ASK, RANT OR PRAISE, BUT NEVER IGNORE 

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STILL LAUGHING WITH TWAIN
Fantastic article about Twain. I was dying laughing. I put a link out on Facebook.
Robin Rousseau, CPA 

Very good newsletter. And though I may be getting senile, and I have read your other newsletters, this is the one that I think captures SeacoastNH.com best. I loved the Twain article, BTW.
Chip Noon  

Hi Dennis, I really enjoyed your post “Mark Twain Loved Aldrich but Hated Portsmouth” and was thinking of writing you a mail when I saw your newsletter in my inbox! I don't know if you watch "Curb Your Enthusiasm" but the relationship between Mark Twain and Lilian Aldrich reminded me of that between Larry David and Susie. Keep posting!
Esha Samajpat  

MORE MISSING MURAL MEMORIES
A long long time ago I was privileged to see the murals in question along with others in NH and VT. I don't recall the yea rit may even have been in 1940-41  I believe it was on a school trip. But I also saw some later in life and don't recall where ?  I believe, not sure, that we also saw murals in a Littleton Post Office and in Barre, Vt. I recall a teacher or escort explaining how it was like a WPA for artists during the great depression I believe, some of them were very large. Probably all are gone and forgotten now as buildings have been renovated or even torn down. I am sure that they don't mean much to later generations. Sad, but true. As they say, we old guys should stop living in the past. Oh well! Keep us posted
Charlie Welcome  

BACK WHEN I DID SEACOAST VIDEOS
Dennis: Have you ever considered redoing the Seacoast,NH and Seacoast, Maine 101 Highlights videotapes you made in the 1990s onto DVD? It's too long for the Web (90 min each) but they sure make a great gift for vacationers and potential new residents!
Carolyn McGee  

EDITOR RESPONDS: I did, often, and it’s a long story, but the upshot is, that my $150,000 video system became extinct soon after I bought it. (Sold it for $1,000 to a scrap dealer.) Digital took over. Today a $200 mini-cam from Best Buy shoots higher resolution HD footage than my system with no degradation when copied, and the editing systems are practically free and computer based. (We used to pay $3,000 per font). Therefore the quality of the imagery of the 250 locations that I hired my camera crew to shoot would not match what you see in professional videos today. The cost of digitizing and editing the stuff (the raw footage is still sitting under my desk here in giant boxes) is prohibitive and the marketplace for DVD travel videos since YouTube is almost nonexistent. Long story short, I now do books. We’re still out there looking for sponsors for GOseacoast.com which will send photos of places to go to people on their mobile media in case anyone asks. Maybe if it comes out in 2011, we can add video clips later. Thanks for thinking of the good old days. We sweated for years over those extinct videotapes. -- JDR  

JOHN HANCOCK INSURANCE EPHEMERA
I recently found an old document of the constitution of the u.s. presented by the John Hancock mutual insurance co. Boston, Mass. It was framed by the art shop in Greensboro, N.C.  It had to be framed prior to 1978 because the art shop moved from the address on the back of the frame in 1978.  Can you tell me anything about this document such as how may prints J.H. insurance co.
printed and when they were passed out.
Frank Tucker

EDITOR’S REPLY: Thanks to all who sent more of the Hancokl booklets. We now have quite a pile. Sorry, I have no clue. We've tried to talk to the company about their many historic marketing projects, but were told they no longer use the "history" approach and there is no one there interested or able to give us a response. If this piece is like most, there were a huge number of them printed. It's value is pretty much the value of the frame. Items issued by John Hancock tend to sell for a dollar or less.   

ANOTHER STONE FISH
I was in Palos Verdes Estates down in the water below the cliffs.  While in the water I reached down into the water and pulled up this fishing lure. It was carved out of stone. It looks like it is a fish wIth other holes in it. I presumed it was for a fishing line. This part of PV is called Malaga Cove. I could send you over an email attachment. Can you tell me how old it is?
God Bless, Brian  

EDITOR’S REPLY:  We can’t. Not sure anyone can. You must be responding to our ancient article about the 3,000 year old fish-shaped Native American plumb bob on the old part of the Web site. We should update and move that. It was, as I recall, thought to be a whale, but had a hole painstakingly drilled into the stone. No one really knows what it is. You are welcome to send along a god-sized JPG file, or a few from different angles (be sure to put something in the photo that shows the size of the item(. The answer to your question, however, is likely that no one can tell you the date of a "found" object. Dates are usually determined by items dug up scientifically and based on the strata of soil in which they were found. I'll forward it to an expert I know on this end of the continent, but be advised that most archeologists are specialists in particular geographic areas, not coast to coast. You will also want to send JPGs to whomever you can find at a university or historical society (as local as possible) in your area who might know more about the object. Cheers -- JDR in NH

