Hartford Family Collection, 1911-1925 – MS118
Provenance: Gift of Hartford Estate
Citation: Hartford Family Collection (MS118), Manuscript Collections, Portsmouth Athenaeum
Size: 1/2 Hollinger box and 1 Flat box
Access: No restrictions
Processed by: Susan Stowe Kindstedt, 2016
Scope and Content
The Hartford Collection consists of papers of Fernando W. Hartford and his son, Justin D. Hartford. Papers include personal items such as a guest book for the Hartford summer home on Wallis Sands Beach in Rye as well as scrapbooks containing letters documenting F.W.’s political involvement. The papers of Justin D. Hartford consist of military records as well as a scrapbook kept around the death of F. W.
Biographical Note
Fernando W. “F. W.” Hartford (1872-1938) was born in Chateaugay, NY in 1872. F.W. worked his way up in the newspaper industry, beginning as a newspaper delivery boy at age 10 for the Manchester Union Leader and later moving to the Seacoast where he worked briefly as a paymaster clerk at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. In 1890 Hartford became acquainted with Frank Jones and in 1891 Frank Jones purchased The Penny Post, making Hartford the publisher and editor. Hartford partnered with Jones and renamed the paper The Portsmouth Herald. The newspaper flourished and bought out nearly all of the other local papers. Following the death of Frank Jones in 1902, Hartford bought out his estate and became the owner of The Portsmouth Herald, The Morning Chronicle, and The New Hampshire Gazette. Hartford married Lizzie Hill Downing of Eliot, Maine on June 7, 1890 and had three children – Beatrice Elizabeth (Scarborough) born July 21, 1891, Emma Helen (Nelson) born September 18, 1893 and Justin Downing born January 21, 1898. Hartford served as mayor of Portsmouth. Hartford died in 1938.
Justin Downing Hartford (1898-1963) was born in Portsmouth, NH on January 21, 1898, the son of Fernando W. and Lizzie Hartford. He graduated from the Naval Academy at Annapolis in 1920 and later returned to Portsmouth to run the family newspaper business. He married Marjorie Marvin in Portsmouth on June 14, 1919, whom he was divorced from in 1927. He served in the Navy from 1915 to 1925, serving on the USS Chester and the USS McKean, as well as others.
Item Listing
I. Fernando W. Hartford
Folder 1 Guest Book for the beach house of F. W. Hartford at Wallis Sands in Rye, NH from 1911 to 1923
Folder 2 F. W. Hartford Correspondence (from Green Scrapbook)
Nov 25, 1918 letter from Joseph Tumulty, Secretary to President Woodrow Wilson, to Samuel T. Ladd confirming the president’s receipt of the letter concerning Major FW Hartford (removed from Scrapbook page 13)
Sept 18, 1931 letter from Herbert Hoover to FW Hartford regarding receipt of a “heartbreaking letter” (removed from Scrapbook page 14)
July 23, 1932 letter from Theodore G. Joslin, Secretary to President Herbert Hoover, regarding receipt of a letter to the President (removed from Scrapbook page 15)
Aug 18, 1932 letter from Theodore Joslin to FW Hartford regarding a letter and Mr. Jahncke (removed from Scrapbook page 16)
Aug 22, 1932 letter from Lawrence Richey, Secretary to President Herbert Hoover, to FW Hartford regarding sending two dozen copies of the President’s acceptance address (removed from Scrapbook page 17)
Folder 3 F. W. Hartford Correspondence (from Green Scrapbook)
Nov 11, 1924 letter from FW —-, The White House, to FW Hartford regarding a recent editorial (removed from Scrapbook page 27)
Jan 9, 1913 letter from Boston and Maine Railroad to FW Hartford regarding receipt of a Christmas card (removed from Scrapbook page 28)
Dec 27, 1915 letter from Theodore Roosevelt to FW Hartford acknowledging receipt of a letter with statement “All I am trying to do is preach what seems to be straight decent Americanism.” (removed from Scrapbook page 29)
Jan 11, 1916 letter from Theodore Roosevelt to FW Hartford thanking him for a letter (removed from Scrapbook page 30)
April 30, 1917 letter from Theodore Roosevelt to FW Hartford thanking him for a letter with statement “I hope the Administration will permit me to raise my division, and take it to the front at the earliest possible moment.” (removed from Scrapbook page 31)
