Sea Cow's Bay - A Historical Perspective: Place Names of Sea Cow's Bay
By Yvonne Mactavious
What's in a name? Legend has it that Sea Cow's Bay got its name from a Sea Cow that came into the bay at Parsons many many years ago. This event must have been a very special and surprising sight to behold.
It is not sure who named the village of Sea Cow's Bay, but for years residents of the village grappled with the notion of having their little nested village called "Seek A Bay" and not Sea Cow's Bay. [Editor's note - "Saka Bay" - according to the late Dr. Norwell Harrigan]
Names sometimes derive from people, places, events, family legends, and from many more circumstances. One cannot really tell how Sea Cow's Bay got the nick name "Hog City", but perhaps it was due to the fact that the residents kept a lot of pigs, or that pigs were in abundance in that village.
It was very displeasing at times when someone would say "You Come From Hog City" or "You Hog City Boy or Girl". This description did not dismay anyone from Sea Cow's Bay, but instead made everyone stronger, and gave them a sense of pride to let everyone know that they came from 'Hog City'.
As time went on residents continued to call the old familiar names that made and built the Sea Cow's Bay in many cultural ways. These names were and still are associated with much of the cultural life of the people of Sea Cow's Bay. For example Jabut Hill is an area used as a road by residents especially farmers and cattle owners to get to their pastures and cultivations located in the hills. Animals were also kept in that area.
The "Barry Path Road" which was once a track road before it was developed served as a main route for persons living in the Albions area. This road also was used during horse races to tether race horses who were participating in the August Tuesday races.
Hannah Bay and Parsons Bay were once major sea ports and commercial areas. Sailing Sloops such as the "Raindeer", the "Una", the Rainbow", "the Vigalant", the "Olive", the "Hunter". the "Star" and the "Annleta", docked in those bays to unload cargo, to sell fish, and to do other sailing activities. The bays were also used as a mooring home for many other small boats such as the "Toy" which was owned by the Late Alcedro Hodge.
Parson Bay was also used during the summer time by the boys and girls of the village for swimming. Each year during that same time it was known that a very large shark would come into the bay and circled in the water around the sloops that were anchored in the harbour. This activity was done until the shark did not appear anymore.
Albion Gate which was a historical entrance to the Albion Estate was used as a meeting place by the older folk of the village. Behind the great wall was the plantation of the Albion estate. Today it is the main entrance to Mr. Ellis Thomas' property, and the gate way for many residents living in that area. It is also the entrance to the "Little A Race Track."
Sarah Bay was another area where the residents of Sea Cow's Bay would use for swimming, and the bathing of race horses. Not very far from the bay is the "Manuell Reef". This reef, being shallow was used by some fishermen of the village for fishing purposes. They would walk on what is called the "Bar" to dive for conchs and whelks.
These areas not only serve as cultural habitats but as a reminder to the older folks of the activities that took place in the Sea Cow's Bay area over the years. The name of only a few of the areas that highlight the many place names in Sea Cow's Bay are listed below. Each name has its own history and uniqueness.
As time rolls on some of the names might be changed, but in the minds of every resident of Sea Cow's Bay these names bear valuable meanings and precious memories. This list of place names of Sea Cow's Bay, will serve to educate the younger generation of this area about the names of place where they live.
Parson, Cherry Ghut, The Drain, Albions Estate, Threllfall Estate, Stobo Rock, The Guard House, Pieces of Eight (Manuell), Big Row, Round Hill, Tom Humphery Ghut, Raven Bottom, Bound Tree (Forbes Residential Area), Turpin Cay (Nanny Cay), Bound Tree (Area overlooking Sea Cow's Bay and Road Town), Thomason, Harney Bottom, Morran, Pleasant Valley, Thomasom Ghut, Marina Villa (The Lot), Parson Bay, Barry Path, The Cops, Nibbs Estate, Slaney, Bora, Manuell, The Lot (Marina Villa), Jabut Hill, Joe Well, Jacob Well Ghut, Palestina, Hannah, Old Yard, Me Young, Parson Hill, The Mill round, Porter Ghut, The Garden, Duff Bottom, Sarah Bay, Manuell Hill, Fishing Rock, Saul Ghut, Tom Mal Free, MarJubia, Albion Gate, Abbey Ghut, Garden Ghut, Collin Hill, Collin Hill Ghut, The Cops Ghut, Hannah Bay, Sandy Ground, Long Path. NOTE: The sailing Sloops mentioned in the article belonged to the following owners; the "Raindeer" Mr. James Smith (Father) Mr. Owen Smith (Son), The "Rainbow". The "Una" Mr. Charles Hyman, The "Olive" Mr. Hardicanute "Canute" Fraser, The "Annleta" Mr. Tommy Hodge, The "Star" Mr. Joshua Leonard, The "Hunter" Mr. Adolphus Rawleigh.