Sallie Darlington to Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch, 1856

[From Sallie Darlington to Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. She mentions sister Kate making a dress; talks about an annual meeting at the "Institute," with over 200 teachers attending, and Professors from all over at their house; says her sister-in-law and god-daughter visited; and mentions and asks about some friends in Tarboro.

This letter is incomplete; we only have the last two pages. However, from the content it's clearly written to Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch, probably in Tarboro, North Carolina, and probably from West Chester, Pennsylvania, in 1856. (The letter asks how Mr. and Mrs. Burton are "flourishing"; Conway Whiting Burton was married in October 1855, and died in December 1856.)]

everyone follows their own taste there and you see all styles. Kate1 is just making a blue French Merino with sleeves of one deep ruffle at bottom, with small puffs up to the arm hole, which is the latest style I have seen. Puffed short sleeves are still worn by children. I am just getting a cloak, black cloth, which is worn a great deal. The fact is, I have scarcely had time yet to think of my dress, for we have been so much engaged. Week before last the "Institute" of which I have told you, held its annual session all the week; learned Professors were here from all parts of the land and over two hundred teachers registered their names. Our house, as usual, was filled with Professors, and as I always attend the sessions of the Institute, which last from eight in the morning till ten at night, merely allowing time for dinner and supper, you can imagine how little time there is for anything else that week.

My sister-in-law2 made us a visit last week, bringing my little God-daughter3 with her, who is growing to be a lovely little thing. So you see I really have some excuse for not having replied to your last very kind letter sooner. It is drawing towards evening, and as I am going out to a small party tonight and have Sunday preparatory arrangements to make, I must come to a close, altho' I have not said the half that I wanted to. While writing this I have been interrupted twice by visitors and obliged to lay it aside, so you must excuse the broken style of it, and in order to say all I wanted to, I have hurried so dreadfully that I don't know what I have said. Tell Nat4 I should be very glad to hear from him also from Georgiana.5 Give them both much love. Give kind regards to Mr. Bowditch6 and to all enquiring friends. Please thank Mr. Chapman7 for the Convention Journal he was kind enough to send me many weeks ago. It came the day after I wrote you last, or I should have acknowledged it sooner. Write soon, and tell me if you ever hear from Mr. and Mrs. Burton8 and how are they flourishing. But I must stop, as it is quite dark.

With much love, ever your friend,

Sallie

  1. Catharine Lacy Darlington (1823-1886), Sallie's sister
  2. Possibly Mary Leland Hawley (1812-1897), wife of Sallie's brother Edward C. Darlington
  3. Possibly Mary Darlington (1855-1936), daughter of Sallie's brother Edward C. Darlington
  4. Nathaniel Ingersoll Bowditch (1846-1913), Elizabeth's son
  5. Georgiana Abbot Bowditch (1848-1927), Elizabeth's daughter
  6. Joseph Henry Bowditch (1818-1900), Elizabeth's husband
  7. Russell Chapman (1802-1874)
  8. Conway Whiting Burton (abt 1833-1856) and Lucinda R. Pender (1832-1881)