Abbot/Bowditch Family Letters

Georgiana Abbot to her sister Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch, Martha Abbot to her father George Abbot, and Ellen Abbot to her mother Nancy (Stickney) Abbot, 6 March 1846

[From Georgiana Abbot in Beverly, Massachusetts, to her sister Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch in Tarboro, North Carolina. Short sections at the end were written by her sister Martha (age 10) to her father George Abbot, and her sister Ellen (age 8) to her mother Nancy (Stickney) Abbot. She indicates that their parents were with Elizabeth in Tarboro, no doubt for the birth of Elizabeth's first child, born on 18 March, and that Georgiana was running the household in Beverly; mentions their brother George's infatuation with Sarah Ellen; describes a sleigh ride; and talks about the activities of various family members and friends.

Addressed to "Mrs. Joseph H. Bowditch, Tarboro, N. C." and postmarked "Beverly Mass., Mar 7."]

Beverly March 6th / 46

My dear Sister,

I suppose that you don't wish to feel happier than at the present moment with Ma¹ and Pa² seated in the same room with you in your own house in Tarboro. I would like to peek in and see you much. And you don't know how I long to hear from you or them to hear all about their journey and you. I hope to get a letter this noon. It is now 1/2 past 9.

I have fixed the children and sent them up to Grandma's³ for her to come down today. Mrs. Porter⁴ sent me word that she was coming, so I thought I would kill two birds with one stone.

Wouldn't you like to see how pretty we get along. I like housekeeping first rate, I can assure you. My children behave beautifully, from the oldest down. People joke me considerably about my family. They want to know how old my oldest is. I tell them 21.

I can't realise that Ma has been gone nearly a fortnight. Time never was so short, doing little jobs and running about takes it up before you know it. What did Ma say because I let her flowers get bitten. They look pretty well now, the new leaves are beginning to peek their heads out, and if she will only stay long enough, they will look as well as ever.

How do you like your cradle quilt. I was disappointed in it. It is not what I thought it would be. George⁵ wants to know what present it is that you acknowledge in his letter. I tell him ‘tis a piece of kniting, and Charles⁶ describes the form to him. They both are mighty curious to know what it is.

George got your letter last Monday. You hadn't heard then that Ma was coming on. George says that he wishes that you were here, for you would let him do a great many things that I won't, and then I can't crow. He and Charles sat here the other eve discussing your pranks and crowing like you. I won't allow any smoking until after 9 o'clock. I send them into the yard if they want to in the day time.

I find that George is rather mortified that Safford⁷ has cut [_____]. He was rather serious in his attentions, and like a goose supposed that Sarah Ellen⁸ was. He talks a great deal about her and says that he did have some doubt as to her sincerity, and for that reason he didn't allow himself to think too much about her as he otherwise would have done. But if he had he wouldn't allow Safford to carry off in this way. He went to Gustavus Trasks⁹ to a happening the other eve and saw her there for the second time since he came home. He says that she began to fool around him just as she did last year, but he soon put a stop to it and went home with Miss Pease.

I was invited over to Mrs. Whitneys¹⁰ Wednesday to take tea. George was not invited. It was a little singular as Charles and Israel¹¹ were. He says 'twas all "Sal." She is mad because he let her go home alone. I didn't go till evening. Had a very pleasant time. It was a family company. Sarah Ellen amused us mimicking Lucy, and I declare, Lucy will never be absent as long as Sarah Ellen is present. She does it to perfection.

The last three days have been delightful. Wednesday was a perfect day, the wind south and warm, so Charles took Freddy¹² and I to ride. We went to Lynnfield, Reading, and home through Lynn. I never had a sleighride before when the wind didn't feel cold riding. A muff wasn't necessary at all, but the sleighing suffered. I can assure you now there is scarcely any. George and Israel took Lucy Baker¹³ and Miss Pease and had a nice ride.

Martha¹⁴ and Ella¹⁵ having a vacation wanted to write to Ma and Pa, so I thought I would let them on this sheet. I have not even told them where to put their stops for Mrs. Porter⁴ and Grandma took up all my time, so I hope they will excuse it.

