Guide to the Pennell Family Papers, 1738-2014

Summary Information

Title:

Pennell Family papers

Creator:

Pennell family

Source:

Pennell, Nancy

ID:

M315

Date [inclusive]:

1738-2014

Date [bulk]:

1790-1880

Extent:

7 Linear FeetOversized material housed in Ovsz-box folio C2.

Repository:

George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, Bowdoin College Library, Brunswick, Maine 04011

Abstract:

Correspondence, account books, journals and diaries, deeds, and genealogical material documenting the shipbuilding and shipping concerns, and family and household matters, of multiple generations of the Pennell family in Brunswick, Maine, and of their extended relations, including the Chase and Woodside families.

Using These Materials

Access Restrictions:

No restrictions.

Preferred Citation:

Pennell Family papers, George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, Bowdoin College Library, Brunswick, Maine.

Acknowledgment of non-neutrality:

The George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, like all archives and special collections libraries, is the creation of human beings who have collected, organized, and described things in ways that reflect personal, cultural, societal, and institutional biases. Although we strive to preserve and present collections in a manner that is respectful to the individuals and communities who create, use, and are represented in the collections, we acknowledge that our systems are neither neutral nor perfect. We encourage you to let us know if you encounter materials, descriptive language, or practices that are offensive or harmful, particularly those for which inadequate context or warning is offered. We are committed to modifying and updating our descriptive practices to use respectful and inclusive terminology and appreciate your help in this work. We look forward to supporting you in your research and learning together.

Biographical / Historical

The Pennell family settled in Brunswick, Maine in 1765. In the 1760s, the Pennell family was already in the ship building business constructing wooden cargo ships. Pennell ships carried cargo, including timber, wine, salt, and fruit, to various ports along the coast. The Pennells also captained many of their ships. In the 1790s, Thomas Pennell II (1739-1812) was a shipwright in the area.

By 1800, the family business had expanded to shipbuilding and merchant shipping. Thomas II's son, Jacob Pennell (1778-1841), built the business into an empire, constructing twenty ships in Middle Bay between 1810 and 1841. The Pennell family became one of the wealthiest and most famous shipbuilding families in the United States. The business, the "Pennell Brothers," allowed them to acquire massive success and wealth. From 1760 to 1874, the family would build over ninety "tall ships" that could weigh up to 1,400 tons. Pennell's largest ship was called the "Benjamin Seawall" and sank in 1903 off the coast of Taiwan. Jacob Pennell bought most of the land that the Pennell family had historically settled south of Brunswick. The family built numerous mansions along "Pennellville Road" that remain historic homes today. The area was called Pennellville.

By the 1890s, metal steamships were replacing wooden ships in the commercial shipping industry. Railroads and other forms of transportation were also on the rise. Wooden sailing ships were becoming obsolete. By the 1900s, the Pennells shipyard had gone out of business.

Scope and Content

The Pennell Family papers date from 1790 to 2014 and measure 7 linear feet in 7 boxes. The papers are arranged in eight series: Jacob Pennell, James Pennell, Ship Accounts & Records, Correspondence, Genealogy, Family Documents, Woodside Family Documents, and Photographs.

The Jacob Pennell series (1799-1840) contains ship accounts and records from his shipping business along with correspondence, bank notes, and other financial records.

The James Pennell series (1830-1883) consists of ship accounts and records, correspondence, bank statements, and other personal material.

The Ship Accounts and Records series (1835-1891) is arranged chronologically and alphabetically by ship name. The records largely consist of handwritten ship logs, cash receipts, journals, and diaries that depict the shipping industry in Maine during the nineteenth century.

The Correspondence series (1795-1938) contains a large collection of letters to and from various family members across the generations, including from James Pennell to his mother and father in the 1850s and letters to Nellie Pennell at the turn of the twentieth century.

The Genealogy series (2014, n.d.) is made up of genealogical research of the family. The research includes nineteenth-century notes and family histories from the Chase, Pennell, and Reed families.

