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| READ OUR MAIL January 2003 Mailbag (c) SeacoastNH.com |
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January 29 FOUND OLD PAUL JONES BOOK I found a book in some things i bought at an auction it is, John Paul Jones Commemoration At Annapolis April 24, 1906 Printed by the government printing office 1907. the cover has deteriorated a bit but the binding is very good condition the pictures still have the vellum covers. It says 11,000 copies were printed. I was wondering if the book would be worth anything. Monte Henderson EDITOR'S REPLY: It's a great book for Jones collectors since it contains the government report (paid for under Teddy Roosevelt) of the reburial of John Paul Jones in Maryland. This book contains the well known photo of Jones mummy, so it is easy enough to sell. It usually goes for about $25 on eBay where it appears just about every week. http://www.seacoastnh.com/jpj/burial.html January 26 AMPHIBIOUS VEHICLE MYSTERY EMERGING Here’s what it says on Goseacost.com re: the amphibious vehicle pictured in Kensington, NH. "a mystery at first, and may still be. We knew it was an amphibious vehicle from World War II. It's been parked in front of the Kensington American Legion Post 150 for a long time, so long that no one knows where it came from."
Sorry this is not a Weasel, that wold have 8 small road wheels - only one vehicle I know with 4 full height ones like that :- United Defense LP Lynx Command Amphibian built from 1968 on. (Readers check out the vehicle in our “Weird and Fascinating” things to see on Goseacoast.com.
January 24 TREADWELL, DROWNE & PICKERING TOO I came across your wonderful website while I was researching my enealogy and found Brewster's Rambles incredibly helpful. I'm descended from the Drownes, Pickerings and Treadwells. I had no idea they were such notorious people in Portsmouth! What a treat that so much was written about them. I recently received a copy of my g-grandmother Belle Stockham's genealogy information she had written down, probably from when she was researching for her DAR number. Her mother was Mary Garophelia Treadwell, daughter of Capt. John Treadwell Jr. (before that Drowne, before that Pickering...blah blah blah...and so forth). I was wondering if you had in your collections any Drowne, Pickering or Treadwell pictures. Me and my family would love to see what these folks look like since we don't have those pictures. Would Dennis Robinson have those? Also, if you know anyone who wants to contact me, that is perfectly fine. hanks a bunch, Andrea MacMullin EDITOR’S REPLY: Sounds like a job for the Portsmouth Athenaeum or the Patch Collection at Strawbery Banke Museum where the largest local photo galleries reside. These are private institutions and there may be a search fee. You might also try the Old York Historical Society since there are a lot of Drowns in that region. You will find all three accessible from GOseacaost.com. January 24 MISSING AMES Just a comment on "You might be from New Hampshire" (see letter below). Liked the "Ames-es" line as a "displaced"Ames associate I wish that we were still shopping there. Love your site and Newsletters. Lois in Hinsdale, NH January 22 YOU MIGHT BE FROM NH IF... YOU MIGHT BE FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE if you can name all four seasons, but, YOU'RE CERTAINLY FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE if they are Tourist, Foliage, Ski and Mud. YOU MIGHT BE FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE if you own flannel shirts, but, YOU'RE CERTAINLY FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE if you wear one with a tie. YOU MIGHT BE FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE if you know the back roads, but, YOU'RE CERTAINLY FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE if you drive them to avoid the toll booth. YOU MIGHT BE FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE if you own a pickup truck, but, YOU'RE CERTAINLY FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE if the truck is 4-wheel drive, has a gun rack, a plow on the front and a dog in the back. YOU MIGHT BE FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE if you attend church suppers, but, YOU'RE CERTAINLY FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE if that's considered a night out on the town. YOU MIGHT BE FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE if you live in a white cape, but, YOU'RE CERTAINLY FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE if there is a picket fence around the house, a garden in the back, a woodpile somewhere, some appliances on the front lawn, and a rusty pick-up pushed into the woods. YOU MIGHT BE FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE if you say "Ames-es", but, YOU'RE CERTAINLY FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE if you do all your shopping there. YOU MIGHT BE FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE if you read the Union Leader, but, YOU'RE CERTAINLY FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE if you believe it. YOU MIGHT BE FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE if you know everyone in town, but, YOU'RE CERTAINLY FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE if they're all related to you. YOU MIGHT BE FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE if you go to the dump on Saturday, but, YOU'RE CERTAINLY FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE if you leave with more than what you brought. YOU MIGHT BE FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE if you buy a ticket to the fireman's ball, but, YOU'RE CERTAINLY FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE if you actually attend. YOU MIGHT BE FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE if you carry a beeper, but, YOU'RE CERTAINLY FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE if the only time it goes off is when there's a fire in town.
