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| READ OUR MAIL September 2001 Mailbag SeacoastNH.com |
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September 28 MORE U-BOAT PIX? Do you know if any additional photographs exists of these boats, other than what already appear on the web site? I have been doing some research and have found the dockyard plans for the Type IX c/40 boats with the cutaway forward deck but have not been able to find many photographs. Any suggestions of a possible local archive would be extremely helpful. Gary M of Wellington New Zealand EDITOR'S REPLY: We're actually in touch with a 92-year old sailor who has private images of the event, which we hope to publish in 2002, but that project is moving along slowly. There are certainly images galore at the library room of the naval museum at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Ask for Walt of Jim after going through the public relations office there (but the yard is on high alert currently following the recent World Trade Center tragedy). The Portsmouth Athenaeum may have images and Richard Winslow, author of the recently published DO YOUR JOB, a history of the local navy yard may have more info. You can contact him re: the Portsmouth Public Library. A good first step may be to contact the curator at the Kittery Historical and Naval Museum, a private nonprofit group that may be helpful (207) 439-3080. http://seacoastnh.com/20th/uboat.html http://seacoastnh.com/navyyard September 25 MAN MISPLACES GIANT ARTILLERY GUNS Maybe you can help me with something that is driving me nuts. About 6 years ago I was up in Wells Maine with a friend, who has since passed away. We travelled between Wells and Portland while we were in the area. On one day trip she took me to a site that to this day I cannot relocate. I just returned from a trip to Bar Harbor on Sept. 19th. On the way back I took a side trip back to Kennebunkport. I asked a local Buggy Driver,(61 years in the area), about this site and he thought that It might be up in your neck of the woods. Here is how I remembered it..... The way it was explained to me
was that back during the War the state of Maine wanted to install a
large Artillery Gun on the Ocean front to protect the coast line.
They started building this Bunker in the side of a Cliff but, never
installed the Gun. When I went there all that was inside the Bunker
were about 10 or 12 rooms. They were about 10' x 10' in size. I was
told that these rooms would have been for the Gun Shells. Each room
had pictures & memorabilia hanging on the walls of the world
war. There were visitors books to sign and even leave a message if
you happen to see a name that you recognized. There wasn't anyone on
duty at the door of the Bunker.....just a sealed metal Box for
donations. I have sent alot of e-mails to different sites in Maine.
Not one person has even heard of this place. But, I was there. If
you have ever heard of this place please e-mail a reply to me. Thank
you September 24 READER GETS NASTY COOKIES BY MISTAKE I was viewing your Seacoast NH site for the first time. I clicked on dining and then on bakery/deli. I was viewing the different bakeries, when I clicked on the Ceres Bakery site, and adult porno came up. I am horrified and very concerned. I'm not comfortable using your site and will certainly not refer your site to others until I know that this problem has been taken care of. Please look into this. Anonymous EDITOR'S REPLY: Thanks for the note. We often receive get shot as the messenger of bad links, but the only way we have telling is via reader notes like yours. Think of our links (about 4,000 of them now – all free) as a phone book. We fixed this problem in about 12 seconds, but have nothing to do with the problem, nor we believe, does the bakery. Here’s how it often works: (1) A company puts up a web page asks us for a link for free which we provide; (2) the company abandons the URL, but does not inform us; (3) another company buys the URL and puts up its own content – sometimes good, sometimes bad, while our link continues on; (4) new visitor discovers error link. All of this is outside our control, and checking 4,000 links per
day is more than we can manage. So have a heart, and keep us posted.
