September 7th, 1836 was a day of despair to the farmers in Eastern Kings County, for before the sun had reached its noonday height, they had seen the green fields - full of half matured potatoes, drooped and blackened and completely killed - also all the unripe grain, large quantities of oats and buckwheat killed in like manner from an early frost the night before.

There had been no warning of impending disaster - as the evening of the 6th. had seen a cloudless sky after a bright sunny day. Everything then had seemed so full of promise to the farmers, who depended on the success of each years crop for the support of their families, usually quite large. Planting had been late because of a later Spring, however there was every reason to believe that a good crop could be expected, when the frost struck.

At that time, there was not much grown for export, as markets were uncertain, and anyway, everyone seemed to be fully occupied in just providing enough for food and clothing for the family. The work was usually done with crude home made implements - potatoes being cleaned, moulded and dug with a hoe, and grain cut with a sickle or reap hook threshed with a flail and separated from the chaff by the wind.

During the session of the Legislature held in the winter following the frost an embargo was placed on any exporting of grain and potatoes. And to alleviate any unnecessary suffering because of the crop loss due to the early frost, one or two thousand pounds were appropriated to be distributed among those most needing it to buy grain seed, etc. Commissioners were appointed in each district to supervise the distribution of this money. At that time their were neither banks nor treasury notes, so it became a matter of great importance as to how the money could be brought from Charlottetown.

When it was settled who was to go for it, this messenger set out on horseback, for the journey to the Capital City.

He returned with the money (in pounds made up of silver coins) suspended in bags from his neck. This money proved to be of great benefit in providing seed for many who would othrewise have suffered greatly - and so in spite of the near disaster, real hardship was averted.

The committee appointed to distribute the funds to the farmers used to meet at the home of Joseph Dingwell, a very successful farmer and shipbuilder of that time. Mr. Dingwell was one of the four brothers who subsequently sat in the Island Legislature.

Following the 'year of the frost' the farmers enjoyed many profitable seasons - Mr. Dingwell among them. Then disaster of a different kind struck -this time to a member of Joseph Dingwell's family. Mr. Dingwell had just built a fine vessel of about 100 tons, and loaded her with a full cargo of farm produce bound for Newfoundland. He did not insure the vessel, even though his son and only child was on board - a young man of about 22 years of age, who was very popular in the community, being a likeable youngster.

After a speedy voyage with a strong wind, the vessel reached the head lands of St. John's, and there she was driven up against the rock bound coast and soon went to pieces, all but one on board perishing with the ship. The lone survivor, Aley Deagle from Rollo Bay, succeeded in getting on the cliff.

The Captain was a native of St. Peters.

Mr. Dingwell never got over the loss of his son, and in just a few years he followed him. There are still many relatives of the Dingwell family in the Souris and Fortune area.

Copyright
Waldron H. Leard