Seacoast NH Letters April 2011

email ASK, RANT OR PRAISE, BUT NEVER IGNORE

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EDITOR'S NOTE: My apologies for following bnehind on this section. THe volume of mail seems to be picking up lately and the questions are getting tougher as readers get more sophisticated. Here is a portion of the lteers from April and God knows what happened to March. I think those letters are still in the bag. I do respond quickly via email, often the same day, but posting a few of the best letters online each month is a bear. If I could do this for a living, I'd like nothing else. I think I shouldahve been a reference libraruian. __ JDR

QUIETING THE GHOST OF MR HUNT

Thank you for the article! (“The Mysterious Death of William Morris Hunt”) I have shared it with our staff, especially the Tour Guides. It will be quite helpful for interpreting the significance of the missing murals. The only change would be that now that I have read the article I am no longer as inclined to go along with the impression that he committed suicide, I now agree with you that the accidental drowning idea is probably more likely. Good luck on your continued research. Let me know if you pursue the book idea or if you find any more information relevant to the mystery.

Stuart W. Lehman

Education Coordinator for the NYS Capitol

NYS Office of General Services

Albany NY 12242

I FOUND SOMETHING

While digging into a river bank in Pembroke I found a flat light weight stone. It looks like a stone tool. Sort of looks like a chisel. Who can identify this for me?’

Gary Day

EDITOR’S REPLY: You can try any local historical society. Most New England towns have one and often someone there knows about Native American artifacts. You can try the archaeology department at the nearest college or university, if they have one. UNH has an archaeology dept, eg. You can try the NH Division of Historical Resources offices in Concord NH where the tate archaeologist Richard Boisvert works. The state runs the SCRAP archaeology program that trains people how to work on scientific archaeology digs (and how not to dig up historic artifacts without training). Sheila Charles at Strawbery Banke Museum is also in charge of the NH Archaeology Society. Or try the Mt. Kearsage Indians Museum.

You can look up “Contract Archaeologists” in the state and see if any are interested. There is a list of consultants at NH.gov. If you send a photo (and they will require it) be sure to take a good digital picture from a few angles and include something in the picture (a ruler or coin) for size reference.

DE ROCHEMONT & MARTIN LUTHER

Dear Mr. Robinson: I came across your short biography of Louis de Rochemont and was really intrigued. I wanted to ask you whether you had more details about de Rochemont's family history, and especially about his religious upbringing (I was wondering about this since he produced the film Martin Luther...)

Best, Dan Shmuel

EDITOR’S REPLY: Funny you should ask. I have files of LDR, mostly copies of posters, some newspaper articles, clippings, copies of some films. There is a documentary on the latest DVD edition of the Martin Luther film that talks about the "making of" the movie where you might get some added info. There may also be a printed booklet for theatre owners, usually filled with press releases promoting the film that might offer some insights. My guess is that there was little or no religious connection since LDR was a working independent producer and went where the money was. Although he did have a liberal social conscience, he saw himself as a maverick and an outsider and was attracted to themes about characters who were also boat-rockers like himself. That would certainly apply to Martin Luther. LDR also worked with the FBI, with Reader's Digest, Time/LIfe, Columbia Films, even the CIA -- wherever funding was available. I've long wanted to write a book on LDR, but no takers yet. He’s a fascinating guy.

SQUAMSCOTT PATENT

Hello Dennis: I am writing to hopefully pick your brain. If an original version of the Squamscot Patent exists, where would it located? The Rockingham County Registry and the State of NH apparently do not have it. If it were to be in England, where would I check? I would like to obtain a photocopy if possible.

Thank you, John Pratt

THE EDITOR RESPONDS: My initial guess was that there is no original or even a manuscript copy in existence today. Not sure that is true, but the following clip from the NH Provincial Papers seems to bear that out. At least it indicates where you can find a transcription. Hope this helps. (see attached image file)

ARRIVED ON THE JAMES IN 1635

I am doing genealogy research on my father's side of the family. I have recently discovered that his ancestor came to America in 1635 on a ship called the "James" which was sailing with the "Angel Gabriel". The Angel Gabriel was shipwrecked off the coast of Maine, but the James barely made it by landing on the "Isles of Shoals" pretty beat up by the rocks. I have a partial passenger list, which includes my ancestor John Smith, but there were as many as a hundred passengers listed (which would include his wife and children). That is where my request comes in. I am very much wanting a copy of the complete list. I'm hoping you can help. Below I am listing very pertinent information which I hope may help you. I have spent hours researching to no avail, so you're my last hope.

