{"id":104349,"date":"2025-09-18T13:37:46","date_gmt":"2025-09-18T17:37:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/?p=104349"},"modified":"2025-10-30T13:30:50","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T17:30:50","slug":"tracing-the-penobscot-nation-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/tracing-the-penobscot-nation-part-1.html","title":{"rendered":"Tracing the Penobscot Nation (part 1)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction:<\/em><\/strong> In this article, Melissa Davenport Berry begins a new series about the Passamaquoddy and Penobscot Indian Tribes of Maine. <\/em>For readers diving into family connections and wondering what does once removed mean<\/a> in genealogy, this story offers a glimpse into how generations and relationships intertwine through time and history.<\/em> Melissa is a genealogist who has a website, <\/em>americana-archives.com<\/em><\/a>, and a Facebook group, <\/em>New England Family Genealogy and History<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

In 1921 some members of the Passamaquoddy and Penobscot Indian Tribes participated in the Plymouth Tercentenary celebration, which was held between June and September to mark the 300th anniversary of the Pilgrims\u2019 landing.<\/p>\n

In this collage of members of the Penobscot Tribe, we see: (top row, left to right) Gov. Newell Tomah in full regalia; Joseph M. Soloman holding his grandson Teddy Soloman; Mrs.\u00a0Mary Paulsoosop Nepune, aka Mary Molasses; (middle row, left to right) Francis Nicola and Myra Andrews;\u00a0 Ramona Mitchell\/Mitchill; Frank Dana and son; (bottom row, left to right) Elmer Attean, later \u201cChief Black Hawk\u201d;\u00a0 Chief Lion Newall, a Nestor \u201cDreamer\u201d; Elizabeth Andrews.<\/p>\n

\"Photos:
Photos: members of the Penobscot Tribe. Credit: American Philosophical Society.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I am researching these families and hope to provide some additional history. Sources from GenealogyBank, FamilySearch, and the American Philosophical Society collections have proven helpful.<\/p>\n

Note: Variations on tribes such as the Wawenock (proper name Wali\u00b7na\u00b4kiak, meaning \u201cPeople of the Bay Country\u201d) were just one of the bands or subgroups of the Penobscot Tribe, located in Maine. The Passamaquoddy and Penobscot Indians<\/a> are the descendants of Native American peoples who have inhabited Maine and western New Brunswick since well before recorded history.<\/p>\n

Daring Canoe Trip<\/strong><\/p>\n

My first two subjects, Newell Tomah and Johnnie Ranco, expert canoers from the Penobscot Tribe, made a journey from Indian Island near Old Town, Maine, to Plymouth, Massachusetts.<\/p>\n

\"Photo:
Photo: Newell Tomah and Johnnie Ranco holding paddles. Credit: Gerry Biron.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A newspaper clip in the Philadelphia Inquirer<\/em> announced their departure.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), 7 June 1921, page 1<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Boston Herald<\/em> also covered the story with a photo feature with Tomah and Ranco in regalia. Their departure from Indian Village was made the occasion of a parade with congratulatory speeches and music by a band.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Boston Herald (Boston, Massachusetts), 19 June 1921, page 37<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This article reports:<\/p>\n

There is no stormier stretch of American Atlantic coast than that between Penobscot Bay and Cape Cod, but Tomah and Ranco are not afraid. They know that their ancestors cruised all along [the] shore from Passamaquoddy Bay to Boston in birch canoes, and they feel safe in their birch, although it is rather smaller that the war and cruising craft of the days of Madockawando \u2013 only 17 \u00bd feet long and 30 inches wide. They carry a complete camping outfit, intending to sleep ashore, putting in at convenient harbors. Both are noted Penobscot River woodsmen and log drivers, and they are used to rough seas on the big lakes of northern Maine and \u201cwhite water\u201d on the rushing rivers, so the prospect of facing heavy seas between there and Plymouth doesn\u2019t worry them.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Here is a photo of Tomah and Ranco in their canoe.<\/p>\n

\"Photo:
Photo: Tomah and Ranco in their canoe. Credit: Gerry Biron.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Indian Island Tribal Officials<\/strong><\/p>\n

A 1927 Maine Directory lists some of the tribal officials from Indian Island near Old Town, which includes Tomah and relatives:<\/p>\n