That’s why our email is listed at the bottom of about 3,000 web
pages. Meanwhile, readers should note that most all adult sites have
warnings, as did this one. They do not want you to view the site if
you chose note to. If you see the warning, DON’T click the link. But
let us know either way. We’ve found two similar problems in the last
month thanks to reader email, and fixed both instantly. Unlike the
other major search engines that include thousands of adult links, we
remove every single one making our sites much much more family
oriented than the Web in general. September 21 FORT STARK AND FRIENDS How can I have information on Fort Stark and Fort Constitution (in the area of Portsmouth, NH) sent to my home with lodging information in the area of Portsmouth, NH? Thanks! Brian M in Bridgeton, NJ EDITOR’S REPLY: You can find info online at the Peter Payette’s collossal web site PortsmouthForts.com. You couldn’t want to know more if you are planning an historical tour of Seacoast area forts. But getting anything sent is another thing. Most poor web people like us do not have the facilities, funds or staff to print and mail free material, which we have already placed online. And the government and private agencies that own the land are not investing much in promoting local history. Just press that PRINT button on your computer. You can contact the local chambers of commerce for more info, but we bet dollars to donuts they have never heard of these forts since they are not commercial sites. Local historical societies can help out, if you can get them on the phone. In the meantime, the best info comes from us online history guerrillas. http://www.portsmouthforts.com September 19 KEEPERS OF WHITE ISLAND THOROUGHLY enjoy your Isles of Shoals coverage. My great-great grandmother is buried on Star. She and her Husband were the lightkeepers on White when she died. He rowed her over to Star for burial as there "Was not enough dirt on White to bury a mackerel." I believe she lies in what is known as "The Caswell Cemetery". Do you know of a list of the "keepers of the White Island Light" in any archive?? If so I'd REALLY appreciate the lead. My 91+ year old Mom would be just thrilled if I found and provided that. She and my Sister visited GG's grave in '99 but I was away in Alaska and missed that trip. Thanks much for any help you might provide and please keep up
your great site. September 17 BREWSTER WAS NO PILGRIM Om your web page, "The Gospel According to Brewster" you write: "...Brewster could trace his own ancestors right up the gangplank of the Mayflower. " Unfortunately, that statement is untrue, although it was so important to one of them to prove that they WERE descendants of the Elder William of Mayflower fame, that even town records were tampered with. If you would please remove that one little passage from your otherwise perfect web page, the fallacy will not be further perpetuated (at least by you guys). Happy Hunting!! Jeannie-ology : ) http://www.seacoastnh.com/arts/please032400.html EDITOR'S REPLY: I think we'll just ammend it with your footnote. What Charles Brewster believed is, in some ways, as important as the facts, since it drove him to write thousands of pages of local genealogy. Thanks for the update. http://seacoastnh.com/brewster/ September 15 KEEPING UP WITH THE LYNX THANK YOU! I was in Rockland, Maine the day the LYNX was moved from the boat yard to the launch site across the harbor...an awesome sight! She is an extraordinarily beautiful vessel! I did not have film in my camera. Please keep us posted as to the visit dates in Portsmouth. I am looking forward to seeing her, this time with film in the camera! Barbara Forslind of Pepperell, MA http://www.seacoastnh.com/navyyard/lynx1.html September 15 INSIDE THE TROJAN HOUSE I loved your tongue-in-cheek article regarding the mobilization of the original New Hampshire state house. A "Trojan House" seems, at this point, to be the only answer to a controversial problem regarding a home for the house (pun intended). 'Tis a pity. Keep up the good work! Lee Roberts of Portsmouth, NH http://www.seacoastnh.com/granitestatenose/03statehouse.html September 15 TERRORISTS OVERHEAD Before you begin to expound about the terrorists driving through your fair city (September 2001 SeacoastNH.com Newsletter) please get the facts straight. The rental car got them TO Portland Jetport, probably from Canada. From there they flew OVER Portsmouth to Logan Airport in Boston where they boarded the targeted aircraft. The rental car has been found in Portland and impounded. Sue Chapman Melanson of South Hiram, Maine September 12 INSIDE THE WHITTIER HOUSE Just took your tour of INSIDE THE WHITTIER HOME and found it delightful. Well done! I enjoyed all the information and the photos. You caught the spirit! My parents were curators there for four years in the 1980s, so I am very familiar with the dear old place; and, of course, Mr. Whittier was an important person in the life of Celia Thaxter, so I've done considerable research on him --- and all those 19th century friends and literary folks! - as well. You covered the place very well and your visual images are so nice - they capture it and bring it to life for the "armchair tourist." On page 2 the caption under "Snow Bound" -- I never heard that
