Penobscot Bay is one of many places in Hancock County that attracted
settlers to northeastern Maine. It was the scene of Revolutionary War
land and sea battles. Tradition has it that the first settlers were
Archibald Hainey, Timothy Roax, and Ebenezer Leland.
The town of
Brooksville, named for the first governor of Maine, was incorporated in
1817. It is almost entirely surrounded by water: on the east and north
by Walkers Pond, Bagaduce River, and Castine Harbor; to the south by
Eggemoggin Reach; and to the west by Penobscot Bay. In the nineteenth
century there were five villages of Brooksville: Brooksville; North
Brooksville, West Brooksville, Cape Rosier; and South Brooksville. "The
Cape" was named for James Rosier (Rozier), the cartographer on the
expedition of Capt. Weymouth, who sailed up the Penobscot in the
seventeenth century.
Brooksville has not forgotten its past. With
the passage of time, the town fathers saw a need to preserve and
maintain the things we all cherish: the written word of families, the
lifestyle, the artifacts, and anything else that reminds us of the
golden days. And the peaceful and pleasant atmosphere of the Penobscot
Bay region, as seen by the eyes of the craftsmen -- blacksmiths,
farmers, mariners, ships carpenters, and so on -- is well preserved. The
townspeople have been ever mindful of the lifestyle and sacrifices made
by their forefathers. The Brooksville Historical Society (BHS) was
organized in the early 1930s with the goal of preserving much of the
area's rich traditions. It has survived over the years and today remains
a small organization, staffed essentially by volunteers. Richard
Brownell, Archivist, and his associates have compiled an array of
memorabilia and artifacts donated by families that is intended to show
the heritage of the Brooksville area and its population. Write to
Richard Brownell at the Brooksville Historical Society, Box 9999,
Harborside Road, Harborside, ME 04642.
The Brooksville Free
Public Library is also actively interested in assisting individuals
researching their genealogical links to the region. Librarian Leona Gray
(1-207-326-4560) and volunteer genealogist Edna Andrews have an avowed
interest in the subject. The Library's archive includes material on
local families. As far as possible, Ms. Gray will respond to inquiries
via email or mail. The genealogical holdings of the Brooksville Library
consist of:
- Brooksville town reports, 1926-1999
- Vital
records of 13 towns (more than 33 volumes)
- Histories of 23
Maine towns (32 volumes)
- Genealogies of 36 Maine families (40
volumes)
- Multifamily genealogies (19 volumes)
- 230
single family vertical files
- Maps of 7 surrounding towns
- Local
deeds of the 1770s
- Military records (6 volumes and 15 files)
- Post cards and photos of local families and building.
Leona Gray may be reached at 1-207-326-4560 or P.O. Box 38,
Brooksville, ME 04617.
Many stories are to be found within the
archives of the Brooksville Historical Society and the Brooksville Free
Public Library. Some of them concern Published and Oral Histories. The
names GRAY, LYMBURNER, TAPLEY, LORD, GRINDLE, STEVENS, STOVER, SNOW,
VARNUM (FARNUM), WARDWELL, and WASSON are but a few of the families
found in the area and files of the BHS. News releases of the three Polk
sisters, who married three Lord brothers, raising families who were
double cousins. Henrietta B Lord was 80 when she described how Edwin
Lord, sea captain, proposed to her -- the couple journeyed in a rowboat
to Castine, where they were married.
Brooksville Maine, a Town
in the Revolution (Walter A Snow, 1967), is a nifty little
softcover booklet published by the Brooksville Bicentennial Committee to
honor the names of leading citizens. It contains biographical
information on the citizens who served in the Revolutionary War. The
record of Ebenezer Leland, Andrew Gray, Joshua Gray, Archibald Hainey,
Hatevile Colson, and Matthew and John Lymburner are but a few found in
this booklet, which is loaded with many facts. It was written by a
"local" with an interest in genealogy and attention to accuracy.
Penobscot
Bicentennial, 1787-1987 (1987), an excellent book with much
small-town flavor, describes briefly the history of nearby Penobscot,
with some detail on leading citizens and recollections of life in the
town from some of the older residents. The names of townsmen who served
in all of the wars are provided. There are also pictures of homes, the
first schools, churches, and other important structures.
Bertha
Hutchins Bowden compiled an excellent booklet on the cemeteries in the
nearby town of Penobscot. Penobscot Maine Cemetery Locations
(1971), is a spiral bound, 87-page booklet that includes the names of
the many families the author found buried in 68 cemeteries of the
region.
The history of the Rainbow Grange, Brooksville, can be
found in a 6-page monograph (1975) by Thelma Greene.
Guest
Registers of the Baycrest Inn, 1931 and 1933, have been preserved by the
BHS; along with the Brooksville Highway tax 1835-1846. There are
official pictures taken during World War I; and the usual mementos from
local townsmen who served in that war. Many original deeds to old
Brooksville properties are available at the BHS. A framed copy of the
1853 Maine State Tax has been saved and framed.
Oral interviews
with various local citizens preserved on tape, including impressions
during the 1971 moonwalk.
The lengthy Margaret (Lord) Varnum
Diary, 1852-1884 was transcribed by members of the BHS in 1977.
There is infinite detail in the author's daily recordings of events and
happenings covering a thirty-two year period in this coastal community. A
deeply religious woman, Margaret Varnum (who died on 3 January 1885)
recorded many events that, in some instances, are at odds with published
vital statistics. She also made note of specific reasons for the deaths
of many of her neighbors. Again, this is information that may not be
found elsewhere. Her diary is 220 pages long, and the last 10 pages of
this edition contain an alphabetical listing of all of the deaths,
approximately 400 persons, in these coastal towns. The deaths were
extracted and published in volumes 17 and 128 of the Maine
Genealogist (1995-96). The following are typical of her diary
entries:
April 18 1862: death has again Come into our town Mrs
Hyrum orcut died this week of the quick Consumption She has left her
husband and a infant Child and friends to mourn Just in her youthful
days She lives in the distant part of the Town So I dont know the
particulars
Feb 16 1862: I hav now to record the death of little
Flora Maddocks one of my daughters litte twins 3 years old her Cloths
caught fir and was was burnt badly but she inhaled the fire and She
lived only a days She was a lovely child but She has gone to that
butiful world wher ther will be no more death [more]
Oct 19 1862:
Ruba Varnum my Sister in law lost her dear little babe he died in my
arms he has gone to Join that happy Company of holy Children god bless
those parents and may it prove a blessing to them and may they be led to
Say thy will be done.