Abbot/Bowditch Family Letters

Martha Abbot to her sister Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch, 13 June 1858

[From Martha Abbot in Beverly, Massachusetts, to her sister Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch in Tarboro, North Carolina. She mentions that they spent the winter with friends; says their brother Fred has a position in a Counting Room (i.e., bookkeeping and accounting); describes a Mr. Gayle, saying that he and Ellen will probably be engaged; complains about Elizabeth's husband Joe coming as far north as Springfield but never coming to see them; tells about dividing Sarah's baby clothes; and talks about the activities of various family members and friends.]

Beverly June 13th 1858

My Dear Sister,

This makes the third or fourth letter I have commenced to you this winter and am now determined not to leave this till sealed safely in an envelope. I did not receive your letter for a long time after it was written. It came to Beverly and Mr. Baker¹ not knowing exactly our address did not send it till little Jo² was nearly a month old. I commenced a letter to you immediately, but would be interrupted, and therefore have not as yet finished one yet.

We as you know shut up the house and spent the winter with our friends in Roxbury and Cambridge. We remained away much longer than we had any idea of, not opening the house till the middle of May.

Fred³ came home from school and is now in Mr. Phillips⁴ Counting Room.⁵ They like him much, say he will make a smart business man. He is to remain there a year for nothing to get initiated into the business, and then will do something in Boston probably. We are all very proud of him and know you would could you see him. He was idle doing nothing for two weeks after returning to Beverly. He got quite desperate, said he could not loaf any longer and thought seriously of taking a trip to Tarboro to see you all. But a Mr. Gayle,⁶ a particular friend of Ellen's,⁷ gave him the situation.

Perhaps Joe Upton⁸ told you that this gentleman is very attentive to her, and probably will be engaged. They are only waiting for George⁹ to come home to announce it. He is a young man whom every one that knows him speaks highly of. Will make her a good and kind husband. He visits in the first society in Salem and is respected by every one. I do not feel that I know him as yet, but they are very much in love with each other, and are between themselves engaged. I do not know as Ellen has ever said anything to you about him. Perhaps you saw him last summer.

George and John¹⁰ are both away and when they will return is more than I can tell. We expected John this month, but business is so very dull. The ships cannot come home. George is sailing between Melbourne and Singapore, John between Calcutta and Bombay. Their last letters were written in Jany., and both were as homesick as possible, but were otherwise well. I do not know when they will either of them be at home, but certainly not till next winter.

Grandpa¹¹ is, with the exception of short breath, as well as ever he was. Said if it were not for that trouble could do a days work as well as any body. He was in a day or two since. Had a slight cold but thought it would not last any length of time.

I suppose you hear from Springfield oftener than we do, so know all about them. I was quite surprised to hear that Jo¹² had visited. What do you think of him. I cannot realize that you have two children that I have never seen. Who does little Jo¹³ look like. If you have an opportunity I wish you would send their daguerreotypes. Every one that sees Georgianna's¹⁴ and Nat's¹⁵ that we have think they are splendid. I have a great desire to see them, and you all. Joe¹² never thinks of coming North farther than Springfield, probably has lost all interest if he ever had any in us.

I thought I would divide Sarah's¹⁶ baby clothes between Em Furness,¹⁷ Belle Abbot¹⁸ and you. They are wearing theirs while yours are all yellowing in the drawer. If I had known that Joe Upton⁸ had been going should have sent them by him. Tell me when Joe¹² comes North next time and I will have them at Springfield. I have had several bundles ready at different times waiting for him. I never know that he is coming till he has gone, then give them away to the poor in Beverly. I can have them at Springfield as well if I only knew when he would be there.

I see Hannah Rantoul¹⁹ occasionly. She looks very old, as does her father²⁰ who fails daily.

Mr. Thayer²¹ has resigned his situation as Pastor of our church, to take place the first Sunday in July. I don't know who we shall have, but I doubt if we ever get as much of a gentleman in every respect as he is. We need a smart middle aged man to build up the Society, for it has run down to its lowest ebb.

Elizabeth Story²² has moved to Salem. There was a good opening for a Lawyer, but do not know how he²³ is doing.

Robert Rantoul²⁴ was married about three weeks since and is now travelling as far as Virginia Springs. His wife,²⁵ daughter of D. A. Neale²⁶ of Salem, comes into possession of about $20,000 this month. His mother²⁷ is probably happier than when she was married herself.

I received a letter from Ellen Gilman²⁸ a few days since. Said her father²⁹ had been troubled for a long time with weak eyes, and was thinking of coming to Northampton to the Water Cure Establishment. In that case she would come here. I shall be delighted to see her.

You have never seen my new friend Emily Hooper,³⁰ a charming girl. She is coming to visit us this week. She is a great favorite with all of us, even Julia,³¹ and know you would like her.

Mrs. Hyde (Kate)³² is now boarding at Hannah Whitredges³³ for the summer. She looks about the same as ever.

Wm Thorndike³⁴ has settled here as Dr., and will do well I think. Dr. Boyden³⁵ is giving up, and Dr. Torrey³⁶ does not enjoy very good health, so that he never goes out nights.

John Prince Lovett³⁷ is engaged, Edwin Abbot³⁸ and lots of other young men, but your sister Martha seems to remain about so. Hannah Adams³⁹ is to be married soon so I do not despair.

Kiss the children for me. Teach little John⁴⁰ and Joe² to say "Patsie." Give my love to Joe¹² and all enquiring friends. Write soon and tell us all about yourselves. Fred³ and Ellen⁷ send love to all. Accept the same from your affec

Sister Martha

 

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

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