A complete archive of mail from February 2005

READ last month's reader mail

February 20
WHOSE WOODS THESE ARE I THINK I KNOW"
Kingswood Regional High School got it's name from the story about the large straight white pines that were claimed by the King of England as the, "king's wood." Can you give me a good detailed story about that, and do you have any photos or drawings of what the "broad arrow" marking on these trees looked like?
Lenny Moore

EDITOR’S REPLY: You're right. We've not done a story about that topic and should, but we’re about 200 topics behind at the moment. I'm not sure where a good solid piece on it can be found. The three Wentworth governors, especially Benning and John granted roughly 200 towns as far west as what is now BENNINGton Vermont. The towns were effectively large wood lots. The King owned all trees in his colonies and appointed a Master Surveyor who was in charge of making sure that the tallest and straightest trees were saved for the him. The Wentworths held that position (as well as governor) and wereSurveyors of the King's Woods. The trees were tall straight pines, part of the "old growth" primitive forest that dominated this region before it was cleared for farming. As the trees were cleared on the coast, the towns and land deals moved West. I've heard that any tree with a diameter of 3 feet was automatically the king's, and it was a serious crime to cut one down. Readers who know more should fill us in. We assume they were marked by official surveyors cut, then felled, hauled to the coast and shipped to England for ship's masts.You can learn more about the Wentworth Dynasty here. For more contact the director of the Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion since this is the surviving home of Benning Wentworth.

February 18
REMEMBERS APPLEDORE CG BOATHOUSE
I found this picture on your site with a caption that indicated you did not know what it is. This is the winch that was in the old Coast Guard rescue boat house. The boat house existed when I was a kid.

February 18

I spent quite a few nights camped out in it during my growing up. Somebody burnt it down when I was about ten or eleven years old. I don't know if it was intentional or by accident. I just remember that one weekend it was there, and the next weekend we went out, it was gone. This was at least a couple of years before UNH took over the site. The boathouse was a typical Coast Guard rescue boat house. It had two ramps in it for the rescue boats. The building was a one story white clapboard building with red shingles on a hip style roof. I'm surprised there aren't some pictures kicking around somewhere of this. I know if I looked hard enough that I'd find some.
Dan Riley
Beals Island, Maine

February 15
RE: ROGER’S ROCK
I loved the piece on Robert Rogers, and am surprised that Rogers' Rock, on New York State's Lake George, was not mentioned. As a schoolboy in the 1950's, I was taught that, when trapped between the lake and an overwhelming enemy force, Rogers and his Rangers chose to leap into the lake from great height rather than be captured. Reportedly, casualties were very high.
Bart Pisha

February 14
MISSING THE FERRY
In the Union Leader, there was an article about The Isles of Shoals Steamship Co. no longer offering ferry service to Star Island and no longer offering day trips to the island for its own customers. This is a shocking development. What is going on here?
Jeanene Procopis

EDITOR’S REPLY: What’s going on is not as shocking here where it has long been known that the requirements of the Homeland Security Act make it very difficult for a seasonal tourist ferry to afford the measures now required to transport passengers from one location to another. Easier to take them in a circle on a tour that does not disembark. ISSC has been saying for years that the change was coming. Now both Star and Appledore have provided their own transportation from vehicles leaving from Portsmouth for students and conference members. People wishing to take a day trip have a number of options, primarily this summer on the Uncle Oscar out of Rye. We’ll keep posting changes on this page

February 13
YOUR WEB SITE TAKES ME HOME
I used to live in Rye and now in Florida and can't tell you how much I enjoy your web site. When I get homesick for the seacoast I just look at your web site for awhile and feel as though I have gone home for a little while.Interested in history, genealogy and food. Not in that order.Keep up the good work.
Pat

February 11
JENNY LIND AGAIN
I have a huge portrait of Jenny Lind in a gold oval frame (the one on this website in the oval). It was my grandmothers. She had given it to my mom, and I remember for years my mother mentioning the lady "Jenny Lind" and how much she enjoyed the painting. I did some research and found out all about Jenny Lind. Very interesting, and what a talented lady.
Peggy Fine

February 7
CASTLE KEEP
We were in Newcastle today and noticed a very large castle like structure across the river near the naval ship yard can you send us the history and information about what this structure was/is. It intrigued us and we would like to have info about it. Thanks for your help
Tom and Lisa

February 4
NAME THAT TRUNK
I was given a Flat top steamer trunk. There are two labels on it. The first is a diamond metal stamp on the top that reads- Henry Likely & Co. Makers Rochester, New York- Established 1844. The second is a sticker on the inside of the lid which is in the shape of a shield that reads- J. F. Knupp- Manufacturer of trunks, bags, suitcases, Sample cases- Trunks made to order- Repairing A specialty- 412 Main St.
Kimberly in Peoria, IL.

REPLY FROM PAT MORSE/ TRUNK SHOP OWNER: Your trunk was actually made by the Likely Co of Rochester NY and not Knupp. It's our belief that Knupp bought trunks from makers such as Likely (as did many retailers) and added their own label. Knupp probably went further. It looks like they made their own trunks as well. Your trunk was made around the turn of the century (1900) and was one of the more common trunks made during the peak of trunkmaking. A trunk like yours would have sold new for about $5. It is well worth restoring and handing down to your children as trunks are becoming harder to find and their value continues to climb and an ever increasing rate.

February 1
ON DOGS IN HOTELS
Thanks so much for the Beebe stories. It has been a while since I have had the opportunity to enjoy your site and that lack will happen no more. Of course I am part of a dogs world. Poor guy is 14-1/2, same age as my lovely granddaughter. As a Golden, he is on borrowed time, but he is still our pup. He was welcomed as a guest at a nice people motel out at Montauk Point, NY. A place called BORN FREE. He is not really a fancy guy. Probably the first time he had so many canine neighbors.
Eileen Schreiber

February 1
STILL BELIEVES IN OCEAN BORN MARY
As a flat lander brought by love to a new world only a few houses away from the house called Ocean Born Mary's for eight years of my life driving by day after day even with the color of the house changing from pure black to a fading dark gray I felt something so wonderful. Every time I drove by it was like I could look at that house and some one was watching over me and knew this was my life was meant to be and our place to call home. Valentine's Day, Halloween, Christmas, snow, rain, everything was so special. I believed in Ocean Born Mary. I felt in the house at 347 Bear Hill Road she was watching over us I think her birthday is coming soon if I recall I don't remember exactly I feel it's soon. I have seen the new cars parked in the driveway I've heard the stories about the treasures in the fireplace I believe she was really there. And I believe she does get angry but she also protects the people who remember her. I will always believe!!!!!!! I miss her. I miss!!!!!!!!!
Tipping Rock

February 1
PISCATA-WHAT?
Hello . .. I enjoy your web site so much . . . the presentation and content are excellent! My husband and I moved here from Connecticut 6 years ago. Since then, I've purchased books about this wonderful place, including "Cross-Grained and Wily Waters". I've never found a reference to the origin of the word Piscataqua. It clearly sounds like an Indian word, tribe, or name for a place, but would you know what it means?
Carole Cartnick

EDITOR’S REPLY: We finally bit the bullet and did the research. And here it is. Amazingly, while researching a forthcoming book on the colonial history of Maryland, it turns out that the settlers created the first town St. Mary’s at on top of an existing Indian town called – you got it – Pascataway, again at the junction of many rivers. --- JDR