YOU MIGHT BE FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE if your uncle is the chief of police, but, YOU'RE CERTAINLY FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE if he's also the road agent, dog catcher, dump keeper, town clerk and a selectman
January 20 NO NEWS ON RANGER I enjoyed your interview with author Evan Thomas and I look forward to purchasing his book. Very well done. I always scan your monthly newsletter for skinny on Sloop-of-War RANGER replica news but, alas, still nothing. Their website appears dead and there's no response from emails. Its demise (or whatever is happening) should be reported so that us poor folks that thought it had considerable merit, can understand. After all, a lot of people, including yourself, put a lot of work into it. It could have been, and should have been a wonderful centerpiece for Portsmouth and New Hampshire. Melbourne Smith http://www.seacoastnh.com/arts/please011599.html EDITOR’S NOTE: We haven’t heard a peep from the Ranger Foundation since the resignation of its president late last year. Those seeking any signs of life can check in at RangerFoundation.org. http://seacoastnh.com/jpj/ January 20 RENE GAGNON AT WRIGHT MUSEUM A very nice site. In Link Free or Die it mentions the Wright Museum in Wolfeboro that has a "not operational" room. You should know that we have two very nice display cases devoted to Rene on the second floor of the Military Building, which is open to the public in season and all year to school group visits. Also- Mrs Gagnon always joins us for the USMC Birthday Celebration at the Sheraton Wafarer in Bedford, that is put on by the the Manchester Expiditionary Brigade made up of USMC veterans and active and reserve duty Marines. PS- I work weekends at the Wright Museum, am a volunteer docent there, and am a Marine Veteran, and extremely proud of our Rene Gagnon displays. Chris S in Ctr. Barnstead, NH http://linkfreeordie.com January 19 KUDOS TO EVAN & DENNIS Terrific interview with Evan Thomas - - I am eager to read his biography of John Paul Jones, oh, and kudos to the interviewer. Smart questions, challenging, insightful, quite impressed. Chris in Honolulu http://www.seacoastnh.com/jpj/evanthomas.html January 18 IN SEARCH OF REAL NEWS Thanks for your Site(s) Of The Week this week. (“The Anti-War Media” in Site of the Week ARCHIVES) Very interesting. It is getting a lot more difficult to get news delivered objectively, and there is so much going on domestically and internationally now that objective reporting is critically important to understanding the issues and potential ramifications. I'm in the process of looking more closely at the sites you listed to if any of them do a better job than the standard news sites. Regards, Jay Diener at Funtastic Learning January 17 FROM CARRI COLTRAINE & OTHER FANS This is a GREAT newsletter! Thank you for sending it. Carri Coltrane at www.numoondisc.com Your newsletter is never a disappointment and this one was really special -- thanks for the time and effort you put into it - Happy New Year -- Helen Dotts, SO CA Thanks for another great "issue." Especially enjoyed the report on the new book by Evan Thomas about JPJ. I look forward to it! --Carol Smith
Good morning, Great stuff! Can I look forward to seeing articles and announcements about Kittery, Maine as well? -- Darlene
January 16 ARI WHO? As a long-time subscriber and fan of your web-site, I must tell you frankly that I am disturbed by your inclusion of the above-cited article (The Anti-War Media). I also find your obvious criticism of Ari Fleischer out of line. Very truly yours, Bruce B EDITOR’S REPLY: We have nothing against Ari Fleischer personally. He's doing his job all too well. In fact, we had to look him up online to see who he is. We’re against the President’s plan to stage another attack in the Middle East. We hate getting into politics too, and would happily stay out of it, but we find it difficult to ignore the call to war, one that we believe, demands a fair and honest response from Americans. As a history and culture web site, I believe it is our patriotic duty to not only present the story of America’s past, but to help keep it healthy in the future. Readers who are looking for tourism info without politics can go to GOseacoast.com. Our search engine doesn’t a political bones it’s body. (OK, it has one. We don’t list sites related to guns and weapons.) Our editorial position represents our opinions only and, based on the response we got from the newsletter, represents many people in our region and among our readers. We gained a lot