The Family Documents series (1738-1933) includes materials on Susan O. Chase, Julia C. Pennell, William W. Pennell, Nellie M. Pennell, Carroll, and Lida O. Pennell, the Dunning Family, and Abbie Reed Pennell, in addition to family recipes, postcards and holiday cards, and deeds.

The Woodside Family Documents series (1843-1918) contains ship deeds and accounts, correspondence and receipts, and other personal documents from multiple members of the Woodside family.

The Photographs series (circa 19th century) includes photographs of James Pennell and his family.

Controlled Access Headings

Personal Name(s):

Pennell, Nancy

Collection Inventory

Ship Accounts and Records1799-1808

box 1 folder 1

Ship Accounts and Records1810, 1813-1814, 1820

box 1 folder 2

Ship Accounts and Records1821-1822

box 1 folder 3

Ship Accounts and Records1822-1825

box 1 folder 4

Ship Accounts and Records1824-1835

box 1 folder 5

Ship Accounts and Records1825-1827

box 1 folder 6

Ship Accounts and Records1827-1837

box 1 folder 7

Ship Accounts and Records1827

box 1 folder 8

Ship Accounts and Records1828

box 1 folder 9

Ship Accounts and Records1828

box 1 folder 10

Ship Accounts and Records1829

box 1 folder 11

Ship Accounts and Records1830-1832

box 1 folder 12

Ship Accounts and Records1830-1837

box 1 folder 13

Ship Accounts and Records1833-1834

box 1 folder 14

Ship Accounts and Records1834-1836

box 1 folder 15

Ship Accounts and Records1835

box 1 folder 16

Ship Accounts and Records1836

box 1 folder 17

Ship Accounts and Records1836

box 1 folder 18

Ship Accounts and Records1837

box 1 folder 19

Ship Accounts and Records1837-1840

box 1 folder 20

Ship Accounts and Records1838

box 1 folder 21

Ship Accounts and Records1838

box 1 folder 22

Ship Accounts and Records1839

box 1 folder 23

Ship Accounts and Records1839-1841

box 1 folder 24

Ship Accounts and Records1840-1841

box 1 folder 25

Ship Accounts and Records1840

box 1 folder 26

Ship Accounts and Recordsn.d.

box 1 folder 27-28

Correspondence1828-1840

box 1 folder 29

Bank Notesn.d.

box 1 folder 30

Estaten.d.

box 1 folder 31

House1803-1840

box 1 folder 32

Taxesn.d.

