Abbot/Bowditch Family Letters

Martha Abbot to her sister Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch, 17 April 1853

[From Martha Abbot in Beverly, Massachusetts, to her sister Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch in Tarboro, North Carolina. She talks about their brother John being expected to arrive in New York at any time, and George having been away eight weeks; says she's decided to stay in school until age 18; mentions a teacher's convention being held in town; talks about Mary (Page)'s husband returning from Cuba insane; says John Giddings is still courting Nannie, but is idle most of the time; and talks about the activities of various family members and friends.]

Beverly April 17th 1853

My Dear Sister,

Today is a damp cold day. I did not go out to meeting, and I thought I could not spend my time more profitably than in writing to you.

We shall expect to see Johns¹ arrival at New York now at any time. I have written to him so that he shall receive it as soon as he arrives. You mentioned in one of your letters that you intended writing to him. Direct to the care of J. H. Williams Esqr.,² 119 Front St. He is one of the owners, and was a particular friend of Pa's.³ I am afraid he will not remain at home long, for if he likes he will go away in the same ship. I long to see him.

George⁴ has been gone eight weeks yesterday, and it seems as much as eight months. We missed him very much. And Mariano⁵ too, though not as much as any one would suppose, for we have a first-rate girl who tends to the furnace and goes to the street well for water, a thing that Mary⁶ could'nt be hired to do.

Sarah⁷ for the last three weeks has been confined to the house with her foot. It pained her a great deal and she had the Dr to it, and he said that all it wanted was rest. It is now entirely well.

I have had the Tic Dolereux⁸ very badly for nearly a fortnight. It proceeded from a bare nerve and yesterday I went to Dr Fisks⁹ and had it killed, and tomorrow I am going again to have it filled. You know very well what the Tic Dolereux is.

Josey¹⁰ has a vacation now but will go back on Wednesday. He has grown very much, wears frock coats, which are a great improvement to his looks. He is very handsome, and will make a handsome man. Nellie¹¹ has also grown wonderfully. She is very fat.

By the way, where is their Uncle Joe.¹² We have not heard from him since he was here, which is nearly five weeks. He must be with you before this. His letters must have been miscarried.

How are the children, Nat,¹³ Sis,¹⁴ and that little Abboo.¹⁵ How I would like to see them, little rogues. I should admire to hear little Abboo call any one a fool. He is a smart one. Joe says his form is like Pa's.³ I hope it will continue to be so.

Fred¹⁶ has grown very tall and large this winter, has played out a great deal and has not had one sick day. He will begin to go to dancing school tomorrow in Salem, the same teacher that Ellen¹⁷ went to last summer. I think that he will enjoy it much.

In my last letter to you I told you that I thought of leaving school in June, and now I have almost decided to go till I am eighteen, which will be next Dec. George and Sarah are both against my leaving off, and others tell me to leave off by no means till I am eighteen, so I have almost decided to go. How old were you and Georgianna¹⁸ when you left.

George Pearson¹⁹ called here Friday. He looks finely. He says his mother²⁰ has not been very well this winter.

Mrs. Upton²¹ went to Boston Friday. She called at the Abbots house²² and found it empty. They have broken up housekeeping and she,²³ Sophia,²⁴ and George²⁵ are going over to Emily's²⁶ to board. They have all except George gone a journey now to Philadelphia. Sophia's health is not good.

There was a teachers Convention in this town last week. Nearly five hundred teachers came and they staid two days. Most every one took some but us. My teachers from Salem spent the first day with us. They were called the handsomest that were here. I believe you have seen them. I love them dearly.

You will remember that Mary Page²⁷ married a Mr. More²⁸ of Gloucester. He went to Cuba for his health last fall, and this spring he has been brought home insane. He is now at the Worcester Hospital. He had been so twice before they were married, but she did not know it. It is a dreadful thing to her.

William Michael²⁹ is at home. He and Ann³⁰ have been a journey the last fortnight. They went to New York and boarded a while at the St. Nicholas Hotel, and then they went to Philadelphia. They returned yesterday. I understood that he would return to Calcutta soon.

You said in your last letter that you were going to take of mourning this spring. We shall not till the fall, for we have dresses that are not worn out. We shall wear half black this summer. Dresses are made exactly the same as when you were here, plain waists and flowing sleeves. They do not change at all.

How does little Cora, Martha, Frank, and all the rest do. I should think it would seem natural to you to have a servant named Cora. How large is she, and my namesake Martha.

John Giddings³¹ is still at home courting Nannie.³² I should think that a young man like him would do something, instead of spending the best part of his life in idleness, & I should think Nan would be tired to death, for he is in there early in the morning and late at night. If Louise³³ has got an ugly husband,³⁴ I think she is a great deal the best off.

Mr. Lovett³⁵ and Capt. Stevens³⁶ I suppose will be tipped out of their offices very soon. Capt. Josiah Lovett³⁷ at the Cove is trying very hard to get the office of Collector of Salem & vicinity, but it is probable he will not succeed.

I have now told you all that I know that will be interesting to you. Sarah⁷ says she shall write in a few days. Grandma³⁸ and Grandpa³⁹ are both well as usual. I leave with a great deal of love from all to all, and a kiss for each of the children. I remain your

Affectionate sister, M.

 

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

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