Martha Abbot to her sister Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch, 9 November 1858

[From Martha Abbot in Beverly, Massachusetts, to her sister Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch in Tarboro, North Carolina. She mentions a visit from Nat, and how they wished he had stayed longer; describes changes in Beverly, and people who have died; and talks about the activities of various family members and friends.]

Dear Elizabeth,

I suppose you will be almost frightened when you see my handwriting as I have neglected writing you for so long a time.

Ellen1 has just finished a note to Nat,2 whom we have both neglected in replying to his letters. Tis not from any want of interest in him I assure you, for if we had none before, he was so good and thoughtful and even useful, that the fault would be on our part if we did not love him. We wanted him to stay longer and were quite provoked with Mrs. Upton3 for taking him away as we thought she cared little for him and he would be happier here. We would all of us have been delighted to have him spend the winter and hope he will next year if all is well.

There has been a great many changes in Beverly since you were here. Probably Jo4 told you all about every body up to the time he left us. Since then Mr. Bridge5 has died and his wife6 has gone to live with Mary Louisa,7 so their house is closed. Mr. Thayer and wife8 board in Boston this winter, to go abroad in the Spring. Their house also is closed. I don't know whether Miss Nancy Bridge9 died before Joe came or not. Last but not least Mr. Rantoul10 has ended his sojourn on this Earth. He died about ten days ago. I have not seen Hannah11 except at church. I wish you would write her. He had been growing more and more feeble for the past few months.

Elizabeth Story12 has lost her babe13 and all three of her other children are very sick with the scarlet fever.14 She has had a hard time of it since she was married.

We have had several letters from George15 lately, and next we shall see him, as he expects to arrive home about the first of Feby. We hear nothing from John16 except through the papers. He does not write us, probably because we have not written him. But ever since last May he has been at Calcutta loading for N York and have supposed it was too late. He sails the fifteenth of this month for N York. He has been away over two years and will have changed much.

Charles Lamson17 is on his way home. The lady he is engaged to18 is quite sick with a Bronchial difficulty, at one time was not supposed to live from one week to another, but is now somewhat better. I hope she will get well for his sake. He takes trials so hard.

Mr. Wales19 is dying today, consumption. So you see there are changes all about us.

Tell Jo4 Miss Emily Hooper20 whom he met here has been quite ill. She took quite a fancy to him and I hope it was mutual. She is better now.

I have ordered my Halibut fins for the winter and shall have a keg put up for you and send soon. How are Peanuts? Quite scarce with us. Send a few when Jo sends me the bottle of wine he promised me.

Mr. Gould21 wished me to say how delighted he was with your present, so grateful that you thought of him and to say that it was exceedingly nice and would be used only on great occasions.

Mrs. Hyde22 boarded at Hannah Whittredge's23 all summer.

I saw by the paper that Nat2 sent Ellen1 that Lucy Dancy24 was dead. I remember her quite well.

We have no minister as yet. Candidates come but no decision. It will be a long time before all can decide upon one man.

Give my love to Miss Lizzie Morse.25 I do not feel that I know her as well as Electa.26 My love to Joe4 and kiss the children. I cannot realise that you have four children and two that I have not seen.27 I wonder if they are anything like dear little Abbot.28 Tell Nat I will write him soon. Em [?] Whitney took a great fancy to him, he is so manly. Write when you have time. All send love. From your affec sister

Martha

  1. Ellen Louisa Abbot (1837-1887), Martha and Elizabeth's sister
  2. Nathaniel Ingersoll Bowditch (1846-), Elizabeth's son
  3. Helen Maria Bowditch (1814-1889), Joseph Henry Bowditch's sister, Nathaniel's aunt
  4. Joseph Henry Bowditch (1818-1900), Elizabeth's husband
  5. Mathew Bridge (1789-1858)
  6. Mary Flagg (1788-1875)
  7. Mary Louisa Bridge (1819-1905), Mathew and Mary (Flagg) Bridge's daughter
  8. Christopher Toppan Thayer (1805-1880) and Augusta Brewster (1808-1884)
  9. Nancy Bridge (1783-1858), Mathew Bridge's sister
  10. Robert Rantoul (1778-1858)
  11. Hannah Lovett Rantoul (1821-1898), Robert Rantoul's daughter
  12. Elizabeth Bowen Woodberry (1817-1888)
  13. Annie Lincoln Story (1857-1858)
  14. She actually had four children living at this point: William Edward Story (1850-1930), Frederick Washington Story (1852-1920), Thorndike W. Story (1853-1859), and Isaac Marion Story (1855-1918)
  15. George William Abbot (1825-1861), Martha and Elizabeth's brother
  16. John Edwin Abbot (1831-1911), Martha and Elizabeth's brother
  17. Charles Elisha Whitney Lamson (1820-1889), widower of Martha and Elizabeth's sister Georgiana
  18. Lucretia Brown Foster (1836-aft 1910)
  19. Abiel Wales (1807-1858)
  20. Emily Hooper (1836-1906), future wife of Martha and Elizabeth's brother George William Abbot
  21. James Gould (1795-1874)
  22. Catherine Gould (-1869), James Gould's sister
  23. Hannah Whittredge (1799-1873)
  24. Lucy Northern (abt 1783-1858)
  25. Elizabeth Lathrop Morse (1825-1892), Martha and Elizabeth's cousin
  26. Electa Russell Morse (1823-1889), Martha and Elizabeth's cousin
  27. John Abbot Bowditch (1856-1933) and Joseph Bowditch (1858-1923)
  28. George Abbot Bowditch (1850-1855), Elizabeth's son