1

The 1st Generation of Rollings to arrive in Canada
Benjamin and Elmira settled in Laskay c. 1835 and the 1851census indicates all their children were born in Canada.
Benjamin was not a farmer but moved to Laskay and worked perhaps as a labourer due to the increased need for workers to help with construction and operation of the new mills, dams and other manufacturing businesses.
There exists many different spellings of the name; Roland, Roulen, Rollins.
The earliest census data from 1851 lists Benjamin and Elmira Roland (Rolling) and 6 children living in King Township.
Their religion is listed as Methodist, but later records show them as Baptists, Friends of Quakers and Presbyterian - all family members are listed as "Black" except Elmira, who is listed as "Native Indian".
According to the 1851 census, there were several other black families living in King Township at the time, the Barnharts (Barnard) being one of them. However, the number peaked c. 1861 and declined thereafter.

2

Family Genealogy of Walter Rolling

GRANDPARENTS

Benjamin Rolling
1797 - 1851
Virginia, USA
Elmira
1801-d. after 1851
USA

CHILDREN

*Benjamin H. Rolling 1835 - 1897 (father)
m. Sarah Britton 1843 - 1925 (mother)
James Rolling 1836 - d. after 1861
Isaac Rolling 1839 - d. after 1861
William Rolling 1843 - 1927
Sarah Elizabeth Rolling 1844 - d. after 1861
George Rolling 1846 - d. after 1884
m. Frank Joiner 1867 - ?
Joseph Rolling 1849 - ?
Henry Rolling 1850 - ?

3

Close up of King Tonwship map showing Laskay. Just north was the community known as Strange.
1917
Laskay, Ontario

4

Family Genealogy of Richard Barnhart (Barnard)

PARENTS

Richard Barnhart
1812 -1896
Charlotte Rolling
1821 - 1900

CHILDREN

Ellen Barnhart Smith 1838 - 1925

5

Census information
1861
King Township, Ontario

6

Article mentioning Richard Barnhart (Barnard) 'A slave once led the singing'
1969
Laskay, Ontario
TEXT ATTACHMENT


7

Laskay Methodist Church
1910
Laskay, Ontario
TEXT ATTACHMENT


8

Ellen Barnard Smith in front of her house
1902
Laskay, Ontario

9

Model of Walter Rolling's House.
1950
King Township, Ontario
TEXT ATTACHMENT


10

Model of house in Laskay.
1950
King Township, Ontario
TEXT ATTACHMENT


11

Richard Barnhart obituary
1896
King Township, Ontario

12

Family Genealogy of Walter Rolling

PARENTS

Benjamin H. Rolling
1835 - 1897
Ontario
Sarah Elizabeth Britton
1843 - 1925
Ontario

CHILDREN

George Rolling 1870 - 1942
Walter Rolling 1875 - 1943
m. Eva Elizabeth Smith 1876 - 1916
m. Laura Emily Clark 1892 - 1978
May Edith Rolling 1877 - 1940
m. Edward Taylor
m. C.H. Carey
Charles H. Rolling 1878 -1892?
Donald Rolling 1886 - 1892?
Florence Britton Rolling 1887 - 1966
m. Wallace Lightfoot 1880 - ?

13

Article relating the accident that claimed the life of Benjamin Rolling Jr.
1897
King Township, Ontario

14

2nd Generation Success
Benjamin Jr. (c.1835 - 1897) and Sarah Britton (c.1843 - 1925) married after 1861
Benjamin began his career as a peddler by trade and eventually owned a General Store in Laskay in competition with the Laskay Emporium.
He was very successful and in 1883 he was appointed Postmaster for Laskay; an appointment that indicates much about him - literate, respected, well placed in community.
His tragic death occured in 1897 when he was killed at a train crossing returning from a delivery in Toronto.
Benjamin was one of the earliest African Canadians to hold the position of Postmaster in Ontario.
Together Benjamin and Sarah had 6 children; Walter being the 2nd oldest. His older brother George operated the General Store and he became principal.
The children attended school in Strange and were taught by Elizabeth Tinline.