Elizabeth Joseph Nicolar (1847-1924), wife of Joseph Nicolar and mother of Lucy and Florence "was a born leader" and worked hard to strengthen the welfare of the Penobscot people.

"Penobscot and Passamaquoddy families from Indian Island in the Penobscot River, occupied land on both sides of Ocean Avenue at Cape Arundel every summer for almost 50 years. The Rancos settled first near Picnic Rocks in 1878. The Mitchells set up camp on Emery Point the following year. Both families later camped at the mouth of the Kennebunk River along with the Shays, the Neptunes, and the Nicolas, who first came in the summer of 1882. At first, they lived in tents but as time went on they built more permanent wooden structures. They made a good living making and selling sweetgrass baskets for the tourists. Louis Francis and Joseph Ranco, both Old Town Penobscot Indians, made birch bark canoes every summer near Government Wharf. Ranco is credited for making the first canvas canoe and patenting several canoe improvements over the years. Thanks to Joseph Ranco, Kennebunkport was considered a canoe-making center in the early-1900s. 'Indian Village' was torn down by landowner John Peabody in 1936." Kennebunkport Historical Society Facebook post for Indigenous Peoples Day 2019

"Lucy Nicolar was born June 22, 1882, on Indian Island, Maine, the daughter of Joseph Nicolar and Elizabeth Joseph. Every summer, her family traveled to the resort town of Kennebunkport to sell baskets. Lucy and her sister performed in Indian dress for the tourists. In her late teens she started performing at public events such as sportsman's shows. During those performances, she came to the attention of a Harvard administrator who hired her as his assistant. He took her into his household and gave her musical and educational opportunities in Boston and New York. In 1905, she married a doctor and moved to Washington, D.C. ... [Later] she returned to the Penobscot Indian Island Reservation [where] Lucy and her sister Florence campaigned to improve life for their people on the reservation. The sisters raised the educational standards for Penobscot children by gaining access to the public schools. And they persuaded the state to build a bridge to the island. Lucy and Florence also demanded the right to vote for their people. When the state extended suffrage to the Penobscots in 1955, Lucy Nicolar cast the first ballot. The Old Town Enterprise reported 'The princess has done much for the uplift of her people during her public career, both locally and nationally.' Lucy Nicolar died at Indian Island on March 27, 1969, at the age of 87." Native American History Facebook post - 11/1/23

"Elizabeth Joseph Nicolar [was] wife to Joseph and the mother to their three daughters. Elizabeth had a very strong influence in the family, especially on her daughters. From their mother they learned the art of basket weaving, the importance of a proper education and that the Native American was entitled to all of the rights that were bestowed to the rest of the citizens of the country. Lizzie, as she was called, was twenty years younger than Joseph. She was described by a local newspaper as being an individual 'respected,' 'intelligent, and 'superior in many ways.' Lizzie traveled throughout New England marketing the baskets produced by herself and her two daughters (Lucy and Florence) and eventually these travels involved sportsman shows that were held in Boston, Chicago and Baltimore. Lizzie was a born leader... It is very apparent that Joseph and Elizabeth willingly took on the responsibility for the welfare of their people and were able to accomplish very much during their lives, all to the benefit of their family and their people." - Charles Norman Shay, grandson of Elisabeth and Joseph Nicolar

Bibliography:

Indigenous Peoples Day 2019 post - Sharon Cummins for the Kennebunkport Historical Society - 10/14/19

Post on Lucy Nicolar on the "Native American History" Facebook page - 11/1/23 - https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0322QuP6rH8P9cSCxVSamJaYFqVcJH7BQUNxPYZMEqnLtW2HA76kTAZCMQJqo6SCjl&id=100089592708765

Joseph Nicolar and his Daughters - by Charles Norman Shay - as presented at the University of Maine September 25th, 2006 - https://penobscotculture.org/34-historic-preservation/tribal-members/88-joseph-nicolar

Princess Watahwaso: Bright Star of the Penobscot - Bunny McBride (2002) - Charles Norman Shay, publisher