James T. Fields was a Unitarian minister. You might say instead:
"Editor Fields was born in Portsmouth, NH." (which he was.)He was
the editor for Mr. Whittier, and Celia Thaxter, and many others, and
part owner of Tickner & Fields publishing house, which later,
eventually evolved into Houghton Mifflin. His brilliant career was
in the literary circles of Boston, editing and publishing, but not
in the church. All the same, it's a wonderful "tour" - much
appreciated! I'm looking forward to it! September 09 WHAT'S WITH THOSE BIG BARNS? While visiting central New Hampshire on vacation, I noticed that there was a trend in older homes of having big barns attached to the homes. What was the purpose to that? Did it date back to the horse and buggy era? I am from VT and we don't see that type of structure here. I have asked several NH people and no one knows the answer. Sheila Huestis Sheila in Bridport, VT A RESPONSE FROM BOSTON UNIVERSITY PROF. RICHARD CANDEE The answer you seek is in a book by Thomas Hubka, published by Univ. Press of New Eng. several years ago called "Big House, Back House, Little House, Barn: The Connected Farms of Northern New England" or some such (I am doing this by memory). Yes it dates back to major agricultural reforms and new technologies that reorganized the Northerm New England (NH & ME ) farmstead to compete with new and better mid-western farming.18th c. barns were remodeled and made bigger and connected to the house thru a series of units, as an efficiency move and "moral" reform. -- Richard September 09 LONG WAY TO LONG POND I am trying to find out more information about the development around Long Pond in Barrington. We are seriously considering purchasing some property for sale, but the realtor has very little beyond the description of the site for us. Seems 'Vista Drive' and 'Long Pond' don't bring up anything on any search engine. Your site might be able to direct me? We have friends in Portsmouth willing to visually check out the place, but we need to give them directions. Pretty far for us to go from Tampa to check it out. Pat from Florida EDITOR'S REPLY: Long Pond, but not Vista Drive show up on Mapquest.com and you should contact the Barrington Chamber of Commerce and perhaps the town itself for more info. http://www.barringtonchamber.org/ September 08 SEEKING IRISH ANCESTORS I am researching the Reid family. My great grandfather, Micheal Reid, indicated that he was born in New Hampshire in 1851 of parents born in Ireland. I do not have any other details. Was there a particular community or communities of Irish immigrants that I could begin to focus some research on? This is definitely going to be a hit or miss thing. Mary Krueger of Benzonia, Michigan EDITOR'S REPLY: You may not have heard that all the NH Irish came to this region in three large ships called the Russet, the Idaho and the Starchy Tuber. Aww, we’re just kidding, and can, because we’re Irish too. In fact, you’ve hit the precise date of the famous Potato Famine in Ireland that sent swarms of desperate citizens to the USA. Tracking down your family genealogy is a lot of fun and takes a lot of time. We’ll forward you some of your links via email, but a good place to start is this fascinating history of the Potato Famine (click below) http://vassun.vassar.edu/~sttaylor/FAMINE/index.html September 08 GREAT COMPANY TRIP IN PORTSMOUTH Just wanted to thank you for helping me out for ideas for our annual Vendor Day for my company, Labels, Inc. in Hampton. With the help of your suggestions, I found a local bus company and tour guide that giving a narrated historical tour of Portsmouth and the seacoast area for our group of 35 people. We wemt to the Portsmouth Brewery for dinner and an awards ceremony. I just wanted to tell you to keep up the good job & I enjoy receiving your newsletter. Thanks a lot. Mary Anne Barnett of Newton, NH September 07 ROCHESTER UNDERGROUND? THERE IS AN OLD HOUSE HERE IN ROCHESTER, N.H. THAT HAS AN ESCAPE TUNNEL THAT WAS USED TO HELP SLAVES. I WORKED WITH THE MAN THAT OWNED THE HOUSE, IT IS ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE SALVATION ARMY CLOTHING STORE ON THE CORNER OF SIGNAL AND SUMMER STREET. IT IS AN OLD BRICK HOUSE...DIDN'T KNOW IF YOU COULD USE THIS INFO IN YOUR SEARCH. SYLVIA H. EDITOR'S REPLY: Many thanks for your note. We'll notify the Black Heritage group in Portsmouth, however as you may have noticed from our recent column (“Beneath the Underground Railroad”) -- documenting a site like this requires much more than anecdotal info. That is the starting point and someone has to get passionately involved in doing the extensive research required. Many New England homes had such tunnels and most were normal parts of the building, especially commercial