Letter from Samuel Pickard to Francis Henry Underwood

Portland, Nov 25/82 Mr. F. H. Underwood Dear Sir: My wife suggests some names of persons who might be able to give you dates & facts you desire - Perhaps you have already seen them. David B. Whittier of Boston, who published a genealogy of the family, might have some dates of value. He took most pains in looking up materials. Mr. Isaac Pitman of Sumerville, knew Mr W. at Havenhill, while at school there - If my wife's father were but so ill, he would be the best possible authority - I think J.G.W. would dismiss your calling upon him and yet, I have thought the sick man might be interested & not injured by a call from you. He was so ill when I saw him a few weeks ago that I did not ask him about any of the old times, & if he continues so weak, it would not be advisable to call on him. You could find out from his wife if he could be interviewed. He is at the Maverick House, East Boston. He is five years younger than his brother & has a better memory of dates. He must know just

what his brother was doing in the years to which you allude. I think it most likely he was kept busy upon the farm & that nothing special happened to him just then. I have heard from JGW many anecdotes of his youth, & some of them I may relate in the transcript this winter. I could never get any dates from him. The three articles I am now publishing were all submitted to him in the proof, & so are authorized. But there is nothing definite in them that will be new to you, I suppose. Very truly yours, S T Pickard