Letters October 2007

ASK, RANT OR PRAISE, BUT NEVER IGNORE

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JOYS OF STOLEN FRUIT
Dear Editor At Large, I loved the article "the Joy of Stolen Fruit." It reminded me of the stories my grandmother, the daughter of a butler, used to tell of life living in an apartment on a grand Southhampton estate. Her favorite memories were of afternoons spent wandering the orchards, with the sound of the surf in the distance, in search of perfect peaches -- you know the kind that leave you soaked to your elbows with the first bite.
Heather

MORE HULL-ABALOO
I just read the email sent to you by the gentleman in England [scroll to bottom of this web page] who was researching the Rev. Joseph Hull. He is my ancestor. I was wondering if you could put the two of us in contact with each other, because I would love to know more about Rev. Hull. The researcher mentioned that his life is "well documented" but I know nothing about him, except that he traveled around quite a bit and died on the Isles of Shoals.
Heather Wilkinson Rojo

HAS IRONSIDES PICTURE
I will get right to the point. In my late Fathers belongings, I found a Large print of "Old Ironsides", under another picture, (which was an old farm country scene/ not so old) The ship is in a dark, stormy scene, and the frame has some gold on it and it also has a little green.(that could possibly be from mold. I didn't rub on it to find out)

On the bottom of the picture was printed, "Old Ironsides", and on the bottom right corner is a copyright mark. To the right of that was "Goes" (If I remember correctly) I didn't find a date on it.

Someone in the family is wanting to buy it, but we have no idea of the value. What caught my attention was, when I started to dust the back of the picture, I saw on the cardboard back, written in pencil, "Ship --- Old Ironsides". I don't think my Dad knew it was there, otherwise he'd have taken it out, and put it in the front. He was nearly 96 when he passed away last year, and he was quite a story teller. Any and everything he had, he had a story that went with it.

I also have a picture myself, that I had bought in a flea market many years ago, (for the frame, as it was an old oval shape that I wanted to use for an old picture of my Grandparents and their children)

There was a piece of white tape on the glass with "old Ironsides" written on it. At the time I knew nothing of the ship. Several years later I found an article in a local paper about her.

I doubt that mine is for real though, as it seems to be a little different. Maybe a little wider. It's also a print, in a dark and stormy scene. In the far background are two more tiny ships. Could you tell me where I may get an appraisal ? We are about 80 miles from St.Louis, Mo.
Nrs. V. Martin

EDITOR’S REPLY: All I can suggest is that you contact the Navy web site that manages Old Ironsides today or the USS Constitution museum next door

Most of the souvenirs are from the 1930s when the ship was restored and went on a world tour. Zillions of pictures and posters and other ephemera were sold and most is easily available and not valuable, except as a family keepsake. Anything with cardboard or with the name Old Ironisdes printed on it is likely from the 20th century, as was your grandfather.

FOUR TREE TYPO
Greetings... On your Four Tree Island page you have: "The guano-streaked whale’s tale sculpture (with a human face) on the point stands dramatically facing the city. The Cabot Lyford sculpture reads, "For those who wailed here to find a new life." This is great spot to capture photos of the harbor and the historic Memorial Bridge just offshore from the gardens and outdoor stage at Prescott Park." When actually the inscription reads, "For those who SAILED here to find a new life." I think this is the most humourous typo I have seen in a long time. :)
Tracy Lee

VET HAUNTED IN DOVER
I recently returned from Iraq and moved into [address withheld] Ham St., Dover, NH and have been noticing odd things such as doors closing, lights turning on and off, and what might be the most odd was my bed shook back and forth. It wasn't a violent shake but enough to make me wonder. If you can possibly send me any information that you might have on this apartment it would be greatly appreciated.
Matthew

EDITOR’S REPLY: Wow, this one sounds like a job for Roxie Zwicker, author of Haunted Portsmouth and similar books. We’ll forward the note to her. Congratulations on your safe return home, and for more on Dover, the public library has an increasingly good archive of town history that is well worth visiting.

WHERE HAS THE MILITIA GONE?
I found info on this militia re-enactor group through some of your old articles yet I can't find them anywhere else currently. Is this group still active in any way? I'm interested to contact them for a school function in the early spring.
Chris in Moultonborough, NH

EDITOR’S REPLY: As far as we know they're still active, but apparently they have changed web addresses without letting us know. Try asking the people at the American Independence Museum in Exeter. They have an annual muster in July that the 1st New Market usually attended.

