I recently came upon this list of old Abanaki geographic names for Maine and thought others might like to see it. Some of this is available in newer publications, and I see some of it is inconsistent with other works available today (the definitons of the Abanaki names).
Nanransoak (Norridgewock) - smooth water between falls
Penbosquisumquisebou (Sandy River) - rocky and sandy river
Wallagash (Allagash) - bark for a camp
Megallaway - birch bark region
Oosoola (South Norridgewock) - a spot frequently inundated
Taconnet (Waterville) - a place to cross
Kennebec - the country owned by Kennebis (the legendary founder of the Kennebecs and often the name taken by the chief who lived at Swans Island)
Mooseelucmaguntic - the great place for moose
Sunkarunkatunk (Sagadahoc) - mouths of rivers
Nahumkeag - good fishing-place
Seboois - a small stream
Caratunk - a narrow strip of land, between two rivers
Presumpscot - rough place in the river
Sebasticook - a river parallel to another
Kenduskeag - place for taking salmon
Sebago - great waters
Umbagog - great waters near other
Cobscook - a small muddy stream
Maquoit - meetiner of waters
Narramissic - hard to find
Allamoosic - good for nothing
Loshtoc (St John) - wide and shallow
Necotoc - two streams forming a narrow angle
Sunkhaze - dead water at the river's mouth
Passadumkeag - falling water before the falls
Metawamkeag (Mattawamkeag) - a gravelly stream
Schoodic - where fish live all the year
Penobscot - river of rocks
Natuah - an interval
Megunticook - great swells of the sea
Skowhegan - a place to watch for fish
Arantsoak (Aroostook) - great camping ground
Cabbasconteag (Cobbosseecontee) - where the sturgeon is found
Wesserweskeag (Weskeag) - land of sights
Catawamteak - great landing-place
Source: Hanson, J.W. 1852. History of Gardiner, Pittston, and West Gardiner. William Palmer 343 pp.
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Michael Smith
State GIS Manager, Maine Office of GIS
State of Maine, Office of Information Technology
michael.smith _at_ maine.gov
207-215-5530
Board Member, Maine GeoLibrary
Board Member, Maine GIS Users Group
State Rep, National States Geographic Information Council
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