Charles Abbot to his brother George William Abbot, 15 January 1843

[From Charles Abbot in Beverly, Massachusetts, to his brother George William Abbot at sea. He says he has been sick; talks about sleighing and sledding; describes seeing a lame bear named Tom at the Wenham tavern; and talks about their cats Tio and Vic, and dog Shep.]

Sunday January 15th, 1843

Dear Brother,

"I wish you a Happy New Year."

I am very happy to learn that there is a vessel going to the place where you have gone and as Georgiana1 and Elizabeth2 have been writing I would write one too.

I have not been very well. I have had a pain in my side and mother3 thought if home to run about and it has done me a great deal of good running about and sawing that great base full of wood every day.

George don't you remember when you were at hom that you had to and that Freddy4 was sick, but now he is well. Running about he does not look like Mary's5 boys. He is as fat as buttur Freddy. He can speak a few words, as no, yes, nefr, te tare[?] (which means take care), here comes freddy's milk, & many other words.

There has been fine sleighing here. We boys have had a sleigh ride and we had a fine time. We went in Mr. Pearce's great sleigh and we went to Ipswich and we went into the Agawana house, and then we came home. And we stopped at Wenham tavern and we saw a black bear which was lame. His name was Tom and he nodded his head, which meant no, and then the man came out and the boys asked him to call him out and he did and the bear came.

There has been some slideing down hill, but not much. My sled has been repaired and has had new irons on it. And Pa6 is a making John7 and myself a boat. He has got the hull all made, and he says he will get it all made by Spring. I have not been on my skates but twice this winter, and I can skate pretty well, and shall be able to skate very well by next winter.

Mr. Appleton8 is going to keep on His own hook next term which will be on the last of this month and he is going to have an assistant which will be his sister. John7 is going to have a vacation, which will continue a week and I expect he will have a nice time.

Tip is a very cross cat, if you touch her tail she will fly right at you. Vic is a very pleasant cat. She is not afraid of Shep. Shep is a very pleasant dog. He will let you do anything that you want to. He barks at folks when they come into the yard and Cora9 chases him round the yards, but he does not care for that. Cora was in the barn chopping wood. She heard Shep barking. She looked out and saw a drunkun man standing on the boards. He spoke to her but she could not understand him. Cora went into the house to tell Pa. He then went into the barn, looked round, and then went off again.

I have not bee down to Mr. Edwards to live[?] yet, but he had the goodness to call for me. But I was down to Tuck's pond and I could not go. Franklin is coming, but I do not know when. He is going to bring me down a little white pony and he says that I may ride him when I choose. I suppose you think that I shall not ride much. Caroline E. Lovett,10 she is getting well. People think she sits up to the window. Little Angelina as you used to call her. She does not gain much for she is not much bigger than she was when we carrid her down. She will run round Mr. Edwards room and pull off the clothes from the horse. John7 thought that he saw him going up street Mondy morning on his little white pony, and when I get well the first place that I go will be there to see if John is mistaken.

Grandfather11 is a making Martha12 and Ellen13 a present of a little cricket and Freddy a trucklecart. I hope they will all take care of them for as Grandfather has been so good as to make them. There is going to be a govenor elected [__?__] and there is going to be skyrockets sent up today on Endicott hill which was Steaphenses Hill.

The next time that I write I hope I shall not have so many mistakes and shall write better. You must answer this letter. Now good by. Your affec Brother Charles Henry.

  1. Georgiana Abbot (1823-1848), Charles and George's sister
  2. Elizabeth Blanchard Abbot (1821-1902) Charles and George's sister
  3. Nancy Stickney (1796-1851)
  4. Frederick Abbot (1841-1903), Charles and George's brother
  5. Mary (?)
  6. George Abbot (1791-1848)
  7. John Edwin Abbot (1831-1911), Charles and George's brother
  8. Edward Appleton (1816-1898), Principal of the Beverly Academy 1841-1843
  9. Cora (?) (abt 1822-1848)
  10. Possibly Caroline Elizabeth Butler Lovett (1821-1844)
  11. Samuel Stickney (1771-1859)
  12. Martha Eliza Abbot (1835-1870), Charles and George's sister
  13. Ellen Louisa Abbot (1837-1887), Charles and George's sister