box 1 folder 33

Ship Accounts and Records1830-1839

box 1 folder 34

Ship Accounts and Records1842-1845

box 1 folder 35

Ship Accounts and Records1840-1849

box 1 folder 36

Ship Accounts and Records1840-1849

box 1 folder 37

Ship Accounts and Records1842

box 1 folder 38

Ship Accounts and Records1844

box 6 folder 1

Ship Accounts and Records1846-1847

box 6 folder 1

Ship Accounts and Records1848

box 6 folder 1

Ship Accounts and Records1849

box 6 folder 1

Ship Accounts and Records1849-1851

box 6 folder 1

Ship Accounts and Records1849

box 6 folder 1

Ship Accounts and Records1850-1853

box 1 folder 39

Ship Accounts and Records1850-1854

box 1 folder 40

Ship Accounts and Records1851

box 6 folder 1

Ship Accounts and Records1851-1854

box 6 folder 1

Ship Accounts and Records1853

box 6 folder 1

Ship Accounts and Records1853

box 6 folder 1

Ship Accounts and Records1853-1854

box 6 folder 1

Ship Accounts and Records1854

box 6 folder 1

Ship Accounts and Records1854-1855

box 1 folder 41

Ship Accounts and Records1854-1855

box 6 folder 2

Ship Accounts and Records1855, 1853-1854

box 6 folder 2

Ship Accounts and Records1855-1856

box 6 folder 2

Ship Accounts and Records1855

box 6 folder 2

Ship Accounts and Records1855-1859

box 1 folder 42

Ship Accounts and Records1856-1857

box 6 folder 2

Ship Accounts and Records1859-1857

box 6 folder 2

Ship Accounts and Records1856-1859, 1862

box 6 folder 2

Ship Accounts and Records1857

box 6 folder 2

Ship Accounts and Records1857-1859

box 1 folder 43

Ship Accounts and Records1859

box 6 folder 3

Ship Accounts and Records1859

box 6 folder 3

Ship Accounts and Records1859-1860, 1861-1863

box 6 folder 3

Ship Accounts and Records1860-1861

box 6 folder 3

Ship Accounts and Records1860-1862

box 1 folder 44

Ship Accounts and Records1862

box 1 folder 45

Ship Accounts and Records1862

box 2 folder 1

Ship Accounts and Records1862

box 6 folder 4

Ship Accounts and Records1863

box 2 folder 2

Ship Accounts and Records1863

box 6 folder 4

Ship Accounts and Records1863-1864

box 6 folder 4

Ship Accounts and Records1863-1864

box 6 folder 4

Ship Accounts and Records1863-1864

box 2 folder 3

Ship Accounts and Records1863-1864

box 2 folder 4

Ship Accounts and Records1863-1865

box 6 folder 5

Ship Accounts and Records1864

box 2 folder 5

Ship Accounts and Records1864

box 6 folder 5

Ship Accounts and Records1864-1865

box 6 folder 5

Ship Accounts and Records1865

box 2 folder 6

Ship Accounts and Records1865-1871

box 2 folder 7

Ship Accounts and Records1865-1873

box 2 folder 8

Ship Accounts and Recordsn.d.

box 2 folder 9

Correspondence1842-1865

box 2 folder 10

Correspondence1861-1883

box 2 folder 11

Account with Brunswick Bank

Bank and payments1855-1856, 1859

box 6 folder 6

Roads bill1857

box 6 folder 6

Cash Book1854-1855

box 6 folder 6

Estate1865-1870, n.d.

box 6 folder 6

Farmn.d.

box 2 folder 12

House and Barn1837-1857

box 2 folder 13

Household Goodsn.d.

box 2 folder 14

Insurance Policies1851-1864

box 2 folder 15

License (Architect)1865

box 2 folder 16

Personal and family materialn.d.

box 2 folder 17

Provisions1830-1859

box 2 folder 18

Provisions1850-1859

box 2 folder 19

Provisions1860-1869

box 2 folder 20

Newspapers1840-1870

box 2 folder 21

School District1843-1861, n.d.