THE TWO LANGDON HOUSES
I enjoyed your article on the Langdon house reproduction at the Jamestown Exposition. It is a one of those great quirky stories that are often overlooked.
Peter Michaud, Special Projects Director
NH Division of Historical Resources

HAUNTED HOTEL? NOT THAT WE KNOW.
Greetings from the South: Next summer my family is vacationing in Portsmouth, and I am looking forward to seeing New England. While researching Wentworth by the sea, I came across a site that said it is haunted. On further research I came up empty handed. Several of my friends were like, "Wasn't that place on Ghost Hunters?" So from the locals, what is the truth about it. Either way I look forward to my stay at Wentworth.
Sincerely, Katina L from Killen, AL

EDITOR’S REPLY: There is a reference to haunted events at the hotel in the new book Haunted Portsmouth from the History Press. As the author of the hardcover history of Wentworth by the Sea, I didn’t notice and references to “hauntings” in the two years I researched the project. The most spooky accounts are from the era when the hotel sat largely abandoned from 1982-2002 in a state of continual deterioration. The dilapidated building was used as the set of a horror sequence in the film IN DREAMS prior to its revival and restoration and re-opening in 2003. -- JDR

OLD IRONSIDES IN ENGLAND
I am the landlady of a pub in Camden Town, London, England. The pub is named after USS Constitution and the pub sign is a picture of Old Ironsides. The pub was built in 1858 and has always had the same name. I have been unable to find the connection and wondered if any of you people could throw light on it. With regards
Wendy Clare

EDITOR’S REPLY: We’re not directly connected to the old ship, other than that it was once berthed in Portsmouth Harbor between New Hamphire and Maine, but here’s a guess. Ironsides was “saved” from destruction by the US Navy after the publication of the famous poem in 1830. After one of its many restorations, the ship made a world tour from 1844- 1846 traveling 52,370 miles in 495 days, then spent more time in Europe and was even boarded by the pope in Rome. After another repair in New York, Ironsides sailed 42,166 miles in 430 days in 1853-55, again showing her colors in Europe and African and promoting America just prior to the Civil War. It certainly makes sense that these visits were in the mind of the tavern owners who chose the name of one of the most famous ships in the world at the time.

POLLY GARDNER MARRIED JOHN TUCKER
I came across you name while looking into Portsmouth history. Maybe you can help direct me to some history of the Gardiner (or Gardner) family. My research shows that Polly Gardiner married John Tucker in 1798. They are grandparents of Francis Tucker Odams. Francis is my husbands Great Grandmother. We are just starting to learn about genealogy. Do you know of any interesting stories of Francis Tucker Odams?
Claudia :)

EDITOR’S REPLY: Contact the Wentworth-Gardner House. They have a new web site and are your best bet for family history.

HULL ON THE SHOALS
I am Joe Emery and I live in Standlake, Oxon. England. I am studying the Hull family who left Somerset, England in c1633 and landed near Cape Cod. Joseph was a minister with a chequered and well-documented background, with some 16 children. After returning to Cornwall in 1645 he returned to New England in 1662 and became the minister at Oyster River (now Durham NH). He died on 18th Nov.1665 aged 70 on the Isles of Shoals "..apparently having returned to serve his final days as the local minister" He left a Will that has been recorded. I write to ask if you have any information about him or his family locally and indeed if his grave is still marked. Any help would be greatly appreciated but please do not take too much trouble over it.
Joe Emery

EDITOR’S REPLY: Despite historical references to many deaths on the Shoals, there are very few marked graves remaining on the Isles (two dozen on Star, a couple on Lunging, six or so on Appledore and maybe a dozen on Smuttynose) and none from the 17th century at all. Most are from the 19th century.

GOOD HOME NEEDED
Dear Sir: I have a 1914 Studebaker Truck that my husband restored before he passed away in Dec.1997. Before he passed away we would take it to parades and shows. Since he passed away it has been covered up and jacked up in my garage. My only concern is that it be out there somewhere where the public could enjoy it. I would be willing to either loan it or give it to you. Please may I hear from you?
Barbara L

OAK TREE FOR SHIP?
have a huge oak tree on my property which my daughter says is the kind used to repair Old Ironsides, and she would like me to donate it to your organization. I would be happy to do so, if indeed, it is the right kind of tree. Do you accept such bequests and how would we go about making this happen?
Elaine M

EDITOR'S REPLY: SeacoastNH.com has contacted historical agencies in hopes of finding homes for the above items. Our policy, whenever possible, is to refer readers with items that they wish to donate for us in the public good. People looking to sell items should contact their neighborhood auction house.

