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Letters by George William Abbot

George William Abbot, son of George Abbot and Nancy Stickney, was born 3 September 1825 in Beverly, Massachusetts. He married first Sarah Morse Bowditch, daughter of Joseph Bowditch and Lucinda Morse, on 17 July 1855 in Beverly. Sarah was the sister of Elizabeth Abbot's husband Joseph Henry Bowditch, and died in childbirth less than a year after her marriage, when George was away at sea. He married second Emily Hooper, daughter of Henry N. Hooper and Priscilla L. Harris, on 7 March 1861 in Roxbury, Massachusetts, and died about three months later, on 24 June 1861 in Beverly.

These letters were written by George from 1845 to 1848, to his sister Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch in North Carolina, and to his father George Abbot. The second part of the first letter, to Elizabeth, was by her sister Georgiana Abbot.

  • 21 June 1845. To his sister Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch in Tarboro, North Carolina. The letter was started 21 June 1845, about 2 1/2 months after Elizabeth's marriage to Joseph Henry Bowditch, and added to on 10 July. He describes leaving Boston; talks about his crew mates, and a little about life on board ship; and asks about Elizabeth's wedding. A second section, by Elizabeth's sister Georgiana, says that their brother George appears to be a changed person, for the better; mentions Elizabeth's trip home (to Tarboro); and talks about the activities of various family members and friends. [Transcription]
  • 23 July 1846. To his father George Abbot. He talks briefly about their trip and arrival in Rio, and how he is pleased with the ship and crew, except for a couple of sailors from Salem. [Transcription]
  • 23 November 1847. To his sister Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch in Tarboro, North Carolina. One section was apparently written by one of his sisters, probably Georgiana. [Transcription]
  • 11 May 1848. To his sister Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch in Tarboro, North Carolina. This is just a couple of short lines added to a letter written by his mother Nancy (Stickney) Abbot. [Transcription]
  • 12 August 1848. To his sister Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch in Tarboro, North Carolina. This is a few lines in the middle of a letter written by his sister Martha Abbot. He says he had "a little adventure Saturday" (see the rest of the letter, written by Martha, for details), and mentions that they are setting up the monument in the cemetery on Wednesday, presumably for their father George and sister Georgiana. [Transcription,]