Henry Pigott

“patriarch of Portsmouth”

Henry Pigott is consistently described as beloved friend by those who knew him.  Earl Mac Noe had a strong attachment to Henry, who lived across Doctor’s Creek from the Noe camp on Portsmouth.  Earl had Henry’s sugar bowl, his long poling oar, and one of Henry’s decoys—a Brant.  According to Ross Salter,  Henry would guide for hunters durng waterfowl season.

Henry was the son of Rose Pigott, who was herself the daughter of Earles Ireland, the family’s owner/master before the Civil War.  His mother and grandmother returned to live with Ireland after the war closed.  Henry was the last man who lived on Portsmouth Island.

Duplication of information available in the listed resources will be avoided.  Information following includes additional documentation to those resources.

Portsmouth Island Decoys, Hunting and Fishing Collectibles–Vol. 1/No. 6–Sept-Oct. 2001—

-documents Henry Pigott’s carving of decoys–including the following–

“As noted earlier, Henry Pigott was he last living male resident on the island……..

…….In his later days, he was approached by an outsider in regards to selling his shore birds.  A deal was made, and the man was to return later to fetch the birds.  Before the man returned, Henry decided to enhance the birds with a new coat of paint.  He never understood the buyer’s disappointment upon returning for his shorebirds.”

(Jack Dudley)