Abbot Letters to Hannah Rantoul

Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch to Hannah Rantoul, 26 January 1846

[From Elizabeth in Tarboro, North Carolina, to Hannah in Beverly. Elizabeth was about seven months pregnant with her first child Nathaniel (born 18 March 1846). She mentions being in her new house; mentions and asks about activities and mutual friends; describes activities and people in Tarboro; and describes helping/managing negroes in smoking pork.

Addressed to "Miss Hannah L Rantoul, Beverly, Mass." A separate notation by Hannah says "Mrs. Joseph H. Bowditch, Tarboro, N. C., Jan. 26th, 1846." Postmarked "TARBOH N. C. Jan 29." BHS ID# 948.001.1282.]

Tarborough, Jan'y 26th, 1846

My dear Hannah,

I received your letter on Friday, and though many weeks had passed since the arrival of your last it was very welcome. You begin by looking far into the future, when my family will be increased to three, and the third a little "Lizzie" calling Aunt Hannah. How can I suit all? Pa¹ says it must be a boy Josey, but I trust if it is good, you will both be satisfied, whatever it may be. I shall most assuredly.

You cannot tell how much I enjoy at housekeeping, now that I have got all fixed, and every one about me knowing their routine of business. It has taken me till now to get all right, my ways and their ways being so different. I still continue in fine health, and as Ma says, must owe it to my active life. I do not sit still a half hour at a time. You say that when I do not feel like writing a long letter you will excuse me. As long as I can write, it will be a pleasure to me to do so, and something you shall most assuredly have in your turn, if not a few lines, certainly a paper. You have been too good and true a friend to me, and I love you too well to let distance diminish in the least my friendship.

You must have had a very pleasant visit at Portsmouth, and Mr. Preston² and family must be very happy. Think you that Betsey³ would not really have been more happy than she is now, if she had been Mrs. Preston? I cannot think of her without pity. Brown⁴ is in a poor state of health, and if ever she is left a widow I judge she would be destitute. Just look around the circle of her day and see how some are scattered, and others situated.

It made me melancholy to hear of Mr. Munroe's⁵ death. It was very sudden, and peculiarly sad. Mrs. Everett⁶ proved a friend in need. He was ever a great favorite of hers, and it must have been a satisfaction to her to know that she had made his last hours comfortable. I feel pleased to hear so good an account of him, and he has gone where he will have just reward, and if he was not valued here as he ought it is just as well for him now. It was very remarkable that he should have had his life insured so short a time before he was taken.

I received a letter from E.⁷ She was in Boston, and full of talk of Isaac,⁸ says that somehow or other she gets no time to do anything when she is there. And that is the way it will be with someone else one of these days. Somebody will claim a part of her time. Would I could know who it would be dear H. Tell me as soon as you have decided.

You have had real spring weather, and G'a⁹ thinks you must be changing seasons with the South. No it is delightful here, no frozen ground, and some days very warm without fire. Today is beautiful, like summer, and all the ladies as well as myself have been out to enjoy it. Ain't I smart?

Maria Clark¹⁰ is now in Raleigh. She has met with a great loss since her departure, the death of her negro waiting woman, that had taken care of her for years. M. left her doing very well, as the doctor thought in no danger, but she has died and left a little baby behind her. Maria has a warm and tender heart, and will feel deeply Rebecca's loss.

Dr. Thomas¹¹ and wife¹² spent the evening with me last night, out in my snug little back parlor. They said it looked so social and comfortable, and he said it looked like a Northern room. He studied medicine in Philadelphia. Would you could see them. They are very agreeable companions. She is Maria's younger sister, and was quite pretty.

Good bye my dear H till another chance offers for me to write. You must not expect my letters as regularly as formerly, nor as long. I will do the best that I can, but I have many cares that I never had before. Rose has now come for me to "give out" supper. Good night.

Thursday afternoon 4 P. M. You will indeed judge me to have become a lady of business, when my letter ought to have gone on Sunday, not to go till today. It is not ill health be assured, nor negligence, but actual employment. This week has been another pork week, does not that sound piggy? Although I have got a cook as honest as myself I believe, it is necessary for custom's sake to be a little more watchful than with you. Just imagine me sitting in my back room, with work in hand, and two or three negroes at the smoke house rinsing, stringing and hanging up 14 or 15 weight of meat. It is no little job, though mine comparatively is small. Jo. Henry¹³ comes home every little while and tells me what is right, and then off again. He has calls another way. I am the crow watcher. I offer this as my excuse. You will I know think it sufficient. I am now done with pork for a year, and if you will come and see me I will give you a piece of my bacon.

Georgiana will feel slighted if I don't send her a few lines, and therefore you must see good bye sooner than I had wished. Much love to all your family & to Jane¹⁴ if she is at home. I have got her bottle but no preserves in it, they tasted too good. Write me soon, it will be your turn, a long letter. I love them long and full of little matters. You must not follow my example, but consider I am a new housekeeper. I want to see you dear H. very much & I will do so as soon as I can. With much love from Jo. Henry & myself, I remain your sister

Elizabeth

Say to Ga. that I got her letter almost finished, and company has come. I can hardly leave to fold this up.

Good bye.

 

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

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