READER MAILBAG 
June 2013  
Dear SeacoastNH.com

Are any of you familiar with a small, felt-backed TILE--green drawing on a white background, about 5" across--that was done picturing the Weeks Brick House? I purchased one back in the 1960s. It fell and broke recently and I would like very much to replace it. Thanks for any help!

From Dr. Albert L. Weeks
(Click title to see our reply) 

READER MAILBAG 
January 2013  
Dear SeacoastNH.com

When I was a young lad living at my grandparents house in Portsmouth (314 Middle Street) we were given a Bouvier puppy by Louis de Rochemont. I have been trying to learn about his involvement with this breed. Can you possibly assist me? My grandfather, Harold M. Smith, was an attorney in Portsmouth (Speaker of the House 1931-33).  He and LDR were friends. If memory serves me (I was but a wee tyke at the time) when Pease AFB was established, they took some of LDR's property, including a barn where the Bouviers were kept.  In any event, I believe it was at that time that LDR gave a Bouvier to my parents.

From John Langdon Hadley in Port Angeles, WA
(See our response below)

READER MAILBAG
October 2012

Dear SeacoastNH.com,
I was just reading your blog on him [David Thompson] and was curious -- why do you call him a Scot? When I research the internet, it shows him born in England.  Also, what is the private source that claims he worked for Ferdinando Gorges? Have you seen a primary source to verify this?  Also, the Internet shows that his son was also born in England, but you say he was born in New England? i'm curious about your sources.  Thanks. -- Kathleen Michael  (See our response below)

READER MAILBAG   
September 2012  
Dear SeacoastNH.com

I'm searching for a Lucy Lambert Hale expert to tell me if this Civil War era photo I recently found in Gettysburg is a likeness of the lady. To my eyes, she looks very much like the woman in the photo carried by John Wilkes Booth and found when he was killed; however, the woman in my photo is facing the opposite way; is wearing a different (although very similar) outfit; and her hair is ever so slightly different (not swept up quite as high, although the ringlets are an exact match).The photo has a Rhode Island photographer's backmark. What do you think? I would very much appreciate any opinion you might care to offer.  Thanks so much! – Michele  (See photo and reply below)

READER MAILBAG   
September 2012  
Dear SeacoastNH.com

A few years ago, I read an article about hiking the NH coast in a magazine.  I wasn't able to keep the article or make a copy.  It listed spots to stop/eat meals and places to stay -- suggested a daily list of how far to walk on a long weekend trip.  I'd love to do the hike, and have talked it up with my friends.  Can you help with info?  I haven't been able to find the article. -- Patty Yewcic  (See response below)

READER MAILBAG   
September 2012  
Dear SeacoastNH.com

I was sooo delighted to have found your site detailing some of the items and settings of the home of John Greenleaf Whittier. I lived on Friend Street, in Amesbury from 1985 to 1989. At the time, however, I wasn't interested in the “frivolities” in an historical sense. I knew of the Whittier house, but I cannot recall if it was open for viewing at the time. (Continued below)

READER MAILBAG   
August 2012  
Dear SeacoastNH.com

Since this happens to be another summer “Shark Week” on television, I thought that some readers might be more curious about the one called "Sharkzilla" that aired on August 13,2012. JAWS wouldn't have a chance against this prehistoric shark, and neither would Tyrannosaurus Rex. (Letter and images continued below)

READER MAILBAG  
August 2012  
Dear SeacoastNH.com

Tourism has a price! Anyone that lives and works here knows this. The locals have seen their neighbors having to move because of rising costs. Our parking fees increase, locals pick their times to come downtown, we have less open space, less local people are in politics to make decisions on our way of life and future, not knowing the history . (See more of this letter and our response below)

READER MAILBAG 
July 2012 
Dear SeacoastNH.com

I recently read an article you wrote titled, The New Dying Words of John Wilkes Booth and I wanted to say how much I loved it. I have always been fascinated by the Lincoln Assassination and Conspiracy and this year I started learning about Lucy Hale; Booth's fiancée. There is not much information about her but through various research I found your article and I thought it was brilliant. I'm a creative writing major and I've always found something romantic in the dysfunctional loving engagement of Lucy and John, so much in fact that I began writing a book about it. (Continue letter and read reply below)

