I have discovered another resource in my ongoing search for obscure canoe manufacturing trivia. The G. M. Donham Company of Portland, Maine published a Maine Register every year during the late 1800s and early 1900s which contains a short listing of the manufacturers from each town in the state. The one for 1873-1874 doesn't list a boat or canoe builder in Bangor, Old Town, Veazie, or any of the other likely areas. A Luther Tebbetts is listed as a "wheelwright and boat-builder" in Rangeley but there don't appear to be any other inland boat builders at that time.
The 1889 one shows E. H Gerrish as the only maker of “Canoes, Boats, and Paddles” in Bangor. He is also described as the “prop. of Sportsman’s Camp at B. Pond, above Katahdin Iron Works.” H. B. Maynard is listed as a builder of “Bateaus” but there were no other boat builders listed in town. The only builders of “Batteaux and Canoes” in Old Town are “G. E Carleton” and “Joseph Ronco” although this last one was probably a typographical error intended to be Ranco. There are lots of other canoe builders listed around the state including: Greenville, Passadumkeag, etc. The Rangeley boat builders had expanded to include S. B. Tufts, F. C Belcher, and C. W. Barrett. The first attached image below shows the information about Veazie. It appears that Albion Morris was a carpenter and Chas. Morris was a carriage maker at that time but Bert Morris isn't mentioned yet.
The 1897 one has E. H. Gerrish and C. B. Thatcher listed under the “Canoes, Boats, and Paddles” section in Bangor. The Old Town listings include "Batteaux and Canoes" showing Rollins and Buzzell along with S. L. Ingalls as well as a "Canvas Canoes, Paddles, and Poles" section showing Hunt and Stowe along with E. M. White. It appears that Hunt and Snowe was the name of the Indian Agency at that time since they also advertised "Fancy Indian goods of all kinds, including Baskets, Snowshoes, Moccasins, Birch and Canvas Canoes, Bows and Arrows, War Clubs, Mounted Moose Heads, etc. Also Dry goods, Crockery, Groceries and Provisions." (There are still stores like this in Maine which frequently also have a sign saying "If we ain't got it, then you don't need it.") The Rangeley boat builders included S. B. Tufts, C. W. Barrett, and H. W. Loomis. The Veazie listing included "B. N. Morris, canvas canoes."
I am still trolling eBay but don't want to spend a lot of money. The local libraries and historical groups may also be able to help. Please let me know if you have a Maine Register from another year during the late 1800s or early 1900s that you would be willing to share. Thanks,
Benson
The 1889 one shows E. H Gerrish as the only maker of “Canoes, Boats, and Paddles” in Bangor. He is also described as the “prop. of Sportsman’s Camp at B. Pond, above Katahdin Iron Works.” H. B. Maynard is listed as a builder of “Bateaus” but there were no other boat builders listed in town. The only builders of “Batteaux and Canoes” in Old Town are “G. E Carleton” and “Joseph Ronco” although this last one was probably a typographical error intended to be Ranco. There are lots of other canoe builders listed around the state including: Greenville, Passadumkeag, etc. The Rangeley boat builders had expanded to include S. B. Tufts, F. C Belcher, and C. W. Barrett. The first attached image below shows the information about Veazie. It appears that Albion Morris was a carpenter and Chas. Morris was a carriage maker at that time but Bert Morris isn't mentioned yet.
The 1897 one has E. H. Gerrish and C. B. Thatcher listed under the “Canoes, Boats, and Paddles” section in Bangor. The Old Town listings include "Batteaux and Canoes" showing Rollins and Buzzell along with S. L. Ingalls as well as a "Canvas Canoes, Paddles, and Poles" section showing Hunt and Stowe along with E. M. White. It appears that Hunt and Snowe was the name of the Indian Agency at that time since they also advertised "Fancy Indian goods of all kinds, including Baskets, Snowshoes, Moccasins, Birch and Canvas Canoes, Bows and Arrows, War Clubs, Mounted Moose Heads, etc. Also Dry goods, Crockery, Groceries and Provisions." (There are still stores like this in Maine which frequently also have a sign saying "If we ain't got it, then you don't need it.") The Rangeley boat builders included S. B. Tufts, C. W. Barrett, and H. W. Loomis. The Veazie listing included "B. N. Morris, canvas canoes."
I am still trolling eBay but don't want to spend a lot of money. The local libraries and historical groups may also be able to help. Please let me know if you have a Maine Register from another year during the late 1800s or early 1900s that you would be willing to share. Thanks,
Benson
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