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Letters by John Edwin Abbot

John Edwin Abbot (1831-1911)

John Edwin Abbot, son of George Abbot and Nancy Stickney, was born 17 August 1831 in Beverly, Massachusetts. He never married, and traveled extensively at sea during his youth. He died 15 January 1911 in Morganton, North Carolina.

These letters were written by George from 1847 to 1868, to his mother Nancy (Stickney) Abbot, sister Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch, and Elizabeth's husband Joseph Bowditch.

These letters are generally in good condition. The handwriting is reasonably good, and they are not too difficult to read.

  • 4 June 1847. To his mother Nancy (Stickney) Abbot. He describes their passage across the Atlantic to Liverpool, and says they won $200 in a bet with the owners of another ship on who would get there first; says they are at liberty in the evenings, plus time for meals on shore; says they should be finished unloading tomorrow and sail for Canton in 10-12 days. [Transcription]
  • 10 December 1848. To his sister Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. He describes how he arrived in New Orleans on the Gipsy, under his brother-in-law Charles Lamson, after leaving the Raduga in Rio; mentions a few people there he knows, including one named Charles Brown and his problems; and says he doesn't like New Orleans much. [Transcription]
  • 23 June 1853. To his sister Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. He tells Elizabeth that he "got your woman on safe and left her at No. 19 Merces St."; says he spent three days in New York before coming home; mentions that John Giddings had sailed, making his fiancee sad, and that he wouldn't get engaged until he was done with the sea; says he will soon sail to Hobart Town and Manila. [Transcription]
  • 21 August 1854. To his sister Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. Says he has joined the ship Australia under Capt. Clough as mate, the same ship and Captain as his previous voyage, and is getting her ready to sail; notes that his brother George arrived there last Saturday after a long passage of 140 days. [Transcription]
  • 20 October 1868. To his brother-in-law Joseph Henry Bowditch. He mentions receiving directions from Joseph for traveling to Joseph's home in Yancey Co., North Carolina, and describes his travel plans; talks about his sister Ellen's upcoming wedding (to Johnson McClure), apparently in Milwaukee. [Transcription]