Elizabeth Abbot to Hannah Rantoul, 30 June 1836

[From Elizabeth in Beverly to Hannah in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. This letter, written while Elizabeth was in school, describes an incident in which William M. Whitney was injured in a fall while on the brig Hanover.

Addressed to "Miss Hannah L. Rantoul, Portsmouth, N. H." A notation by Hannah says "Elizabeth B. Abbot from Beverly to me in Portsmouth, N. H., June 30th 1836." BHS ID# 948.001.1227.]

Beverly June 30th 1836

My dear sister Hannah,

Here I am in school stealing time to write to you my dear sister. Here is Mary Louisa1 sitting by my side, frolicking away at a great rate. O! Hannah! I wish you were here to still her; for she is a real "witch." Now to tell you the plain truth, she is looking over my shoulder laughing at my letter that I am going to send to you, just as much as if to say "before I would send such a looking thing," but I know my dear sister, you will excuse every thing that is bad in it, won't you? Now my dear I hope you will not have a bad opinion of our older sister, for it would be the last thing that I should wish.

But methinks I hear you say "enough of that nonsense," but now I will endeavour to tell you something that will be news to you.

You know my dear sister that you requested me in your letter to tell you about the 4th of July proceedings, but I have left it for Mary Louisa to describe as I think she is far more capable.

Horrible! Horrible! to relate & more so to commit to paper. Last Monday afternoon William M. Whitney2 was on board the brig Hanover: he fell down in the hole of the vessel & bruised his head badly, but not dangerously. When Mrs. Whitney3 came home from her mother's funeral (for I suppose you knew that Mrs. Leach4 was dead) she found a letter waiting for her giving an account of the accident that had happened to her son. She being unable to go up to Boston, Joseph Mc5 started in the mail at six o'clock & found the "poor boy" hurt quite badly on the back of his head (a very bad place you know). They are in hopes he will be well enough to come to Beverly Saturday. I forgot to mention to you before that he was taken up senseless, & remained so during Monday night. I am very sorry for the poor fellow for I am afraid he will pass the 4th of July miserably.

O! Hannah! What shall I finish this page with. Shall I fill it up with nonsense? No Hannah, I have put nonsense enough in one letter & so I will describe to you the joy I felt when I received your letter. Here is Mary Louisa setting here writing all the news she can "rake & scrape" while poor I am left destitute of even any. O! Hannah! You never saw me jump so as when Mr. Howe brought my letter. Now methinks I hear you say how come Mr. Howe with my letter? But Mr. Bennett sent it to me. O! you are a nice child & I want you to write me again before you come home won't you dear?

My paper is all gone and I must bid you good bye. It is very singular that I had to write on this side of my paper, but once more good bye from your affectionate sister

Elizabeth

P.S. Give my love to Miss Peabody6 & Augusta7 & ask them to write but keep a great great deal of love for yourself.

Elizabeth

  1. Mary Louisa Bridge (1819-1905)
  2. William Michael Whitney (1820-1896)
  3. Elizabeth Leach (1800-1877)
  4. Ruth Batchelder (1763-1836)
  5. Probably Joseph McKeen Lovett (1817-1867)
  6. Probably Mary Rantoul Peabody (1813-1887), Hannah's cousin
  7. Probably Elizabeth Augusta Lovett Rantoul (1819-1837), Hannah's sister