Folder 4 F. W. Hartford Correspondence (from Green Scrapbook)
Aug 18, 1916 letter from William R. Wilcox, Republican National Committee Chairman, to FW Hartford thanking for a letter and acknowledging victory in the state of Maine (removed from Scrapbook page 34)
March 28, 1914 letter from Eugene E. Reed, NH State Representative, to FW Hartford states “I have no doubt if things go well with the [Navy Yard] in the building of the submarine and collier, that we shall be able to interest the Department in the battleship building proposition in years to come” referencing the first submarine built at PNS, launched in 1917 (removed from Scrapbook page 35)
June 3, 1914 letter from Jacob H. Gallinger, NH State Representative, to FW Hartford regarding funding for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (removed from Scrapbook page 36)
Oct 24, 1912 letter from Frank W. Hackett, New Castle, to FW Hartford regarding bringing a prospective governor to the Public Library and the Athenaeum (removed from Scrapbook page 46)
Folder 5 F. W. Hartford Correspondence (from Green Scrapbook)
Aug 19, 1916 letter from Theodore Roosevelt to FW Hartford thanking him for the letter and regretting that he is not able to visit (removed from Scrapbook page 47)
Feb 16, 1916 letter from John D. Rockefeller Jr. to FW Hartford reaction to a piece in The Chronicle regarding “The Colorado Industrial Plan” (removed from Scrapbook page 48)
May 13, 1911 letter from Frederick P. Cabot to FW Hartford inquiring into Hartford’s interest in purchasing the steamer “Sightseer” docked at Frank Jones Wharf in Portsmouth (removed from Scrapbook page 49)
Jan 3, 1925 letter from Frank W Stearns, The White House, to FW Hartford thanking him for his letter (removed from Scrapbook page 50)
Oct 3, 1932 letter from Theodore Joslin, Secretary to President Herbert Hoover, to FW Hartford reassuring that the President will be doing “everything possible” to help w3ith issues raised in his recent letter (removed from Scrapbook page 56)
Box 2 (Flat Oversize) Scrapbook (green cover) ca. 1910- , Contains newspaper clippings related to Hartford’s time as mayor as well regional and world events, letters and photographs. When possible letters were removed for better preservation and a photocopy replaces the original.
p. 3 – Printed image of “The Hartford Building” on Congress Street (item could not be removed)
p. 6 – Photograph of man with cars in background, caption “Mayor FWH — dedication — school” (item could not be removed)
p. 9 – Aug 17, 1923 letter from George B. Christian, Secretary to President Calvin Coolidge, to Thomas O. Marvin acknowledging the receipt of Marvin’s letter
p. 10 – Jan 18, 1919 invitation to the launching of the Steamship Kisnop by the Atlantic Corporation
p. 10 – July 27, 1927 postcard commemorating Ranger Day Celebration
p. 10 – Aug 1, 1910 letter from JA Mendum to FW Hartford regarding writing contest at the Farragut School
p. 13 – Nov 25, 1918 letter from Joseph Tumulty, Secretary to President Woodrow Wilson, to Samuel T. Ladd confirming the president’s receipt of the letter concerning Major FW Hartford (removed to MS 118 Box 1 Folder 2)
p. 14 – Sept 18, 1931 letter from Herbert Hoover to FW Hartford regarding receipt of a “heartbreaking letter” (removed to MS 118 Box 1 Folder 2)
p. 15 – July 23, 1932 letter from Theodore G. Joslin, Secretary to President Herbert Hoover, regarding receipt of a letter to the President (removed to MS 118 Box 1 Folder 2)
p. 16 – Aug 18, 1932 letter from Theodore Joslin to FW Hartford regarding a letter and Mr. Jahncke (removed to MS 118 Box 1 Folder 2)
p. 17 – Aug 22, 1932 letter from Lawrence Richey, Secretary to President Herbert Hoover, to FW Hartford regarding sending two dozen copies of the President’s acceptance address (removed to MS 118 Box 1 Folder 2)
p. 18 – Nov 22, 1932 letter from Franklin Roosevelt to FW Hartford regarding receipt of a letter
(item could not be removed)
p. 19 – Aug 15, 1932 letter from Theodore Joslin, Secretary to President Herbert Hoover, to FW Hartford regarding reaction to recent editorial on the President’s message (item could not be removed)
