Notes from Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch to Hannah Rantoul, 1841-1845

The following are a series of short notes dealing with various everyday topics, such as invitations, meetings, etc., written while both Elizabeth and Hannah were living in Beverly, Massachusetts. All but two were written from 1840 to 1845, before Elizabeth's marriage and move to Tarboro, North Carolina. The exceptions were written 22 September 1845 amd in June 1847, when Elizabeth was back in Beverly on visits. For each note, a link is provided to a PDF file containing images of that note.

[Addressed to "Miss H. L. Rantoul, Present." A separate notation by Hannah says "E. B. Abbot, Beverly, 1840." BHS ID# 948.001.1266.]

Monday morn'g

Dear sister Hannah,

I could not possibly come last eve'g, but was much disappointed. It was a lovely evening and I wished much to enjoy it with you. I wish to write you a long note, for I feel just like it, but Georgiana is in a hurry to go to school, and I must not detain her. Will you please ask Mr. Bradstreet for Mr. Peabody's lecture [?] if he has done with it, as John Frederick wishes much to read it before he goes to N. Haven next Monday. I shall come down and see you soon very soon. If it would answer for me to send for it please tell Georgiana, and I will not trouble you.

Good morning dearest Hannah.

In haste, yours as ever

Elizabeth

[A notation by Hannah says "E. B. Abbot, Oct 9th, 1840." BHS ID# 948.001.1267.]

Dear Hannah,

I am so tired and busy, from yesterday's labors, that I am obliged to send this note as my representative. I mentioned to you that I wished you to come & pass the afternoon with me. I will now renew the invitation with a little addition, and urge you if it is necessary, to pass the afternoon and night with me. It will be too long a walk at nine o'clock all alone, & I have no beau to send you! Come then & we will have a fine time. I intend to ask Ellen also. Come at any rate this afternoon, & be here as early as two o'clock, for we shall be waiting for you in eager expectation. Do come prepared to stay all night. It will be some time before I shall spend another night with you, therefore I am more earnest. I will not make any preparations, but allow you to come into the family as one of us.

Good bye my dearest, till this afternoon at two o'clock.

Yours forever

E.

P. S. Please say to G. whether you will pass the night with us, because we wish to make a little arrangement about sleeping.

[Addressed to "Miss H. Rantoul, Present." A separate notation by Hannah says "E. B. Abbot, Beverly, Friday June 11th, 1841." BHS ID# 948.001.1247.]

My dear Hannah,

As the day is very delightful, I intend walking to Salem after tea, and would be pleased if you would accompany me. Do not accept my invite if you think it will be too long a walk, but I think it will be very pleasant, and I prefer walking to going in the cars. We will start if you please, as soon after five as you can make it convenient, and if you feel fatigued we can return in the 7 o'clock cars. Please tell John whether you will go or not. And also, please say nothing about my bonnet till I have worn it.

With much love, yours in haste

Elizabeth

[This note mentions that E. (Elizabeth Woodberry) intends to be married (presumably referring to her engagement to Charles Peabody).

Addressed to "Miss H. L. Rantoul, Present." A separate notation by Hannah says "E. B. Abbot, August 4th, 1841." BHS ID# 948.001.1249.]

My dear sister,

I am really sorry to write you this note to say that we shall not be able to be at your house this eve'g. Capt. Joel Woodberry has invited us to go berrying and I presume we shall not return until it is too late to meet, therefore as it is an invitation that cannot be deferred we both beg to be excused, and if convenient for you, we will come tomorrow eve'g. It is so seldom that E. takes up with any such invites, that I feel anxious for her to go, & we think it will not be a great disappointment to you.

The weather in our neighborhood is oppressive and I envy almost your fine air today. I hope you are quite well and I am very sorry that I was not at home last eve'g. Was up to E's helping her. She is all life and is the same girl that she once was. I told her that I told you of her intention to be married, & she seemed much pleased. Shall see you soon, till which time I remain yours most aff'ly

E.

[This note mentions Mary Louisa Bridge's upcoming wedding (to William Pickering Libby).

Addressed to "Miss H. L. Rantoul, Present." A separate notation by Hannah says "E. B. Abbot, Beverly, August 10th, 1841." BHS ID# 948.001.1250.]

My dear H.,

I have just had a letter from Mary Louisa, and she is to be married on Tuesday eve'g next, therefore I have concluded to go at eight o'clock that morn'g. She sends love to you, and, says she is much pleased that you have decided to come.

