Martha Abbot to her sister Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch, 8 May 1859

[From Martha Abbot in Beverly, Massachusetts, to her sister Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch in Tarboro, North Carolina. She tells Elizabeth that their brother George is engaged to Emily Hooper; says Nellie Upton has asked them for "the Bowditch silver," and talks about who should get it; and talks about the activities of various family members and friends.]

Beverly May 8th 59

My dear Sister,

It is a long time since I wrote to you, and not going out to church this afternoon take this time.

Ellen1 received a letter from you written the day Nat2 and Joe3 left for the North. You must miss them sadly, especially Nat, who has not left you for any length of time before. I shall write him in answer to the nice one he sent me.

Before going further I must tell you that John4 is at home safe and sound after a long and tedious voyage. He is now traveling up in New Hampshire with Frank Leach5 who has gone on business. Expects to be absent a week.

George6 is still at home and what is more is engaged to Miss Emily Hooper.7 Joe3 saw her here and took a great fancy to her. Indeed it was mutual. George has been in love with her for two years, and finally became desperate and said Will you. She said yes and papa8 said yes too. So they are really engaged and I want you and Joe to write her, and Mr. Gayle9 too. Emily is a splendid girl. Not pretty. Perhaps I will send the daguerreotypes of both her and Mr. Gayle. She will make him a nice wife. I never knew anyone to have so much influence as she has over George. Every one that knows her is delighted and says George is a lucky fellow.

John4 now talks of remaining at home for some months. If so expect to see him with me as soon as cool weather comes. He says he will come, and perhaps I will, to stay a short time.

I saw Mrs. Nancy Woodberry10 yesterday on her way to Boston to be at the death bed of another of Elizabeth's11 children. Little Thorndike12 has never been dressed since he had the scarlet fever in Salem seven months. She has trouble enough.13 I would write her if I were you.

I am glad you like the Beverly papers. Rather small but you can have idea of things about town that we should not mention.

Another piece of news. William Edward Lovett14 is at home after an absence of sixteen years. He looks very fat, quite unlike the rest of the family. He will return by the next steamer.

William Whitney15 is also at home for the summer, looking as handsome as possible. George6 says he looks about 24 years old. Ann16 is quite happy. She lives away from him a long time.

Mr. Thayer17 has sold all his interest here, starts for Europe in June. He dreads the trip across.

Ellen1 was glad you liked your bonnet. It is quite a difficult task selecting a bonnet for another.

Grandpa18 is quite well, has bought lots of hens and is raising eggs and chickens for the market. He will not give up till he's obliged to. His breath is all that troubles him.

Nellie Upton19 wrote a few days ago, for us to ask George6 to give them the Bowditch silver.20 He never has done anything with it. There is a coffee pot, cream pitcher, and some large silver spoons. We think it right that the three living children21 shall decide between themselves who shall have it. I have always been in favor of Joe's3 having it all, but suppose t'would cause trouble. Write soon what you and Joe think about it, because George will leave in two or three weeks. Emily7 is coming Thursday to stay till he goes, so you can write to her here. You had better write to Mr. Gayle9 too.

Love to all. I have so much to do, have little time to write letters. Not a very good girl in the kitchen. Write soon to your affec sister

Martha

  1. Ellen Louisa Abbot (1837-1887), Martha and Elizabeth's sister
  2. Nathaniel Ingersoll Bowditch (1846-1913), Elizabeth's son
  3. Joseph Henry Bowditch (1818-1900), Elizabeth's husband
  4. John Edwin Abbot (1831-1911), Martha and Elizabeth's brother
  5. Probably Franklin Leech (1831-1894)
  6. George William Abbot (1825-1861), Martha and Elizabeth's brother
  7. Emily Hooper (1836-1906)
  8. Henry Northey Hooper (1799-1865)
  9. Probably Edward Francis Webster Gayle (abt 1834-abt 1880). From Martha's letter of 13 June 1858, he and Ellen Louisa Abbot were "between themselves engaged."
  10. Nancy Howe Lincoln (1800-1886), Elizabeth Bowen (Woodberry) Story's step-mother
  11. Elizabeth Bowen Woodberry (1817-1888)
  12. Thorndike W. Story (1853-1859)
  13. Seven of Elizabeth's ten children died young, five before this letter was written, and two more after.
  14. William Edward Lovett (1823-1883)
  15. William Michael Whitney (1820-1896)
  16. Ann Augusta Nourse (1824-1905), William Michael Whitney's wife
  17. Christopher Toppan Thayer (1805-1880)
  18. Samuel Stickney (1771-1859)
  19. Helen Maria Upton (1843-1868), daughter of Joseph Henry Bowditch's sister Helen
  20. Sarah Morse Bowditch (Joseph Henry Bowditch's sister, and the first wife of Martha and Elizabeth's brother George William Abbot) purchased the silver from her mother, and then died in childbirth 14 May 1856. At the time this letter was written the silver was apparently still in the possession of George William Abbot. The mother of the "three living children" (Lucinda (Morse) Bowditch) had died 18 August 1858, about nine months before this letter was written. From the Bowditch genealogy by Frederick Bowditch, the silver finally ended up in the hands of Joseph Henry Bowditch, then went to his daughter Georgiana Bowditch, then to Georgiana's niece Blanchard Louise (Bowditch) Hamilton ("who was closest to Georgiana during her final days in Morganton, N. C."), then to Blanchard's son Myron Bowditch Hamilton.
  21. Elizabeth's husband Joseph Henry Bowditch (1818-1900), his sister Helen Maria Bowditch (1814-1889), and his brother Francis Morse Bowditch (1823-1864)