p. 20 – Sept 23, 1932 letter from Theodor Joslin, Secretary to President Herbert Hoover, from FW Hartford regarding letter received about the campaign (item could not be removed)
p. 26 – May 22, 1927 letter from E. J. Pearson, The New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Company, to FW Hartford regarding receipt of a letter (item could not be removed)
p. 27 – Nov 11, 1924 letter from FW —-, The White House, to FW Hartford regarding a recent editorial (removed to MS 118 Box 1 Folder 3)
p. 28 – Jan 9, 1913 letter from Boston and Maine Railroad to FW Hartford regarding receipt of a Christmas card (removed to MS 118 Box 1 Folder 3)
p. 29 – Dec 27, 1915 letter from Theodore Roosevelt to FW Hartford acknowledging receipt of a letter with statement “All I am trying to do is preach what seems to be straight decent Americanism.” (removed to MS 118 Box 1 Folder 3)
p. 30 – Jan 11, 1916 letter from Theodore Roosevelt to FW Hartford thanking him for a letter (removed to MS 118 Box 1 Folder 3)
p. 31 – April 30, 1917 letter from Theodore Roosevelt to FW Hartford thanking him for a letter with statement “I hope the Administration will permit me to raise my division, and take it to the front at the earliest possible moment.” (removed to MS 118 Box 1 Folder 3)
p. 32 – Jan 4, 1919 letter [?uncertain] to FW Hartford thanking for letter (item could not be removed)
p. 33 – Feb 23, 1914 letter from William E Chandler to FW Hartford regarding establishment of an Eastern New England Railroad System (item could not be removed)
p. 34 – Aug 18, 1916 letter from William R. Wilcox, Republican National Committee Chairman, to FW Hartford thanking for a letter and acknowledging victory in the state of Maine (removed to MS 118 Box 1 Folder 4)
p. 35 – March 28, 1914 letter from Eugene E. Reed, NH State Representative, to FW Hartford states “I have no doubt if things go well with the [Navy Yard] in the building of the submarine and collier, that we shall be able to interest the Department in the battleship building proposition in years to come” referencing the first submarine built at PNS, launched in 1917 (removed to MS 118 Box 1 Folder 4)
p. 36 – June 3, 1914 letter from Jacob H. Gallinger, NH State Representative, to FW Hartford regarding funding for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (removed to MS 118 Box 1 Folder 4)
p. 37 – May 21, 1917 letter from Joseph Daniels, Secretary of the Navy, to FW Hartford regarding a note sent (item could not be removed)
p. 38 – Nov 27, 1913 letter from Eugene E. Reed, NH State Representative, to FW Hartford regarding laundry works at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (item could not be removed)
p. 39 – March 16, 1914 letter from Henry F. Hollis, US Senate, to FW Hartford inquiring regarding how Hartford knew that Portsmouth Naval Shipyard had been selected to build a submarine (item could not be removed)
p. 40 – March 25, 1914 letter from Henry F. Hollis, US Senate, to FW Hartford regarding credit of who achieved the assignment of the construction of a submarine at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (item could not be removed)
p. 41 – May 17, 1916 letter from Coleman DuPont to FW Hartford thanking for letter (item could not be removed)
p. 42 – Nov 23, 1913 letter from Charles S Nellen to FW Hartford regarding travel to Boston (item could not be removed)
p. 43 – Dec 29, 1914 letter from Charles S Nellen to FW Hartford regarding the railroad (item could not be removed)
p. 44 – Feb 15, 1916 letter from Gifford Pinchot to FW Hartford, editor of the Chronicle and Herald, Pinchot is looking for support of the Sheilds Bill and the Ferris Bill, both related to use of land and resources in Alaska (item could not be removed)
p. 45 – Feb 16, 1916 letter from George Perkins, Progressive National Committee, to FW Hartford regarding politics (item could not be removed)
p. 46 – Oct 24, 1912 letter from Frank W. Hackett, New Castle, to FW Hartford regarding bringing a prospective governor to the Public Library and the Athenaeum (removed to MS 118 Box 1 Folder 4)