more readers than we lost (see a very nice farewell letter below) and we say a sad farewell to those who find our views -- including 3,000 web pages of local American history – untenable. The newsletter is free to readers, paid for by us. That means readers are free to come and go. January 16 NO ESCAPE FROM THE WORLD I have so much enjoyed reading your emails over the years. I started receiving them when I lived in California and then became even more exicted that I could actually visit all that you speak about when I moved to New England six months ago. Unfortunately, you now bring politics into play and I just can't get past your stance on the President's plan for eventual war with Iraq. I don't think it is needed. It reminds me of a celebrity bringing their politics into their career when it is not needed. We could both argue the point, but I don't want to. Your site offered an escape from all that goes on in this world. Now it doesn't. Please unsubscribe me. Thank you. Sincerely, Joseph D January 16 MORE SKIING AT SEA LEVEL Hey - You forgot Harris Farm!!! It is the best local groomed skiing. Only 35 minutes from Portsmouth in Dayton,Maine. In addition to 40 miles of ski and snow shoe trails there is an ice skating pond and sledding hill. Family run it has a wonderful atmosphere for everyone and when your done the best milk in town - including Blueberry! Please add it to your cross-country Skiing list. Their URL is www.harrisfarm.com. Alison Pyott of Portsmouth, NH http://www.seacoastnh.com/touring/xcskiing.html January 13 MARRY AT THE SHOALS? Good evening- I am looking for information on having a ceremony and reception on one of the islands in the Isle of Shoals. I haven't had much luck online searching, and I am hoping that someone there could possibly point me in the right direction. I am planning on having a vow renewal ceremony and reception the summer of 2004, we were thinking August 7 or 14. We are newleyweds now (married in Nov. in a quick and small ceremony because of my husband's military deployment for the next year +) Not the kind of wedding I dreamed of, so while he is away I am going to plan the wedding that I always wanted. I love the ocean and grew up spending every summer by it. I think it is only fitting to be married and start my new life there as well. If you could send any bit of information my way, it would be greatly appreciated!!! Thank you DM in Manchester, NH EDITOR’S REPLY: To our knowledge there is no online info on this topic, expect in previous letters to our site. All of the islands in the Isles of Shoals are privately owned.. Only one, Star Island, has a hotel and hosts guets, but most are part of a summer conference. We have seen the occassional wedding on the island during the summer season, but for information on the hotel policy, contact the Star Island Corporation in Portsmouth, NH that owns the island. Marriages on the ferry to the island are also possible. Or you might check a few of the islands in the Casco Bay Maine area that have accomidations for large groups. The Inn at Chebeague, for example, has a special wedding program. http://www.starisland.org http://www.chebeagueinn.com/intro.html http://www.islesofshoals.com January 11 SEEKING SEACOAST WEB CAMS Dennis - I have been busy this morning looking at a variety of WebCam sites including the one you suggested (below). My brother lives on the ocean at Seabrook Beach, so the Hampton Beach view gives me a pretty good picture of "his" weather. Again, thanks for your promptness in responding to my inquiry. Robert J Duffy www.maineharbors.com/camindex.htm January 10 WE SAW WEIGHT OF WATER Dear Readers: After four years of waiting, since we heard the movie was a possibility, we’ve waited to see the film about the Smuttynose Murders. We did, last night, at the Portsmouth Music Hall. Our first attempts to get the movie screened locally, despite its bad reviews, brought no results. But so many people pushed the issue that the Music Hall reluctantly ran the Kathryn Bigelow film of the Anita Shreve novel. We’re preparing, slowly, our response to the film. It will be posted permanently on our Smuttynose section online, the same section linked to by the producers of the film. Let’s just say that the writer and producer would have been proud to see capacity crowds at both showings. People were even turned away from the 2-day screening of a film that has been all but impossible to see -- due, it appears, to a lack of faith from distributors. The Music Hall will show the film again, and we’re going to guess aloud that it will do fairly well on