Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch to her parents George and Nancy (Stickney) Abbot, 30 November 1845

[From Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch in Tarboro, North Carolina, to her parents George and Nancy (Stickney) Abbot in Beverly, Massachusetts. She describes her happiness in receiving and opening several boxes from home; reminisces about how she tried to remove freckles when young; and describes how she and her husband Joseph Henry Bowditch spent Thanksgiving, working.

Addressed to "George Abbot Esq., Beverly, Mass." Postmarked "Tarbou., N. C., Nov 30." Part of the wax seal is still intact, with the word "Sunday." A small section has been torn away, with a few missing words.]

Tarborough Nov 30th 1845

My dear parents,

Thanksgiving has passed and the turkey is all gone, and now I thought you would be at leisure to hear from me. In my last I told Ga1 that the boxes and goods had arrived in Washington. Now they are in Tarboro, been opened, and looked at with a deal of pleasure.

This week that has just passed has been Court week (such an awful time as Mr. Heywood seems to have had some time ago.) For my part I like it for two reasons. I see many things to be amused at that I never saw before, and then business is so excellent those times that it is of course an agreeable season to look forward to.

But what reference this week had to goods from home I will tell you. Last Tuesday, the most busy day in the week, they arrived. The boxes Jo. Henry2 had brought up into our room after tea, and we enjoyed as much as two persons could opening them. The cover from your box was knocked off first. I was in such haste that I ripped off one side as soon as Jo. Henry got it so I could, plaguing and hindering him no doubt. The apples had moulded and rotted many of them, and fortunately there was nothing they could injure. The melons almost ready to burst, so decayed, but all else in good order. Many useful and amusing things, not forgetting Mrs. Rantouls3 pamphlet, her much wished for preserves, and the Medical book.

That has excited much laughter, and is valuable in Jo. Henry's eyes, because ancient. I recollect some of my former follies. A receipt in that book reminded me of an instance, perhaps you never knew it Ma, and I am sure Pa never did for he was away, and I took mighty good care to keep all my pride to myself in those days. I am going to tell you now, that you may laugh a little. I was very much troubled about some freckles that I had on my face. I came across this book, saw a receipt for removing them. It was thus, "wash your face every morning in May dew and they will disappear." I tried it, rose early, and my face got well mudded some mornings. I gave it up in despair, and took my morning's nap as usual. Perhaps Ga knew it, and will think me foolish as she has done many times before, especially in some of my love affairs.

And now I will tell you how I passed my Thanksgiving. After a hard rain it cleared off warm and pleasant for Thanksgiving day. After breakfast I took Laura,4 went over to the store to look after the apples, the barrel being rather leaky. Jo. Henry unheaded it, and the top was a complete body of rot. I felt sorry, and glad indeed too to find that it was only the case with the red ones, that you advised us to eat first. We are doing so, all of them that are left. Laura and myself picked them over, wiped the good ones nicely, put them into a new clean barrel that Jo Henry prepared, and by the time we were done it was dinner time. In the afternoon I made some pickle for my butter, that came at the same time. The potatoes look well, and every thing else safe and good. Jo. Henry mentioned that he had no bill of the bagging.

I am glad to see by Ga's note that George5 has arrived at Canton, but sorry there are no letters. I had much rather Elisha6 and he would not meet. It would be better for George.

Mr. Williams will commence moving this week, and ere long we shall be all fixed waiting for you to come on. Come as early as you can, and stay as long as possible. You will have to bring Fred,7 for you will be uneasy without the little rogue. Does he go to school, and does he learn well?

Tell Ga she told me in her note about boiling my meat, seasoning it with salt, pepper and onions. What is it for? I do not remember asking about it. In answer to my queries, she must say what I ask, for I forget in so long a time.

I hope Charles8 was at home Thanksgiving day. That seemed to be Ga's worry. I wrote him the 18th. Tell her that I am ready to answer any of Charles' questions to me that he may ask, but rather than keep him in suspense so long, sh[____] had better tell him the contents of the box you sent. Do you know Ma, that Ga put in Fred's porring[____]. I reckon she sent it on for me to give away to [____] Toole for her baby. She was always fond of p[____] things of no use out of the way somewhere. [____] the donor much. Also the grater is very useful [____] to her, that we often have gingered water. If I can [____] no other use for it, shall make it in the porringer [____].

Ere long we will give you the pleasure of unheading some barrels from Tarboro, containing potatoes, peanuts, &c. Tell Fred to look sharp. They cost 1 to 1 1/2 cts per quart.

I am expecting a letter this week from home, a good long one as Ga promised me. I received H's9 letter on Friday, the right time. I was afraid when I saw the notice of the poem in the paper, I should be forgot, and my letter would not be thought of till after that time. How much J. F. Nourse10 has wanted the girls to read that poem. He thought of sending it on to E. W.11 by me, that she might appreciate his talents. I saw by my papers that J. P. Nourse12 was married, and then J. F. But the latter was very particular to have it corrected, and also to have added the Esq., Principal of the Beverly Academy, Mass. He is the same proud boy as ever. Little Robby seems not to have approved of making him a wedding present. Of course not.

And now after giving Jo. Henry's love to you all, and mine also, I will bid you good bye. Shall write Ga a note next week when I write Hannah.9 With much love from your aff. daughter

E.

  1. Georgiana Abbot (1823-1848), Elizabeth's sister
  2. Joseph Henry Bowditch (1818-1900), Elizabeth's husband
  3. Either Joanna Lovett (1780-1848) or Jane Elizabeth Woodberry (1807-1870)
  4. Laura (?)
  5. George William Abbot (1825-1861), Elizabeth's brother
  6. Elisha Whitney (1824-1888)
  7. Frederick Abbot (1841-1903), Elizabeth's brother
  8. Charles Elisha Whitney Lamson (1820-1889), future husband of Georgiana Abbot.
  9. Hannah Lovett Rantoul (1821-1898)
  10. John Frederick Nourse (1820-1854)
  11. Elizabeth Bowen Woodberry (1817-1888)
  12. Joseph Prince Nourse (1822-1876)