box 2 folder 22

Taxes1834-1863

box 2 folder 23

Union Bank Notes1859-1871

box 2 folder 24

Expeditious Measurer for Merchants and Seaman1835

box 7 folder 13

John D. Pennell Diary1848-1852

box 6 folder 7

Capt. Wm Woodside to George Bartol1849

box 2 folder 25

Capt. Wm Woodside Cash Accounts1848-1849, 1854-1855

box 6 folder 7

Ship United States1855

box 6 folder 7

Capt. A.V Woodside in acct with Wm Decker1869-1872

box 2 folder 26

Freight circulars1857-1860

box 2 folder 27

Bark Wm Woodside1859

box 6 folder 8

Ship Cornelia, Extract of Protest1860-1861

box 2 folder 28

Bark Anglo Saxon1862-1864

box 2 folder 29

Ship Saml Lawrence, Bark Anglo Saxon, Bark Addie Decker1861, 1862, 1866-1867

box 6 folder 8

Capt. James Henry Pennell, Barque Addie Decker1867

box 2 folder 30

John D. Pennel Cash Book1867-1868

box 6 folder 9

Deborah Pennell Journal1868-1870

box 6 folder 9

Bark Deborah Pennell1868

box 6 folder 10

Bark P.C. Merryman1869

box 6 folder 10

Schooner Casco lodge1870

box 6 folder 10

Capt. A.V. Woodside, Bark Helen Sands receipts1874-1877

box 2 folder 31

Ship John O Baker receipt1872

box 2 folder 32

Ship John O Baker1875 Nov - 1876 May

box 2 folder 33

Ship John O Baker1876 June-July

box 2 folder 34

Ship John O Baker1876 Aug-Sept

box 2 folder 35

Ship John O Baker1877

box 2 folder 36

Ship Martha Bowker1874

box 2 folder 37

Ship Martha Bowker1875 Jan-July

box 2 folder 38

Ship Martha Bowker1875 Aug-Dec

box 2 folder 39

Ship Martha Bowker1876 Jan-May

box 2 folder 40

Ship Martha Bowker1876 June-Dec

box 2 folder 41

Ship Martha Bowker1877 Feb-Apr

box 2 folder 42

Ship Martha Bowker, Liverpool1877 May-July

box 2 folder 43

Ship Benj. Sewall1875-1876

box 7 folder 9

Ship Benj Sewall1876 Jan 1-May 3

box 7 folder 9

Benj. Sewall1876-1877

box 7 folder 9

Ship Benj. Sewall1877 Apr-Dec

box 7 folder 10

Benjamin Sewall1877 Dec 29-1878 June 30

box 7 folder 10

Samuel C. Pennell, Ship Oregon receipts1879-83, 1885

box 2 folder 44

Samuel C. Pennell, Ship Oregon, correspondence1880-1882

box 2 folder 45

Samuel C. Pennel, Ship Oregon cash receipts1879-1882

box 2 folder 46

Ship Oregon1879

box 7 folder 1

Ship Oregon1881-1883

box 7 folder 1

Ship P.N. Blanchard1891

box 7 folder 2

Ship records and papers holdersc. 1800s

box 7 folder 11-12

Benjamin Chase1795

box 2 folder 47

James Pennell Family1840-1849

box 2 folder 48

James Pennell Family1850-1859

box 2 folder 49

James Pennell Family1860-1869

box 2 folder 50

Julia Chase Pennell Family1870-1879

box 2 folder 51

James Pennell to James Henry Pennell1855-1863

box 3 folder 1

James Henry Pennell to Father1856-1863

box 3 folder 2

James Henry Pennell to Mother1856-1888, n.d.

box 3 folder 3

James Henry Pennell to Family, etc.1856-1882

box 3 folder 4

James Henry Pennell Correspondence from Family1855-1866

box 3 folder 5

Letters to James H. Pennell1856-1866

box 3 folder 6

Letters to Augusta Simpson1862-1865

box 3 folder 7

Augusta Simpson to Mother and Father1863-1865

box 3 folder 8

Augusta Simpson to Mother1866-1869

box 3 folder 9

Augusta Simpson to Mother1870

box 3 folder 10

Augusta Simpson to Mother1880-1890

box 3 folder 11

Andrew W. Simpson to Mother & Father Pennell, Carroll, and Nell1864-1900

box 3 folder 12

Augusta Simpson to Susan O. Chase1858-1875

box 3 folder 13

Augusta Simpson to Nellie Pennell1865-1918

box 3 folder 14

Augusta Simpson to Brothers Willie & Carroll, nephew Andrew S. Pennell, and niece Julia C. Pennell1863-1917

box 3 folder 15

Bertha G. Simpson to Nellie Pennell1888-1926

box 3 folder 16

Letters to Nellie Pennell1864-1881

box 3 folder 17

Letters to Nellie Pennell1902-1903

box 3 folder 18

Letters to Nellie Pennell1910-1930s

box 3 folder 19

Letters to Aunt Nell from Julia Pennell Currier, Julia Pennell Gage1920-1933

box 3 folder 20

Letters to Aunt Nell from Andrew Simpson, Jr.1923-1933

box 3 folder 21

Abbie J. Reed Pennell to home1859-1865

box 3 folder 22

Abbie J. Reed1886

box 3 folder 23

J. Fred Pennell1920-1938

box 3 folder 24

Eleanor S. Chase Starbird to Susan O. Chase1836-1878

box 3 folder 25

Charles Starbird to Susan O. Chase1850-1858

box 3 folder 26

Celicia D. Chase (Smith) to Susan O. Chase1844-1875

box 3 folder 27

Letters to Aunt Susan O. Chase1857-1881

box 3 folder 28

Letters to Susan O. Chase1837-1878

box 3 folder 29

Carroll Pennell to Lida Owen1894

box 3 folder 30

Charles S. Pennell tor Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain1899

