August 14
DESCENDED FROM GOODY COLE? 
I am a relative of Goody (Eunice) Cole - my grandmother, Eva Batchelder, wife of Oscar Batchelder, was a Shaw and told me that that Eunice was a great great aunt, and witch, that she was finally buried in the town of Hampton (Cole Family). I do have a furniture piece of the Cole family, and a family album my Grandmother did give me, 40+ years ago.

I do have the original Batchelder cradle (used in 1900) for my Grandfather, and a few other piecies from their home (being the favorite Grandaugther!).I have a huge interest in Herbal Magic practices, which I feel, relate to Goody. I have been reviewing web sites regarding Eunice, and I am amazed at how many, will not "open". I believe she still walks.
Cynthia Whitcomb (Mead, Batchelder, )

EDITOR’S REPLY: Thanks for your great email to the editor. Our Goody Cole page is linked above. Goody Cole was "accused" of being a witch in an era filled with fear and superstition. She was not a witch, since they don't exist. The accusation was simply a way for more powerful people in town to exploit Cole and take her land and property. She likely died of natural causes and the site of her burial is unknown. The town of Hampton later apologized for wrongly accusing her of being a witch in a ceremony in the 20th century. Since she did not practice witchcraft, but was wrongly accused, there is no connection between Goody Cole and the "helaing arts". The town has since used her name as a means to draw tourists to the region. The best infromation about her is on the Hampton Library web site. 

August 10
IDENTIFYING PHOTOS IS DIFFICULT
Enjoy your columns and especially like your addition to the NH Gazette. I have a professional photo that was taken circa 1945-46 of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary in Portsmouth NH. This was during a time when the VFW played a very big role in Portsmouths' history as most of the men were in the Pacific and patiotism was at an all time high. I am trying to identify all the ladies and I wondered if you would consider using it as an article.

I also remember in 1947/48 when Harry Truman was campaigning for the Presidency, there was a Portsmouth Herald front page photo of him walking down Congress Street when a milkman yelled out to him " Give'em hell Harry!".. When one considers Truman's approval rating was at 27% and his own party was attempting to have him resign and appoint a "RE{PUBLICAN" to relace him,( to ensure a continuity of government in such volitile times... The Lonliest Campaign 1963)...old George W. Bush's dilemma is not unique.
Nan Milani

EDITOR’S REPLY: We’d be happy to post the photo online and circulate it among our readers, but don’t hold your breath. Best bet is to scan the photo and indicate which persons in the photo have already been identified. We really should create a section for this kind of thing, but wouldn eed to find sponsors first. Maybe a photo shop?

August 8
CHURCH AND SLAVES
I appreciated Valerie Cunningham's treatise on "The Church and Portsmouth Slaves." I'm researching the seventh day Sabbath in early America and wonder if you have any information on whether black churches ever observed the seventh day Sabbath -- were there any Seventh Day Baptist churches attended by the black community, or pastored by black ministers?
Wayne H. Dunlap in CA

August 6
LOOKING FOR OLD PHOTOS
Hello Mr. Robinson. My husband and I enjoy all your work in the Portsmouth Herald often. Ironically, our name is ROBINSON also!!

I was born in Portsmouth, growing up in the South End and graduating at PHS in 1949. My hubby was born in NJ, but lived in Exeter when we met. We lived in Elwyn Park until 1960 when we moved to Southern California for 43 years. He was a policeman in Anaheim where we made our home for several years out there.

Anyway, a little background---my grandfather, WILLIAM H. APPLETON was a fireman when I was young. He lived on Rogers St. in Portsmouth. He always was the person who built and lit the bonfires at the So. Mill Pond for years. I did see a photo of him leading parade with the flag many yrs. ago but never any to do with the bonfires, etc.

We are wondering, since you are such a historian, do you have any photos or history of those days we might view or see in the newspaper sometime? We now reside in Newington, surrounded by most of our family, enjoying the 4 seasons again and many old friends. Of course, we are both retired. We appreciate your time on this matter and look forward to your reply. The old time photos you publish are priceless, keep up the good work!! I used to write a weekly newspaper column, myself, in Orange County, Ca. for several years. Sincerely yours,
Martha and Bruce F. Robinson

EDITOR’S REPLY: Thanks for your great letter. Still not quite sure what type of pix you are looking for or what era. The images in the Herald come from the Strawbery Banke Collection and are largely 19^th century pictures. Sadly, local newspapers have not kept up their photo files, so we actually have more old images than those from the 20^th century. By relying on microfilm, many local newspapers have given away or abandoned their photo archives. So instead of crisp photos, we have only muddy images reproduced from dot-screened newspapers. Apparently no one has figured this out yet, but soon the story will come to the surface. Local historical societies often do not collect newer photos either, so gathering these lost images will be a Herculean task. For 20^th century fire photos, I’d check with the separate fire departments. They may be the best source.