Ellen Abbot to her sister Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch, 3 April 1853

[From Ellen Abbot in Beverly, Massachusetts, to her sister Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch in Tarboro, North Carolina. She apologizes for not sending the pictures Elizabeth had been expecting; mentions that Sarah (sister of Elizabeth's husband) has been laid up with a foot problem; says Beverly is very quiet, but she's been to several "Happenings"; and talks about the activities of various family members and friends.]

Beverly April 3d 1853

My dear sister,

I now sit down to write you, after having written to George1 & also a Composition. By the time I finish this I shall be tired of writing for one day, but I should write two more notes tonight & shall if not too tired.

I received your letter & was right glad to have it, for I like to have letters directed to me through the Post Office. I am getting to be as fast a writer as you, though perhaps not as good a one. I wrote George two weeks since, & am determined to every chance I can get, & am afraid he will not make us promise again, think so?

I suppose ere this you have Joe2 with you & he has told you all about us. You were no doubt disappointed about the daguerreotypes, but we did not have any time when he was here & before then it was not pleasant, but the next time he comes you shall have them certainly. Is he well & does he feel any better than when here. I thought he looked pale & thin.

Sarah3 received your letter yesterday & will write when she feels like it. She is having quite a bad time with her foot. She has not been out for over two weeks, & doesn't expect to for one more certainly. She has had the Doctor to it.

Martha4 has for the last week been troubled with the Tic Dolereux5 badly, but is better now. She would have written, isn't very well.

I wrote George 6 pages in the first letter & 4 today. Don't you think I am doing quite smart. I do!

You speak in your letter of Nat6 & Sis7 going to Master Weddel's8 party. They are quite young I should think to have cards sent them, or do all young persons have them sent. I am glad they enjoyed themselves. Do they go to many? I think if Sis begins to have admirers now she will soon be engaged, for I believe it is fashionable for girls to mary when they are young. I shall expect to hear of her engagement to Master Weddel soon.

I would admire to see all the children. I don't think I should be any more [__?__] in the eating line than Sarah3 would with Bobbin, for if I got hold of them I should hug them to death. Dear children, you may well call them your jewels.

There has not been anything of importance going on in B. this winter, it is very quiet here. I have been to several Happenings & am to go to another tomorrow night up to Augusta Endicotts.9 Last week I went to Carol [?] Leach's10 & had a beautiful time. There were 8 there. I have been to Anna Torreys,11 William Thorndikes,12 William Boydens.13 Tuesday night J. B. Wheaton14 is to give a concert at the town hall. I don't think I shall go.

Thursday is Fast Day. There is to be a meeting all day. I am going in the morning & in the eve to a concert to be given by the Bay State Club. They sing beautifully.

Wednesday afternoon I shall go to Boston to the Museum. The play is the Jewess.15 It is excellent I believe. Josy16 & Martha4 are going, by the way. He has come from Andover & looks very well. He has altered amazingly. He is much more gentlemanly & very handsome. I think it has agreed with him to go to Boarding School.

All are well in Salem. Nellie17 grows much & is as fat as butter, & quite tall.

William Whitney18 has returned from Calcutta. He came last Sunday. I saw him pass this noon & thought he looked well. I have not heard whether he is to stop at home or not, but presume he is.

Mary Page's19 husband20 has also returned from Cuba crazy. He is now in the Hospital. She feels terribly. He has been so before & attempted to take his life twice. It is awful.

You ask if Nancy Gardner21 is at Worcester now. I haven't heard from her since she first came home & no one seems to know anything about her.

Nancy Wallace22 still lives at Mrs. Gages.23 She takes a walk every day. I met her Friday eve & spoke to her. She seemed very well indeed.

Mrs. Pickett's24 baby25 is just so. The Doctor has decided that it is a real [__?__], quite encouraging.

I still go to Miss Larcoms school & like as well as ever.

I shall now close as I have no more room. Give my love to Joe2 & kiss for all the children. Did they like their presents. Joe didn't buy the drum. With love from all to all. I am your affectionate sister

Nell

When you write to John26 if you don't know where to send it, put it in a separate envelope & send it to me & I will send it with mine when I write if you want to.

Nell

  1. George William Abbot (1825-1861), Ellen and Elizabeth's brother
  2. Joseph Henry Bowditch (1818-1900), Elizabeth's husband
  3. Sarah Morse Bowditch (1816-1856), Joseph Henry Bowditch's sister
  4. Martha Eliza Abbot (1835-1870), Ellen and Elizabeth's sister
  5. Tic douloureux, now called trigeminal neuralgia, is a disorder characterized by episodes of intense pain in the face, originating from the trigeminal nerve.
  6. Nathaniel Ingersoll Bowditch (1846-1913), Elizabeth's son
  7. Georgiana Abbot Bowditch (1848-1927), Elizabeth's daughter
  8. Probably Virginius Loraine Weddell (1843-1862)
  9. Augusta Rantoul Endicott (1837-1855)
  10. Probably Caroline Lovett Leech (1835-1916)
  11. Anna Stephens Torrey (1835-1890)
  12. William H. Thorndike (1835-1887)
  13. William Cowper Boyden (1835-1889)
  14. Possibly Joseph Benjamin Wheaton (1830-)
  15. The Boston Museum put on plays and performances starting in 1843. "The Jewess" was performed in 1853. See Boston Museum (theatre) and La Juive.
  16. Joseph Bowditch Upton (1837-1891), son of Josaph Henry Bowditch's sister Helen
  17. Helen Maria Upton (1843-1868), Joseph Bowditch Upton's sister
  18. William Michael Whitney (1820-1896)
  19. Mary Page (1824-)
  20. Benjamin Atkins Moore (1824-)
  21. Nancy Gardner (1798-1864). In her will she left $100 to the State Lunatic Hospital at Worcester in recognition of the benefits she received.
  22. Nancy Wallis (1793-1877)
  23. Martha Butman (1779-1860)
  24. Sarah E. Sargent (1826-1909)
  25. Mary Elizabeth Pickett (1853-1935)
  26. John Edwin Abbot (1831-1911), Ellen and Elizabeth's brother