SENDING CHILE TO NH
Being an Exeter resident living happily in New Mexico, I love the idea of a chili cookoff in NH (re: Prescott Park annual Chili Festival). Here we differentiate between chili, which is with beef and spices, no beans (ie Texas chili) and the red or green chile found in northern New Mexico cooking. There is nothing quite like it. A local company makes a most wonderful chile relish, either red, green, or jalapeno, and just green chile. Pure chiles, either harvested when the pods are green, peeled, roasted and then chopped and simmered, (full of vit C) or red chile which is more usually in a grainy red sauce - these are not the spices and meat (or with beans added) that is called Texas chili. It’s a point of honor in NM that people know the difference. I come to NH yearly, have yet to have green New Mexico chile served anywhere unless I bring either Hatch green chiles, canned, or some of the Canon Sweet hots – yum. Would love to send you a jar of the Canon green chile - you must get tired of people nit-picking, but the NM green chile is a true delight.
Belinda E. Perry

PLANNING TRIP TO PORTSMOUTH
My husband and I are visiting Portsmouth this weekend, and are planning our trip. We arrive in Portsmouth at 9 a.m. and are going whale watching at 1 p.m. (so must be there around 12:30). We are looking for something to do first thing in the morning when we arrive, and I was wondering if you are still doing the guided trail tours of Portsmouth at 10:30 a.m. at this time of year, and whether you would recommend doing that. Also, we would love to go kayaking either in the morning or the evening. Do you have a place you would recommend that might offer a guided kayak tour? (Ed. Note – We sent list of ideas and links.)
Kristy Wagner

YOU SAY PISCATAQUA
How does one pronounce 'Piscataqua'? I cross the I-95 bridge many times a year, and always wonder how the name is sounded. Pis-ka-TA-kwa? Pis-KA-ta-kwa?
Ted Walton

EDITOR’’S REPLY: Around here we say "pis-KAT-a-kwa," but there is another in New Jersey, and they may pronounce it differently. The Indians likely had a totally different pronunciation, if this is what they were saying at all.

HAS SUB & SENATOR CONNECTIONS
I was reading your articles in SeacoastNH.com and to my surprise i was directly related to two of them. Harry Hibbard "The Haunting of Hibbard House") is related to me, my grandmother was born in Bath, NH. That part of the history has long disappeared until now. I also tugged on the sub Albacore (Albacore Haul-Out") lol. Wet and muddy, we pulled it in. I was surprised that a few hundred people could do that a huge bulldozer could not. But we did it, I was proud, muddy and happy. I learned a valuable lesson. Thank you.
Jack

WHITTER AT OAK KNOLL
I am searching for a picture of "Oak Knoll", residence of my 8-Greats Grandfather, John Putnam. I came across a picture of the "Oak Knoll" home on SeacoastNH.com as I searched John Greenleaf Whittier, who had lived there in the late 19th century. One of the references mentioned the Gov. of Mass. visited Whittier at Oak Knoll in observance of the poet's 80th birthday. the John and Priscilla Putnam/ John and Rebecca Putnam "Oak Knoll" residence? Also congratulations on the DAR award for the author of the restored Wentworth by the Sea Hotel. Our friends just returned from there yesterday and were thrilled about the character of the hotel.
Linda Weis

EDITOR’S REPLY: We know nothing as yet about Whittier’s time at Oak Knoll. An entire book on the topic is available on Bookfinder.com. We did help a reader once identify a sculpture from Oak Knoll. You can read that story (scroll down) in READ OUR MAIL.

STOLEN YOUR IMAGE
Just writing to let you know that it looks like someone has stolen a couple of the graphics and barely paraphrased much of the text from your web site. I don't know if they have permission or not, since they didn't offer any link back to your site, but I thought you should know just in case. SeacoastNH is very useful to me and I appreciate its info.
Sarah O'Connor

EDITOR’S REPLY: Thanks for the links Sarah. We do rigorously and reluctantly and regularly pursue sites that steal our copyright material. It happens a lot and policing material could be a full time job. When you see images without a link or reference, most likely, it is purloined. Sometimes readers thing it is OK to steal the material if they note the copyright. That’s a bit like stealing someone’s car and using it, but telling everyone whom you stole it from. Content thieves seem not to recognize that just because you can right-click and borrow a copy, doesn’t mean it can be posted and re-used without permission. Our job is especially hard since we must protect images loaned to us by others. Online copyright is the next great growth industry for lawyers. It’s going to get ugly out there in cyberspace.

UFO: A WARNING – HUH?
i was glad to see a very detailed account of the Betty and Barney Hill ufo encounter and it was titled " The UFO Incident " in your wonderful online newsletter...i have included for you very recent and important ufo information .

urgently request you send to your news desk the following : Look at (5) Youtube.com videos i left there in last week…learn the truth about ufos…derrll5 or derr or look for the videos by using search word " nasa ufos " and click on "date added" to get the most recent videos. Mine show up there around page 5 to page 10 .

