SeacoastNH Home

FRESH STUFF DAILY
Seacoast New Hampshire
& South Coast Maine

facebook logo


facebook logo

Header flag

SEE ALL SIGNED BOOKS by J. Dennis Robinson click here
Read Our Mail -- March 2004

A complete archive of mail from March 2004.

March 25
PRISON LOCKOUT
While surfing your site (which may I say I absolutely love!), I was hoping to find info regarding the prison located at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. I was unable to find any info relating to this and was a bit disappointed. Is there a chance I just didn't look in the appropriate places? If not I would love to see something done on this subject. I believe I had heard rumor a few years ago that efforts were being undertaken to attempt to "save" this wonderful piece of architecture. Just an idea on my part. As I no longer live in NH (and yes I miss it terribly), I love exploring this web site for pieces of information regarding things back home.
Respectfully submitted,
Dawn C. Thornton-Luty

EDITOR’S REPLY: No, you did a good job surfing our 7,500 online pages. Other than a picture, we have not yet tackled the history of that massive building online. But we should. Your rumor was true. Joe Sawtelle, a philanthropist, history-lover and developer announced plans to convert the former military prison into office space just before his death two years ago. Then after 9/11 the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard was placed on permanent high-security alert and access closed. Now with talk of base closures again looming, the fate of the ex-prison is again unknown. But yes, we should at least put its past online. That, at least, is certain.
SEE: Postcards of the Navy Yard

SEE: Thank You, Joe Sawtelle

March 24
TROUBLE LOOKING FOR GILMAN FAMILY
My name is Vickie Ann Highfield. I have been doing a family tree. On my ancestors. And guess what I'm stump right now. I have a Great-Great-Great Grandmother who's name was Elizabeth Gilman. She was born in 1819 in Ohio. She married Thomas Langwell. You're information is so accurate. But I can't find any information of Elizabeth Gilman. Is there anyway you might now. I'm from Oklahoma. My nickname is Trouble. Because I'm real good at getting everyone else in trouble.

And I was on Paltalk and they told me all the Gilman Family originated from New Hampshire. So I can give you the information down from Elizabeth Gilman I what I have so far.

Anything you can give me would be highly appreciated. I know you're busy. But I do know Elizabeth Gilman Langwell lived in Kentucky. Because the Children was borned in Kentucky on the U.S. Census.

I will give you a little history about me. I was born in Bristow Okla. I'm a character. but I'm the only sane one in my Family. I have Three Teenagers. Joyce, Chris, and Ronald Rogers. I want to make sure Elizabeth Gilman isn't lost in paperwork. So please help I need alot of help. Sorry for the blue back ground I'm color blind. I can't see Black Print on White Paper. I'm really wanting to trade information.
Signed "Trouble"

EDITOR’S NOTE: We sent Trouble a list of sites to visit. If you want to write to her personally, we can forward your email. As my gramma used to say – She’s a sketch!
See: The Gilman Family

March 23
UPDATE ON NH’s 1623 FOUNDER
Dear Seacoast NH Historian, It is highly doubtful that David Thomson's father worked as a servant to Sir Ferdinando Gorges. He was a Scottish Gentleman according to all who knew him and a scholar. I have written 4 articles that have been published by the Scottish Genealogical society. Article #3 includes a three page letter written by David Thomson to the Earl of Arundel, the man he probably worked for rather than Gorges.
Genevieve Cora Fraser.

March 18
SEEKING GRAMMA CARRIED OFF TO DAIRY FARM
Dear Friends, I am writing a biography of my Grandmother, Erna Nelson, a Norwegian immigrant who came to Boston in 1907 at the age of 15. She worked for wealthy families in the area until 1916 when she married my grandfather and he carried her off to a dairy farm in Minnesota. Two of these employers summered at Little Boars Head and Rye Beach. I have a number of cards addressed to my grandmother c/o Miss M. Gilman, Little Boars Head, No. Hampton, NH (April 18, 1913) and others addressed c/o F.E. Drake, Rye Beach, NH, (October 8, 1914). The Drakes apparently lived in Cleveland, Ohio, during the winter. Is there any record of either of these names? Is this a needle in the haystack question?
Eleanor Andrews

EDITOR’S REPLY: Perhaps, but there are some excellent researchers in this region who may have a lead for you. Bill Teschek at the Lane Library in Hampton is putting a great deal of that info online. Peter Randall has written an extensive history of Hampton. In Rye, you can contact Alex Herlihy at the new historical society there that has reprinted a detailed history of Rye.

