Abbot Letters to Hannah Rantoul

Elizabeth Abbot to Hannah Rantoul, June 1839

[From Elizabeth in Beverly to Hannah in Andover, Massachusetts. She describes a picnic at Wenham Pond, that was moved to Col. Sheldon's barn due to rain, and lists many of the attendees; mentions but doesn't name a beau; and mentions various activities and mutual friends.

Addressed to "Miss Hannah L. Rantoul, Andover, Massachusetts." A separate notation by Hannah says "E. B. Abbot, Beverly, to me in Andover, June 1839." A wax seal is still attached, resulting in a missing word or two. BHS ID# 948.001.1233.]

Beverly, June 1839

Dearest Hannah,

I received your kind letter and I immediately began to think that I must be in Baltimore and you at home, for do you know that I received your first letter at Baltimore. I cannot and will not let this opportunity pass without writing you as I promised. It seems a "little age" since I saw you. Where are you at this time. Let me imagine. Sitting at the window with Charlotte¹ at your side wondering if Beverly people are favored like you – with a rainy day. Shall I presume to think, that occasionally as one thought after another follows in rapid succession through your mind, I am the subject of some of them? I will, and thank you too, for there are no times more pleasant to me than while thinking of you dear Hannah. "Would that I could this moment take the wings of a sparrow, I'd fly." Where, you are Yankee enough to guess. It seems that every thing has transpired during your absence, and now that I have pen in hand it is difficult for me to find much of any thing to amuse you. But enough, enough to say.

Well first and foremost comes our Grand Pic-nic at Wenham Pond.² I believe that you heard it whispered about before you left that there was to be one, though no definite time was mentioned or no invitations given, hey? It was on Thursday the 12th that it happened. On the Wednesday previous I had a very polite invitation from Pyam Lovett³ (he being the representative of all the gentleman) to attend this said Pic-nic and to meet at Emily's⁴ at nine o'clock on Thursday. There were between thirty and forty of us altogether when we had all assembled. Now Hannah how do you think we managed to get there from Emily's. Up we mounted into Mr. Luvens's [?] Baggage waggon, "For Boston & Beverly" written on the sides, hurrah, and away.

Before going farther let me ask of you to imagine me starting from home with a basket large enough to contain two plates, two mugs, two knives & forks & two spoons, and a large quantity of cake. Will you or will you not, wonder why I carried two. I will tell you, that one was for me, and one for me's beau. Ain't I considerate. Who was me's beau that day. I will leave you to guess as you cannot reckon. O! how I do love to keep people in suspense. In that case I do not always follow the golden rule as I ought.

Among those who attended were Mr. John Patch⁵ the lawyer, perhaps you are not acquainted. Wm. Whitney, a young gentleman formerly a resident of Bean-town. Porter Lovett⁶ ditto. A Mr. Henchman of Boston, a relative of Miss Bradish. George Woodberry, a particular friend of yours. And Richard Wilkinson,⁷ a fine young man about nineteen. Those were the only strangers, that were admitted. The chief manager was Pyam, and he together with the rest of the gentlemen were very particular that none older, such as Ellen Leach,⁸ or none younger, like Georgiana,⁹ should have an invite. Were they not particular? However I suppose all was for the best.

Now after making you acquainted with the stranger-part of the community I will proceed to tell you what a delightful time we had. We had no sooner got fairly landed at the Pond, than it began to rain tremendously, and worst of all no prospect of its stopping. I expected that nothing could be done but to [__?__] up for "Home Sweet Home," but gentlemen are so useful at such times, that they soon made it all sunshine and fair with us. And in what way you will next ask. They hired Col. Sheldon's barn, where we all adjourned with our cake, hams, tea, coffee &c for the purpose of refreshing ourselves. Now Hannah you are not afraid of oxen, and pigeons, and horses, ducks, &c are you? I am not, therefore had a good time. The barn looked as nice, and was as good to us no doubt, as the best hall in the country. We danced &c, had dinner and supper, and many other things to amuse us, which no doubt made us forget where we were. I had the honor, felicity, &c of dancing with Mr. Patch, but when he tripped, his lame foot was an excuse for his errors. I will write you no more about this party but if you will come home dear girl I will tell you much that I dare not commit to paper.

Ellen¹⁰ has been at Beverly during your absence and looks very much worn out with her journey and the hot weather, which she complains of bitterly. I suppose ere this however she has got over it in some degree. She regretted very much that you & Charlotte were absent during her flying visit, and desired to be particularly remembered to you both.

