Martha Abbot to her sister Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch, 29 August 1859

[From Martha Abbot in Beverly, Massachusetts, to her sister Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch in Tarboro, North Carolina. She describes the death of their grandfather Samuel Stickney and his estate, and talks about getting headstones for his family's graves, which apparently had not been done for earlier deaths; mentions that gas pipes are being installed in Beverly for lighting the town; says Frank Bowditch has left his wife; and talks about the activities of various family members and friends.

This letter is dated "Aug 29th," with no year specified. Someone later wrote in 1859, and from the events described in the letter, in particular the death of Martha and Elizabeth's grandfather (Samuel Stickney), it's clear that 1859 is correct.]

Beverly Aug 29th

Dear Elizabeth,

Ere you receive this the paper containing Grandpa's1 death will have reached you. Poor old man, he lived to a ripe old age, perfectly bright and well to the last. There was quite a large picnic in Standley's Grove about two miles from here. He thought he should enjoy seeing the young folks enjoy themselves, so started to walk up as he had done many times before. A gentleman spoke with him just before getting over a fence. He seemed then as well as ever. In about fifteen minutes after, he was found dead a few rods from the fence. He has been troubled with shortness of breath ever since Grandma2 died, and in getting over the fence must have exerted himself a great deal, and it proved too much for him. I was away at the time in Cambridge visiting at the Abbots,3 but came directly home and he was buried from this house.

He left no will and little if any property. One half of his side of the house belonged to him and the other half to Grandma. That part will come directly to the grandchildren, fourteen in number I believe. His half may have to be sold to pay his debts. George4 has given everything into Mr. Jonathan Batchelders5 hands who will settle the estate, and I will forward your share if anything comes.

Grandpa has never had gravestones placed at the head of any of their graves. We propose having it done if anything comes. I shall speak to August Ana6 and if they feel the same let it be done before it is divided. I expect we shall get about fifty or seventy five dollars apiece. He sold all his furniture with the exception of enough to furnish one room, and let the rest of the house. If you are of the same mind with us as regards the gravestones please write. I think it would be better to know where Ma's7 Family are laid. All are now gone.

I receive a letter occasionally from Nat.8 We shall expect him to spend the vacation with us, and shall try to make him enjoy it.

George4 and John9 are still at home. George has been expecting his summons now every day for three months. Business is very dull, and his ship is not yet loaded. John will stay at home all winter. Once in a while we talk of making you a visit. We both want to very much. Only think, you have two children that I have never seen.10

Our streets are all dug up now, men busy with laying gas pipes. The first of October we hope to be lighted up. Beverly will have improved so much you will not know it.

Mr. Wm. Endicott11 is building a splendid house, the handsomest anywhere's about here. It will be quite a change from their little house.

Mrs. Jane Rantoul12 is living in hers.

Capt. Andrew Leach13 has died very suddenly since I wrote you of a Cancerous tumour. All our old people are dying.

Frank Bowditch14 called a few days since to say that he had separated from his wife.15 Ellen16 saw him, said he did not seem to care at all. He is more disagreeable than ever, and probably more disipated.

Wm. Whitney17 is still at home, is to take his wife18 and two children back with him and leave the other two at home.19

We have no minister as yet. It is rather unsatisfactory to be hearing poor candidates all the time.

Emily20 is still here and will probably stay till George4 leaves.

E. Story21 and her family are here visiting. I imagine they have hard times to get along.

Write soon. Is it not time for Jo22 to be coming on, or does his partner come this fall. Give my love to him. Let him bring on those daguerreotypes of us when children. I will have them copied and you shall have them again. Ellen16 and Fred23 are well. Ellen is going to visit the Peabody's24 at Portsmouth. Kiss the children and write soon to your

Affectionate Sister Martha

  1. Samuel Stickney (1771-1859)
  2. Edith Wallis (1774-1855)
  3. Probably George W. Abbot (1828-1915) and his family
  4. George William Abbot (1825-1861), Martha and Elizabeth's brother
  5. Jonathan Batchelder (1793-1872)
  6. Augustanna Stickney (1825-1899), Martha and Elizabeth's cousin
  7. Nancy Stickney (1796-1851)
  8. Nathaniel Ingersoll Bowditch (1846-1913), Elizabeth's son
  9. John Edwin Abbot (1831-1911), Martha and Elizabeth's brother
  10. John Abbot Bowditch (1856-1933) and Joseph Bowditch (1858-1923)
  11. William Endicott (1799-1899)
  12. Jane Elizabeth Woodberry (1807-1870)
  13. Andrew Thorndike Leach (1798-1859)
  14. Francis Morse Bowditch (1823-1864), Joseph Henry Bowditch's brother
  15. Rebecca Leavitt (1835-1872)
  16. Ellen Louisa Abbot (1837-1887), Martha and Elizabeth's sister
  17. William Michael Whitney (1820-1896)
  18. Ann Augusta Nourse (1824-1905)
  19. His four children were Alice Farley Whitney (1847-aft 1912), Elizabeth Whitney (1849-aft 1910), Martha Prince Whitney (1851-aft 1921), and William Scott Whitney (1853-1919)
  20. Emily Hooper (1836-1906), future wife of Martha and Elizabeth's brother George William Abbot
  21. Elizabeth Bowen Woodberry (1817-1888)
  22. Joseph Henry Bowditch (1818-1900), Elizabeth's husband
  23. Frederick Abbot (1841-1903), Martha and Elizabeth's brother
  24. Probably Andrew Preston Peabody (1811-1893) and his family