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Penobscot County MEGenWeb is a free genealogical site about the history of the county. We hope you find helpful clues for your research of Penobscot county ancestors.

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Temporary County Coordinator: Norma Hass normahass01@gmail.com

COUNTY FORMATION

Penobscot County was established in 1816, from part of Hancock County, when the area was still part of Massachusetts. The county was named in honor of the indigenous Penobscot tribe of Maine and Canada. There is one reservation within the borders, Penobscot Indian Island Reservation.

Bangor is the County Seat.

There were many border changes through the years. In 1817, it gained territory from Somerset County. In 1827, territory was lost when Waldo County was formed. Borders changed in 1831, when Penobscot gained a portion from Washington County. In 1833, it gained from Somerset County, again. In 1838 much territory was lost to the formation of Piscataquis County. Then a loss, in 1839, when Aroostook was formed. In 1841 a small portion of Hancock was added to Penobscot County. In 1842 the northern boundary was cemented by the Webster-Ashburton Treaty. in 1843 some land was given to Aroostook. Land was exchanged with Somerset in 1844. In 1850 and 1858, Penobscot gained from Hancock. In 1889, a small portion was lost to Aroostook County, only to be regained in 1903.

The Penobscot River is Maine's longest river and the life of Penobscot County. Boats traveled up the Penobscot bay into the interior of Maine. Henry David Thoreau was one of the first writers to describe life on the Penobscot in his book "The Maine Woods." His descriptive accounts of 1846, 1853, and 1857 provide insight to the geography and the settlers of this area. Settlers used the river as a highway and loggers floated logs down river with logmarks for identification. Family names were associated with a logmark.