Abbot Letters to Hannah Rantoul

Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch to Hannah Rantoul, 29 December 1891

[From Elizabeth in Micaville, North Carolina, to Hannah in Beverly, written much later (42 years) than the previous one. She thanks Hannah for remembering her at Christmas; mentions and asks about mutual friends; and talks about her sons Charles and Frederick, and her nephews Paul Thorndike and Abbot McClure.

This letter was sent in an envelope, rather than folded with the address written on the same sheet as the letter itself. The envelope is addressed to "Miss Hannah L Rantoul, Beverly, Mass." and postmarked "Micaville N. C. Dec 30 1891." On the back of the envelope are two additional postmarks saying "NY" and "Beverly Jan 3 930AM 1891 Rec'd." There were actually two letters sent, this one from Elizabeth and another from her daughter Georgiana. A separate notation by Hannah says "Elizabeth B. Bowditch and Georgiana Bowditch, Micaville, N. C." BHS ID# 948.001.1290 (letter) and 948.001.1292 (envelope).]

Excuse my pencil. I can write better than with a pen.

Micaville Decbr 29th 91

My dear sister,

You do not know how much pleased I was to see your familiar handwriting once more on a package directed to me as a Christmas offering. I have been unable to write you before on account of my eyes. I cannot tell the reason, but suddenly they appeared to give out, as it were, all at once, and if it had not been so suddenly would have thought I needed older glasses. But I am rejoiced to say that my sight has returned, & also Fred¹ sent me a new pair of spectacles, through which I can see as well as ever, and I hope our correspondence will now be as brisk as ever. Do not think dear sister that during all this time I have not thought of you many many times, and wished so much for one of your good letters. It seemed as if something was lost, that made me restless & unhappy. But on seeing your handwriting once more put new life into me, and I begin to feel myself again.

Thank you for your kind remembrance of me at Christmas. I almost know some little reminder will appear, and I am not mistaken. G'a² was equally pleased, and says she is going to write you herself presently.

John³ has not been North this winter. I tell him I don't see how he can stay away so long. I often wish I were in his place to go, if it were only to see you once more. Think you we would know each other were we to meet suddenly, without expecting it? If I could hear your voice dear sister I should know you any where, for I always thought you had the most musical & charming voice I ever heard. Indeed I am not alone in my opinion.

Tomorrow will be Paul Thorndike's⁴ wedding day! Would not his mother be proud if she could witness the marriage? I wish I could see them both. There is but one objection she would have, and that is she is a Catholic. Fred's⁵ daughter Cora⁶ was one ere she died, and married one. Edith⁷ the other daughter is an Episcopalian. I suppose you had an invitation to the wedding.

Where is Lothrop Thorndike⁸ now? He was very generous to me at the time of the fire,⁹ and I appreciated his kindness much. It was so unexpected and so needed. Wm. Endicott¹⁰ too was a great benefactor. And dear Hannah that money, with what you collected, built us a house & made us comfortable, and at such a time, when one has no home, the heart feels more than one can tell, without feeling the desolation.

I have just heard of Mr. Burley's¹¹ death. He lived to a good old age. Where did he die, & who was with him after he lost his wife.¹² They were both kind to us in our distress. Where will his money go now?

How is Mr. Endicott's health? Is Mary¹³ still living with him, or is she married? Remember me to both of them, and indeed to all the family.

Tell Robert¹⁴ his grafts he sent did well, and the fruit is fine. I should like very much to get some Golden Russett grafts. You well remember that tree in your garden, where we used to supply ourselves at recess. It is a long while ago, but all my school days in Beverly come home very vividly to my mind.

Remember me to Mrs. Towne if you see her, and say that the picture she sent is hanging up in my room, and I think of the giver every day.

O how I wish I could know the fate of them all that I enjoyed myself with in bygone days. How is William Michael¹⁵ & his wife.¹⁶ She was an invalid when I heard last.

Poor Charles Lamson¹⁷ has gone even before his wife,¹⁸ who was in a critical situation for some time. Did I not see the marriage of one of his daughters¹⁹ in the Beverly paper.

So your fine hotel the Queen is burned.²⁰ What a pity! It seems it is to be rebuilt right away. How much changed & improved Beverly must be!

How is Dr. Peabody²¹ & his family. I see his name occasionally as taking part in some College exercises. Is Mary²² (his sister) living.

I have not heard from Anne Abbot²³ for some time. Is she still living & well.

My youngest son Charley²⁴ was married just one year ago to a nice amiable girl,²⁵ and they have a little sweet daughter whom they called Blanche²⁶ after me, though you never knew me by that name. They live about a mile from us. Charlie is a very successful farmer, and is one of my tall boys. Three of my sons are medium size, and two are tall as their father. I go up to Charlie's & spend a week at a time & find his little wife very pleasant and amiable.

Ellen's²⁷ little boy Abbot²⁸ when out here took a great liking to Charlie & his dog, and we have just had some remembrances for Christmas from he & his father.²⁹

I wish you could come out here dear Hannah. Not much to induce one, but O how I would welcome you! It is a beautiful climate. We have had so far no snow storm this winter, and our family are in the best of health always.

Fred is now teaching in Tennessee (Morristown), has the superintendence of over Eighty pupils. He is very much liked and I think he will rise very fast. He deserves much credit for his advancement. He was determined to get an education, and he has succeeded admirably. He taught in Urbana, Ill., for four years, but thought he would get along more rapidly where there was not so much competition. So many young men graduating from the College constantly that he concluded to try a new field. He regretted to leave the place that was so much like home to him, so many warm friends who were so much attached to him. But he thought he could get better pay to make a change. He is very much pleased with his stay of five months, and I hope he will advance constantly. There is no such word as fail with him. Try, try, try is his motto.

There has been many deaths among the old people in this vicinity this fall and winter.

How is Jane's³⁰ Robert & Charles.³¹ I feel much interested to hear about every body. Remember me kindly to Emily Howe.³² That was also to Mrs. Octavious³³ and Betsey Lamson.³⁴ Also Sallie Cox and her sister.³⁵ That pretty little girl³⁶ that used to be of Dr. Torrey's³⁷ is dead I hear. What pretty curls she had, and how devoted her Aunt was to her. I cannot mention all, but I want to be remembered to every body. Mrs. Austin Tilham,³⁸ and also to Hannah F.³⁹ Did Mrs. Austin have a pleasant time in Brooklyn or is she there still? I have not heard from Mary Louisa⁴⁰ for some time, must write her.

Now my dear H. good bye. Write soon. John will not be on this winter, so you and I will not be known through him. Write soon and accept all my wishes for a Happy New Year. I wish I had something pretty to send you. Again good bye my dear sister.

Yrs. very lovingly,

E.

 

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

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