Titled : " new jersey weather radar shows ufo formation " , and others about ufos on NASA photos. Use google search phrase "new jersey ufo" and look for information from derrll5 or derrLL5.Learn the truth about ufos. Time is running out .The new jersey weather radar shows ufo formation data log was downloaded from a weather radar site september 11 2007 and it occurred in real time on date : september 11 th 2007 .from : steve tobias

i have to caution you as well to the fact that there may be, in the future, odd or dangerous conditions in some areas, with no forewarning by state and local authorities if we are witnessing a ufo intervention to the planet earth.

if increased ufo activity is seen in the new england area an increase in disappearances of small craft and/or missing persons from vessels at sea, more than the normal rate, may become a quite likely outcome of increased ufo activity seen.

if the aliens are friendly of course no problems will arise... after seeing your online website about new england i could easily see why any life from elsewhere might want to come there. S . T .

you can also use my name in a google search to get more detailed accounts but if you read some of my warnings there they are the most dramatic explanation of scenarios and not any thing but possibilities.
Steve tobias

DISCOVERED WENTWORTH BY THE SEA TYPO ONLINE
I have been researching my family tree and have stumbled across your website, seacoastnh.com/wentbysea/moresmithphotos.html. I am wondering if perhaps the person you have identified as Margaret TASKER Smith is really Margaret TASHER Smith. According to my research, Margaret Neil Tasher and James Barker Smith had a son, James Barker II, who was born in Harris County Texas in 1943. I also have a copy of a postcard sent to Mrs. Louise N. Tasher which was sent to her at "Wentworth by the Sea, Portsmouth, N. H., c/o Mrs. James B. Smith" in 1955. Louise Neil Tasher was the mother of Margaret Neil Tasher Smith. The pictures and text on the website lead me to believe that the wife of the owner is indeed Margaret Tasher Smith, my cousin. By the way, Margaret’s sister, Virginia Tasher Mosley, is still alive and living in Dallas, Texas.John Soice in WV

BLACK HISTORY AS MODEL
Is there someone I could contact regarding the Black Heritage trail and how it came about? I'm writing my dissertation and would like to use the trail as a model under which to incorporate African American history into landscapes which have a tourist market and where African American history has traditionally been neglected.
Akeia in CT

EDITOR’S REPONSE: Valerie Cunningham’s book BLACK PORTSMOUTH is a good place to start. I've noted on a number of local occasions that, in a fascinating way, tourists now get a better black history tour of Portsmouth than white history, since the new PBHT plaques are made of brass, well written, and perfectly placed. Markers on traditional city history were installed in 1976, made of wood and plastic, and have largely deteriorated and disappeared. Also significant is that, since the arrival of the PBHT, all publications about Portsmouth history (including two of my own books) reference the work in Black Portsmouth, so that the creation of the trail has had the added impact of rewriting the history of the city and the region. Two novels (by white authors) now feature black heroes in the Georgian and Revolutionary eras and a regional play (by a white author) features the flight of a black character from Mount Vernon to this region. TV news, documentaries, magazine articles, tourism publications, travel videos, radio reports -- and dissertations -- all now include the data about African American history in Portsmouth, a history almost unknown to residents black or white before the creation of the trail. Other towns have used the Portsmouth trail as a model and, as a result, another NH town recently erected the first statue to a black historical figure in New Hampshire history. All this, because the African American story has been told more clearly than the traditional history of the town, a town that contains many historic house museums and dates back to the early 1600s. The effect is viral. It spreads now, of its own accord. I was just on the phone today with a person beginning a history of the 13 "original" colonies for PBS and schools. He was fascinated by the "theory" that the Northern states are equally culpable for the creation and continuation of the slave trade. This has become a basic talking point in Portsmouth history in which we now explain how a northern New England town was very involved in the West India Trade, in building and operating slave ships, of keeping enslaved Africans as servants, of maintaining "exclusive" hotels and facilities in this region right up until 1965. If I offer this info as a "talking head" in the upcoming documentary, it could spread to classrooms and TV sets alla round the nation -- all emanating from a state with a tenth of percent black population -- awesome! All of this "revisionist" history is not only changing our interpretation of the past, but drawing more interest from tourists and online visitors than traditional history. Thus the stories are not only good for history, but good for the economy. The reaction to the creation of a future memorial in the case of the Negro Burying Ground is a good example of how this process continues to pick up speed and attention.

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