Introduction . . .Dingwells Mills is west of Souris on Route 2 and is in
Lot 56. It was named for William Dingwell who had grist and saw mills there as early as 1838. Joseph Dingwell had mills there in 1864. William Dingwell was listed in Lot 56 in the 1798 census. The school district in 1880 was entitled Mansfield. Today the community is a part of the Municipality of Central Kings.
A brief history . . .
Lydia Dingwell was born at Dingwells Mills ca. 1852. She was from her birth, a deaf-mute. She passed away in poverty here, under tragic circumstances on April 13, 1931. Author, playwright and Bay Fortune summer resident Elmer Harris took her story and made it into a popular play entitled Johnny Belinda. It later was made into a movie in 1948. Actor Jane Wyman won the 1949 Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of the unfortunate girl. The play made its appearance several times on stage at the Charlottetown Festival and was also turned into a ballet. The mill pond, Johnny Belinda Pond, is all that is left of the property. The Veteran's Memorial Highway crosses the location of the dam.
Today . . . Martime Electric Substation
Wildlife Management Area
Copyright
Waldron H. Leard
