Abbot/Bowditch Family Letters

George Abbot to his son George William Abbot, and Elizabeth Abbot to her brother George William Abbot, 13 December 1843

[From George Abbot in Beverly, Massachusetts, to his son George William Abbot on the ship Eliza Ann, at Amsterdam. With this letter, starting on the second sheet, is one to George William Abbot from his sister Elizabeth. The first part, from his father George Abbot, talks about their disappointment (worry?) over his destination, and winter passage through the North Sea; and gives advice about sticking together with Elisha, returning home or making another voyage, and a possible promotion.

Addressed to "George W. Abbot, on board American Ship Eliza Ann, Care of the American Consul, Amsterdam."]

Beverly December 13th 1843

My Dear Son,

We were all very much pleased on receipt of your letter dated 16th August fr [?] Ship Albree [?] from Batavia, and to hear of your welfare and progress so far, but must confess very much disappointed in your destination, so entirely foreign from any thing we could have anticipated. We had often dwelt on your probable return to this country, and winters coast (bad enough), but never drempt of a winters passage up the "North Sea." I presume by this time, or by the time you return home, you will have experienced all or most of the disagreeables of a "Sailors life."

It gives me much pleasure to say thru Gods goodness we all continue to enjoy his greatest blessing "good health" and have continued so to do since you left us, and every thing goes on with us in about the "usual course."

Your Mother¹ desires me to say "give my love to George," tell him I shall wait for an answer to my letter before I write again. Also that she is very much obliged to Capt. Very² for the few lines we did get from you, altho sorry & disappointed that he should have found it necessary to spur you to so desireable an occupation as writing, after so long absence.

I was at Boston yesterday. Saw Mr. Hall & Richards. Both asked about you, as they often do. David has left, and gone on to Moble, Bookeeper for a "House there." I have not heard heard from him since he left in October. Mr. Stone,³ one of the owners of your Ship, tells me it is possible the Ship may return to India again, from Amsterdam, and wishes you to continue and go the Voyage on her, as also Elisha,⁴ and I understand will make you both propositions to that effect.

Now we certainly, all of us, shall be most happy to see you and have you with us. Still, your Mother and myself think it advisable to let you use your own discretion about returning, or makeing another voyage in the Ship. The probability is the Ship will go to Manilla and return direct to the U States. I should be pleased if agreeable to you both, that you should keep together, I mean Elisha & Yourself, unless you should judge otherwise, always keeping in mind your own interest & happiness.

I understand that Elisha is to be offered the 2d Officers berth in the ship (if vacant) and yourself the privilege of living in the cabbin to do duty at sea and act as Clerk to Capt. Very on shore when wanted. Now if that should prove to be the case, I cannot resist expressing my decided opinion that you should accept the proposition and go the voyage, nevertheless provided that it is not at the expense of your happiness during the voyage. Even if Elisha is not invited to go as a officer, and you should be as above, I think you should accept and go rather than buffet the Atlantic at the boisterous season you will be likely in returning, and on a winters coast here.

I now finish and refer you Elizabeths⁵ communication for the news of the town &c. Subscribing myself your affectionate father

George Abbot

P. S. What is said on the opposite page about the Ship and your [__?__] I wish you to keep perfectly silent [__?__] until it is named to you by the captain. I shall write you again by the packet of the first of January. Give my respects to Capt. Very and Elisha. Don't neglect to write immediately on receipt of this & give us all the particulars, how you like the sea, &c. Should you leave the ship take Capt. Very's advice about returning home.

[This part of the letter is from George William Abbot's sister Elizabeth. It talks about the family's disappointment over his change in plans, that he won't be home soon, and updates George with news of people in Beverly.]

Dear Brother,

It is needless for me to say that we were all delighted to hear from you even a few lines, for you know we were, but much, very much, disappointed to hear of the change in your voyage. We were looking for you home in about a month, and anticipating a deal of pleasure in seeing you once again, bright and happy among us, and hearing of the strange adventures you had met with in your absence, when suddenly all our hopes were blasted, and we were forced to think that a much longer time might elapse before we saw you. We do want you to come - all of us - even little Fred⁶ "Mary's prototype" often says you are on the water, and Charles⁷ is at this moment very anxious for Pa⁸ to write you word to come home. He thinks by this time you would like to see all of us, especially Shep. He is of great importance among all the members of our family on your account. Do you recollect the sound scolding Georgiana⁹ & myself gave you one night for fastening the poor creatur out in the rain, while you went to Whig meeting? I think of it often, and many other little affairs in which you were conspicuous, and fancy that sometimes you think of us poor land animals at home.

How many things have happened since you left. I hardly know where to begin to tell you the news. Charles¹⁰ is now at home, has been with us about two months, and is to sail for Mobile in the same ship Gov. Davis as first officer in about a fortnight, when G's visage will lengthen of course. He is much disappointed in not being able to see you this time.