p. 47 – Aug 19, 1915 letter from Theodore Roosevelt to FW Hartford thanking him for the letter and regretting that he is not able to visit (removed to MS 118 Box 1 Folder 5)
p. 48 – Feb 16, 1916 letter from John D. Rockefeller Jr. to FW Hartford reaction to a piece in The Chronicle regarding “The Colorado Industrial Plan” (removed to MS 118 Box 1 Folder 5)
p. 49 – July 14, 1922 telegram from Hjalmer Buvig to J. Harry Philbin, US Shipping Board regarding vessel on Lake Forney (item could not be removed)
p. 49 – May 13, 1911 letter from Frederick P. Cabot to FW Hartford inquiring into Hartford’s interest in purchasing the steamer “Sightseer” docked at Frank Jones Wharf in Portsmouth (removed to MS 118 Box 1 Folder 5)
p. 50 – Jan 3, 1925 letter from Frank W Stearns, The White House, to FW Hartford thanking him for his letter (removed to MS 118 Box 1 Folder 5)
p. 51 – Jan 3, 1924 telegram from Henry W Keyes to FW Hartford regarding an accident involving the S12 (submarine) (item could not be removed)
p. 55 – Oct 6, 1932 letter from Theodore Joslin, Secretary to President Herbert Hoover, to FW Hartford regarding the President’s commitment to helping the [Portsmouth Naval Shipyard] (item could not be removed)
p. 56 – Oct 3, 1932 letter from Theodore Joslin, Secretary to President Herbert Hoover, to FW Hartford reassuring that the President will be doing “everything possible” to help w3ith issues raised in his recent letter (removed to MS 118 Box 1 Folder 5)
p. 57 – Invitation to FW Hartford by the Republican National Committee to the nomination ceremony of Herbert Hoover (item could not be removed)
p. 60 – April 22, 1935 Menu for Associated Press Luncheon (removed to Ephemera Collection)
p. 65 – Nov 12, 1930 Program for the “Exercises at the Laying of the Corner Stone of the New Junior High School Building, Portsmouth, NH” (Removed to Ephemera Collection)
p. 66 – Tickets for a Banquet and Ball at the Rockingham Hotel given by the Grand Council of New Hampshire Royal Arcanum (item could not be removed)
p. 67 – Arm band for the H. M. S. Capetown (item could not be removed)
p. 68 – Photograph of the “Twenty Millionth Ford” in front of Portsmouth City Hall (Removed to Photograph Collection Box Folder _________)
p. 70 – Photographs of Portsmouth Middle School and (items could not be removed) and ?FDR (item could not be removed)
p. 71 – Photographs (items could not be removed)
p. 72 – Photographs (items could not be removed)
p. 73 – Photographs (items could not be removed)
p. 74 – Photograph of Navy Ship “US Cruiser Trenton at Flat Iron Pier During Rotary Convention, Sept 11, 1930” (items could not be removed)
p. 82 – Program from the Memorial Service of Lucius Thayer, Pastor of the North Church, October 25, 1931 (item could not be removed)
p. 84 – Photographs (items could not be removed)
p. 85 – Photographs (items could not be removed)
p. 86 – Photographs (items could not be removed)
p. 87 – Photographs (items could not be removed)
p. 88 – Photographs (items could not be removed)
p. 89 – Photographs (items could not be removed)
p. 90 – Photographs (items could not be removed)
p. 91 – Photographs (items could not be removed)
p. 92 – Photographs (items could not be removed)
p. 93 – Program, “A Service of Praise and Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the Life and Work of George Washington, First President of the United States,” St. John’s Church, Portsmouth, NH, dated June 24, 1932 (item could not be removed)
p. 94 – Photograph of Ocean Blvd in Rye, NH near the intersection of Wallis Road possibly 1178 Ocean Blvd, near the present Petey’s Red Roof Market. (item could not be removed)
p. 95 – Program, “177th Annual Masonic Service” at St. John’s Church, dated June 19, 1932 (item could not be removed)
p. 97 – Photographs of F. W. Hartford and Franklin D. Roosevelt dated July 20, 1933 (items could not be removed)
p. 100 – September 8, 1930 letter from Dufour, Secretary to Captain Coste to F. W. Hartford (item could not be removed)
p. 103 – Typed list of “New Hampshire Manufacturers and Exporters” including name of company and product produced.