O! dear H, I have a dreadful cold and am sick with it. You will therefore be obliged to excuse me from coming tomorrow eve'g, for Ma will not let me come out and I fear, if I expose myself, that I shall be denied the pleasure of going to Dover.

Do come down and see me. Why not tomorrow night? E. will not come down either. Write a note back, & say if it is not funny, that we are prevented most every Wednesday eve'g. John is waiting and I must bid you good eve'g.

Elizabeth

[The book mentioned is Queen Elizabeth and her times ... by Thomas Wright, published in two volumes in 1838.

Addressed to "Miss H. L. Rantoul, Present." A separate notation by Hannah says "E. B. Abbot, Sept. 16, 1841." BHS ID# 948.001.1272.]

Dear Hannah,

Will you please give John Edwin that book of which I was speaking last eve'g called "Elizabeth and her times." If you have not that please send me if you have it the History of England. Here is Ivanhoe at last for which I am much obliged. I have been much interested in its perusal.

We got home safely last eve'g. I do not know whether Mr. Patch had left E's or not.

Yrs. in great haste

Sister Elizabeth

[Addressed to "Miss Rantoul, Present." A separate notation by Hannah says "E. B. Abbot, Bev. Tues. Oct 19th, 1841." BHS ID# 948.001.1241.]

My dear Hannah,

Mrs. Weld has just sent me word that you were to visit her this even'g and she would be pleased to have me meet you. What shall we do, either we must go, or send her word that we shall defer it?

Yours in haste,

E.

[Addressed to "Miss H. L. Rantoul, Present." A separate notation by Hannah says "E. B. Abbot, Jan 5th, 1842." BHS ID# 948.001.1254.]

Dear Hannah,

I saw E this morning after leaving you, and she thinks, that she may not be able to come tonight as Mrs. Lord is to have a small party. Therefore I think we had better defer our meeting until next week. If it would be agreeable to you, I should like to have you go to the Sociable with me tomorrow eve'g. I do not know where it meets, but if you will call me I will ascertain. I should be very happy to see you this eve, if we do not have a Reading Party.

Yours very truly

E.

[Addressed to "Miss H. L. Rantoul, Present." A separate notation by Hannah says "E. B. Abbot, Wednes. Jan. 12, 1842." BHS ID# 948.001.1271.]

My dear H.,

I tried, but in vain to speak with you last eve'g at the lecture. I wished to ascertain whether it would be convenient for you to have the Reading Party this eve or not. I would not ask such a question were it not that G. is to have a Reading Party here this eve, which would not make it so pleasant. Please send word by Charles and I will inform E. E and myself would be pleased to introduce a stranger this eve, if agreeable to your wishes. I should not say stranger, for perhaps he is not one to you. The weather is delightful, and nothing I think can prevent us from hearing little of Homer tonight. If it is not convenient for you to have us, please be candid to your true [__?__].

Yours truly E.

[Addressed to "Miss H. L. Rantoul, Present." A separate notation by Hannah says "E. B. Abbot, Jan. 1842." BHS ID# 948.001.1270.]

Dear Hannah,

I am sorry to say that I shall not be able to meet with you this week to read, but shall depend upon your coming at our house next week. E has a bad cold, and I think we had better postpone our reading until next week.

Yours in haste

E. B. A.

[Addressed to "Miss H. L. Rantoul, Present." A separate notation by Hannah says "E. B. Abbot, Feb. 1842." BHS ID# 948.001.1269.]

Dear H.,

As I shall not be at Lyceum tonight I thought I would take this opportunity to say to you, that I think it would be better to defer our meeting this week as Capt. Woodberry's little boy is quite sick, and as I shall not be able to meet with you. I have not been well this week, I cannot say what is the matter. If I go out tomorrow I am engaged to tea at H. Parnels. Therefore do you not think it better to wait one more week to read Horace [?].

In haste yours truly

E.

Please say to G if you have an opportunity and I will tell Elizabeth.

[Addressed to "Miss H. L Rantoul, Present." A separate notation by Hannah says "E. B. Abbot, March 9th, 1842." BHS ID# 948.001.1238.]

Dear H.,

Will you please tell John whether you will come up tonight or not, as I would like to tell Miss Frink before we go in. This queer manouvre of mine I will explain as soon as I can see you.

In haste, yours truly

E.

[Addressed to "Miss Rantoul." A separate notation by Hannah says "E. B. Abbot, March 9th, 1842, playing post office at Miss Frinks." BHS ID# 948.001.1239.]