box 3 folder 31

Carroll E. Pennell from Arthur R. & J. Fred Pennell1901-1903

box 3 folder 32

Carroll E. Pennell Miscellaneous Correspondence1902-1903

box 3 folder 33

Lida Pennell (Mrs. Carroll E.)1905-1912

box 3 folder 34

Lida Pennell1910

box 3 folder 35

Lida Pennell1913 Jan-June

box 3 folder 36

Lida Pennell1915-1926

box 3 folder 37

Lida Pennell1913

box 3 folder 38

Lida Pennell from Io Harris, her sister1908-1927

box 3 folder 39

Lida Pennell1933-1937

box 3 folder 40

Julia C. Pennell1911

box 3 folder 41

Pvt. Perley A. Currier to Julia C. Pennell1917

box 3 folder 42

Pvt. 1st cl. Perley A. Currier to Julia C. Pennell1918

box 3 folder 43

Pvt 1st Cl. Perley A. Currier to Julia C. Pennell1918-1919

box 3 folder 44

Mr. & Mrs. Perley A. Currier Christmas Cards1921

box 3 folder 45

Julia Pennell Currier Gage to Mother Lida Owen Pennell1930-1938

box 3 folder 46

Letters to Andrew Pennell1922, 1925, n.d.

box 4 folder 1

Andrew Pennell to Mother1924, 1926

box 4 folder 2

Catherine C. Pennell to Mother1923-1938

box 4 folder 3

Letters to Celicia, Annie, and George Pennell (children of Jacob Pennell and Hannah Chase)1906-1910, n.d.

box 4 folder 4

Letters to Celicia Marie Pennell1905-1912

box 4 folder 5

Letters to Annie Eliza Pennell1907-1910

box 4 folder 6

Letters to George Washington Pennell1902-1910

box 4 folder 7

Correspondence, unknownn.d.

box 4 folder 8

Chase Familyn.d.

box 4 folder 9

Pennell Familyn.d.

box 4 folder 10

Reed Family, Correspondence to Abbie J. Reed Pennelln.d.

box 4 folder 11

Stanwood Familyn.d.

box 4 folder 12

The Maine Genealogist, Aug 2014 (Vol. 36, No. 3)2014

box 7 folder 3

Land Deeds1738-1831

box 4 folder 13

Pennell Land Deeds1838, 1866

box 4 folder 14

Pennell Ship Deeds1850, 1863

box 4 folder 15

Chase Land Deeds1837-1877

box 4 folder 16

Poetry1835-1842

box 4 folder 17

Teaching Certificate1843

box 4 folder 18

Scripture Album1851-1866

box 4 folder 19

Receipts1860

box 4 folder 20

Receipts1870

box 4 folder 21

Receipts1880

box 4 folder 22

Diary, Notes, and Essay1910

box 4 folder 23

Account Books1872-1883

box 4 folder 24

Memobooks1873-1883

box 4 folder 25

Receipts1873-1880

box 4 folder 26

Bank Correspondence, Copies of Legal Letters1888-1933

box 4 folder 27

Receipts1884-1930

box 4 folder 28

Bank receipts and sums1879-1922

box 4 folder 29

Writingn.d.

box 4 folder 30

Taxes and newspaper subscriptions1881-1911

box 4 folder 31

Receipts1877-1899

box 4 folder 32

Receipts1900-1905

box 4 folder 33

Receipts1906-1912

box 4 folder 34

Ledger1878

box 4 folder 35

Receipts1914-1926

ovsz-box C2

Lawn Pooln.d.

box 4 folder 36

Harriet J. Pennell Dunning, Insurance Letters and Policies1896-1902

box 4 folder 37

James Dunning, Receipts1881-1901

box 4 folder 38

Abbie Reed Pennell's diary (indicated as second by RPT Coffin)1865 Mar. 13-May 11

box 7 folder 4

Abbie Reed Pennell's diary1865 May 12-July 21

box 7 folder 4

Abbie Reed Pennell's diary1865 July 23-Aug 15

box 7 folder 4

Abbie Reed Pennell's diary1865 Aug. 16-Sept. 11

box 7 folder 4

Calling cardsn.d.