p. 104 – Printed pamphlet “Dedication of the Thomas Bailey Aldrich Memorial” at the Music Hall, dated June 13, 1908
p. 105 – Typed statement of electrical rates charged by State of New Hampshire Public Service Commission, by town. Dated August 27, 1930
p. 107 – Photograph of the Granite State Fire Insurance Company, later the Middle Street Baptist Church (removed to Photograph Collection Box Folder _________)
p. 107 – Printed invitation to the Dedication Exercises of The Thomas Bailey Aldrich Memorial, 1908 (item could not be removed)
p. 107 – Printed invitations to Review the Parade and to the Ball in honor of the H. M. S. Capetown, dated August 17, 1929 (items could not be removed)
p. 108 – Photograph of the U. S. S. Cachalot, dated October 19, 1933 (item could not be removed)
p. 108 – Invitation to a luncheon in honor of the launching of the Steamship Portsmouth at the Atlantic Corporation Ship Yards, dated July 4, 1919 (item could not be removed)
p. 109 – Ticket for the to a “Launching Breakfast” in honor of the launching of the U.S. Submarine O-1, admitting Major F. W. Hartford and Mrs. Hartford (item could not be removed)
p. 109 – Printed pamphlet “Souvenir for the Eighteenth Convention of the New Hampshire State Firemen’s Association,” Portsmouth, NH September 29 and 30, 1915 (item could not be removed)
p. 110 – Sample Share Certificate for the Portsmouth Music Hall, made out to “John Doe” dated February 7, 1878 (item could not be removed)
p. 111 – “Sponsors Platform Pass U. S. Navy Yard, Portsmouth, NH Launching of the U. S. Submarine S-3” and invitation to Major F. W. Hartford and Mrs. Hartford (item could not be removed)
p. 111 – Invitation to “The Launching of The Emergency Fleet Corporation’s Steamships Chibiabos, Milton, and Roy H. Beattie at its Shipyard at Newington, New Hampshire,” dated July 4, 1918 (item could not be removed)
p. 112 – Invitation to The Twentieth Century Club’s Annual Banquet, dated December 24, 1917 (item could not be removed)
p. 112 – Invitation to “The Launching of The Emergency Fleet Corporation’s Steamship Newington at its Shipyard at Newington, New Hampshire,” dated December 7, 1918 (item could not be removed)
p. 112 – Photograph labeled “Fleet Dedication Airport,” dated May 1930 (item could not be removed)
p. 113 – October 7, 1905 letter from Melville Stone of the Associated Press to F. W. Hartford thanking him for his work with the press during the Peace Conference (item could not be removed)
p. 114 – December 11, 1912 letter from Daniel W. Badger to F. W. Hartford reference past differences during elections (item could not be removed)
p. 128 – Invitation to a Reunion Dinner for the Portsmouth High School Basketball Team of 1929 given by F. W. Hartford, dated December 31, 1934 (item could not be removed)
p. 132 – Invitation to F. W. Hartford for a memorial service for Elijah Parish Lovejoy “who gave his life in defense of the Freedom of the Press” at Colby College dated May 18 (item could not be removed)
p. 137 – Invitation to a Banquet given in honor of the officers of the H. M. S. Scarborough at the Rockingham Hotel, dated October 4, 1933 (item could not be removed)
p. 137 – Invitation to a “Conference on Unemployment Insurance” at The Amos Tuck School at Dartmouth College, dated November 16 (item could not be removed)
p. 138 – Invitation to the “First Regional Conference” at the Exeter Inn, dated November 16 (item could not be removed)
II. Justin Downing Hartford
Naval Papers (Papers were bound in black notebook, now in folder 10)
Folder 6 Justin D. Hartford Correspondence 1914-10/1922
10/30/1914 C. B. Brittain to J. H. Gallinger, appointment of Justin D. Hartford as Midshipman in the Navy
7/3/1915 J. H. Gallinger to Justin Downing Hartford, appointment as a Midshipman in the Navy
6/2/1919 US Navy to Justin D. Hartford at Annapolis, change of duty, assignment to USS Chester at Boston
6/6/1919 US Navy to Justin D. Hartford at Annapolis, appointment as Ensign