buildings used for merchant storage or other purposes. The existence of a tunnel, of which there are a number in this area, does not necessarily indicate involvement in the Underground RR. If the house was privately owned by abolitionist or vigilance committee members, and/or an African American family during the mid 1800s, then this is a first positive step toward research. Perhaps an amateur historian in the neighborhood would be interested in taking on the project and beginning the work of documenting the building and possibly even taking the next step to register it with the federal system, should the research prove positive. We hope you will be able to contact the historical society in Rochester with this info as well, and keep us in touch. Thanks very much for your note. http://www.seacoastnh.com/arts/please083101.html September 05 NAME THAT VENUE I am looking for information about the Summer Music Festival held in Portsmouth US, on a stage beside the sea. I am organising a tour for a youth orchestra from the UK and they are interested in participating. Pippy Newnham, OneStage Concert Tours EDITORS REPLY: Sure sounds to us like our famous Prescott Park Arts Festival that is just winding up another amazing season. http://www.seacoastsearch.com/feature55.htm http://www.artfest.org/ September 05 SAVING OR SALVAGING HISTORY? Mr. Robinson: I especially enjoyed reading the articles regarding the your adventures on the Isle of Shoals. I am an armature historian as well as a videographer. Currently I am working on several projects relating to local history for public access TV here in Central Massachusetts. If you would ever conceder having a pain in the ass videographer tagalong on one of your excursions drop me a line. I love your content and I am always willing to bend over backwards to tell a good story. We have founded an organization (Massachusetts Organization for Research and Recovery) with a web site and an e-newsletter. Have a visit when you get a free minute. The website is relatively new and has updates added weekly so feel free to check back often. Sincerely Kenneth Maston, Fitchburg, MA Http://www.cellarhole.com EDITOR'S REPLY: Congrats on your new group. We were always taught that archeology and treasure hunting are two opposite ends of the spectrum. The jury is still out on whether Lara Croft and Tomb Raider and Raiders of the Lost Ark are good or bad for archeology, which is a highly structured discipline. Certainly a lot of us got our first interest in history from childhood dreams of buried treasure and mummy's tombs. But our approach here is toward science and history first. Once an item is removed from the earth, as you know, a major portion of its archeological value is destroyed, since the data comes largely from the context and environment in which the object is found. So we tend to promote a Don't Touch philosophy. We always want to remember that the Shoals are all privately owned islands and that we are all guests there. No items may be removed from any of the islands at any time, although diving off shore is another thing altogether. There the rules of sea take over, although the field of marine archaeology is making inroads. Our personal goal is to discourage any thoughts of the Isles as a source of hidden treasure. Reports of anything ever being found are, as far as we can tell, purely anecdotal. But at the same time, we are interested in the legend and lore, as well as the local history. The Massachusetts Archeological Society, and similar groups in Maine and NH offer training for amateur archeologists, which we hope you members will all take. Such training is always used only on certified professional “digs” of course, but amateur enthusiasts are often valuable in helping to locate sites for these formal digs. http://www.seacoastnh.com/history/prehistoric/scrap.html September 04 HOW MUCH FOR A COPY OF THE DECLARATION? I have a copy of the declaration of lndependence on the bottom left hand side it has published by john hancock mutual life insurance company boston massachusetts could you give me any information on the date it was published or if any monatry value thank you for any info. James Norris EDITOR'S REPLY: John Hancock Life published thousands of copies of its historical booklets during the first half of the 20th century, but they have since abandoned the patriot sales approach. Few documents have been reprinted more often than the Declaration, so we're guessing the reproduction has no monetary value. We're not experts, but the other Hancock reprints sell for about a dollar apiece nowadays. We've got a bunch of them as you can see. For the whole story, click below http://www.seacoastnh.com/jpj/johnhancock.html September 04 MARK TWAIN IN ERUPTION I followed a link to this website while searching (in vain so far) for a book I read quite a while ago entitled, "Mark Twain, in Eruption" or a title close to that. It was edited by Bernard DeVoto. Is there any way that you can help me locate a copy of that book? Apparently