I had a letter from Mary Louisa¹¹ by her Aunt Nancy¹² on her return last Saturday. She likewise sends much love and has taken a school, which she likes very much. It consists of nine scholars all of whom are young ladies. In August she intends to take a vacation, when I trust she will come to Beverly and make me a visit. What a dear good girl she is. If I could only see her at this moment, my tongue would rattle so fast that it would be difficult for a spectator to tell upon what subjects we were talking. I have been acquainted with her now three years and she has been growing more dear to me since our first introduction. Hannah is it not delightful to have such friends. I have experienced it so often that I could not do without it, and may I always number you among those who fill the greatest portion of my thoughts. I trust that it may be so dear sister?

During the last week Mr. Charles Peabody's¹³ sister¹⁴ has been staying at Elizabeth's.¹⁵ She spoke to me of Charlotte as if she had been acquainted personally. Her name is Abigail. I find her much to my disappointment very agreeable and entertaining, but mortal homely. One would not imagine that she had common sense, if they were to judge from outward observation. It is not the handsomest face which conceals all that is lovely, I find.

Hannah did you ever see my Album, that I had while at Baltimore? If so, I have had two additional pieces, both of which are original. One is Mr. Williams's. Mr. John Patch (do you know him?) has engaged to favor me with one, from his own brain, which I think really will be fine, for I have heard much of late from different quarters of his superior compositions. Remember dear sister, that on your return you will be very obliging if you will add one piece of your own to the number.

During your stay at Andover will there not be times when you will think of one who has so often studied hour after hour to find something, which would hinder you from your studies, or make you laugh when duty prompted you to be sober. In those times take a pencil in hand and you cannot but write a few lines, which will be to me as sacred as your affection, for in by-gone days we may be far separated, then on perusing a few lines, not only will all our school-day pranks be vividly awakened, but my love for you will be increased as I proceed. Do, do on your return, bring me an originality for a present. If Charlotte were able I would ask the same favor of her, but as it is I cannot.

Charles F. Pearson¹⁶ has also been in town for these two weeks, but left this morning and with him has departed our dear friend Halsey.¹⁷ If it would bring him back I would willingly shed tears, for he has always worn upon his countenance such a dear kind smile, that I think his heart must be pure indeed. Is there any one that does not feel attached to him? I know of none. As for the girls, they are all lost. Speaking of Charles F. Pearson. He has been very attentive to Betsey¹⁸ as usual. Can he like her, or is he guilty of paying her attention without. I am sorry if it is the case.

I did not tell you where Halsey had gone, did I. He thought that he should do well if he went with Charles Pearson, as he (Charles) promised him that in September he would give him his peace. Would, that he had not made him such an offer. Mrs. Fisk¹⁹ says she shall "cry her eyes out, and her nose off" she expects.

William M. Whitney²⁰ was down on Sunday, and says that he thinks of taking up with your invitation to join your Class in Sabbath School. I begged of him to wait until you got home, for now I could have no additions. If he does come, I will give him hard lessons I assure, some of which will need my explanation.

Your scholars have done admirably in your absence. Master Cole I reckon resolved to "mend his ways and do so no more" after you were gone, for I am surprised to find that he is far the best boy among them. Don't worry yourself at all in that quarter, for "all is well."

Do you know Mr. Rand,²¹ that boards with Helen Stephens.²² Report says, that he is in love with Mary Page.²³ Ridiculous!!!! I cannot believe it, but if it be allowable to judge from appearances, it cannot be doubted. Only think, Mary Page!!!! She says that he told her that she was not handsome in the face, "but beauty of mind was far superior to beauty of person." What do you think of that? I judge from whence it came. Do you remember last summer when Mary Weld,²⁴ Mary Page and myself had a court, hey? I always think of that, when I hear such strange stories.

The weather here is now delightful. If you were only at home, I should often take a stroll down to Washington Beach after tea. Methinks I hear you say, "Wait patiently I will soon come." I must not forget to mention that Mr. Patch is now at Ipswich attending a court, but will soon be back I calculate ([__?__] please)

Do come home and spend the 4th with us. I can give you no inducement unless it be that I am here, the same as ever. I always want those I love with me when there is a holiday at hand, don't you, or am I an exception. Write by Mr. Endicott,²⁵ and tell me how Charlotte is &c. Give my love to her and all the rest of my friends Deacon Frost, &c. "Come Home, Come home." I shall always remain a true friend dear Hannah. [____] night farewell

Georgiana & Mother²⁶ send much love.

 

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

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