Abbot Letters to Hannah Rantoul

Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch to Hannah Rantoul, 9 June 1846

[From Elizabeth in Tarboro, North Carolina, to Hannah in Beverly, about three months after the birth of Elizabeth's first child Nathaniel. She describes her new baby; asks Hannah to spend the winter with them (she did not); notes that their neighbors are jail inmates and describes two of them, one a woman with a three-week old infant, and a man who killed his wife; and mentions and asks about mutual friends.

Addressed to "Miss Hannah L Rantoul, Beverly, Mass." A separate notation by Hannah says "Elizabeth B. A. Bowditch, Tarborough, N. C., June 9th, 1846." Postmarked "TARBOH N. C. Jun 9." BHS ID# 948.001.1283.]

Tarborough, June 9th, 1846

My dear sister,

Your letter of May 14th was a welcome present indeed, and so glad was I to get it that I could not help shedding tears as I read one sentence after another. So long a time had elapsed since we had any communication with each other, and so much had happened in that time too, that it was hard to restrain my feelings. I had heard the reason, and knew that you were unable to write before.¹

Well my dear girl I have got a beautiful boy,² so we think, as fat as butter, and as funny and queer as a little monkey. As I watch every day some new development, I cannot help feeling full of gratitude to the Giver of such a sweet innocent creature. I don't know whom he is like. I see no resemblance to anyone but John Edwin,³ is generally thought to favor Jo. Henry⁴ much. He will be tall and large from appearances now. I want you to see him as much as you wish too, and were it possible would take him in my arms and bring him to you. But that cannot be. The journey is too long, and he as yet too young to become a traveller. I know all at home want to see him much. He is as good and as pleasant as he can be, and Jo. Henry often says to me "Why Lizzie I thought babies cried all the time. That boy is not like the rest of them." It is his good health that is the cause of it.

Remember me particularly to H. Davis⁵ and congratulate her for me. I imagine she is well now and has a fine son or daughter⁶ to love ever so dearly, as I know her sweet disposition will prompt her to do.

And now my dear sister I am going to ask a favor of you, in which Jo. Henry joins me. That is to pass the coming winter with us. Your health will be benefitted, and I promise myself many delightful hours in your society. Jo. Henry will come on for you if you will consent, if otherwise Mr. Howell⁷ will go to N. York. I want you to think about, talk your Father and Mother into the notion of it, and write me in your next letter that it's all decided that you shall come. October will be a pleasant month to travel in, and a delightful season to arrive here, and every thing I flatter myself favorable for a pleasant visit. Do come. Jo. Henry says "tell her she must, for we both want her." I want you to keep it at home so that it shall not be talked of, and when you start let it be a wonderful phenomena. Do not say nay. My little Thannie will, I trust, say "Aunt Hannah" ere your visit is ended. You will see many strange things that you never saw before, and we will walk and ride in town and country as much as we wish. The woods too are delightful, and that season every thing will look so pleasant. A southern winter would improve your health much, and mine too would be far better than at present (which could hardly be possible) could I see your sweet face in my home at the South.

Our neighbors (inmates of the jail) are very cheerful, and sad to tell there is a woman and her babe in the dungeon, the babe only three weeks old. The mother had some hand in setting fire to a corn barn.

Also a man confined for killing his wife. A few weeks since there was a circus at Sparta, a town not many miles from here, and this man and his wife started to go from the country in a cart. When they got there, she being a hard working industrious woman, and always since their marriage maintained the family, had money to pay for entrance, but he had none. He told her to pay for him, and she refused, saying he would buy drink and get drunk as he always did at such times. He said he would kill her. She heeded him not, and went in, leaving him behind. After all was over, he politely assisted her into their ride vehicle and proceeded homeward. He had got but a short distance when he threw her out and ran over her several times, and would have continued so to do till she was entirely dead, had he not have been discovered by some neighbors. She died upon the spot, leaving a large family of children to mourn the loss of an excellent mother. He is in jail and will be hung I suppose after his trial. She has children grown and married. Horrible creature he must be and miserable indeed as he passes alone day after day in bitter thought.

So Mary Louisa⁸ and Ellen⁹ are in Beverly. Give my love to them and tell M. L. to write me soon. I have not forgotten her and love her now. How I wish we could put our children together, and have a nice cozy talk as we were wont to do.

Where is E. W.¹⁰ now. I wrote her not a great while since, and it is time almost for another letter. Say nothing to her about your visit here. I want you first, and again I know your health will be benefitted by the change.

I did receive a paper from your father¹¹ with a short description of our old sexton Mr. Barrett,¹² and was much pleased to hear such news. I feel interested in all that I have seen and known in Beverly. How many times have I in times past seen that old man walk up the pulpit stairs, and I always felt that he was so good too.

My little boy is calling me dear girl, and I must say good bye as I wish to enclose a short note to Ga.¹³ in this if possible. Do decide and come won't you dear H. With much to your parents, and a deal for yourself I remain yr aff. sister

E.

 

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

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