Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch to her son Charles I. Bowditch, 4 September 1881

[From Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch in Micaville, North Carolina, to her son Charles in Urbana, Illinois. She says she hasn't been well; talks about the hot dry summer; mentions work being done on their house; describes a new road being laid out, and some opposition to it; and mentions a court case concerning selling liquor without a license.]

Sunday Morn'g Sept 4th '81

My dear Charlie,

I have been looking for a letter from you for some time, but suppose you are very busy at this time sowing small grain, as we are here. Your last to me was dated July 24th, but Fred1 has had one since, the first of August I think. I do hope you keep in good health. When I know that all is right with you, I can wait longer for a letter.

I have not been well at all myself for some time. I think it is going about in the hot sun to attend to my apples. I am now very busy drying, and we have had most excellent weather for the work. The chickens troubled me very much at first, and I saw that I would either have to give up drying altogether, or get someone to help me, so I have Mr. Ayres2 little John3. He can run the chickens, and help me in that way considerably, but I have to do much of the watching for him. But he can run them, which is the main idea.

It has been a very hot summer and very dry. Every thing looks parched. The cucumber & squash & melon vines will yield no more if rain does not soon come. It has been the best season for haying that I ever knew, and ours was excellent.

Thursday Morn'g.

I had gotten so far on your letter when Fred1 & Uncle John4 came, and as they were going right back that day I put up your letter to finish another time. Fred does not come but once a month. He has only Sundays, and the weather has been so hot it is a hard walk to & from B. in one day. He has come on Saturday night once or twice. Uncle John is still at Mr. Rays,5 reads & exercises in Mr. Ray's porch, walking back & forth, save when he walks out here.

The inside of our house is all done, save the Mantels upstairs, and if it keeps so dry we shall go no farther this summer, for all water courses are very small, and streams are dry, and of course no lumber can be sawed.

Mr. Felts6 is at work I expect on Mr. Green's house. It is to be built of brick, but he has it to frame, & do the inside work. The last I heard of R. Hilliard7 he was helping sow & hoe in Rye. He did talk of going to help Mr. Felts in Bakersville, but he is still at home. He is entirely well now I think.

A jury (consisting of Tom Young,8 Mr. Finly Lows,9 Will Thomas,10 & I think a man from Caney River) laid off the road from Crab Tree up to the Head of the river, which has dissatisfied many land holders on the road, & they are trying to do away with it altogether. It was laid off to go into our old bars in front of the house, go across the field below the Dry Kiln, & come out below the old shop, & fill up at the Wolf Rock so as to make a good grade. Pa11 says it will improve instead of injuring us. I am not capable of judging. A real good road all the way to the Head of the River I expect would increase the value of land, and give us more travel through this country. The alteration in the road about Mr. Hilliards12 they say is not improved. It goes close by his stable, through John Robinson's13 field, &c. I do not know the course exactly, but Mr. Gibbs14 opposes it very strongly. Robt. Caraway15 is Road Overseer, and all these alterations have to be made by the men in their own division.

Matt Hall16 has moved away and the Caraways have taken his place back of the meadow, and I think it is more peaceable now they are gone. Not so much rowdying about.

I suppose you saw by the papers that Prohibition is out of the question in this state. Someone has returned R. Caraway for selling liquor before he had a license. He appeared before Mr. Burton last Saturday, and is to appear in town some time soon to receive his punishment if they decide against him. It is wrong to break the laws, and if he attempted to act falsely I hope he will suffer. Goodson Hall,17 Simeon Hilliard,18 Bacchus Young,19 & Mr. Flouts were summoned to prove against him.

There are a great many visitors in Asheville this season, and it is reported that Mr. Ray will make quite an addition to his house, & the Sheriff will build an hotel on the corner opposite Abernathy's store in Burnsville, ready I suppose for the next summer's travel.

Mr. Rhem20 is teaching the Free School in B. and I think has seventy scholars. Fred1 is still at Mr. Ray's. Tommy goes to school, and Fred I expect is quite busy.

As I sit writing I hear Lily's bell gingling as she is eating. Imagine Pa cutting grass for her. She and Patty are Pa's constant companions. Look out at what time of day you will, he is carrying out a bucket of slop to them, or cutting grass for them. They receive excellent attention. Ga.21 milks, but she does not like cows. She says they are not good tempered, the report of all that have to do with them.

I do not know of any news to write. Every thing jogs along as usual. Pa is at work on another "Crescent" on the end of the house towards the kitchen. Don't know when he will get it done.

I think of you dear Charlie every day, and trust and pray you are well. Take care of yourself for your Mother's sake, and if possible keep from chills & fever. It is a perfect treat to see Fred after a month's absence, what will it be to see you when you come! You do not know how much we all talk about you, Ga. and myself particularly, and you never can know the love I have for you. Be a good boy and I will be content in your absence. Write when you can, & and tell me all about yourself. I often rejoice that you are so well situated. Is your Singing School still going on? It is very warm and I must close. Much love from Pa & Ga. Johnny22 has just gone for Seed Wheat, or he would have a word for you.

With much love, I am your devoted

Mother

Do you never hear a word from Nat?23

  1. Frederick Darlington Bowditch (1859-1920), Elizabeth's son, Charles's brother
  2. Obediah Ayers (1842-1918)
  3. John Wesley Ayers (1875-1956)
  4. John Edwin Abbot (1831-1911), Elizabeth's brother
  5. Garrett Dewese Ray (1833-1912)
  6. Thomas B. Felts (1833-1919)
  7. Robert M. Hilliard (1852-1926)
  8. Thomas S. Young (1830-1891)
  9. Finley Laws (abt 1820-1900)
  10. William Jasper Thomas (1840-)
  11. Joseph Henry Bowditch (1818-1900), Elizabeth's husband, Charles's father
  12. Ezekial F. Hilliard (abt 1812-1883)
  13. Probably John Baylis Robinson (1845-1917)
  14. Probably James W. Gibbs (1827-1891)
  15. Possibly John Robert Caraway (abt 1855-)
  16. Probably James Matthew Hall (1831-1916)
  17. James Goodson Hall (1859-1915)
  18. Simeon C. Hilliard (1856-1938)
  19. Backus Seth Young (1834-1907)
  20. John E. Rheim (1836-1897)
  21. Georgiana Abbot Bowditch (1848-1927), Elizabeth's daughter, Charles's sister
  22. John Abbot Bowditch (1856-1933), Elizabeth's son, Charles's brother
  23. Nathaniel Ingersoll Bowditch (1846-1913), Elizabeth's son, Charles's brother