SPELLING OF ROLLINGDAM

Chapter 8 of 23

Spelling of community name is one of much controversy, particularly within the McGowan family. The oldest records I have seen refer to "the Rolling Dam". It appears this was an often used term in the mid 1800's and to this day, is still used by some. More commonly used is Rolling Dam" or "Rollingdam". On November 23, 1931, Ralph McKinney of Berlin, New Hampshire, wrote the following letter to the St. Croix Courier.

It is twenty-four years since I left New Brunswick for New Hampshire, but I have always kept my interest in Charlotte County by returning every year for my vacation and by reading your splendid paper. The issue of Nov. 19th was of particular interest to me because you correctly spelled the name of my native village - Rolling Dam - two words and a capital D. You generally write it all one word - Rollingdam.

At the northern end of the village of Rolling Dam, a ledge extends across the Digdeguash River forming a natural dam and a beautiful roll of water in time of freshet.

At this spot the first mill in the village was constructed and the dam built on top of the ledge was a roll dam - that is it had no gates and logs being floated to the mills at the mouth of the river went over the top of the dam. The river drivers spoke of it as the "rolling dam" to distinguish it from the other dams on the river that had gates through which the logs were sluiced. From these two facts - the natural dam and the first man made dam - the village took its name. As the place was named after a dam, it seems reasonable that in the name that word should be spelled with a capital.

I believe that some college professor in Toronto or Winnipeg once wrote and article on place names in Canada and said Rollingdam should be one word. What did he know about it? How would you like Mooresmills, Oakbay, Oldridge, etc?

I hope you will not take offense at my criticism. We all have an affection for the place of our birth and like to see it mentioned in as prominent a manner as possible. I'm sure you will agree that Rolling Dam will catch the eye more quickly than Rollingdam and will give the reader the feeling that it is a more important place.

SO - there is no question that the name started as two words. For those who believe in the authority of origin, this is the proper name. However, as early as the 1890's, local newspapers verify the bustling community of that time was often referred to as the Village of "Rollingdam". This is, of course, a combined form as are numerous community names throughout the Country. To reverse the McKinney argument, how would you like Mill Town, Bay Side, Penn Field, etc?

The way other localities designate official names are by becoming incorporated municipalities where an officially elected council is positioned to declare the proper name. Although Rollingdam has been referred to as a Village in the past, to my knowledge it has never been incorporated.

I presume my preference is now obvious. My reasons are simple. Rolling Dam are words describing a thing (that which exists in a river). The capitals are "illegitimate". Rollingdam is a one word proper name identifying a living, breathing community. Unlike Ralph McKinney, I believe the combined form gives a feeling that it is a more important and unique place.

And so the controversy will continue to rage. Apologies to my mother who lives in Rolling Dam.

For now,however, let us put aside this debate, and move to the first colonial born offspring of John McGowan and Bridget Murray.