Elizabeth Abbot to Hannah Rantoul, 15 March 1841

[From Elizabeth in Baltimore, where she was attending school and living with James and Eliza Gould, to Hannah in Beverly. She mentions and asks about various mutual friends; talks more about Elizabeth Woodberry's relationship with Charles Peabody; mentions the end of the lecture series by Mr. Burnap, and how he asked her to come see him in his "Sanctum Santorum"; and describes a visit to Baltimore by the Philadelphia Greys.

Addressed to "Miss Hannah L Rantoul, Beverly, Massachusetts." A separate notation by Hannah says "E. B. Abbot, Baltimore, Maryland, March 15th, 1841." A wax seal is still attached, resulting in a missing word or two. BHS ID# 948.001.1237.]

Baltimore, March 15th, 1841

My dear Hannah,

I wrote home last week, and did not answer your kind letter for want of time, which I shall now proceed to do. It was as good a birth day present as I could have had my dear sister, and I can assure you that the day did not pass without many times and many scenes recurring to my mind in which you participated. It is a real pleasure to think of old scenes at Beverly. All our old school mates, who are now scattered here and there, are brought together, and every thing appears as if it were yesterday that it happened. It is a gift for which we cannot be too thankful, that of retrospection. Do you not think so my dear H? Now that I am away from you all, it is not that I do not think of you, and cannot enjoy your letters because I have friends and acquaintances here who engross much of my time. There are hours when it does my poor heart good to re-read letters traced by those dear hands, which are so familiar to me. One of these days my dearest, I will see you again and enjoy some more delightful walks and chit-chats, won't we my dear?

It makes me feel melancholy to think of poor Ellen.1 I was in hopes that she was getting better, & that her hand would not trouble her any more, but I fear it never will, though I should not like to have her know that I said so.

I had a sweet letter from Mary Louisa2 last week, written on foolscap paper very closely, and full of kind sayings and amusing doings that are every day taking place. E.3 no doubt has told you about E. Root. If not ask her to tell you. Mary Augusta has not gone to sea with her husband, as the water did not agree with her, for which I am very glad, for I do not consider it a fit place for woman. What is the matter with E. Hogg. She will be a great loss to the family I should judge, for I have always had an idea that she was a lovely girl.

Thank you for assuring me of the kind feelings that Mr. Morrisson4 has for me, for I esteem him very highly. He is a very fine man. I hope you will have an opportunity of seeing him one of these days. I hear that he is to be married in the summer, I suppose in his August vacation. I was at a party with him the other eve'g, and I always ask him about Miss Lord,5 and he is very bashful about her name. I have not mustered courage enough to ask for her brother6 yet.

E. says in her last letter that she has no intention of becoming Mrs. Peabody yet a while. She also says that they have no girl, and she has to work hard. I pity her. I wish you would go up and spend the eve'g with her, and try to cheer her up, for she is quite low spirited. Poor girl! I wish I could better her condition. I would so cheerfully. Her health is not good either, she says. Do go and see her my dear sister. Give my love to her, as I shall not have time to write another letter to her this week.

So Betsey7 is married. I hope she may be happy, but I should think that Mrs. Lovett8 would miss her very much. Does she appear so, or have not you seen her.

Give my love to Jane9 and tell her that I did not go down to the Inauguration because I could not, the cars were so crowded, but that I acted like a crazy girl all day. They did not know what to do with me. My Tippecanoe banner was flying &c.10 "When you are with the Romans, you should do as they do."

Mr. Burnap's11 lectures concluded last week, and he deserves much credit for them. They will be printed, and I think will read as well as they were delivered, for he is not happy in his delivery most people think, but I have not fault to find with him at all. He has quite won my affection. He called upon me the other day, and inquired very particularly for Mr. & Mrs. Thayer,12, 13 as did his wife.14 They are delighted with Mrs. T., never saw her before last summer. Mr. Burnap says that I must come and see him in his Sanctum Santorum, where he writes all his lectures and sermons, and also to look over his books. I intend to take up with his invitation.

Did I tell you my dear, that I sit in the choir. I do, is it not ominous? It was some time before I could gain confidence enough, but at last I succeeded.

The Philadelphia Greys went to Washington at [____] 4th of March, and on their return stopped in B. Saturday and Sunday, and were escorted to the Unitarian Church by the Maryland Cadets. Do you not think Mr. B. must have felt honored? They were not very quiet. They would first drop their feathers, then their swords, and then blush a little that they had done so. But considering they behaved very well. I wish you could have seen the children's heads. They acted as if they were hung on wires, first back, and then front as if they were afraid they were there to capture them. They were dressed in their uniform, which appeared very strange to see on Sunday.

Mr. Van Buren15 was in the city yesterday and attended the Episcopal Church. He offered himself a year ago to a lady of Balt., Mrs. McKim,16 widow lady of Isaac McKim,17 Representa. to Congress, but she did not fancy him I presume, as she is not married to him.

When I see you I shall tell you a thousand things that is not convenient to write. Do not forget my best respects to your Father18 & Mother19 and all friends, and also do not forget to write me whenever there is an opportunity. Send me a paper, and mark the letters, and in that way you can say much. I shall do so to you very soon. Your letter was short my dear H., but it was so sweet that I will not complain, but thank you for what there was. Mine is written very badly because written in a hurry, but next time I will treat you better my dearest. Therefore I must bid you good bye, though if time permitted I could fill another sheet. Accept as much love from me as you wish, and believe me your true friend & sister.

E.

  1. Eleanor Ingersoll Bridge (1817-1884)
  2. Mary Louisa Bridge (1819-1905)
  3. Elizabeth Bowen Woodberry (1817-1888)
  4. Horace Morrison (abt 1811-1870)
  5. Mary Elizabeth Lord (1817-1903)
  6. John McClary Lord (1819-1880)
  7. Betsey Lovett Chapman (1818-1891)
  8. Lucy Lovett (1796-1864)
  9. Jane Elizabeth Woodberry (1807-1870), Hannah's sister-in-law
  10. This refers to the inauguration of William Henry Harrison as the 9th U. S. President, on 4 March 1841. He was given the nickname "Tippecanoe" for his role in leading American forces against an Indian confederation at the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811.
  11. George Washington Burnap (1802-1859)
  12. Christopher Toppan Thayer (1805-1880)
  13. Augusta Brewster (1808-1884)
  14. Nancy Williams (abt 1804-1876)
  15. Martin Van Buren (1782-1862), 8th U. S. President. See Martin Van Buren.
  16. Ann Hollins (abt 1790-1875)
  17. Isaac McKim (1775-1838), Representative from Maryland. See Isaac McKim.
  18. Robert Rantoul (1778-1858), Hannah's father
  19. Joanna Lovett (1780-1848), Hannah's mother