Strawbery Banke Presents
HISTORIC PORTSMOUTH #210 

Portsmouth "bad boys" traditionally went wild at the Fourth of July, setting off fireworks, exploding gunpowder, banging cowbells and firing blank pistol cartridges. One year, according to a novel by Thomas Bailey Aldrich, local boys set an old stagecoach ablaze in the middle of Market Square the night of July 3. (Continued)

 

HISTORIC PHOTOS of the Greater Portsmouth Area appear here weekl

Historically, President James Polk made a quick visit to Portsmouth on July 2, 1847. Was Aldrich on his best behavior that day? The mischievous author was 11-years old in 1847, enjoying a summer break from Portsmouth Academy, now the new Discover Portsmouth Center.  

VISIT OUR TB Aldrich Section

BONUS IMAGE
From another edition of "Bad Boy"

From Story of a Bad Boy by Thomas Bailey Aldrich
courtesy of SeacoastNH.com