SHIP: JAMES of Bristol

MASTER: John Taylor

DEPARTURE: left King's Road in Bristol, England on 23 May 1635

ARRIVAL: 17 August 1635 at Isles of Shoals (on way to Boston, MA)

Thank you so very much,

Sharie Brandt

THE EDITOR REPLIES: That's a new one on me. I see the references online and it certainly looks like the JAMES stopped here in 1635. It appears from the online records that the ship simply weathered a storm at the Isles and moved on, so there would be no records of any sort around here. The James visit is not mentioned in any of the half dozen local Shoals histories that I checked, although the islands were an active fish processing spot at that time. Unless there is something in the Maine or NH Provincial Records -- and not likely to be -- then I assume any such records would be in England or referenced by others who trace their genealogy to the Boston arrival. We have no significant records of ships coming and going here in the early 17th century. If you learn more, we're glad to know.

MEMORIAL BRIDGE PHOTO

Hi Dennis: I love your stories about Portsmouth in years past. This week I saw an old photo of the Memorial Bridge. C.E. Walker was my husband’s great-grandfather. I would love to have a copy of the photo for my husband’s collection of memorabilia. I am not sure if the pictures are copyrighted or available to reproduce. Does the Athenaeum have a policy? Any help that you could provide would be great.

Mary Ann Driscoll

EDITOR’S REPLY: Yes, you can read their policy for reproduction and use of photos from the archives on the Portsmouth Athenaeum Web site.

MORE MEMORIAL BRIDGE
My father worked on the Memorial Bridge, I think for the American Bridge Company, when it was being built and stayed on as the bridge's first operator. His name was Thomas E. Collins. Also his name was on the plaque that was on the bridge approach on the Portsmouth side walk. It has been removed or relocated. In your research have you any information of the above. --

Frank Collins

EDITOR’S REPLY: We checked with Prof. Richard Candee, one of the found founders of the Save Our Bridges group and he, in turn, got the following response from Lynne Monroe of the Preservation Company: “Found it! Indeed, the Historic Structures Report we did includes a photo of this sign (MB 30). It was located at the flag pole at what we called Memorial Park (i.e., the little parking area at the approach). Thomas E. Collins' name appears on the plaque as a Portsmouth alderman.” Where the plaque is today is still unknown, however.”

FOLLOW-UP NOTE FROM FRANK COLLINS

Thank you for helping me locate the Bridge plaque I saw it today in the small triangle buried in the ground. It use to stand on the sidewalk set in the railing at the top of the stairs. I wonder what will happen to it when they replace the bridge. Thanks again for your help, Frank Collins

THE WAR IN YORK

Hi Dennis: I do some volunteer work for Old York Historic and one of my "long term" projects has been the gathering of all available information on York's war memorials. I must have started this labor 8 or 10 (or more) years ago now and have found most all the information I set out to find. One important tid-bit remains hidden from me and it is the dedication date of the WWI memorial which stands on Goal Hill, in front of the Old Goal, on the right as you go into the center of town. I have spent hours in the Portsmouth Library looking through old copies of The Portsmouth Herald on microfilm as copies of the Old York Transcript (York's newspaper, in that time) are not to be found.

I follow your work in the Portsmouth Herald and your mention of Fred C. Smalley Monuments in the "Changing Views since 1924" article caught my eye. Smalley supplied some of the stone tablets used for memorials during the time this monument was erected. I have attached a document with the information I have collected on this war memorial so far. As you can see on the last line, Smalley is mentioned in a Town Report under "Incidental Expenses (for 1920)." No one can say the granite slab mention was for the Great War's memorial tablet, but I think the chances are pretty good that it might have been. I have found no evidence of any other "tablet" being erected in that year and for the town to cough up the funds for this one is significant.

I was thinking that Smalley's business records may have been saved and you might know where they were kept. They might tell me the information I have been looking for. Also, you may have seen or will see some information on this war monument that I would be thankfull for. If you do, I would appreciate your sharing it with me.
Thanks, Michael Dow

THE EDITOR REPLIES: Thanks for your vote of confidence in my research skills, but whatever I know about Smalley was in that photo caption. I have only two real sources of info, besides my own hsitory library here -- the history room at the Portsmouth Public Library and the Athenaeum. Fred Smalley's name does appear in their database. He may have been an Atheneaeum member and there is sometimes a vertical file, but it may have only one newspaper clipping. You never know. The chances that such records would be kept and end up in the archives are slim, but there is an entry you can see for papers of the Smalley family. If this turns out to be anything, you owe me a nice article for my Web site. At least I should be able to get a blog out of. My goal is to write as little as possible and get other people to do it for me.