Miss Rantoul Abbot,

As No means Yes and Yes No, it appears to me that it will be very difficult for us ladies to talk at all, and to tell you the truth, I am not stupid, and can compose most admirably, as, you will not perceive by my most lengthy epistle. We are all afflicted with the measles not excepting myself. With my worst wishes for your health, I remain yours never,

Angelina

[The Picwick papers mentioned is probably The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club (also known as The Pickwick Papers), by Charles Dickens, originally published as a 19-installment serial from March 1836 to October 1837, and as a book in 1837. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pickwick_Papers.

Addressed to "Miss H. L Rantoul, Present." A separate notation by Hannah says "E. B. Abbot, May 12th, 1842." BHS ID# 948.001.1240.]

I had a letter from E. yesterday.

My dear Hannah,

If you are not engaged this evening I will pass it with you, and bring my Picwick papers that we commenced so long ago. Please say to the bearer whether it will be agreeable or not.

Yours in haste,

Elizabeth

[Addressed to "Miss H. L. Rantoul, Present." A separate notation by Hannah says "E. B. Abbot, Sept. 6th, 1842." BHS ID# 948.001.1248.]

My dear Hannah,

I heard my dear, that you were to run away and leave us for a short time, and should have been down to see you last eve'g if it had been possible. E. goes this morn'g and what shall I do? She wished me to send you these cuffs this morn'g, and I know you will be pleased with them. Come back soon, and then I will come and see you. Till then I remain yrs. truly

E. B. Abbot

Love to Miss P.

[Addressed to "Miss H. L. Rantoul." A separate notation by Hannah says "Monday, March 13, 1843." BHS ID# 948.001.1253.]

Dear H,

Mrs. Everett wants us to meet there this eve'g. Do come if you can.

How is your cold? Mine is no better.

In great haste yrs. truly

E. B. A.

[Addressed to "Miss H. L. Rantoul, Present." A separate notation by Hannah says "E. B. Abbot, July 4th, 1843." BHS ID# 948.001.1252.]

Dear Sister,

Your shawl I found very comfortable, before reaching home. I think I should have taken cold, if it had not been for your kindness, and therefore take many thanks. I arrived home safely, not meeting any lions, apes, or any kind of wild beasts on the road, and if I continue to find the road to your house so clear of such animals I shall wear you out perhaps with my visits. I shall expect you early tonight, if I do not hear anything to the contrary today. Come right early and we will pass a pleasant evening.

With much love I bid you good morning.

E.

July 4th.

[Addressed to "Miss H. L. Rantoul, Present." A separate notation by Hannah says "E. B. Abbot, July 14, 1843." BHS ID# 948.001.1259.]

Where do you think I am, that I can find no more paper?

Dear H.,

I have been thinking that it would be advisable to defer making our calls till tomorrow on account of our walk this eve'g. We shall be obliged to hurry home on account of it; for we shall need to change our dresses, &c. If it will be as convenient for you we will decide upon tomorrow.

In great haste, & for want of paper I close. Hope you are not very tired. I feel very bright [?] today.

Yours truly E.

[Addressed to "Miss H. L. Rantoul, Present." Also written with the address is "Paid," and "Politeness, C. Rantoul." A separate notation by Hannah says "E. B. Abbot, August 26, 1843." BHS ID# 948.001.1251.]

Dear Hannah,

I have just hailed "little Charley" as I saw him pass, and he politely accepted the invitation to take a note to you. I merely wish to say that I am all alone. Pa & Ma went this morning, and I want to see you a great big bushel today sometime. Can't you come down this evening? Or if not this eve, this afternoon? I am pretty dull, as you may suppose, after my last week's exercise. Come and I will love you better. I received your kind note very late that eve'g as I was away, perhaps you are now aware. Do come, I want to see you.

I am glad you had a call the other morn'g. He asked me if you would like to say good bye, or whether you would be indifferent. You can judge my answer from the call. Hope your Mother is quite well ere this.

In much haste, & with much love your sister E.

[Addressed to "Miss H. L. Rantoul, Present." A separate notation by Hannah says "E. B. Abbot, Sun. 27th of August, 1843." BHS ID# 948.001.1258.]

Dear H.,

If it is possible, agreeable, &c., for you to run down one minute after tea, if you cannot come this eve'g, I should be greatly obliged. I am not well, and Martha has a cold, the reason of my not being at church today, & the reason why I shall not, as I anticipated see you at your house this eve'g. I want to show you a letter that I have written, before I send it, and it is my wish to send it tomorrow morn'g. Do come if not to stay one minute. I feel sadly today.

