Abbot/Bowditch Family Letters

Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch to her son Charles I. Bowditch, 2 November 1881

[From Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch in Micaville, North Carolina, to her son Charles in Urbana, Illinois. She talks about her son Fred's sudden move to join Charles in Urbana; and brings Charles up to date on events at home.]

Tell Fred¹ to direct Via Asheville.

Wednesday Morn'g Nov 2d 1881

My dear Charlie,

I suppose ere this you have Fred with you. I cannot realize it! He took us all by surprise, and went off so suddenly! But I have the consolation of feeling what is "our loss is your gain." I was very much in hopes he could have found employment near us, that we could have seen him once in a while, but I trust it is for his good, and that he will keep his health. I did not feel like writing you last week, as I should have done. How happy you must be to have him with you!! We received a Postal from Johnson City from him last night, was so glad he had the worst part of his journey made so pleasant. Tell him I shall look from a letter from him at the end of the week from Urbana.

I am writing very hurriedly as Ga.² has concluded to go to B. this morn'g, and you will have to excuse its shortness, &c. Fred has told you all the news up to last week, and I presume now every day he could inform you of something passed since you were here.

Did you receive the Mica, and did it answer your purpose? The little mica rock and Iron pyrites I will send as soon as I can get some. Fred went off so suddenly that my whole time was taken up with him, or I could have managed to send some by him.

We are having beautiful weather this week. Many people are having shuckings about, or as you call them out there, "Huskings."

I am looking for a letter from you every day, and since your last of Sept 24th I have written quite a lengthy one.

Tell Fred I have not seen Uncle John³ since the day he left. The cold pinches him I expect.

The Austin and Vance trial came off last week in Mitchell, and Austin was acquitted. If you do not remember the affair Fred can tell you. Mr. Abernathy's trial comes off this week, and all know that he will be acquitted.

Simeon Hilliard⁴ has gone to Asheville with Jim Hutchins to take a load & bring one for Tom Edge,⁵ who has become quite a merchant of late. Bud Hilliard said that he reports that he has made a $1000 since he commenced. He will soon be a rich man at that.

They have nearly got the new road marked to the Meadow bars[?]. They will have three weeks rest to gather corn, & to accommodate their Overseer, who has to appear in Asheville at Federal Court next week.

Johnny⁶ is at hauling this week from J. Bellews.⁷ He expects to finish on Friday, so that when Mr. Felts⁸ comes all will be ready. Mr. Gibbs⁹ will lease his mine to Mr. Ivey[?], does not expect to work it this winter.

I am having some yarn spun and will knit you some good nice stockings. How are those that I sent you? Pretty well gone I expect.

Do you still intend to go to school, & how does the Singing school progress?

I do not see as Johnnys Hooping Cough gets any better. He is too imprudent. You are well over it, I am glad to know. How long did it last, and what did you do for it. I trust Fred did not take it while he was here with Johnny. Many of the children about are having it very badly, and the Toe river school is pretty well made up of Hooping Cough. Very pleasant for the teacher, don't you think so?

Give much love to Fred, and say that I shall write him soon after hearing from him, that he must do as you did, fix up good & warm for the winter. I cannot help being uneasy about his throat, but will hope you will both be happy and well this winter.

This is a very poor letter, but I will do better next time. All send much love to both of you. Take care of yourselves is the constant wish of 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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