REMEMBERS MURALS
Dennis, It was with great pleasure that I read your article about the 4 murals at the Portsmouth Junior High School Auditorium. I attended PJHS in 1937-38 and 39.Two of the murals were on the left and two on the right in the Auditorium.The mural that always impressed me most was the Indians attacking on Breakfast Hill. These were huge murals and when you entered the auditorium your eyes were drawn to the beautiful murals. Many of us HIGH School Students were assembled at the PJHS auditorium because it was so much bigger and more capacity than the Portsmouth High School assembly area.I graduated from the PJHS Auditorium in 1944 before I went in the U S Army. Thanks to your article about the murals, I always wondered who had painted those paintings,Ms.Brannigan.  
BRAD HARRINGTON  ROCHESTER,NH  

TAKING THE TOUR
Today, Sunday ,Sept 19, my husband and I toured the Hamilton House. Our guide was a very considerate and informed woman. She extended her kindness to us through out the tour. Luckily, we were the only people for the 1 o'clock tour. Since I have to carry oxygen when I walk, I couldn't skip along quickly. Our guide accommodated my need to stop and rest and
then continue walking. She also helped by calling the Sarah Orne Jewett House and explained our needs. Many thanks for a beautiful afternoon.
M. Katis and R. Katis  

BUILT LIKE A BRICK LIGHTHOUSE
Dear Mr. Robinson.  Were you in attendance at an open tour of the Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse given by the "Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse" on Sept 19,2010 at approximately 2.00 pm. I asked a gentleman there how long it might take for the bricks lying at the base of the "oil house" to round up as they were. Point being, I wondered if they might be from the civil war era? Were you 
that person? 
From Malcom  

JEREMY THE LIGHTHOUSE GUY RESPONDS: Hi Malcolm, I was at the open house yesterday, but I wasn't the one you spoke to. I think you're referring to the bricks lying around on the ground near the lighthouse, walkway, and oil house. The general belief is that most of the bricks were used as ballast in lobster traps. Over the years, as the traps age or are damaged in storms, the bricks wash up on the shore. They've been smoothed by the currents so that some of them are nearly round. It is possible that some of them could have been part of structures as old as the Civil War era, but I don't think there's any way we can know for sure.  

YES, BUY THAT KINDLE
Dear Mr. Robinson, I found your name in a Google search I was doing on Kindle for the visually impaired and read your article from 2007 talking about the Kindle being a Godsend to Mr. MaGoo.  My father-in-law is a legally blind minister who struggles mightily with reading and has a variety of tools to help him.  In your article, you mention that you didn’t have a Kindle yet.  I was curious to find out if you got one and if it was truly helpful.  We don’t want to get him something that will claim to be helpful only to disappoint him in the end.  He wants to read a book, not have it read to him.  I would be grateful for any feedback you could offer.  Thanks
Matthew  O'Bryan  

EDITOR;S REPLY: Yes, got Kindle, and it has come a long way. They recently upgraded the font size so that the range of fonts go from small to really HUGE, so big that you only see half a dozen words on the screen. The key advantage is the Text-to-Speech function that allows the kindle robot to READ the book. It isn't perfect, of course, but you get used to the voice. The one drawback is that not all books have the TTS feature enabled. So before ordering a book, it is important so see whether the TTS is "enabled". This is marked on the order page. Most books are, but some very new bestsellers are disabled. That means you can still read the text, but not hear it. The other good news is that the price of the Kindle has dropped to under $200, the battery works longer between charges, the memory holds more books. Especially advantageous is that there are 10 times as many books available as when Kindle first appeared. THis is especially good for a minister since readers now have access to thousands of old books that were out of print -- many of them are free -- and can be downloaded in 60 seconds. Be sure you determine whether you want the large Kindle (DX) or the smaller one. There are two versions of the smaller one -- the first allows you to download books from anywhere (I recommend this) and the other allows you only to download when in the vicinity of a wireless computer. The user can also read newspapers, magazines, etc. and have them delivered to the Kindle every day. If the user is not familiar with the Internet and comfortable with computers, then make sure to get the Kindle that fits his needs. Good luck -- JDR  

