Georgiana Abbot to her sister Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch, 8 October 1847

[From Georgiana Abbot in Beverly, Massachusetts, to her sister Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch in Tarboro, North Carolina. She mentions Elizabeth's trip back home to Tarboro after her visit to Beverly; talks about a daughter of Mr. Wilson who's "been crazy twelve year"; describes a trip the family took to Rockport; talks about the scarcity of some goods Joseph Henry Bowditch wanted sent, presumably for his store in Tarboro; indicates that both she and Elizabeth are probably pregnant; describes a fence built by Mr. Gage; and talks about the activities of various family members and friends.

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

Beverly Octbr 8th, 1847

My dear Sister,

It seems like old times again writing to Tarboro, and by this time no doubt it seems like old times to you, for probably you are at home and settled, altho I understood you, that you expected to be a fortnight on your way. We have all missed you dreadfully, more if possible than we did the first time you left us. Ma1 hardly knows where she is without Thanny.2 She found one of his little dried up black shoes and says she shall keep it for whenever she looks at it Thanny is before her.

We were glad to hear that you got on to New York so nicely, and that Thanny was so little trouble. He probably knew that he was in company with ladies and gentlemen and so did his best. He will be a great boy before he comes on again, and will have no recollection of his grandma, aunts, or any thing connected with this summer's visit.

Today it is great training with us, and the streets are in great confusion. Freddy3 has been in asking me to go up to see a sham fight, which will come off on the common this afternoon. Ma is going he says, and you can go with her. I tell him that if she goes I certainly will, so he went away quite pleased.

Alice4 left me last Monday. She is now up to Mrs. Lovetts,5 will leave tomorrow. Charles6 and I think of accompanying her to Portsmouth if pleasant.

Have you forgotten the screams of that crazy girl that we heard down to the depot? She is one of Mr. Wilson's daughters, and has been crazy twelve years. She had something of the dropsy, and it left her in this state. Sometimes she troubles her family exceedingly, by running away and screaming as she did then. Isn't it singular that we never knew anything of it before?

I called down to see Mrs. Tracy.7 She seemed to think it very strange that you had not returned her call and wanted to know the reason. I told her that you must have overlooked her for it was your wish to return every call. I didn't recollect that she made you a call, but she says that she came up expressly to see you.

William Michael8 came in to see us last Sunday eve. He has lost all his beauty. He is very thin which shows off his features to perfection, and his hair is cut close to his head. Every body exclaims how he has altered. He inquired for you and seemed to be very much surprised to learn that you had passed the summer in Beverly. He had been at home only a week, and of course his friends hadn't found time, during that time, to acquaint him of that fact.

Yesterday Pa,9 Ma, and the children, with Charles and myself, rode down to Rockport. We had a fine day and a fine ride. The children thought that their horses behaved a great deal better than when you went. We rode down through Essex woods, and I can assure you that it is a beautiful sight. Now the leaves have turned to so many different shades, some bright red, some orange, some yellow, and all the shades between. Ma thinks that if she goes many times more she shall know the way alone. Charles never was down there before. He says that he had no idea that it was such a rocky barren place.

Before I forget I will tell you what Pa says about the gunny bags that Joe Henry10 spoke to him about. In the first place they are very scarce, being spoken for before the vessels arrive at nineteen cts apiece. There are a very few bales of damaged bags which might be had at a less price, but in all probability before you can get word to him, they will be taken up, they are in such demand. Rope is equally scarce. Limes are $6 per barrel. He will send a barrel on, also the other things, whenever a vessel goes. At present there is none. You left a nightgown and cap here, which Ma will send on with the other things.

Well E. does it seem like home to be boarding at Mrs. Lawrences,11 and have you got Roberta back again. When you write tell me all about your affairs, and whether you have had the visitor who had been absent six weeks.12 I have not, as yet, but am hardly expecting it.13

I have not been home one whole day this week, am I not dissipated. Alice is being invited around, and I am invited with her. I am pretty well tired of it now, and long to have one quiet day at home. I haven't for a fortnight.

Today I am in a peck of trouble about Margarets going away. Some one was down from Boston yesterday for her to go there and live for a permancy, and she feels that it will be so much better than changing from one place to another that she is half inclined to go, and yet she don't want too. I believe I have half persuaded her to stay one month longer, but shall feel in a titter till she gives me a decided answer. I can't blame her for it makes it bad for her to live so little while at so many places, as she has done since she came to Beverly.

Mr. Gage14 had built his tall fence. It comes up to the lower part of the upper pane of glass in Pickett's15 chamber windows. And such a looking sight, as it presents to Picketts house. All the posts and rough boards are on his side. Mrs. Gage16 is delighted and almost every one says that it is just right. Pickett says that he don't care one cent, he didn't want the prospect, it was only the air that he was after. But he did feel badly, for both he and his wife17 went in to Mrs. Gage to persuade her out of the notion of it, but to no purpose, she was firm as a rock.

This letter doesn't look as tho it was written with a gold pen does it. If mine is a specimen of them I would give more for one quill than twenty gold pens.

How did you find Mr. and Mrs. Gould.18 Did you see Jacob19 and Sarah Weld.20 Write me all about your visit.

Pa and Ma send a great deal of love to Joe Henry and you, hoping that the last part of your journey was as pleasant as the first, and every so many kisses to Thanny. Mrs. Lamson,21 Mrs. Lovett and all of them told me to give ever so much love to you and Joe, with ever so many regrets for your absence. And last but least Charles and I send our love and good wishes to you all, hoping that it will not be a great while before we may see each other again. Good bye dear E.

Your affectionate sister,

Georgiana

  1. Nancy Stickney (1796-1851)
  2. Nathaniel Ingersoll Bowditch (1846-1913), Elizabeth's son
  3. Frederick Abbot (1841-1903), Georgiana and Elizabeth's brother
  4. Alice McKeen Dunlap (1827-1905)
  5. Lucy Lovett (1796-1864)
  6. Charles Elisha Whitney Lamson (1820-1889), Georgiana's husband
  7. Probably Sarah C. Prince (1803-1891)
  8. William Michael Whitney (1820-1896)
  9. George Abbot (1791-1848)
  10. Joseph Henry Bowditch (1818-1900), Elizabeth's husband
  11. Mary Eliza Toole (1814-1875)
  12. Elizabeth was pregnant with her second child, Georgiana Abbot Bowditch (1848-1927).
  13. Georgiana was pregnant, and would die in childbirth five months later.
  14. Probably William Gage (abt 1779-1848). In the 1850 census, Martha Gage and John Pickett are listed next to each other.
  15. Probably John Pickett (1807-1887)
  16. Probably Martha Butman (1779-1860)
  17. Susannah Clark (1812-1882)
  18. James Gould (1795-1874) and Elizabeth Leach (1797-1859)
  19. Jacob Weld Seaver (1820-1914)
  20. Sarah Abby Weld (1829-1911), James Gould's niece and future wife of Jacob Weld Seaver.
  21. Lucy Whitney (1791-1863), Georgiana's mother-in-law