2nd Lighthouse Keeper at Shoalwater Bay Lighthouse / 1861-1862
The Robert H. Espy story is full and rich in history relating to the beginning of Oysterville in the Washington Territory. For more info on Robert H. Espy see “Oysterville; Roads to Grandpa’s Village” by Willard R. Espy.
Robert H. Espy was born February 10, 1826 in Pennsylvania to Robert H & Elizabet (Carson) Espy. He was the 11th child in a poor family of 12 children. When he was twelve he was taken in by his oldest sister Margaret and her husband Elias Medley. He became bonded to a tailor but by 1845 he convinced the tailor to grant his freedom from the bond with a $50 promissory note.
Riding the Logs
The Medley’s moved to Grant county, Wisconsin where Robert learned to fall trees. Robert eventually left Wisconsin by riding a lumber raft from Wausau, Wisconsin down the Wisconsin River into the Mississippi River then to New Orleans, Louisiana. There Robert heard about the promise of good land in the Oregon Territory. He crossed the plains on the Oregon Trail on April 21, 1852. After an adventurous journey and arriving in Astoria he first found work logging in the North River area of Shoalwater bay. That next winter he chose to shelter at Point Ellis across from Astoria. He also salvaged logs in the Point Ellis area and “kedged” them across the Columbia river to Astoria for sale. During one of his visits to Astoria he met Isaac A. Clark. Together they planned to each claim a homestead in the western inner shore of Shoalwater bay near some promising oyster beds. Their endeavor led to the beginning of Oysterville in 1854.
Robert spent a good portion of 1859 recovering from scarlet fever at Shoalwater Bay Lighthouse. Surely he got to know the keeper, Capt. Wells and his wife Mary during his recovery. In 1860 Robert held the position of Assistant Marshal for Pacific county in the Washington Territory, as such it was his job to complete the 1860 census.
Shoalwater Bay Lighthouse Shut Down
In 1861 Capt. Wells shut down operation of Shoalwater Bay Lighthouse due to the remote location and lack of supplies. To make ends meet Capt. Wells took the job of transporting the mail across Shoalwater Bay between Bruceport, Oysterville and Fort Willapa. The lack of a light in the lighthouse was a concern to Oysterville residents due to the number of ships coming to town.
Espy Re-opens Lighthouse
In the later part of 1861 Robert Espy decided he would take over operating the lighthouse at Shoalwater Bay Lighthouse. A job he only kept until April 1862. Once supplies were more readily available, Capt. Wells resumed his keeper’s position but still handled the mail contracts too. He soon gave over the Keepers position to his assistant late in 1862. Capt. Wells continued with his mail route until he accidentally drowned in a squall in 1863. As for Robert Espy, he had more ambition and other responsibilities other than to remain isolated at the lighthouse.
The story of Robert’s life is full of adventures and is well worth researching. He continued to be an important player in the founding and the early development of Oysterville. Robert died September 5, 1918 and is buried in Oysterville Cemetery, Oysterville, Pacific, Washington.