I have been thinking a lot this month about the admirable women I have encountered studying the history of Kennebunkport. I first learned about Annie Peabody Brooks when I read her vivid description of the old Rope Walk that used to run along where Ocean Ave now passes the Old River House. The story appeared in Ropes Ends TRADITIONS, LEGENDS AND SKETCHES OF OLD KENNEBUNKPORT AND VICINITY, published by Annie in 1901. This little book is liberally illustrated with old photographs of Kennebunkport. I have shared some of those photos here today and linked to a digital copy of Annie’s book in the photo captions.

Annie Peabody began teaching school in 1870, when she was just 16 years old. She married shipbuilder Lemuel Brooks in 1877 but somehow, she continued to teach school all around town for thirty years, even though being a married woman she was disqualified for the job. Annie was a big hit with all her students. According to her reviews in the Annual Report, she quickly won their love, confidence, and respect with her passion for local history and learning. Mrs. Brooks could make the driest subject interesting. Her only fault, in the eyes of her superiors, was her relaxed attitude about starting school days on time. She was the first teacher in Kennebunkport to draw the new State Teacher’s Pension in 1913. Annie was also the town’s first librarian at the Talbot Library, which was open two afternoons a week after school let out.

Annie was often described as a happy woman. She cared for several elderly people in town, who were alone. When she and her husband Lemuel Brooks, moved into the Horace Davis House on Elm St in 1900, they allowed Mr. Davis to stay. He was cared for by them for the rest of his life.