BETHEL — Over 30 people gathered Thursday at the Dr. Moses Mason House for a presentation and plaque dedication on the life of Molly Ockett, a Native American of the Pequawket tribe who was well-known throughout several towns in Western Maine.

The afternoon began with a 45-minute presentation on the life of Molly Ockett by Cathy Newell, past president of the Bethel Historical Society and current board of trustees member.

Newell, who has written a book about Molly Ockett, said the presentation was being held this year in recognition of the 200th anniversary of Molly Ockett’s death.

She pointed out that while Molly Ockett was buried in Andover at Woodlawn Cemetery, she was well-known in several towns in Maine, including Bethel, Poland and West Paris.

“Throughout her life, she visited Vermont, New Hampshire, and Canada,” Newell said. “People all throughout this area had stories to share about her. One of Molly Ockett’s true characteristics is friendship. She made a lot of friends throughout her life.”

Molly Ockett had been buried in an unmarked grave up until 1867, Newell said.

That year a group of Andover women raised money to erect a gravestone over the area of Molly Ockett’s final resting place.

“Above all else, the thing to remember about Molly Ockett is the friendships (she built) within her groups and her community,” Newell said.

She added that a few years ago, “There was some thought in Fryeburg about changing the name of Molly Ockett Middle School to something else, and having a contest where the kids decide what to call it.”

“One of the kids did a lot of research on Molly Ockett, was appalled that this was taking place, wrote a letter to the superintendent, and apparently, Molly Ockett will continue to have her name on the school,” Newell said. “I thought that was a lovely little story.”

The event ended with the unveiling of the bronze memorial plaque, which was installed in the garden outside the Dr. Moses Mason House.

The Molly Ockett Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Fryeburg, raised the money to buy the plaque.

The plaque includes Molly Ockett’s name, the date of her birth and death, and a message that recognizes her as a “famed Abenaki healer, renowned storyteller, frequent visitor to the (Dr. Moses) Mason House, and friend to this region’s white settlers on the 200th anniversary of her passing.”

At the bottom of the plaque, the word “Nemikwalamnana” is printed in the Abenaki language, followed by the English translation: “We remember.”

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