READER MAILBAG  
July 2012 
Dear SeacoastNH.com,

Wow, is all I can say. I was nine when this happen and it has never left my mind. I lived right in the area for years. For what ever reason today I decided to see if I could look up any info so I could share it with my boyfriend -- and here is the updated report on SeacoastNH.com. That day is fresh in my mind. I am glad to see it wasn't completely forgotten. I see that it’s a two-part story and I'm looking forward to reading more. 
Thank you, Erica Hatch (See our response below)

READER MAILBAG
June 2012

Dear SeacoastNH.com,
Hi Dennis, Just wanted to drop you a note to thank you for the great article on Walk with Washington.  As you might imagine, I've already received calls as a result, and a group that was meeting here today was all a-buzz about the piece.  I really liked the way you captured the excitement of the visit "back then" and how people today can experience that today in the program.  And the way you profiled Caitlin was terrific.  She's a great guide and gives a fantastic tour.  You captured her exuberance and knowledge perfectly Great stuff.  -- Craig Tuminaro, Regional Site Manager, Historic New England
(See our response and unique Washington photo below)

READER MAILBAG
May 2012

Dear SeacoastNH.com,
I was wondering if you could give me any information about the photograph of John Greenleaf Whittier which is featured on your Web site: I have purchased what looks like a fairly early photographic copy of it, and I'd like to know more about the original.
Thanks, Steve
(See response below )

SeacoastNH.com response

I thought this one would be easy. I checked the photo you purchased that shows Whittier with a devilish grin. It appears to be from the 1860s or 70s. Whittier was a rock star of his era and was photographed often. I pulled out my handy copy of “John Greenleaf Whittier: A Profile in Portraits” (1967) that I purchased at the Whittier House in Amesbury, MA. The brochure identifies over 40 images of the Fireside Poet, but alas, your exact photo was not among them.

READ MORE: Whittier died in Seacoast, NH

I checked the weighty biography of Whittier by Roland H. Woodwell (1985), but again no luck. Then I searched for pix of Whittier using Google Images. The results were staggering. Youyr picture is there, as well as engravings made from the same photo, but I had no immediate luck finding a date or location or artist for the exact photo.

The next step was a photo search for images being sold on eBay. Same picture available in an early print for about $25, but the seller had no details. Best bet is to contact the curator at both of the two Whittier museums. The nonprofit group that manages the house in Amesbury and the Whittier Homestead in nearby Haverhill may know better. Take a nice scan of your image and send it along and see if anyone there can pin down the details. I assume that, due to his popularity and the enormous number of Whittier photographic portraits published and sold, that this is not a valuable item, but just doing the research can be fun – and the two books I mentioned are a great place to start. Oh, and I believe the library at Haverhill has a major Whittier collection too. Coincidentally, my wife and I will be speaking at the Amesbury House in a couple of weeks and we’ve enjoyed touring both historic homes. Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful. -- JDR

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READ OUR MAIL
May 2012

Dear SeacoastNH.com,
I was looking on your Web page about history booklets published by the John Hancock Insurance Company and I have two booklets not shown on your page: Christopher Columbus (1926) and the U.S. Constitution / Old Ironsides (1931). I have attached a picture of each. I have a partial collection (Pilgrims, Daniel Boone, Paul Revere, and the Declaration of Independence). I am looking to sell the booklets as a collection if possible. 
From Karen M 
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SEACOAST MAILBAG
May 2012

Dear SeacoastNH.com, 
My daughter is currently at Middle School and her project this term is “Portsmouth People and Places.” We live in a house where we are lucky enough to have been left (when it was purchased) some of the historical documents concerning the property.  I am e-mailing you to find out if you have any maps from around 1853/55 -- which is when we believe our property was built -- showing the area. Many thanks in advance. 
Katrina   
(See our response below)

READ OUR MAIL 
May 2012

Dear SeacoastNH.com,
I sent you a picture of this oil painting of the Bonhomme Richard back in 2008 and now I found the same oil painting on the Web called “First Recognition of the American Flag by a Foreign Government,” by Edward Moran. Could mine be an original? 
Raymond Leija  
(Click above to read reply)