use kerosene instead of whale oil as fuel. My Grandmother Aggie was twelve years old at the time and was given the job of tending to the light. She lit the light each night and snuffed it in the morning. It came to be called Aggie’s Light and remains so today. Maria Wrayton died in Sept. 1879 and in Dec. of the same year Michael Wrayton, his two youngest children, Lovell, 19 and Cassie,17 and a friend, Jacob Sears were drown off Lower Argyle when their boat, The Ocean Belle went down. This left Aggie and her brother Will the only ones on the island. Aggie married John McDonnell of Lower Argyle in 1881 and left the island to raise her own family of nine children. She died in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1947. Will and his wife, Mary (Mihan) went to Bon Portage to be lightkeeper’s there and remained until 1897 when they moved to Halifax. Arthur, the third son of Michael and Maria then purchased the island from the Wrayton estate and moved his wife and several children there. He was there until his death by drowning in Argyle Bay 1892. He left a wife and nine children. In 1893 Arthur’s wife Alice was charged with manslaughter, but ultimately exonerated in the death of Billy Thurston, a hired hand on the island.
Alice then sold the island to Cap’t. Ephrim Larkin, Grandfather of Evelyn Richardson of “We keep a Light” fame, amongst other great books about the islands. Evelyn Richardson was born on the island in 1902. (check this date)
Unfortunately, Michael failed to file the necessary documents with the government and the name of the island was never officially changed, so remains today as Stoddard’s Island although it is referred to by many names, including Emerald Isle, Wrayton’s Island and Eph’s Island.
In about 1873 or 74 the Cable Ship Minia was fog bound on the island for some period of time. The Wrayton’s were obviously grand hosts to the captain and crew as the captain wrote a song about the family and the island. I have tried to find out who the captain was, but to no avail. Here is fully how the document reads:
!The following song is respectfully dedicated to the inhabitants of the
Emerald Isle as a small token of regard and acknowldgment of the
pleasure of their musical genius and other endearing qualities afforded
the Captain and Officers of the Cable Ship "Minea" during their long
detention caused by fog.
To the tune of "God Bless the Prince of Wales"
Sweet Emerald Isle, Farewell
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How hard it is to say good-bye
To friends so kind and dear
The parting ever bring a sigh,
And oft a bitter tear.
The happy isle we'll ne'er forget
Though now for aye we part,
It's mem'ry will bring gladness yet
To cheer an aching heart.
Chorus:
Then lend your voices loud awhile
And give a hearty cheer
For Wrayton's and the Emerald Isle
God bless them be our prayer.
As o'er the mighty deep we roam
To mend the broken link.
We'll ne'er forget your happy home
Nor cease of you to think,
The fair ones near our heart we place
Whose smiles are sweet and bright
Where images we'll ne'er deface
Hurrah for Aggie's light.
Chorus:
Now may the King and Queen my boys,
Of this most charming spot.
Have richest blessings, many joys
Contentment be their lot,
Arthur and our friends within
The matrimonial sphere
Oh! may your richest blessings win,
To drive away dull care.
Chorus:
For Bella's sweet melodius lays,
For Maggie's bright black eyes,
For Aggies's many winning ways,
All strenghten friendships tie.
Sweet Cassie all our love first won
Her charming smiles are sweet.
And Love, the Hero with his gun
We’ll ne'er his equal meet.
Chorus:
Right jovial son of Erin's Land
And your thrice happy wife,
May both glide smoothly hand in hand,
Adown the stream of life.
So farewell true and gen'rous hearts
We part but for awhile.
We'll ne'er find friends in foreign parts
Like those of Emerald Isle.
Chorus:
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Goodnight, Goodnight, parting is such sweet sorrow
That I shall say goodnight until tomorrow.
Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet
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