RELATED TO REV. HAVEN
Samuel Haven was my seventh great grandfather. Can you tell me when the Brewster’s Ramble #69 about him was published? It is most interesting! I was in Portsmouth a few days ago and found what I think was the Haven house, now condos, at Gates and Pleasant Streets, but until I read this article I did not know which Haven had occupied it. I think it was the one he built. Haven Park came about from another Haven instructing that his or her house be torn down for the park, I think. Samuel had many children.
Anita W. Brewer-Siljeholm  

THE EDITOR REPLIES: A quick check on our search engine finds no more than 50 web pages mentioning the Haven family and many refer to Rev. Samuel Haven who had 17 children. His house is gone, replaced by Haven Park that you found. Brewster's essay was published about 1870, long after Rev. Haven's death.  

FAREWELL TO THE BLUE ANGELS
Thanks for the photo, caption and brief article entitled, “Remembering Jan, 30, 1981” which was published in yesterday’s (September 2, 2010)Portsmouth Herald.   My hope is that those who read it will have second thoughts about the Blue Angels streaking overhead in Portsmouth in the future.  Not only are they a display of macho male testosterone and military might, they are also potentially dangerous as they come within a few feet of homes, vehicles and businesses. Let’s keep all parts of our anatomies crossed that we have seen the last of them.
Lee Roberts  

ANOTHER FRIEND OF DON MURRAY
Dear Dennis: I just rediscovered your spectacularly on-target article/obituary about Don Murray, as Betsy and I were talking about him to Tina, who owns Young's restaurant in Durham. Anyway, I just had to share my admiration for the way you hit so many nails on the head in your article. Don would have really been proud of your accomplishment.
Roger C. Parker  

CHOWDER REVIEWS
The best kept secret regarding the best fried clams is Ceal’s Clam Stand in Seabrook, NH. Very rustic, with limited outdoor tables. With competition  like Brown’s and Markey’s, Ceal’s has made its place in the “best of” category. I agree The Clam Box in Ipswich, MA is absolutely delicious, however, I totally disagree on your opinion of Bob’s Clam Stand. The wait is ridiculous and the clams are horrible. Won’t see me there!!! Try Ceal’s at Seabrook Beach…seasonal take out.
Brenda Moge’of Hampton, NH  

TRUNK LABEL
Good Day,  I have a question regarding a trunk that my wife got many years ago.  On the left side of the trunk, there are two labels/stickers.  The top one says "Christiania" and right under this is another label "315".  Would these labels be the name of the ship and its ID number or a room number?  Or did this trunk originate in the city of Christiania, Norway or Denmark?  I am trying to find a descendent of the name that is scroll painted on the front of the trunk.  The paint is dated 1881.  I am guessing a young married couple came to the U.S and when they finally arrived to Minneapolis, Minnesota, the wife had her first name/maiden last name/married last name painted on the front of the trunk along with Minneapolis, Minnecota 1881.  *Note the spelling of Minnesota....it is spelled Minnecota.  Interesting.  Or maybe all this got painted on the trunk after they met in the U.S. thus getting married here in America.  I would appreciate any insight regarding the labels.  Thanks again and have a great day. 
Russ.  

LIKES VAMPIRE LINCOLN
Thanks for your article on Vampire Hunter. My 12 year old son actually was Abe Lincoln last year in the Living History Museum at Little Harbour and I know he will be interested in reading this. At one point in time, I was a textbook editor in the math department at Houghton Mifflin. I saw how Texas, California and New York drove the textbook market - scary enough with math, but social studies is terrifying. We really enjoy your columns.
Lisa Sweet  

A LONG COMPLEX BARTLETT CONNECTION
I am addressing you as result of an article (dated 2001) I just read on your website concerning the history of Bartlett Street (or streets), and the derivation of that name (apparently to an old and prominent New Hampshire family). The story identified several individuals who participated in that article. They include Nancy Grossman, J. Dennis Robinson (reporter who wrote a series entitled “Seacoast Rambles”, Nicole Luongo Cloutier, Ronans Donohoe, Curator John Mayer (Thayer-Cumings Library, Archives), and others.  

