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Correspondence from Charles E. Banks to Fannie Hardy Eckstorm ca. 1915-1930, Part 3 (ms158_b1f005_003.05.pdf)

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the "river" today like a mill race at flood tide you would understand why I balk at the "river" idea and cling to the tic-tuck-tek8 root as its key- a tidal stream. I know of none like it in Maine, but I suppose there are many. I begin at Piscataqua (rising in shapleyh) then Saco, Royal River (No. Yarm) Kennebec, Penobscot- real rivers of varying sizes, hot fresh (fresh is underscored) and mostly [?] blocked by falls. The Presumpscot at or near Portland, has falls- Me Fore "River"- (Portland) is a short tidal "River" and so is the nonesuch "River" in Scarboro. I maintain the difference is vital. If it isnt, then the Indian wouldn't know why an arrow wasn't a bullet. If one of them saw water running up hill to the source and called it a "river" he was lacking in the use of her mother tongue. Has the saltish water no significance in their nomenclature? It isn't potable water as you can understand.

As to Pemaquid and Machigonne- they have no present urge. I brought them up in an apropos spirit, as related to the whole question of applied Abenaki nomenclature. Of course my present problem is Aguam-n-tick-us. I shall "lay hold" of Pemaquid as you set it out and consider it in connection with Norumbega. When I get through with my York book-I digress to say that I shall see that you have a copy with the "author's compliments" - I want to do something with our old friend Norumbega. There is one suggestive point in its bibliography which I hope may be run to earth. As I recall it, the traveler Ingraham who visited "it" about 1570 (?) figured in some litigation about his tribe or his vessel, according to [?]. If so there might be a chanceryor admiralty suit in London. I got my Popham documents out of the High Court of Admiralty and that bloomin' court

Description: Letters pertaining to Indian place names in Maine, Indian languages, and other matters relating to Wabanaki cultures and history.

Link to document in Digital Maine

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Date: ca. 1915-1930

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