Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch to her son Charles I. Bowditch, 24 June 1888

[From Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch, probably from Burnsville, North Carolina, to her son Charles, apparently after Charles had moved back to North Carolina from Urbana, Illinois. This is based on information in the letter about a concert to be given by the Marion (South Carolina) Band, in which she writes "I will send you a "Programme" and you must come. Peterson says 'Tell Charlie to come & bring his lady love if he has one. If not, come without.' I want to see you too." She also describes how a 17-year-old boy accidentally shot himself; and mentions visitors she has had.

The letter is dated "Saturday June 24th." Above the "24th" is the year "'88." However, 24 June was a Sunday in 1888. The closest years to 1888 that 24 June fell on a Saturday are 1882 and 1893. It's likely that 1888 is the correct year, and the day or exact date is wrong. This letter was written in pencil, and has faded quite a bit. Some words, especially in the creases where the letter was folded, can't be read.]

'88
Saturday June 24th

My dear Charlie,

As Sis1 is coming up today, I thought I would write you a few lines to tell you how well I am, and how much I am enjoying myself, but I want to see you all so much. Pa2 has made his visit, and got books from Mr. Wing,3 so he is all right, and the rest of you I imagine very busy.

It has been very fine this last week, in the morning, but at noon it commences to cloud up, and we have quite heavy thunder showers in the eve'g, so it is real growing weather, Mr. Ray4 says.

We have honey on the table every day, and I expect you can sell some if you wish. It is pronounced excellent, the richest they have ever seen. Strangers from the country speak of it.

There is to be a Concert & exhibition here given by the Marion Band on the night of the 5th. I will send you a "Programme" and you must come. Peterson says "Tell Charlie to come & bring his lady love if he has one. If not, come without." I want to see you too.

Tell Johnny5 today the Masons will choose new officers. Perhaps I will see him with G'a.1 It will be Lt. Johns day tomorrow.

I suppose you have heard that David Bowman's6 son,7 about 17 years of age, met with a very serious accident about ten days ago. Drs. Lewis8 & Whittington9 were both sent for. Dr. W. had no hopes of him a day or two ago. Was shot in the bowels. He was trying to get out, as he supposed a [__?__] in the barrel, and did not know it was loaded. He tried various ways, at last knocked it on a rock, and both barrels were discharged in his bowels. Do be careful Charlie. Do not fool with a gun or pistol. G'a will be able to tell you the real state of the case, as she may see the Dr. and hear it directly from him.

Mr. Ray4 & family are very pleasant and do every thing for my comfort & pleasure. Landon10 goes as much as Dr. W.9 I think. Pansy11 looks well, and asks for you.

Mr. Moore & his wife12 came yesterday. He married Mr. Woody's13 daughter. She asked about you & Johnny, says you are both favorites of her father. She says Alpheus14 married as we heard, right out of the corn field. So suddenly, and since then her sister15 married Mr. Felts'16 son.17 Both ran away to get married, which made her father quite angry. He, Felts, & his father are at work in the Cove, and his wife is at Mr. Felts Seniors house. Her father has sent for her, but she did not go, and Mrs. Moore says it will be some time ere he sends again. I hope, Charlie, when you do marry it will be in an honorable manner.

Where is Fred?18 I rec'd his Programme, and expected a letter. Perhaps it is at the P. O. in Micaville, tho Mr. Griffen19 told me he would forward all my letters to B. Perhaps he means to surprise us all and come without warning.

It is two weeks today since I left home. It seems much longer, tho the time has passed pleasantly. I saw [__?__] at his mothers. The machine had gotten out of order, and it has to wait for them to send it to Chicago for parts that cannot be supplied nearer. So they will be interrupted some time. When the R. R. comes they will not have to [__?__].

I am in the room where you were born, and I want you to come up while I am here and see your birth place. Poor Mrs. Lewis20 nursed you so much at the time it seems sad to go to her house and not see her.

If you can, write me, if you are not too busy. Remember me to Uncle John21 & Johnny.5 I expect I [__?__] as much as either of them when I get home. Hoping you are all well, and that every thing is going on pleasantly, I will end my poorly written letter.

Good bye.

From your loving Mother

Does Rex behave himself, and also Jim.

  1. Georgiana Abbot Bowditch (1848-1927), Elizabeth's daughter, Charles's sister
  2. Joseph Henry Bowditch (1818-1900), Elizabeth's husband, Charles's father
  3. Charles Hallet Wing (1836-1915). He started the first free public library in North Carolina.
  4. Garrett Dewese Ray (1833-1912)
  5. John Abbot Bowditch (1856-1933), Elizabeth's son, Charles's brother
  6. Possibly David Alexander Bowman (1844-1916)
  7. Possibly Eddie E. Bowman (abt 1871-)
  8. Oscar Marville Lewis (1833-1903)
  9. Willard Porter Whittington (1854-1928)
  10. John Landon Ray (1857-1922)
  11. Pansy Carter (1873-1964)
  12. William Martin van Buren Moore (1834-1899) and Sarepta Celeste Woody (1864-1892), John M. Woody's daughter
  13. John M. Woody (1830-1896)
  14. Alpheus Abraham Woody (1864-1926), John M. Woody's son, Sarepta Celeste Woody's brother
  15. Mary E. Woody (1873-1915) John M. Woody's daughter, Sarepta Celeste Woody's sister
  16. Thomas B. Felts (1833-1919)
  17. John P. Felts (1867-1915)
  18. Frederick Darlington Bowditch (1859-1920), Elizabeth's son, Charles's brother
  19. John Orlando Griffith (1821-1905), postmaster in Micaville, North Carolina.
  20. Probably Cecelia A. Wilson (abt 1810-aft 1880)
  21. John Edwin Abbot (1831-1911), Elizabeth's brother