In haste with much, much love. Sister E.

[Addressed to "Miss H. L. Rantoul, Present." A separate notation by Hannah says "E. B. Abbot, Sept. 12, 1843." BHS ID# 948.001.1265.]

Mr. Appleton has a daughter. Come in to see me if you go as you go along.

Dear H.,

It has been proposed to walk to "Harmony Grove" today. Whether this weather will prevent, I cannot tell. My cold is pretty bad, & if not very pleasant, shall not attempt it myself.

With much love in great haste

E.

[Addressed to "Miss H. L. Rantoul, Present." A separate notation by Hannah says "Sept. 20, 1843, E. B. Abbot." BHS ID# 948.001.1264.]

Dear Hannah,

I want you to come up & spend a good long sociable afternoon with Mary Louisa. Excuse the paper, writing &c., and come early.

In much haste with much love

E.

[Addressed to "Miss H. L. Rantoul, Present." Also written with the address is "C. W. Rantoul." A separate notation by Hannah says "E. B. Abbot, April 6th, 1844." BHS ID# 948.001.1257.]

Saturday morn'g

Charlie has just brought me safely your note. It is a most delightful afternoon for a walk, & I will be most happy to accompany you to our old friends. I have not the heart to keep Charlie long, as I know he must be impatient, and will not detain him longer than to say I will go, & call you at your house at half past two precisely. I have been writing all the morn'g, and I suspect you will judge I am tired, from the appearance of this note.

Miss Bridge found it hard to say anything, & Mrs. Everett more so, on my way home.

I will have a long chat with you this afternoon about every thing.

In much haste with a great deal of love,

Yrs. truly E.

[Addressed to "Miss H. L. Rantoul." A separate notation by Hannah says "E. B. Abbot, May 1st, 1844." BHS ID# 948.001.1256.]

My dear H.,

Mrs. Bowditch sends much love to you, and would like to have you go over to Salem to church tonight, if you would like to. The Bishop will confirm some persons. I am going this afternoon, and if you will go, & will call G'a at six o'clock in time to take the 1/2 6 cars she will be pleased to have you. We shall have to walk home, but there will be a number of us to keep off all robbers. Do go if you can, and I shall meet you at Mrs. Uptons.

In haste with much love.

Dear H. I was very much pleased with that poetry, and love you dearly for thinking of me so affectionately.

[Addressed to "Miss H. L Rantoul, Present." A separate notation by Hannah says "E. B. Abbot, July 9, 1844." BHS ID# 948.001.1242.]

My dear sister,

Why did you not come and see me last night? I watched and waited for you until 1/2 past eight, & was so much disappointed, that I had to go in and see Miss Abbot.

I have been quite unwell since I saw you. I do not know what the matter has been, but think it may be swallowing cherry stones. Pa says that I am old now, and cannot bear as much as formerly. Wisdom increases it is said with age, but in my case, alas it is not so.

There is to be a walk to Hospital Pt. tonight, and I am going, and want you to go too. If the party do not conclude to go your way, I will, and we will meet them at the Point. I hope you are not sick, why you did not come to our house last night. I am afraid you are. Please send word by Martha whether you will go or not. I want to walk with you tonight. Shall I?

In much haste, with more love I remain

Yr. sister E.

We go at 6.

[Addressed to "Miss H. L Rantoul, Present." A separate notation by Hannah says "E. B. Abbot, July 25th, 1844." BHS ID# 948.001.1243.]

My dear sister,

Excuse me my dear, for taking advantage of your politeness, and keeping your shawl so long. It saved me from a cold, and I am thankful to you for it.

I suppose you know ere this, that E. Woodberry is at home. Came this forenoon, and I was up to see her. She looks well but tired. Know nothing excepting that she is to return in a few weeks. She is coming to see me this eve'g.

Do come soon and see me dear H. for I am very busy all the time. I want to see you much, much.

In haste, yrs. truly, E.

[This note tells Hannah the "good news" that Elizabeth Woodberry broke off her (five-year) engagement to Charles Peabody.

Addressed to "Miss H. L Rantoul, Present." A separate notation by Hannah says "E. B. Abbot, July 29th, 1844." BHS ID# 948.001.1244.]

My dear sister,

Robert is in the yard, and I could not refrain from writing you a word by him to tell you the good news. E. has dismissed Mr. Peabody, and has done it without any regret, feels no respect or love for him.

In haste yrs. truly

E.