I am a historian/anthropologist and a non-profit board member (XII Travelers Memorial of the Southwest in El Paso, Texas. This is a large scale sculpture project of the history of The Pass of the North (today El Paso, Texas, and Cd. Juarez). We completed several years ago the world’s largest equestrian bronze. The next two monuments in progress are the Susan Shelby Magoffin Santa Fe Trail Monument and the President Benito Juarez Monument.  

While engaged in research relating to Benito Juarez at The Pass of the North (1865-1866), I became most interested in Ichabod S. Bartlett, who as a young soldier (New Hampshire 10th Voluntary Infantry) and war correspondent (Boston Journal), was dispatched by Secretary W.H. Seward to the small border town of Franklin (now El Paso, Texas) to assume the position of acting director of the U.S. Customs House, and also to meet with President Juarez, whose government had to flee to El Paso del Norte during the French Intervention. Bartlett became well acquainted with President Juarez and later wrote two accounts about that friendship. He and Seward had great respect for the Mexican president. I have finally tracked Bartlett to Wyoming where (after Franklin and nearby Fort Bliss), he was US Army paymaster, and later editor of a Cheyenne newspaper, and a congressman in the Wyoming Territorial Legislature. He wrote a well known excellent three volume work “The History of Wyoming”.  I am now attempting to track Bartlett and his association with New Hampshire, his home state.  Also am looking for his war diary, and just discovered the autographed photo of Juarez signed by the president. I would most appreciate if you could submit this curious email to those individuals identified above and other historians. I believe that Ichabod Sargent Bartlett may have been related to the famous (well educated and a writer) John Russell Bartlett (US Boundary Commissioner 1850’s). Ichabod’s father may have been a well known New Hampshire politician.  

I certainly appreciate your assistance in this request. Perhaps, Portsmouth, New Hampshire and our twin border cities may have a connection. Thanks
Nick Houser  

EDITOR’S REPLY: Nick – Whew! Many thanks for reading my article of 10 years ago and for your fascinating note. I can, however, tell you up front that our experts will likely have a handle on this topic. But I'll pass your note along just the same, and post it on my site in case someone else has an insight. As I noted, we're not even sure whom we named our own streets after. Your best bet locally, if you have a specific question about a Portsmouth-based Bartlett would be try the Portsmouth Athenaeum, starting with a search on their web site. If you have a NH Bartlett not from Portsmouth, then your best bet is the NH Historical Society that has an extensive archive on the Bartletts. It looks from a quick Google search that Ichabod was from Amesbury, Massachusetts just over the border. You might check their historical society too.  

MORE ON ALEMAKER FRANK JONES
Dear Mr. Robinson, I am a staff writer with the Bastrop Daily Enterprise, a newspaper covering Morehouse Parish in northeastern Louisiana. Recently, I happened across a story in the Enterprise archives from 1938, in which a local woman told the paper about her ancestors' association with Jesse and Frank James. According to the story, the James brothers maintained a hideout in a home near the Village of Bonita in Morehouse Parish for about ten years.  

I do not know if there is any truth to the account. However, I am a history graduate and enjoy writing historical features for the newspaper whenever I am able. I would like to explore the James story if there might be any merit to it. I wondered if I could email the 1938 article to you and get your expert opinion as to whether or not the story is plausible.
Sincerely, Wes Helbling  

WE THINK THIS MIGHT BE SPAM, DEPT.
Good day my dear friend! How are you? "I thought for a long time to write to you and now I decided to do this, I very modest girl because of this I am very hard to write, first you must understand this, I want to meet you, to have communion with you and learn more about you, I really need a friend and I hope you can be them! If you have difficulties in translation, you can use a translator. I was not too much trouble!? My name is Irina, I am 27 years old, if you want to know me more email me at My personal e-mail: I'll be very glad to receive your response, and I want to send you some of my photos, I think you will like it, look I will wait for your answer! Irina  

WHOSE STONES ARE THOSE?
When I walk in the cemetery I always notice a line of gravestones for women born starting in 1810 thru 1865. The first name is Submit Stokell. The line of graves runs parallel to the main entrance road. Can you give me any more information about these women? Why are they buried in a group?
Meghan Rice  

EDITOR’S REPLY: The South Cemetery is owned by the Griffin family and you might contact them. We like to first refer readers to the excellent site A Very Grave Matter, a good place to start your research. And there is an historic graveyard association in Portsmouth and you could contact them or check the Portsmouth Athenaeum for records many collected by Louise Tallman. We suggest the Very Grave Matter Web site.

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