10/27/1919 Bureau of Navigation to Atlantic and Pacific Fleets, Commanders, regarding transfer requests from recent Naval Academy graduates
12/19/1919 US Navy to Justin D. Hartford on USS Chester, denial of request for change of duty
2/4/1920 H. S. Babbitt on USS Chester to US Navy, change of duty for Justin D. Hartford
7/10/1920 Justin D. Hartford to US Navy, request for change of duty from USS Chester to “Destroyer duty”
7/28/1920 US Navy to Justin D. Hartford on USS Chester, change of duty to USS McKean
7/29/1920 M. E. Curts to Justin D. Hartford on USS Chester, possible transfer to USS McKean at Portsmouth
8/5/1920 Justin D. Hartford to Commander of the US Atlantic Fleet Destroyer Squadron, request for change of duty
10/14/1920 C. R. Train of Squardrons Three and Eight Commander to Willis A. Lee, orders for Justin D. Hartford and others to report to the USS McKean to take an inventory of money and papers
4/23/1921 R. A. Burg, US Navy, to Justin D. Hartford, denying his request for submarine duty
4/27/1921 C. E. Courtney on Destroyer Flotilla Five, US Atlantic Fleet, USS Dixie, to Justin D. Hartford, regarding request for instruction in submarines
6/1921-7/1921 Series of letters regarding a situation on board the USS McKean which resulted in punishment of Justin D. Hartford
6/1921-12/1921 Change of Duty to Submarine School for Justin D. Hartford
4/1922-11/1922 Request by Justin D. Hartford to be considered for the next aviation class
5/17/1922 Statement regarding money owed by Justin D. Hartford
5/24/1922 and 8/4/1922 Request by Justin D. Hartford for leave to Portsmouth for “very urgent personal reasons”
6/1922-7/1922 Examination for Promotion of Justin D. Hartford to Lieutenant
9/1922-11/1922 Travel arrangements for Justin D. Hartford’s wife and infant child to join him in Panama, later correspondence also include travel for J. D. Hartford’s father-in-law, Thomas O. Marvin to Panama
9/1922-11/1922 Series of Confidential Publications related to Justin D. Hartford’s temporary command of the USS 0-Ten
10/1922 Series related to Justin D. Hartford’s “Low Marks in Professional Examinations”
Folder 7 Justin D. Hartford Correspondence 11/1922-1923
11/1922 Letter from Naval War College in Newport, RI inquiring about Justin D. Hartford’s interest in continuing Correspondence Course
11/20/1922 Statement from Justin D. Hartford regarding his being 16 pounds underweight as a result of recent strenuous service onboard a submarine off the coast of St. Thomas
12/1922 Series concerning temporary assignment and transportation to Pensacola, Florida, to deliver a package “of a highly secret nature, and the utmost caution must be observed to prevent their inspection by unauthorized persons while in your custody.”
11/1922-1/1923 Letters regarding Justin D. Hartford’s assignment to Aviation Training in Hampton, Virginia
12/1923 Letters regarding the resignation of Justin D. Hartford from the Navy
Folder 8 Income Tax Return for Justin D. Hartford 1921, 1922, 1923
Folder 9 Justin D. Hartford Statement of Accounts with US Navy, 1920-
Folder 10 Justin D. Hartford Black Notebook Cover, Items in Folder 6-9 were removed
Folder 11 “Aviators Flight Log Book” January 22, 1923. “Hartford J. D. Record of flights, instructional leaving from Keene, NH
Box 2 Oversize (Flat Oversize)
J. D. Hartford Certificate of Participation in “The American Press Institute” Publisher and Editor Seminar, 1949
Justin D. Hartford Certificate “From the Golden Book of The Jewish National Fund,” undated
Justin D. Hartford Certificate of Merit from the Kiwanis Club of Portsmouth, October 5, 1954
Justin D. Hartford Scrapbook (black cover), brief scrapbook primarily newspaper clippings and one letter offering condolences for the death of his father, F. W. Hartford
Oversize Box 4 Folder 14
Justin Downing Hartford United States Naval Academy Diploma, June 6, 1919
Justin Downing Hartford Nomination Certificate as Ensign in the Navy, June 7, 1919