ROLAND WOODWELL SAVED WHITTIER

That local historian in the article about John Greenleaf Whittier was a local teacher at Amesbury High School .His name was Roland Woodwell and he should be given a lot of credit. He singlehandedly kept Whittier alive in Amesbury for all the schools and I believe he was working on a biography of him when Woodwell was in his nineties . I lived right down the street from him in the 60's70's80's and he had a exercise and weight room that he and many townspeople would use.

From a Kittery Reader

EDITOR REPLIES: Thanks. I've got Woodwell's JGW biography, all 600+ pages of it, and you can still buy a copy at the Whittier House or pick up a used one Amazon.com for about $10. I've long fantasized about writing the 21st century version to tell modern readers how influential Whittier used to be -- and still is in some ways -- in popular New England culture. My goal is to combine the story of the two Whittier houses and other locations with a popular history of his work as a white abolitionist, Quaker, and advocate of women's rights. I've pitched it to a number of potential publishers, but as you may imagine, it hasn't found a sponsor. There's a lot more excitement in the guy's life than one might imagine from looking at his solemn portrait. If you end up writing more about Woodwell for my Web readers, send it along. Always interested.

BUILDING ANY BOATS UP THERE?
Does any shipbuilding go on up there now? If not, are there persons or groups you know about who can do it? --

Andy on Gmail

EDITOR’S REPLY: I recently finished a hardcover book (AMERICA’S PRIVATEER) due in the fall of 2011 about a major tall ship built at Mid-Coast Maine where a skilled builder I know with a crew of 40 makes boats the old-fashioned way. I can put you in touch with him if I know more about your project. There is a small renaissance going on in the region. There are independent wooden boat builders and companies in the region, but most build small modern fiberglass sport boats, and nothing on the scale of the clippers or warships build here in the past. The nonprofit Gundalow Company is about to build a second modern version of (Coast Guard approved) a gundalow, once common to this region. The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard now repairs nuclear submarines, but no longer builds them from scratch. What kind of vessel are you thinking of? BTW another new book will be out this summer (MARITIME PORTSMOUTH) about Portsmouth-build ships of the past, #31 and the final book in the Portsmouth Marine Society series.

SHIPYARD QUESTION?
Hello again; my first message was sent by accident. What I was asking is whether there is enough to see and learn from an industrial history standpoint at the shipyard. If so, could someone be available to speak to our group and/or give a tour. Thank you. --

David Dunning

EDITOR’S REPLY: Not aware of an earlier note, but we are not the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, but a Web site of local history. They do have a Web site, but good luck getting through. Best book on the history of PNY is "Do Your Job" by Richard E Winslow. A new book "32 in 44" has just been released by Naval Institute Press. Both are on Amazon.com. The Navy Yard was a primary economic driver in this Piscataqua region from the mid-19th through the 20th century.

SEEKING DOVER INFO
I am looking for anyone who might have a newspaper clipping or a race program for a Motorcycle race run off at Dover,NH on Oct. 9,1949. The event was a New England Championship race event. If anyone can help with a scan or scan of a newspaper account, I would appreciate it.
R. Lee Lyons

ROD AT FOSTERS REPLIES: All: we suggest anyone looking for historic information use the Dover Public Library. They have microfiche of all FDD's and will help with the research. --

Rod Doherty

FIRST RELIGIOUS NEWSPAPER IN THE WORLD

Interesting piece on the oldest newspaper. Elias Smith sounds remarkably like Thomas Nelson of Scotland (UK), who started printing religious materials in the 1790´s. He was destitute like Smith, and he did it b/c he believed the common man should have access to religious material and the bible itself. But Nelson wasn´t priniting newspapers per se, as far as I know. Other outfits were also printing exclusively religious material by the 1790´s.

After reading your article I did some research in my own library and came across an interesting entry from an older book. A Massuchusetts preacher named Israel Potter was in Nova Scotia and he wrote to the ¨Herald of Light¨ in Springfield, Mass to say that there was a great religious awakening happening in the province. This was in the spring of 1810, and the paper was obviously an already-existing enterprise. I´d love to know more about its origins.... There are no references to it anywhere.

The earliest days of colonial papers, in general, are very interesting. And there was indeed a circuit of sorts, with the same people often making the rounds in Boston, Halifax, Portsmouth, New York, etc.....
Best, Mark Wilson, Toronto, Ont.