Abbot/Bowditch Family Letters

Georgiana Abbot to her sister Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch, 24 July 1846

[From Georgiana Abbot in Beverly, Massachusetts, to her sister Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch in Tarboro, North Carolina. She mentions going to Brunswick (Maine) for a week to visit people; talks about William Michael Whitney and his drinking problem; says Mrs. Porter is very sick, and hard to please; describes the death of Ellen (Lamson) Wonson; and talks about the activities of various family members and friends.

Addressed to "Mrs. Joseph H. Bowditch, Tarboro, N. C."]

My dear Sister,

I thought I wouldn't let Hannah¹ send a letter to you without a note from me in it, but do you realize how long it is since you penned a letter to me. Why the last one that I got Joe Henry² was with you, some time in May I think. But I suppose you do have a great deal to attend to besides the care of little Natty.³

When you read this you will have returned from the country, if you have not already. Have you had a pleasant journey, and how did my little boy behave. Write soon and tell me all about it, and him. Haven't you had very warm weather. We had two killing ones, and since it has been rainy dog day weather till today. Now it is very pleasant but quite warm. Friday and Saturday the (10th and 11th I believe) were two of the hottest days I ever knew in my life, and every one who says any thing about it, no matter how old they are, says the same. Your old flame Mr. Haywood told Pa⁴ that in all his living at the South he never suffered so much as he did that Friday night in Boston.

Well, Charles⁵ is at home once more. He came the very day that I set for him some time ago, so I didn't have to look for him long. He is well and sends love to you, says he shall certainly write you this time. I hope he will but writing is a real task for him.

Tomorrow at eight o'clock we start for Brunswick to visit Alice Dunlap.⁶ She has always been urging my coming down, and as Mrs. Lovett is there now and Charles wants to go very much, we thought we couldn't have a better opportunity. I had a letter from Alice today, urging our coming immediately. We shall probably be gone a week. I wish you were here now, or coming this fall. It seems as tho you hadn't been here for an age.

William M. Whitney⁷ is still here. He is no better than when Ben Williams⁸ used to tell us so much about him. Tis really melancholy to think of him. About three weeks ago all the young men of his class went out fishing, were gone all day. W. M. was so intoxicated all day that he laid flat on the deck and the others frolicked over him. They tied him to the mast, put a bottle of brandy by his side, and skinned a flounder and tied it around his neck. At twelve o'clock he went to sleep and slept till 7. When they got home he went home and went to bed with the head ache. But it isn't only when he goes on these scrapes that he gets so, but about every day he goes over to Salem and rolls as he used to when George⁹ was at home. What a blessing that sore neck of his was, wasn't it E., and comes home so that he can hardly talk.

Charles and I went up to make the wedding call night before last. He was so drunk, more than intoxicated, that he stuttered and had to exert himself to get a word out. I felt so for poor Ann¹⁰ I didn't know what to do. How can she help seeing it. She is very dull and low spirited, and begins to complain of being lonely, while Abba¹¹ and Meacom¹² appear as happy and contented as possible.

Hannah Parnell¹³ is miserable, so her mother¹⁴ calls her, seems very much out of health. She may be better by and bye but they don't suspect any thing now.

Betsy¹⁵ is still here. She appears as bright as a dollar and perfectly contented without her husband.¹⁶ She has been here four weeks, and Brown has been down once, and is at work in Boston too. She left her mothers¹⁷ yesterday and boards into Mrs. Gages.¹⁸ Mrs. Lovett has so much company all the time that Betsey can't be accomodated there.

Mrs. Peasons¹⁹ was down one day last week. She merely called here, says that there is a young lady (married) boarding at her [_____] who reminded her so much of you that she really feels attached to her. She don't look like you but her motions and manners are similar to yours. George²⁰ is still in West Pt. I expect Charlotte smiles upon him.

Mrs. Porter²¹ is still very sick, and what is worse, is very troublesome, is continually wanting, and things too that she knows in her own soul she can't eat. She has been telling all along how sick oranges made her. The moment she heard Charles had got home she asked if he hadn't brought some oranges. She wanted some, so Ma²² sent her down some and told her if she liked them she should have some more. Today Ellen²³ went down and asked her if she like them. No, says she, they were neither fresh nor good, and I don't want any more, and nicer or sweeter oranges you never eat. That is a specimen of her whole conduct. Poor Joey²⁴ will have to have patience.

Ben Stickney²⁵ has died since I wrote you, and Ellen Lamson,²⁶ that was, she married a Wonson²⁷ down to Gloucester about a month after Natty was born. She was confined and seemed perfectly well. Her mother²⁸ was with her at the time, and a week afterward. But about 10 days ago her mother was sent for as she wasn't well, but not very sick either, only weak. Her mother staid a few days with her and then thought she must come home. But Ellen wouldn't consent unless she came too. So they put her into a carriage and brought her up. This was Wednesday and Saturday morning she died. The Physicians don't know what the matter was or rather what the cause of the weakness was. She was entirely bloodless they say. She was very fleshy and as white as alabaster the day she was buried. It was a singular and a sudden case. The baby²⁹ is well. Some think she must have taken something that poisoned her blood.

Pa has been having the roof of the other house altered, made like this one. Every body seems perfectly satisfied with it. You can't imagine what an improvement it is. When it is painted it will be quite a handsome house.

Miss Frink³⁰ has gone a journey for her mothers³¹ health. Betsey¹⁵ has her room.

Next Wednesday there is to be a large party go out to the Islands in a schooner. I shall lose it by going down east, won't I. I pity Ann¹⁰ if there is to be any stimulants aboard, and I know there will where W. M.⁷ is.

Mr. Libby³² is here. He called into see us last eve, asked all about Natty³ and you. I haven't seen E. Woodberry³³ since I wrote last. Lucy hasn't moved yet. I don't know where she will go for there isn't a house for anybody high nor low. I expect I shall have to come to Tarboro if there isn't one soon. I suppose you will say don't be in a hurry, wait patiently, won't you. Well you will see by and bye.

Freddy³⁴ appears very well now, and seems to be gaining flesh again. I suppose we shall hear from George in about a month. I really long too. I hope he will get along well as second mate. Elisha³⁵ is quite attentive to Charlotte.³⁶ He has about regained his health. William M.⁷ entices him about the same as ever.

Do excuse this letter. I have written in such a hurry. I shall write a long one as soon as I hear from you. With love from all to all, and kisses for Natty. I'll subscribe myself your affec. sister,

Georgiana

 

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

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