I have had rather hard work to amuse Freddy in the house, tis so pleasant outdoors. Overheard that he wanted to be out all the time, but under foot tis horrid ponds of water standing in the street. Their vacation ends tomorrow. Tell Ma that they are well and don't look as tho I starved them to death.

George says I provide finely. He hasn't lost his appetite, tho I don't think he eats quite as much as when he first came home. He is a rogue I can assure you. No one would believe that there was so much of the old Henry about him. But he had better be roguish than vicious, and I don't believe he is inclined to dissipation at all.

Ann¹⁶ and Mrs. Nourse (John F.)¹⁷ called into see me one day this week. Ann has gone to Roxbury. She will soon expect W. M.¹⁸ She don't know whether she will be married or not. Capt. Whitney¹⁹ says tis foolish to talk of his being married, for he has got nothing but what he makes this voyage.²⁰

Capt. Meacom²¹ hasn't got along yet. I sent a letter to Pa from Rio. I didn't know what to do about it, and thinking it might be of some importance to him sent it.

Caroline Lovett is quite sick. She has suffered from headache for a fortnight, and now is applying leeches. She is confined to the bed. Richard²² is miserable. He has carried all his business to Boston again, doesn't do well here.

Tell Pa twould amuse him to see Freddy ape him in the morning. Wake up - gap - look around for his handkerchief, and then get out of bed. Tell Ma I haven't made him any tamer. He is wilder than ever, full of life, but he is good to mind when I speak to him. He isn't still one moment, jumping and kicking all the time.

Mrs. Choates²³ girl²⁴ has got to be married over again. The priest won't have it that tis a proper marriage, so they are published again and he is going to marry them.

I must end my letter here if I am going to send it by tomorrows mail. You must excuse it. Give Ma and Pa, Joe Henry²⁵ too a great deal of love from all of us, and accept a good deal yourself. Good bye.

Georgiana

[The following section was written by Elizabeth's sister Martha Eliza Abbot, age ten.]

Beverly March 6th 1846

Dear Pa,

As Georgiana²⁶ was going to write a letter I thought I would write to you. We have no school the rest of this week. I have just finished practising. I am playing Blues quick Step. Fred¹² went to Lynnfield yesterday with Charles⁶ and Georgiana. Ellen¹⁵ and myself went up to spend the afternoon with Grandma.³ Fred is a very good boy. He does not trouble Georgiana at all. Georgeorgiana went over to spend the evening with Mrs. Whitney.¹⁰ How do you do, and E.²⁷ and Ma. Send my love to E. and Ma.¹ It is a beautiful day today, warm and pleasant. Georgiana is going to send this letter tomorrow. Ellen is going to write to Ma. There is not much snow now. I shall expect a letter from you soon.

From your afectionate Daughter Martha Eliza Abbot

[The following section was written by Elizabeth's sister Ellen Louisa Abbot, age eight.]

Beverly March 6th 1846

Dear Ma,

I thought I would write you a letter. You have been away a week and four days. I long to see you again. I suppose Elizabeth²⁷ was glad to see you, was she not. When do you think of coming home again. We have done very well without you. Mrs. Bridges²⁸ says she longs to hear from you. Freddy¹² is a good boy sometimes, but not always. Charles⁶ and Georgiana²⁶ and Freddy went to sleigh ride day before yesterday. They went to Lynfeild. Freddy said he saw a lamb and ever so many cows laying down in a field. We are going to have our vacation the rest of the week. Freddy can read very well now. Mrs. Bridges says he will soon learn to spell very well and be in the class with James Lefavour.²⁹ He says he wants to see you very much indeed. I hope you will be well all the [_____] are there. I practise almost every day. Mary Safford³⁰ has left school. Her eyes are so bad. And Ellen to give my love to Elizabeth and Pa,⁵ and I hope they are both well. I shall expect a letter from you soon.

From your affectionate Daughter Ellen Louisa Abbot

 

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

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