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.
===============================
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
State House Station 174
264 Civic Center Drive
Augusta, ME 04333-0174
69o 47' 49.5"W 44o 20' 54.5"N
Confidentiality Notice: This email message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipients and may contain confidential and privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient,
or an authorized agent of the intended recipient, please immediately contact the sender by reply email and destroy/delete all copies of the original message. Any unauthorized review, use, copying, forwarding, disclosure, or distribution by other than the intended
recipient or authorized agent is prohibited.