video for three reasons: (1) although not a successful film, it is a incredibly interesting attempt at a complex story; (2) a lot of people love Anita Shreve’s work and will want to see the film; (3) the original story of the Smuttynose Murders that forms the core of the plot is extremely well presented. Much of it is very accurately portrayed and powewrfully visualized by the director. Yes, the actual story has been altered in pretty scary ways to fit the novel by the author and yes, that will confuse the hell out of a lot of people. But it will also make them curious to know the true story, which is why we are here. The "mystery" about the murder (which we thnk is no mystery at all) was largely promoted in the 1930s and 40s by "true crime" writers. That, and the gothic horror elements of the original story, have kept it going, at least locally, for more than a century. Now millions more will learn the basics of the tale and want to know more. A movie doesn't have to be perfect to be fascinating. This one, for all its problems, is worthy of lots of discussion for a long time to come. More on that later. Your humble editor http://seacoastnh.com/smuttynose/ January 10 NO MORE JOHN HANCOCK My son is doing a memory book in school on John Hancock. Would love to have your pamphlet on him. Andrew S in Kernersville, NC EDITOR’S REPLY: We get this a lot. People read our online article about a long out-of-print series of brochures by the John Hancock company, and write to us for copies. Better to write to the company itself, but we tried and they no longer offer items relating to their historic namesake. So the answer is always ebay.com or froogle.com where, if you type in the name of anything, you can probably find a hundred sellers. http://seacoastnh.com/jpj/johnhancock.html January 09 NEW HISTORY OF THE PISCATAQUA In the last year you mentioned a new book about the history of the Piscataqua River in one of your newsletters. Can you please tell me the name of the book, the author, and how to order it? I really enjoy reading your newsletter every month! Eden Prairie in MN EDITOR’S REPLY: I was probably referring to “Cross Grained and Wily Waters” which we reviewed in detail on the site when it came out. You can get it from Peter Randall publishing at PERpublisher.com. It’s the best overall study of the region we have. http://seacoastnh.com/arts/please062202.html January 06 FRIENDS OF VALERIE I saw where you knew Valerie Blair that was murdered 20 years ago. I knew her as Valerie Sherman in Florida, we went to high school together. Did you know her well? I never heard that they found the killer. Her brother died a couple of years ago (MS), I graduated with him. It's nice to know she isn't forgotten. If you have any updates on the case, let me know if they ever had any suspects or if there were any leads at all. EDITOR’S REPLY: Sorry, we’ve heard nothing. Portsmouth Police Department would know best. Statistically, this region has become less safe, some say, than New York City. http://www.seacoastnh.com/arts/please011301.html January 03 BOWL FROM THE SHOALS? Hello, we have a Silver bowl with a note that reads, Bowl dates from 1600's. Given by Roger Kelly of the Isles of Shoals to his daughter Margaret who married John Tuckerman. Roger Kelly had 8 daughters and gave each a bowl when they were married. Looking through styles of Silver Bowls made in 1600's, it appears to be real. Do you have information on this bowl. Bruce L EDITOR’S REPLY: Readers got ideas? Sure would be nice to authenticate this item from the Shoals in the 1600s, but we’re no Antiques Road Show. January 03 HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM TEXAS COAST I just wanted to say Happy New Year and to say thanks for all the information about New Hampshire. I find your site very interesting.I will probably never get to see your lovely state but feel like I have been there to Seacoast. If I used a "robot" to enter your contest, I would miss all the fun. I use a form filler that helps me type things in because I type very slow but I am always on site so if you have to throw out lazy peoples entries because they won't go to the site themselves then I say -- good for you! Anytime a question is asked they'll get it wrong. Anyway I hope you have a very good year ahead, Carol from Arcola, Texas January 03 MORE STORIES FOR OUR BOOK Dear Mr. Robinson, I am presently a music teacher in Dover. I read with interest the article in Foster's Sunday Citizen about the book you are writing which chronicles the Wentworth -by-the Sea Hotel. I am not sure if my particular memory