DEVIL'S ISLAND, Halifax County - An island located on the east side of the mouth of Halifax Harbour which was granted to Captain John Rous in July 1752 and became known as Rous' Island. Later it was known as Wood Island until a fire destroyed the forest growing on it. It was called "Devil's Island" because shepards and sailors saw ghosts there. The Horn's pastured sheep there. The first settler is said to have been a Mr. Andrew Henneberry about 1824. Andrew and Gasper Henneberry and Thomas Edwards, fisherman, were living on the Island in 1845. In August, 1900, there were about twenty families.
Michael McCarthy was schoolmaster in 1856. New school-houses were built in 1866 and 1884
Constuction of a lighthouse was begun in November, 1852. The second eastern light was built about 1877. An automatic light has been installed.
Formerly several families carried on fishing and there was a lighthouse keeper.