box 4 folder 39

Christmas Show program with notes by Alice Coffin Pennell1941

box 4 folder 40

Drawing of the residence of A.W. Simpsonn.d.

ovsz-box C2

P.N. Blanchard estaten.d.

box 7 folder 5

Mathematics work book1854

box 7 folder 6

Mathematics Work Book, James H. Pennelln.d.

box 7 folder 7

Documentsn.d.

ovsz-box C2

Paper Dolls1895, n.d.

box 4 folder 41

Parlor Gamen.d.

box 4 folder 42

Pine lumber from White's Island, Casco Bay cut1850

box 4 folder 43

Receipts1877

box 4 folder 44

Will of Daniel Campbell of Biddeford1760

box 4 folder 45

Writing, Copy Booksn.d.

box 4 folder 46

Postcards to Mr Carroll Pennell; postcard to Papa from Polly [Catherine?]; to Mrs Carroll Pennell [Lida]; postcard to Mrs. O.B. Davis [Dear Sister] from Lida; postcards in poor condition (separated by a folded sheet of paper)n.d.

box 4 folder 47

Postcards to Miss Julia Pennell; postcards in poor condition (separated by a folded sheet of paper)n.d.

box 4 folder 48

Postcards to Miss Catherine [Cathie] Pennell; to Andrew Pennelln.d.

box 4 folder 49

Postcards to Miss Nellie M. Pennelln.d.

box 4 folder 50

Postcards to Miss Mary Woodside; Miss Fannie A. Woodside; Misses Celicia and Annie Pennelln.d.

box 4 folder 51

Postcards to Mrs. Lilla P. Tenney [Mrs. George F.] (housekeeper?); Mr. Alonzo Day; Mrs. O.B. Davisn.d.

box 4 folder 52

Blank Postcardsn.d.

box 4 folder 53

Blank Postcardsn.d.

box 5 folder 1

Holiday cards to Lida from Andy, Julia, Catherine; to Mother Pennell from Christine; to the Pennell household from Arlinen.d.

box 5 folder 2

Holiday Cards to Lidan.d.

box 5 folder 3

Blank Holiday Cardsn.d.

box 5 folder 4

Holiday Cards in Poor Conditionn.d.

box 5 folder 5

Wood and Envelope Booklet for Clippingsn.d.

box 5 folder 6

Newspaper Clippingsn.d.

box 5 folder 7

Handwrittenn.d.

box 5 folder 8

General recipesn.d.

box 5 folder 9

Pamphletsn.d.

box 5 folder 10

Capt. William Woodside1843-1848

box 5 folder 11

Capt. William Woodside1852-1859

box 5 folder 12

Ship deeds and shipping accounts1838-1858

box 5 folder 13

Mrs. Catherine C. Woodside1856-1868

box 5 folder 14

Mrs. Catherine C. Woodside1871-1879

box 5 folder 15

Mrs. Catherine Woodside1880-1884

box 5 folder 16

Capt. Arthur V. Woodside1864-1881

box 5 folder 17

Miss Julia M. Woodside1891-1900

box 5 folder 18

Miss Fannie M. Woodside, Frances Amelian.d.

box 5 folder 19

Kate Furbish Letter of Condolence to the Misses Woodsiden.d.

box 5 folder 20

Woodside legal executions1843-1876

box 5 folder 21

Edward H. Woodside correspondence and receipts1852-1867

box 5 folder 22

Edward H. Woodside correspondence and receipts1870-1878

box 5 folder 23

Edward H. Woodside correspondence and receipts1880-1895

box 5 folder 24

Edward H Woodside correspondence and receipts1918

box 5 folder 25

Edward Hamlinton Woodside receiptsn.d.

box 5 folder 26-27

Edward H. Woodside Correspondencen.d.

box 5 folder 28-29

Edward H. Woodside Notesn.d.

box 5 folder 30

Edward H. Woodsiden.d.

box 5 folder 31

James Pennell family and descendentsc. 1800s

box 5 folder 32

Family photo albumc. 1800s

box 7 folder 8