Bibliography
“Brunswick Village in Seventy Years Ago.” Brunswick Telegraph, v. 34, no. 37, June 7, 1889, p. 1. Available online at: https://curtis.advantage-preservation.com
A remarkable firsthand narrative that reconstructs, street by street, and house by house, the residents of the town in the 1820s. Unfortunately, the microfilm and scan of the newspaper (the only available versions) are exceedingly difficult to read. However, the Pejepscot History Center has a transcribed and indexed version available for onsite consultation.
Furbish, John. Facts about Brunswick, Maine: Brief accounts of various events, changes, and interesting incidents connected with the history of the town of Brunswick, Cumberland Co., Maine. 1862-1879. Available online at: https://curtislibrary.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/furbish.htm
Written by Kate Furbish’s brother, John, who founded the Pejepscot History Center, this diary includes recorded facts and his own observations; while written between 1862 and 1879, events preceding this date are also listed. Furbish notes fires, the Civil War, local and state elections, the Black community, shipbuilding, and much more.
Putnam, Henry. A Description of Brunswick, Me., in Letters. Brunswick: published by the author, 1823. See: https://bowdoin.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01CBB_BOWC/b484ai/alma991004210899708043
A truly extraordinary and absorbing first-hand account of the town from 1820 to 1823 as recorded in a series of letters purportedly by a gentleman from South Carolina to a friend back home. The letters are signed “P. N.” and have been attributed to Henry Putnam (1778-1827), a lawyer born in Reading, Massachusetts, graduate of Harvard (A.B. 1802, A.M. 1805), and honorary degree recipient of Bowdoin (1807). The author records detailed descriptions of the town’s geography, topography, layout, development, and industry. He notes the continued presence of the Wabanaki and discusses the development of the College. The author published his letters in 1820 and then updated them in 1823, stating he had returned to town after an absence of some time. Putnam had a further connection to the Wabanaki: according to the 1889 Brunswick Telegraph article: “Adjoining Mr. Putnam’s residence stood a small one story building occupied by Molly Suctomer an Indian woman.”
“Some Reminiscences Respecting the Town of Brunswick and More Particularly In the Village as it Was in 1802,” Brunswick Telegraph, July 30, 1853. Available online at: https://curtis.advantage-preservation.com
While no author is given, this account is nearly identical to a manuscript version found in the records of the Pejepscot Proprietors’ Records at the Maine Historical Society attributed to John McKeen: McKeen, John (attributed). “Historic narrative of Brunswick residences, spanning 1749-1823.” Pejepscot Company Records, Volume 5, 1673–1856, pp. 348a.6-348a.17. Maine Historical Society. Available at: https://www.mainememory.net/record/112088/image/113663. The account offers considerable detailed information about the town’s development, including an account of most residents and businesses.
Wheeler, George Augustus Wheeler, and Henry Warren Wheeler, History of Brunswick, Topsham, and Harpswell, Maine: Including the Ancient Territory Known as Pejepscot. Boston: Alfred Mudge & Son, 1878. See: https://bowdoin.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01CBB_BOWC/smm2js/alma991001482479708043
Still the most comprehensive history of the town even published.