March 16
THINKING OF KITTERY 
Just pulled up your page--got a tad nostalgic in my old age--I was born in Portsmouth and raised in Kittery and graduated from Traip Academy---became a military wife and never got back--saw the picture of Memorial park where we used to play as children--my goodness--went to Wentworth Dennett Elementary ---it was a nice place to grow up and it still sounds nice---God Bless—
CM

PAUL JONES’ FALSE TOOTH
I have a walrus tooth on which John Paul Jones’ portrait and his ship is engraved. i want to sell.
SGK in Calcutta, India

EDITOR’S REPLY: Unfortunately, that particular scrimshaw image is usually not walrus tooth, but plastic. The manufactured image usually shows Jones on one side and the defeated British Admiral Pearson on the other with a sketch of the Bon Homme Richard or the Serapis. They look real, but if you sshave off a tiny flake and burn it with a match, it will most likely smell like burning plastic. If it smells like burning a human hair, send us a picture and we may be interested. So far, everyone we’ve seen, including the one in the JPJ House Museum is made of plastic.
John Paul Jones Articles and Resources 

March 08
DON’T WANT, DON’T WATCH
hank you, thank you, thank you for reminding (Site of the Week: Common Sense Media) us all, in your intro to the CSM web site, that we are ultimately responsible for what TV and radio stations broadcast. Media is about money. So if you don't like a show, don't watch it. If viewership declines, sponsors will go elsewhere, and if sponsorship dollars dry up the show will go away. It really is that simple. But since the shows we claim to dislike so much are spinning off copycat versions at an alarming rate, it seems that we are not putting our remotes where our mouths are...
Jay Diener in Hampton
Site of the Week

March 05
MORE MARCH NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBERS
I found you just cruisin’ on the computer. A friend gave me a computer; I’m just learning how to adventure. I love lighthouses and have over 300 pieces in my home and i would love to get any kind of information on lighthouses and historic places. -- Cruisin’ from New Jersey

I am from Moscow, PA, went to school in Portsmouth, and head about you from robert garland.

I have with great interest read about Atkinson House and Theodore Atkinson on your site. However, no articles mention where he came from or who his father was. Was he possibly the grandson of the Theodore Atkinson who married Elizabeth Mitchelson of Cambridge? -- Peter J in Halifax, NS --- EDITOR’S NOTE: We’re not able to do genealogical research, but there’s a lot about the Atinkson’s in Brewster’es Rambles online. Since our Frances Atkinson married John Wentworth (her cousin) after her first husband Theodore died – and since they then moved to Nova Scotia during the American Revolution when John became Royal Governor at Halfix, we’re going to guess our Atkinsons were long-time local residents.

I am a descendant of Thomas Haley of Winter Harbor, ME and related to Samuel Haley of Haley Island, Isle of Shoals. Missed your monthly newsletter and recently signed up again. We had a Haley family reunion last Summer in Colorado and had relatives bring out several cases of Smuttynose, Shoals Pale Ale to give to everyone. -- Chuck Haley

I am from pelham nh and searching for information on the Tamworth House in Chocorua. I have enjoyed your information on Tamworth village. Thanks

Rich from Newmarket, just signed on for your newsletter.

I’m from Worcester, MA and found you in an online search for the NH seacoast. I grew up summering at NH coast...would love to live there...following my dream...

I am from Carmel California. I lived in Portsmouth and LOVED it I am a film writer and I am doing a film on the history of America... The establishing of the colonies from the time Captain Newport and John Smith's ships set sail. I am in need of any information on the activities of those pilgrims during the time period. If you can help, please email me! -- Carla Iacovetti

I am from CA and heard about you from a friend. Looking at your information on black history.

I am from Syracuse, NY and from NHDTTD. My clients use this site regularly for media itineraries

I am from Massachusetts and starting a newsmagazine called "New England Informer" Newsmagazine. My first issue is coming out in May/June. We are a newsmagazine for people of color in New England and come out six times a year. I would appreciate being on your press list for upcoming events and any advertising you may need to do. -- Doreen Wade

I am from NH and FL. Reading about my favorite NH-ite Daniel Webster, -- John Wheeler

Hear about you from your weatherman Ken Mitchell. I am from Stratham too.

