Abbot Letters to Hannah Rantoul

Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch to Hannah Rantoul, 28 October 1847

[From Elizabeth in Tarboro, North Carolina, to Hannah in Beverly. She notes that she left Beverly to return to Tarboro a month ago; talks about Elizabeth (Woodberry) Story and the anticipated birth of her first child; describes meeting with a friend Mr. March in New York (presumably on her way home from Beverly), and narrowly avoiding having to talk with Charles Peabody; and describes a wedding she attended in Tarboro.

Addressed to "Miss Hannah L Rantoul, Beverly, Mass." A separate notation by Hannah says "Mrs. Joseph H. Bowditch, Tarboro, N. C., Oct 28th, 1847." Postmarked "TARBOH N. C. Oct 28." BHS ID# 948.001.1286.]

Tarboro, October 28th, 1847

My dear Sister Hannah,

It is one month ago today that I left Beverly, and one last night since I bade you good bye. My dear Hannah I felt very sadly when I left you, but could not speak. If I had done so I should have made myself very foolish. I wanted to say something about writing, but I could not. We have not seen much of each other this past summer, for my Thanny¹ confines me very much, more than I anticipated ere I came on, and all the time I was in Beverly Ga² was so much occupied that it did not seem right for me to leave home more than I did. But if I have not seen you much, I have thought a great deal of you, for how could I do otherwise! We have passed many a happy hour together, and those that will never be forgotten by either of us I imagine. I am thinking of you, seated by the side of Mary in her room, nursing her so tenderly. How blessed should I be could I have you by me when I was sick, though I trust I shall not be very soon, though I may be at some future time.

I do not suppose that you have seen much of E. Story,³ as you both cannot leave home much, but I very much want to hear of her good health and well doing. The first of November is the time looked forward to by her as an important time, and I trust will be a successful one. She appeared remarkably well, while in Beverly before my leaving, & in as good spirits as I ever saw her. I am glad that she has concluded to live in Beverly for there are her friends, and those that think most of her, and too there is the place in which she will be happy. I hope she has succeeded ere this in securing a house, as she wishes to remove from her Mother's⁴ as soon as she is able after her confinement. How delighted E. will be with her baby.⁵ It will be the sweetest, smartest, and most wonderful little thing that ever was known, in her eyes. She told me that she did not expect it would be handsome, and she could not imagine what complexion it would have. Isaac⁶ is very fond of her I think, and she devoted to him. It is an excellent match. He is so willing to help her in her undertakings.

While in N. York at the Clinton Hotel, Mr. March called one night just before tea, and of course wished to see Thanny. He was brought forward. John Safford had just left, and we were busily talking on the sofa when I heard footsteps, looked up, and to my astonishment saw Charles Peabody⁷ with hat & cane in hand, walk towards the centre table where two gent. were conversing. I did not wish to recognize him (neither did Mr. March) and we kept on talking, fearing every moment he would discover us. Thanny made a great fuss, playing with some little things Mr. March had given him, & I was sure I should be obliged to have a chat with C. Peabody, Esq. But no, after standing ten or 15 minutes very earnestly conversing, he left without glancing at us. I thought he had gone certainly when he left the room, and after sitting a few moments, Mr. March left us, and as we went up stairs to our room, I actually brushed close by him without being discovered. He married wealth, and not a widow, so he was successful in his utmost wish. I care not at all about him now that he has left E. What a fortunate escape. If he had married her, she would have been miserable.

It seems very natural here, even after so long an absence. It took Thanny some days ere he would be played with by Roberta, but he loves her now, and actually I caught him kissing her the other day. We call him Nat now, and he is much amused at the name. He grows very funny, and is in much better health than while in Beverly, as he has stopped teething for awhile, and indeed has through all his worst ones.

A young lady⁸ (sister of Mrs. Lawrence⁹ with whom I am boarding) has been married since my return, & I am going to give you a short account of weddings & et ceteras in this country. When I returned, which was on Friday, all the family, both black and white, were full of business making preparations for the coming Wednesday. At parties in this country, no married people are invited at all, so parties may be given up by those that marry. They must not expect an invitation. I being in the family here, was fa[____]ed, and I was glad once to witness a wedding here.

The hour for the ceremony to be performed was 7 o'clock, and by a Presbyterian clergyman (Mr. Owen¹⁰). I went down stairs as early as 1/2 past six that I might witness the entering of the company. They came slowly at first, but soon as groups. After the minister came and about 70 were assembled (all young people), 4 bridesmaids & groomsmen entered the room in the same order as at the North, and arranged themselves on each side, leaving room for the bride & groom to walk between. They soon followed, and remained in the centre of the file. A little girl & boy, each holding a candle, walked behind and placed themselves on each side of the parson, giving him I should say more light than he wished, or at least would be agreeable to him. He then married them as quickly as with us, and concluded with a prayer. As soon as over, he congratulated them both with a very pretty speech, and the whole company gave the bride a kiss, some of the gentlemen among the number.

After a little while a table was brought into the room, a cake placed upon it in which was a ring. All young people cut for it, and the successful one was to be the next bride, and such teasing as she got, &c. After a while we were invited out to supper where was a long table filled with every thing luxurious & plentiful. On another table were meats & coffee. There was sufficient to feed the whole army in Mexico I should think. After I had satisfied myself, Jo. Henry¹¹ & I came up stairs, thinking the noise would wake up Thanny, & he being very glad to be released from parties always. They staid until one o'clock, & danced till all were gone. The bride left for her plantation the next morning. She looked pretty and appeared well. She has made us a visit once since, and appears 2 years older. It is a singular idea that they entertain here, that when a person marries they must appear different, and be different. They must think me curious, strange, &c. I was talking with Mary Louisa¹² when at home, & I think I am more fortunate than she is in my future home, or at least I am happier in it than she will be in hers.

I want you to come out here. How pleased I should be. Remember me to your sister's¹³ family, Jane,¹⁴ and your parents.^{15, 16} Give my love to our family when you see them. I wrote Mrs. Charles Lamson last mail. Write me soon & believe me ever your very aff. sister

E.

Jo. Henry sends love.

 

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

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