will be of interest to you, but am forwarding it to you just in case. I grew up in Portsmouth, and, like nearly everyone else, was in awe of the beauty and grandeur of the hotel. We often "went for a ride" on Sunday afternoons, and if we drove past the Wentworth Hotel, I was always thrilled by its appearance, and the glimpses of activities of those privileged enough to actually stay there. To me,the most interesting feature by far was the fact that the swimming pool was filled with salt water! As I look back I realize that my experience at the Wentworth Hotel provided me with the opportunity to become a performance musician, which in turn led to my career as a music teacher in the public schools. At the time, (late 50's-early 60's) I was taking accordion lessons (bizarre, but true!), and became quite proficient at it. A good friend of mine, the kindly pianist John Howe, recommended me to James Barker Smith, as one who might provide strolling music for cocktail parties held at the hotel. Apparently, the idea appealed to Mr. Smith, for he soon called and hired me to play the accordion for a cocktail party. I was to play from 6:00 - 8:00 PM, and would be paid the handsome sum of $10.00 an hour for my services, with dinner at the hotel thrown in. And here follows my most precious memory of the owner of that grand and magical place. I wasn't old enough to drive, so my father dropped me (and the accordion) off, right under the porte cochere, where we were met by none other than the owner himself. He introduced himself to my father, and wanted to reassure him that I would be well-chaperoned and taken care of while I was there. He was indeed very kind to me,introducing me to his wife, and making sure that my every need would be met, and that the service people would know who I was so that if I should need anything at all, they were to get it for me. I truly felt that I had entered a dream world! It was lots of fun, strolling around the party, making small talk with guests, and playing my music. I felt like a guest myself, thanks to the graciousness of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, but I was only the hired help! I went on to play for many functions, and could soon drive myself to the hotel, where I was always met and assisted by a staff member, who'd lift out the accordion, and park my car for me. The pay increased, too - first $15 and then $20 an hour. In those days, that was a tidy sum for a few hours work, and I bought all my school clothes, and developed, I'm afraid, a taste for expensive shoes! Mr. Smith acquired the Rockingham Hotel and the Meadowbrook Inn, and asked me to play through the dinner hour at both places. So that I would be properly chaperoned, he invited my mother to come along, and insisted that we each have dinner in the dining room when I was finished playing.
I don't know if this is the type of memory you are looking for, but I must say, I've really had fun recalling those times and writing them down. Clearly, the greatest gift that the Wentworth had to bestow was the gracious warmth and hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. James Barker Smith!
Good luck with the book!
January 03 MORE CREWS OF JPJ SHIPS As I am the family genealogist. I have discovered that a few Nantucketeers were part of the crew on the BonHomme Richard & the Ranger. As Benjamin Franklins mother, maiden name Macy, to whom my husband is decended from & also most of the inhabitants of Nantucket that he is decsended from. I would like to know the names of the men who were aboard the 2 ships during the Revolutionary War. I have been searching for quite awhile now & found nothing. Any information will be greatly appreciated. Mrs. Elaine Walls of Greenfield, IN EDITOR'S REPLY: The lists, as we have often said, are not necessarily accurate since crewmen changed regularly and spoke many languages and were often illiterate. People tend to want to know what crewmen were onboard during key battles, which, of course, is even harder to pin down. The most accurate list of the Ranger crew at the time of the battle with the Drake and the raid on the British shore can be found in the book edited by Joseph Sawtelle and just recently reprinted in paperback by Peter E. Randall of Portsmouth NH as part of the Portsmouth Marine Society collecion. (perpublisher.com). The Bonhomme crew (not the same people) are listed in the 1823 biography by John Henry Sherburne and in "Night on Fire" (1977) by John Evangelist Walsh. Both are out of print. http://www.seacoastnh.com/jpj |
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