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Correspondence from Charles E. Banks to Fannie Hardy Eckstorm ca. 1915-1930, Part 8 (ms158_b1f005_008.3.pdf)

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�Boston, Mass. Dec. 5.

Dear Mrs. Eckstorm:

The "Wunnams" have it and it is a vote. My friend writes:

"Yes, there is plenty of ochre at Tonnemy Pond and also at other near-by places. A regular paint mine was in operation some 150 years (or less) ago, near there. Bragda was up at Tonnemy pond fishing a short time ago and noticed particularly the ochre that abounded on its shore. The country round about is impregnated with it."

He did not say whether it was Hematite (Red) or Limonite (Yellow) but I infer that yellow ochre would not be so obvious as the red on the shore of the pond. "Tonnemy" pond is close by the hill and the latter got its "wunnam" prefix from this proximity

The terminal vowels or syllables, wannameton|emy| need some explanation -- possibly an English addition to make a rhyme of it! It ought to be an -et[underlined] at the locative terminal but it is difficult to twist it that way.

Rather odd that the State geological surveys failed to mention this source of ochre -- but we shall have to go over their heads.

Yours truly Charles E. Banks.

Description: Letters pertain 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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