Abbot/Bowditch Family Letters

Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch to her parents George and Nancy (Stickney) Abbot, 15 November 1846

[From Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch in Tarboro, North Carolina, to her parents George and Nancy (Stickney) Abbot in Beverly, Massachusetts. She describes her baby son Nathaniel; talks about her upcoming visit home to Beverly, in time for her sister Georgiana's wedding; mentions her parents past visit; and mentions some neighbors ailments.

Addressed to "George Abbot Esq., Beverly, Mass." Postmarked "Tarbou., N. C., Nov 15." A separate notation says "E. B. Bowditch, Nov. 1846." Part of the wax seal is still intact. A small section has been torn away, with a couple of missing words.]

Tarborough Novbr 15th 1846

My dear parents,

I promised in my note of last Sunday that I would write again today, which if time permits me is as pleasant an employment as I undertake. I feel when I am writing home that I am talking with you.

Your letter Pa was very acceptable, and though Ga¹ writes me every particular and gossip, I must say that ones from a dear parent once in a while is a treat indeed. I read and read it over again, and like "Grandmother Abbot" cry all the time. I do not feel that I am less regarded if you do not write me, but there is something dear in the handwriting of a parent. I wish Ma would write oftener. If she would only feel that it was no trouble, she would I know. I think she writes as easily as any one I know, when she gets about it. I am not the only one that thinks her language good that she uses.

You mention Pa the loss of Mrs. Cheshire's² child.³ You know how to sympathize for you have been similarly afflicted, but you have an idea that I do not think seriously enough of death. I do think of it very often and with seriousness. How many times have I felt sad when dwelling what might take place in your family at home, and I far separated from them all. What indeed must be at some future time. I dare not think of my feelings, it is almost too much, but when that time does come I trust I shall be prepared for it.

In my last I wrote that Thanny⁴ had been sick. He is now quite well and bright again. I felt a little anxious at the time, though perhaps it was needless, but experience will teach me not to be alarmed at trifles. I do not presume to say that he is a finer boy than my brother Fred.⁵ He is in my eyes too, almost a wonder, a very smart, fine fellow I always thought. Thanny is almost too young yet to tell what he will be, or who like, but now he is a small, fat, round limb little fellow, full of animation and fun, resembling more his mother's family than that of his father,⁶ a real Abbot nose. I can see that myself.

Georgiana¹ says she is very impatient to see us. Not more so than I am to see you. I anticipate much pleasure if all remain well till that time. I shall hardly realize that I have a great boy when I get home. I shall pass him over to Ma and go frolicking as in former days. She must be Ma instead of Grandma. I think he will be a good boy to travel, for he is delighted to look about and see any new thing, is very observing, will espy any little thing that is not noticed by me. But enough in his praise. I will let you judge of your Grandson yourselves. I shall, as you advise Ma, dress him very warm, and guard him if possible from the sudden change that he will experience in going from the "sunny south."

I trust we will be with you at the time of the wedding,⁷ shall exert ourselves to do so, and if Charles⁸ does not arrive till the middle of March, shall surely. I would like to, for I think I could be of service to Ma and Ga both at that time.

It does not seem possible that John Edwin⁹ is big enough for a sailor, though one year at his time of life makes great changes. I am sorry to have him go a long voyage, so that he will not be at home while I am in Beverly.

George¹⁰ I will see if we both live. Ga writes me that he is much improved, and sports whiskers. I can't realize it. Does he wear a beaver? I am very much pleased to hear you speak of him so well. I trust he sees by this time what is for his advantage, that Elisha's¹¹ creed was not the true one to be respected. George has an excellent disposition and will make a fine man, I think. How I do want to see him. He was twenty years old in Sept. I think, and Georgiana twenty two in October. I did not forget either, that Ma's birthday comes this month. I hope I shall be with you on yours Pa. Please say when you write again how old each of you are, I forget exactly.

The weather now with us begins to be cool, and ere long I shall be packing up my furniture and storing it away, that during my absence the house can be repaired. It is Mr. Williams intention, by our suggestion, so when I return it will be like coming into a new house. I shall be glad, for it is poor looking indeed. You think it is a mighty cold one. We do [____] find it so, and no doubt it is more for our health that it is not air tight. What a dreary rainy morning it was when you arrived, and how cold you thought the sunny south was. Your friends here often speak of you, and are very much interested to hear of your health.

Mr. Cheshire¹² had the mumps last week, and old Mr. Parker¹³ is failing very fast. He had something like paralysis seize him in the back a short time since and does not recover well from it. He was stooping down to pick up something, and he felt something give way in his back, and was obliged to call for assistance before he could get erect. He is a cheerful, kind, good old man, is more to me like a father than any person I ever met with, has ever been polite and attentive to me. Mrs. Pender's¹⁴ health is poor. She, who looked so fat and well, chills and fevers are preying upon her constantly.

Jo. Henry⁶ and myself have been very well all summer. Indeed I don't know what hoarseness and sore throat is, and a cold is a stranger. I am careful to guard myself against sudden changes, and Jo. Henry has ever been careful about my exposure to the sun and night air. To him I owe my good health at this time.

Rose¹⁵ and her little one is well. I don't know who I shall get in her place next year. Rufus¹⁶ will stay with us. We have engaged him already. He is a smart boy, has had a few little whippings this summer.

I am now going to write Mr. Gould,¹⁷ and hoping you will some of you at home write me soon. I will bid you good bye. Jo. Henry says remember me to your father and mother. George must write me if at home. Love to Ga and a deal for yourselves. I remain

yr. aff. daughter E.

 

Copyright Charles Towne. Usage of this work is licensed under Creative Commons BY-NC 4.0
Compiler: Charles Towne

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