Methinks you would like to hear about your gentlemen friends in Boston. The Lovett boys are perfectly happy now, they think, for they have prevailed upon their Mother to move to Boston, and they board with her, which is very agreeable. They keep their old places at the stores.

Safford is in Boston, but at what place I don't know. Changed I think since you went away. C. Wallis is now studying to be an Universalist preacher. Stays at his store a certain number of hours and studies the rest. When he visits Beverly he attends all those meetings held at the Town Hall, and frequently speaks and prays, and all agree in calling him a wonder. I do not think he is quite so foppish as he used to be. It takes all the money he has to spare to pay for his education.

Levi is just the same as ever. I. W. Lamson¹¹ has altered very much. He has grown wonderfully in stature and makes quite a fine looking young man. With his dry remarks keeps one laughing continually. He is still with Mr. Lawrence, and is as homesick as ever when he visits B. John Wilkinson is at Buffalo N. Y. What his business is I cannot say.

None of the former mentioned gents have lost their hearts, I think. It is not publicly known, if they have. But that is more than I can say of all the Beverly boys. I must call them boys if they are not, for were I to call them men, what an old woman I should be.

Well to begin with Thomas.¹² He is established as a teacher of writing & Bookkeeping in several small towns of Massachusetts with his partner Horatio. They have about six scholars in Beverly, but quite a large number in some other places. It is supposed that Thomas is engaged to Sarah Folger.¹³ He visits her very frequently, goes to church with [_____], goes to Boston with her to spend a few days at Aunt Lucy's, and [_____] appearance perfectly happy in her society. I think it is an engagement [_____]. How Horatio feels I don't know, to be this cut out, and I hope [_____] you either will not be seriously affected at the news.

John [_____] are both here, but John's health is so miserable that he [_____] not [_____] Mr. Clarks at all. And George Trask¹⁴ has gone to Cuba [_____] his health. It is doubtful whether he ever recovers. And last but not [_____], George B. Pearsons.¹⁵ Him I must not forget. He is still at West Pt. studying engineering. He made us a visit as usual in his vacation. Made many inquiries after you and Elisha,⁴ and I don't doubt thinks he would rather study himself to death than to be obliged to touch of such "dirty ropes."

Ask Elisha if he ever suspected that his friend Frank Bowditch¹⁶ and Mary Page¹⁷ would make a match of it. Frank now calls himself a Beaner as his mother¹⁸ removed here in the Spring. He was at home about six weeks. In that time he was introduced, made up his mind, and gave his heart to Miss Mary in exchange for hers. It is a match, and he has gone again with greater reluctance to sea.¹⁹ He is the funniest fellow I have met with for a long time. Amused the boys very much telling them what poor sailors fare was and how the biscuits run away and hid behind the chest, and how all sailors had to shut their eyes for fear of seeing huge animals in their food. He went round to call, it was about Thanksgiving time, and all the ladies gave him a pie, and he had in all nine. It is an excellent plan. If you go again, which I presume you will not, you shall have nine pies too.

Charles Tilton²⁰ was at Lyceum last night with Miss Marianne Bennett.²¹ That too is called an engagement. James Boyden²² and J. F. Nourse²³ both graduated last August with honor, & James has taken a private school and has eighteen scholars, two of our boys among the number. Pa & Ma were not at all pleased with Mr. Appleton²⁴ at the Academy. It was also the case with many others. And James has scholars that left on that account.

I must not certainly forget to tell you of Abby Pickard's²⁵ engagement to Edward Thorndike.²⁶ You do not know the gentleman I presume. He is a Beverly man, and all the way. I can show you who he is, will be by telling you that he lives in the house but one to our meeting house, on the road to the Cove, with a queer step to the door. He is called "the Millionaire" on account of his wealth. Aged 40 something, I don't know what. They are to be married in a short time and live in Charlestown.

I don't know whether by mentioning any of these engagements I shall hurt your feelings or not, but hope you are not deeply interested. If I had space I should like to write you about every thing, but I have selected only those incidents that I thought would interest you most.

And now about your return. I want you to come home and hope if the vessel returns again to the East Indies, you will come home without her. And the next question arises. Is it right to say so? Certainly I can't help it. It will be too long a time for you to be away from home at a time. Two years. You will not know us at all, and I am afraid you will lose all interest in us. But be assured dear brother, we shall never forget you, let you stay as long as you may. And I for one shall be dreadfully disappointed if we do not soon see you. If you could but hear the questions asked about you daily & hourly, you would not doubt the interest your friends all feel for you. You speak of "sore hips & stiff fingers" and hard work, but hope you will soon have a respite, and continue to please the Capt. and all hands, as I know you have it in your power to do. Ma is counting the hours when she shall [_____] with myself are anxiously awaiting your arrival, and [_____] I will say that with much love, we hope soon to see you.

Give our love to [_____] and remember if an opportunity offers not to [_____] to write if it is but one line. Once more [_____].

From you affectionate sister

E.

 

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

Page created by John Cardinal's Second Site v8.03.