The Eagen family was in Little Bay by 1882 and remained in town until at least 1904. John and Patrick Eagen worked as miners. John has a series of run-ins with the law due to public drinking. His wife was Ann. However, it is Patrick’s wife Catherine who presents us with the most interesting character from this clan. Foremost because she is one of the few examples I’ve found of female employment.

While her husband worked underground at the Little Bay mine she was working as Little Bay’s agent for the Singer Manufacturing Company. The agency’s branch was located on Water Street back in St. John’s. Her job included placing orders for machines which would be delivered on the steamer SS Miranda and could be leased by monthly payment. By 1891 this job was expanded to include the sale of Brinsmead & Sons Superior Pianos.

The other thing that makes her interesting is her near-death-experience. She had a major health event in the summer of 1899. She became suddenly weak and thought she was dying. Her neighbour, Mrs. Richards, called for help. This was during a period when the town had no doctor so Father O’Flynn arrived to tend to her. While in his care she went unconscious and appeared to die. Her body became pale, cold, and rigid. After some time had passed, however, the town’s intelligent priest noticed that she showed no signs of decomposition so he placed linen over her mouth and nose and watched for signs of life. Eventually he noticed moisture forming on the cloth. He concluded that she was still alive somehow yet mostly appeared to be dead. She remained in this state from Wednesday until Sunday evening when she came back to life. The experience she reported from the other side was one of torment. In a written statement she described how her spirit was led to a place of punishment where countless souls including those of her friends were suffering. In order to be saved from this suffering they required the prayers of the living. The note in which this was described was dispatched from Little Bay to Father Walsh in Fortune Harbour where it was to be read to her mother and then burned. The whole affair became a popular topic of conversation that summer.

Sources:

• 1882 – Eagen living at Little Bay, Loading Wharf (Voter’s List)
• 1886, January – John Eagen arrested in front of Lamb’s Corner (Wells)
• 1886, July – John Eagen arrested at Little Bay Hotel (Wells)
• 1887, January – Mr. Eagen arrested at the McLean sheeban house (Wells)
• 1889 – Patrick and John living at Indian Bight, Little Bay (Voter’s list)
• 1889, Oct – Ed and John Eagan donated to the Harbour Grace Cathedral Fund (SJC)
• 1889, Dec – Mrs. Catherine Egan licensed agent for singer sowing machines (ET)
• 1891 – Patrick Eagan member of RC church
• 1891, July – Mrs. Catherine Egan licensed agent for singer sowing machines (ET)
• 1892 – James born to John and Ann
• 1893 – Winifred born to John and Ann
• 1893 – Patrick and Edmund living at Little Bay, Harbour, Little Bay (Voter’s list)
• 1894 – Patrick and Edmund Eagan were fishermen living at Little Bay Harbour (McAlpine)
• 1895 – Edward Eagen signed the requisition for the honourable Robert Bond
• 1895 – Stephan Eagen of Tilt Cove (Lind ledger)
• 1895 – John and Ann at Pilley’s Island
• 1898 – Patrick Eagan labourer at Indian Bight (McAlpine’s)
• 1899, June – Mrs. Eagen’s coma (HGS)
• 1904 – John Eagen fisherman at Indian Bight, Little Bay (McAlpine’s)