I am originally from Hampton, NH, a navy wife and have traveled the world but I love to hear about what's going on back "home."

I am just a reader from Peabody, Massachusetts

I am searching for a Walter J. Kline from Oklahoma City who is the grandson of Rev. John Kleinknecht who served as pastor of Freyburg UMC near Schulenburg, Texas in the 1930s. A web search brought up the correct name and state in your April issue. Could you please forward my message to this gentleman? The church is planning its 125th anniversary party and wants to include the descendents of as many former pastors as possible. -- Elaine Thomas

I am a Portsmouth poet and am looking for venues to expose my poetry. I won the Silver Poet Award in '03 and am nominated Amatuer Poet of 2004 through th International Library of Poetry. -- Glen Benjamin

I am from Southern California and found you searching for filmmaker Louis de Rochement. Does his former home Blueberry Bank still exist? I am a contemporary of his son Louis III and spent summers in Newington. --- EDITOR’S NOTE: The de Rochemont’s former home, as far as we know, is till used as a corporate conference spot by the Simplex Corporation.

I am from Center Harbor, NH and found you searching for info on the Lizzie Carr wreck. It's SO nice to see history given a place in today's world!! All too rare.

I am from Hazardville, Connecticut. We vacation every year at Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, in August for 8 days. We are always looking for new areas to visit during our stay and found hundreds on GOseacoast.com. -- Bob & Nicole

I am from Loudon, NH and found about you in Campus Notes. Please put Alan Shepard on your Link Free or Die page of famous NHites. You might also want to include the current living astronauts from NH.

I am from Columbia, MO. I lived there in the past and am thinking of the seacoast as a possible retirement area.

I am from Schenectady, New York. You popped up on the screen while I was contacting the NH Chamber of Commerce for a vacation guide. I think your site is wonderful and I am vacationing with my adult children in NH this season 2004. I would love to find a small, cheap fix-it upper and relocate (even if for only part of the year) I have always loved the ocean, and coastal towns. Lighthouses have become a passion with me in the last 5 yrs.I so look forward to hearing from you. Your letters make for some interesting reading!! -- Thank-You Susan.



March 02
NOTES FROM ACCENT READERS
J. Dennis: Just a quick note of thanks for the great, great piece on Atlantic Heights in this month’s Accent. I’ve always admired Atlantic Heights from afar, and I’ve come close to moving there several times. (If I could find one to rent under $1000, or buy for a reasonable price, I still might!) From D. Scott

Dear Mr. Robinson, I enjoyed reading the article about the Portsmouth Athenaeum in the March/April issue of "Accent Magazine." We recently purchased an apartment house on State Street and are trying to find historical information about it. I didn't know if your library might have some information that would assist me or if you might be able to guide me to another place (Strawberry Banke?). Would it be possible to come to Portsmouth and do some "digging." I would appreciate any help you might be able to offer. Respectfully --- Jan R
Accent Magazine

March 01
HALEY FAMILY BREWUNION
I am a descendants of Thomas Haley of Winter Harbor, ME and related to Samuel Haley of Haley Island (Smuttyose), Isle of Shoals. We heard about you a couple of years ago and lost contact, missed your newsletter and signed up again. We had a Haley family reunion last Summer in Colorado and had relatives bring out several cases of Smuttynose, Shoals Pale Ale to give to everyone.
Chuck Haley
Read The Smuttynose Diary

March 01
MR. SMITH GOES TO NEW ENGLAND
I am a film writer and I am doing a film on the history of America... The establishing of the colonies from the time Captain Newport and John Smith's ships set sail. I am in need of any information on the activities of those pilgrims during the time period. I used to live in Portsmouth a couple of years ago, and plan on moving back in the near future. I miss it very much. If you can offer any help, suggestions for reading, research spots or anything, please contact me.
Carla in Carmel, CA
Articles about John Smith 

Please visit these SeacoastNH.com ad partners.

News about Portsmouth from Fosters.com

Thursday, March 28, 2024 
 
Piscataqua Savings Bank Online Banking
Piscataqua Savings Bank Online Banking

Copyright ® 1996-2020 SeacoastNH.com. All rights reserved. Privacy Statement

Site maintained by ad-cetera graphics