it's no longer in print, but I'd be happy to get a used copy, as long as its readable. I've searched countless websites for the past year at least and this is as close as I've come. I would really be grateful for any help you can give me, even if you only point me in the right direction. Thanking you in advance. Elizabeth Branch EDITOR'S REPLY: We can point you there in 10 seconds. Since we published a popular piece on book searching online (“I am Addicted to Bibliofind.com”) the formerly small company has apparently been bought out by Amazon.com. While we still use it often, and it's tied into a killer database, it seems less enticing. For one thing, the reader cannot see all the details on all copies of a book when searching. There is a lot more clicking back and forth, but it is possible to view the cheapest copies at the top. “Mark Twain in Eruption” is an amazing volume and it appears there are 15 for sale at this moment. Good hunting. http://www.seacoastnh.com/arts/please010499.html http://www.seacoastnh.com/arts/please012600.html September 03 HAPPY WITH OUR SEACOAST PHOTO BOOK I am truly impressed with “Portsmouth & Coastal New Hampshire: A Photographic Portrait.” The shots and your descriptions are wonderful. And what a value! I was not expecting such a hard bound beauty for that conservative price. My autographed copy will occupy a prominent spot. Tomorrow, I will deliver my mother's signed copy and “A Brief History of Portsmouth, New Hampshire,” which you so generously included with her birthday wishes. You and your business are a class act! I even forgive you for the melancholy I experience each time that I am transported back to the place I loved and left, twenty-five years ago. My respect and appreciation, George W. Magor of Bonsall, CA http://www.seacoaststore.com/ September 01 LUCY HALE THEORY RULES Right on, very well written and not far fetched. You should pursue this. Your take is most interesting, especially the account of the "hands". Stanley F Johnson of Milford Ma EDITOR'S REPLY: We're happy to hear that our theory "(The New Dying Words of John Wilkes Booth") still holds water. It's one of those haunting ideas we just can't shake. http://www.seacoastnh.com/arts/please042098.html WON THE VIDEO! Just wanted to say thanks for the great video, 101 Highlights of Seacoast, NH. the kids and i loved watching it and feel as if we to know New Hampshire now!! Thanks again, Denise April, July winner http://www.seacoastnh.com/contests/index.html September 01 NO LADDER NEEDED TO ELOPE AT SEA LEVEL IN A RUSH......MY FIANCE AND I WANT TO ELOPE, BRINGING ALONG HIS PARENTS A VERY SMALL DOG AND A JUSTICE OF THE PEACE TO MARRY US ON THE BEACH. LOOKING FOR ANY HELP TO ARRANGE THIS, AND A PLACE TO STAY FOR A NIGHT OR TWO ON THE WATER. A CABIN, HOUSE RENTAL, ETC WOULD BE GREAT! CAN YOU HELP? WE WOULD LIKE TO DO THIS SOMETIME IN SEPTEMBER, AND IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE ON THE WEEKEND, IF THAT HELPS!! Sharin EDITOR'S REPLY: Eloping in SeacoastNH with parents and a dog – that's a new one on us. That's why we created the WEDDING category of SeacoastSearch.com. We've also forwarded your note to an event planner and local chambers. The Dining and Lodging Guides should fill in the blanks. We suggest wetsuits for attire and lots of seafood for dinnner. http://www.seacoastsearch.com/ September 01 SWORD FISHING Hello my name is Ryan I have John Paul Jones sword. I was told that it was past down though the family for many years. I want to know how I can find out if its the real thing. Please give me any info that you can or you can call me at (phone number on file). Ryan EDITOR'S REPLY: Thanks, Ryan. We've received a number of similar notes on artifacts and we always need to start by asking the writer to perform two tasks: (1) please send as many good photos of the artifact as possible, especially showing details of writing, marks, inscriptions; and (2) please write down everything your family members recall about the item, and copy any documents, receipts, bills of sale, letters, etc. Enormous numbers of families in the 19th century claimed to have relics from famous Revolutionary War people. A very small proportion turn out to be true. Most turn out to be a family story that grew into a legend, but without facts or documentation – discovering the truth may be time consuming, costly, even impossible. One of JPJ's swords hangs above his coffin at Annapolis. Whether there are others, remains to be seen. He was buried without artifacts or clothes in Paris in 1792. An authentic item would have to be from the right time period and show a provenance that documents the story of how the item moved from its original spot to your attic. Our interest is threefold here at SeacaostNH.com. We want to help locate items for our favorite spot – the JPJ House Museum, to help in any way to authenticate an historic relic, and to learn the stories of the families who own them. http://www.seacoastnh.com/jpj |
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