Abbot/Bowditch Family Letters

Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch to her daughter Georgiana Abbot Bowditch, 24 June 1893

[From Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch, probably from Burnsville, North Carolina, to her daughter Georgiana in Micaville, North Carolina. She mentions various people she's seen and visited; talks about how Mrs. Carter and Dr. Lewis despise each other, and an incident in which Dr. Lewis tried to borrow a wagon tongue; and describes the good food she's been eating.

The letter was written in pencil, and has faded in some spots. Some words, especially in the creases where the letter was folded, can't be read.]

Sat. morn'g June 24th '93

My dear daughter,

I am now waiting for Scin to try on my dress. She was here yesterday and cut it, and said she would come today & fit it.

I have been here now one week and have had a very pleasant time, tho I have been in the house all the time; for every eve'g nearly it has been rainy, or I should have gone over to see Mrs. Carter.¹ However there will be plenty of time yet. I see her passing about her stable & blacksmiths shop nearly every day.

Dr. Hackley is expected today, and as he puts up here shall have a good look at him. He is a great favorite I hear where he is practicing at Mars' Hill.² Lusie Lewis (that was) is now at Mars' Hill, and Georgie has gone to be with her. She will not be sick at home. Dr. H. it is said will be with her, so if he is coming to Burnsville she cannot immediately want him.

Maggie Dellinger³ will come home in Sept. for a visit. All are well here. Mr. Ray⁴ left for N. York last Monday and I expect has missed Bis⁵ as they are expect'g him today. He went alone, and was not feeling well at all when he left. They do not seem to be at all anxious about him.

Sallie Riddle spent last night here, and is here today. Her voice sounds like Maggie Dellinger's as I hear it from below. She is a great talker. She came in to have her teeth operated upon, but the Dentist preacher⁶ is not here.

By the way I saw him a day or two since. He is far from looking like a preacher, tho he is a pleasant spoken man. He is thought to be quite a good dentist, so Mrs. Ray⁷ says she spoke to him about doing some work on her teeth. Told him she had no money but would pay him in apple butter, or dried fruit. He seemed very willing to do her work.

I also saw Mrs. Moore.⁸ She came here with the oldest little girl.⁹ She appeared very well. I was agreeably disappointed in her. The little girl called her "Mammy," and seemed very fond of her. She invited me to come to see her. She staid but a few moments, as Mr. Moore's¹⁰ daughter¹¹ & family had just come from Tennessee. She came to buy some lard[?], as she said she could get none anywhere. Mrs. Ray accommodated her, but said they would have to buy themselves shortly. It seems very scarce, for that was what the preacher wanted also.

The weather has been delightful for me in coolness. I have worn my Sateen all the week. Tomorrow I shall sport my black lawn.

The president of Milligan College¹² has been here, lectured on Monday Eve'g, is trying to get funds to make an addition to the college for a female department. I do not think he succeeded very well. He seemed a very pleasant man.

Mrs. Carter¹ & the Lewis' seem to be out still. Dr. Lewis¹³ sent to borrow her buggy tongue, as he wish'd to put it to his buggy for two horses, to send for his family. She told the messenger "that she would not let him have the buggy tongue, the wagon tongue, nor her tongue either." That is the tale, but Scin says Mrs. Carter told her that she told him he could not buy, beg, nor borrow either of her tongues, which is the most probable story. It is said that they despise each other.

Everything is very quiet. I hear quantities of little children prattling. Richmond¹⁴ and Wood Youngs¹⁵ are busy all the time. It is said that Richmond will move back to his country home in the fall. The school here seems very small judging from the scholars that come & go, hardly enough to pay one's way.

I have been feasting on all the good things, so you will expect to see me improved in flesh. Strawberries, peaches, batter cakes every meal (even at dinner), and Charles¹⁶ went fishing and caught fifty fish, so we had two good messes, and I assure you I enjoyed them. The dried peaches are very fine. I make my meals of batter cakes instead of biscuit. They are made of buckwheat. They seem to be very fond of them. Mrs. Ray & the girls do the cooking, old Hannah the milking, washing, and hoeing. Have had no peas yet, lettuce once in a while. I expect you have had as good & forward a garden as anybody. We have had chicken but once.

No company here at all. Mr. Watson left with Mr. Ray for his home, where he went to attend a wedding. Will be back about the 1st of July. Mrs. Ray says he is doing right well, as is quite smart.

It is supposed that Pansy¹⁷ is engaged, but no one knows.

I see Landon¹⁸ early in the morn'g at his door studying. It may be his young man that is studying with him. I heard Mr. Hughes tell Cora¹⁹ he heard that Landon wanted to come & see her. She did not say much.

It is as quiet as can be, no trade at all, hardly see anyone pass.

I suppose you are getting along finely. Probably has not been much work in the garden since the first of the week. The only vegetables we have had here are onions & lettuce. Saw some of your honey on the table. Mrs. Ray said it lasted through Court Week and was much enjoyed.

I suppose Pa²⁰ has [__?__] all the week, for it must have been cold for him. Heard Johnny²¹ was in town yesterday but did not see him.

Give my love to all, and write if you have time. I am doing finely.

Your loving Mother

 

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

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