I wanted to tell you last night.

Sister E.

A pleasant journey and home soon.

[Addressed to "Miss H. L. Rantoul, Present." A notation by Hannah says "E. B. Abbot, Sept. 24, 1844. BHS ID# 948.001.1261.]

My dear H.,

I am truly sorry to have to send you word that I cannot go with you this afternoon, for Mrs. Pearsons is here to dinner, and will probably stay all day. We shall have to defer talking about [?] another time till tomorrow eve'g when I will come & see you. With a great deal of love in haste, I am your loving sis.

E.

[Addressed to "Miss H. L Rantoul, Present." A separate notation by Hannah says "E. B. Abbot, Oct. 3rd, 1844." BHS ID# 948.001.1245.]

My dear sister,

"What now," you will say when you take this note, and no wonder that you do, for the fates seem to be against our making calls together. But poor I am as stiff as you can well imagine, with a sore throat, & heavy cold, and I have waited until now to send, thinking I might grow more limber, but Ma says it is not prudent to go out at all, and therefore we shall have to defer it again. How well I should have felt had I been obliged to sit with Abby Molton last night!! Do come up and see me soon, and believe me as ever your true sister E.

[A notation by Hannah says "Tableaux at Mrs. Fords, 1844 (E. B. Abbot)" BHS ID# 948.001.1260.]

The Fortune Teller. 4.
Coming to get married. 8.

H. Rantoul

[A notation by Hannah says "S. M. Bowditch, Tableaux at Mrs. Fords, 1844" BHS ID# 948.001.1262.]

Lady Abbess
The Poor Relations

Miss Rantoul

[Addressed to "Miss H. L Rantoul, Washington St." A separate notation by Hannah says "E. B. Abbot, March 4th, 1845." BHS ID# 948.001.1246.]

My dear Hannah,

I am going to ask a favor of you, which I know from your kind disposition, you will grant. Jane offered to borrow some cake tins from Mrs. Stephens, Mrs. Thorndike, and your sister Joa., and if you will do it, now that she is gone, I shall be very much obliged. If you will get them, John come to your house or Joa's just as you please, and get them.

I have been sick ever since you saw me, but am now on the mending hand.

Do come down and see me. Come this eve'g or today.

In much haste, with much love,

Yrs. truly, E.

[Addressed to "Miss H. L. Rantoul, Present." BHS ID# 948.001.1255.]

My dear H,

I suppose you have heard of the Happening at Clara's tonight. Are you going? Please send me word by the bearer. I shall if you do. Please call down for me.

In haste, E. B. A.

[Addressed to "Miss H. L. Rantoul, Present." A separate notation by Hannah says "E. B. Abbot, Beverly." BHS ID# 948.001.1273.] [Images ]

I won't apologize for this writing, &c.

Dear Hannah,

Please to give George a copy of the Yes or No composition. I have misplaced mine and am obliged to trouble my friends for it.

Has Patch received his invitation yet? I think it is a grand move, for you know my dear sister, that it will be much pleasanter to walk up your street in company with someone, than to come alone. Patch will be delighted I expect. You must ask him to call for you Thursday evening.

Hannah I want to see you for something very particular, and I wish you could make it convenient to come up today, or tomorrow.

George is in a hurry, therefore I must in haste declare myself your sister forever

Elizabeth

P. S. I should come down and see you, but we have four confined with the Hooping Cough, besides Georgiana, who has a severe cold and is obliged to remain from school.

Forever yours

E.

[Addressed to "Miss H. L. Rantoul, Present." A separate notation by Hannah says "E. B. A. Bowditch, Sept. 22, 1845." BHS ID# 948.001.1268.]

My dear sister H.,

I am much obliged for your kind invite and would love dearly to accept it, were I able, but I took cold on Saturday, & was really sick yesterday, but think now I shall take a walk in the middle of the day, and will call down & see you at least certainly. I want to see you alone, and we will have a nice talk yet. Till I see you I bid you a short good bye.

Yr. sister E.

[A notation by Hannah says "E. B. A. Bowditch, June 14, 1847" BHS ID# 948.001.1263.]

My dear H.,

I got home very nicely last night with your shawl & rubbers on. I did not lose the latter off as we feared, but found both on my feet at my arrival home. Please say nothing about Mrs. B's ill turns that I mentioned to you last night. It might not be agreeable. Do come down & see me soon. We must see each other more than we have done. I am much obliged for your shawl, &c.

With much love from myself & Thanny I am as ever yr. aff. sister E.