Many of Bucksport’s leading citizens made their living from maritime trade by building vessels, serving as owners and captains, and outfitting ships. Founder Jonathan Buck built Bucksport's first commercial sailing vessel, the sloop Hannah, in 1771, and it soon sailed to the West Indies with finished goods from his sawmill. In the 19th century, one of the major shipbuilding families was James, William R., and William H. Ginn, and W.H. Ginn built and owned the bark Penobscot in 1878. From 1771 to 1906, at least 242 sailing vessels were built in Bucksport and on Verona, including 11 full rigged ships, 26 barks, 33 brigs, 5 barkentines, 1 brigantine, 159 schooners, and 7 sloops. Vessels built and owned in Bucksport served in fishing, coasting, global trade, and passenger service, while homes on School Street and Franklin Street reflected the prominence of the town's 19th century merchants, sea captains, and vessel owners, including the Blodgett House, Barnard House, and Nahum T. Hill House.