Abbot Letters to Hannah Rantoul

Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch to Hannah Rantoul, 23 August 1846

[From Elizabeth in Tarboro, North Carolina, to Hannah in Beverly. She talks more about new baby, and notes that her parents were there when he was born; talks about Helen (Stephens) Davis who died on 12 June 1846 in Beverly after giving birth the day before; describes Rufus, a black boy who plays with her son; and mentions and asks about mutual friends.

Addressed to "Miss Hannah L Rantoul, Beverly, Mass." A separate notation by Hannah says "Elizabeth B. A. Bowditch, Tarborough, N. C., Aug. 23rd, 1846." Postmarked "TARBOH N. C. Aug 27." A wax seal is still attached, resulting in a missing word or two. BHS ID# 948.001.1284.]

Tarborough, August 23d, ‘46

My dear Hannah,

I am resolved that the mail shall not close tonight without a letter for you. I received yours in due time, and it was like seeing a dear friend after a long absence, so affectionate and full of good that I could hardly keep the tears in their proper place. O! Hannah it seems as if nothing could alter my affection for you. It is even stronger than when I was with you all the time, if possible.

I felt disappointed and very sorry that you gave me no hope of a visit from you this winter. Allow me to say that I think it will prevent your ever having the Lung complaint. Don't wait till then. It will never be I trust.

You speak of poor Helen Davis's¹ death. How melancholy! I cannot realize it, and shall not till I have been in B. and not seen her as I was wont to do.

How blessed was I at that critical time, not only to get along so well, but to have Pa² and Ma³ with me. I sit and look at the little dear boy⁴ often, and feel blessed indeed. He is a beautiful child dear sister, and all life and animation, with as sparkling a blue eye as you ever saw. He is enjoying fine health, and his little rounded limbs are ever in motion. You will think we are too proud of him, and will love him too well. I hope not. He often reminds me of Charley,⁵ not that there is any resemblance, but in looking at him I think how much we idolized that dear brother, and he was taken from us, and I often tell Jo. Henry⁶ that it may be our lot to part with Thanny young. I want you to see him, and hear him laugh loud, and see him try to crawl. I think he will look like Freddy.⁷ He has three chins, and a dimple in the upper one. Ain't that cunning? And if he can be in my presence, and have his little toes to play with, he is the happiest child living. Do you realize that I have been describing to you my boy? Impossible!!

I cannot help thinking much of Helen Davis. Is it possible she has gone where I shall never see her more. That dear child that she has left⁸ I trust will live to be a comfort and blessing to its grandmother⁹ in her old age. What a trial to a woman of as much sensibility as Mrs. Stevens. An only daughter, idolized from infancy, and loved by every body. I feel pleased that this little girl will resemble Helen. She will find friends in every body, if she grows up to be like her. Though I never saw much of Helen, still I always loved her, and when you wrote me of the interest she has ever taken in me since my marriage, I could not but feel a great one in her too, and did think much of her in the situation she was then in, though death was far from my thoughts. The last time I saw her was at Ann Nourse's.¹⁰ She was bright & lively and little did I then think she was to be taken from us so soon. When I was married, and she came like the rest to bid me "good bye," she burst into tears and pressed me very hard by the hand. I loved her then O how much, and have thought of it many times. She expressed much, but said nothing. Please my dear sister ever acquaint me of the childs welfare. It will always interest me.

Aug 27th. I did not finish my letter on Sunday as I intended to do, and you must scold Natty for it. He would have my attention and care at the time. It was no use to reason with him, he would hear [?] to nothing.

I have a boy whose name is Rufus in whom there appears to be something very prepossessing to Natty, and indeed the pleasure is mutual when together. Week days he plays with him much, but on Sundays, I do not require him to be confined at all. He has a "Mammy" in the neighborhood, and excepting at meal times, I allow him his liberty to go and see her if he pleases. He is a smart boy, and has great big white eyes, which Natty would use as play things if he could, but he can't catch them. A good natured real black is handsome. Can you imagine it?

Where is E. B. Woodberry.¹¹ I am owing her a letter, but never know where to find her. However I shall write very soon to her to B. I presume she will be married ere I see you all again. I trust she will find in Isaac¹² a good husband, but I must say that she would have done better in my opinion to have remained South till they were ready to be married, and then she would have been earning something. But we do not always do what is best for us, but often as we wish to.

Mary Louisa¹³ and Ellen¹⁴ are still in Beverly, and you wish I could be too. I would like to have come on this summer if it would have been possible, but it was not. But if we all live and nothing happens [____] it is our intention to spend August and Sept. of [__?__] year with you. Then you shall see my dear boy and kiss him and he will call you Aunt Hannah, and you will look at him and say "is it possible." He will then be 18 months old, and quite an adept in walking and talking.

You have been in Cambridge visiting since you wrote last. I am pleased to hear from Anna¹⁵ and Mrs. Everett.¹⁶ What a change since we used to go to Reading Party up in Mrs. E's room. Poor Mr. Munroe¹⁷ dead, Mrs. E. & family moved away, and I married and got a great big boy, and dear Hannah a good dutiful affectionate child, the comfort and pride of her parents remains unaltered in every respect. My dear H. I do love you dearly.

Where is Charles Kilham¹⁸ now? I hear nothing at all about him. Don't be bashful, write me all about his whereabouts, and if he tries still to win and woo my dear H., do say.

Tell Jane¹⁹ I got her message about the jelly. I wish I could have some. No currants grow about here at all. The little blue socks were worn till the little toes came through them, and they became too small. I shall keep them and tell him one of these days who gave him his first present. Is she well and all her family? Does your Father²⁹ and Mother²¹ remain in good health? Remember me to them.

I was very sorry to hear that Andrew Peabody²² lost his little boy.²³ They are very unfortunate with their children.

How are Lucy's family. Mrs. Endicott I should have said, and does the old lady Endicott still get about?

This letter is short, but you must make all allowances. I shall soon get so as to be able to write longer ones.

Thanny is growing every day. Jo. Henry got me a girl to nurse it about 14 years old and of good size. She came and staid just one day and I sent her home resolving that I would never trust my children with a servant, and also, it was too hard a parting for the dear boy. His eyes were full of tears all the time, and when I came into his presence, he could hold in no longer, and cried. I have taken care of him altogether myself, and it was like taking a part of himself to be out of my presence. I will endure the confinement and take care of him myself rather than his little heart should undergo such suffering. He is all sensibility, won't you love him?

I must bid you good bye for I want to write a note to G'a²⁴ ere I seal this. Do not wait long but answer this very soon. I remain in excellent health, and you will find me a new being when you next see me. Jo. Henry says I almost love H. too, give mine to her. In haste I remain ever y'r aff. sister

E.

 

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

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