James Gould to Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch, 12 December 1867

[From James Gould in Baltimore, Maryland, to Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. He announces that he has retired, is selling his house, and is planning on living with his sister Lydia's family starting in April, after spending Christmas in Boston and New Years with his nephew James Weld in New York, and says he had been to Beverly where he saw Martha and Ellen, and to Boston, then took a trip west, to Chicago, Omaha, and back via Cincinnati.]

Baltimore Dec 12 1867

Dear Cousin Lizzie,

The interval was so long since I heard from you that I feared something had happened to prevent your devoting an hour to me, but your letter of Nov 15th was a reassurance of old friendship and was truly welcome. Was glad to learn Mr. B.1 was with you, as when here he thought it might be some months before he could go home. We were all glad to see him, and to learn that the visit was pleasant to him.

Have since been expecting him from your letter saying we should see him again shortly. But it seems from a letter from Ellen2 that he has been North and returned, and we must relinquish that hope altogether as I have advertised my House for sale and am going to live with Lydia3 after April next if nothing prevents. They are very urgent and I have concluded to go. Warren4 & his mother5 will remain in Baltimore. Expect to pass my Christmas in Boston and new year perhaps with my nephew James G. Weld6 in New York.

Having retired from business I have plenty of leisure now, and on my return from Boston took a trip out west. Went first to Chicago. But as I had seen Martha7 & family (by the way Doct. Thorndike8 recognised me on the Boat in the Sound and we had a pleasant chat about all friends and matters generally) so I did not go to Milwaukee, but went to Omaha on the Illinois, where the Pacific Rail Road commences, intending to go down the river to St. Louis. But the water was so low no boats were running except very small ones and they grounding very often made it uncertain when they would arrive, and there is no railroad from Omaha down the river. So I came back by way of Cincinati. I had a very pleasant time although Alone, all the way. But I took letters with me and found friends who were very polite & kind to me.

Ellen2 said she should leave next day for Milwaukee. I should have been pleased to go with her, but hope to see them next summer if but for a day, as I think we shall make a party for the west among some of them.

My visit to Beverly was very pleasant. Was glad to meet them all once more, and hope to see them that remain at the homestead often when I am so near them. How few old acquaintance remain there - Tom Stevens,9 Sam Endicott10 - and very few that I could recognise. The rest are dead or away. So as we get old we are left alone & wait our turn.

I am sorry to have to relinquish the hope of seeing you and Georgiana11 at my house. I had promised myself so much pleasure from a visit from you. It would have been very gratifying to have traced a resemblance between Georgiana and her mother at her age. Tell her that I thank her for her letter, and will write to her soon. Am glad the Harpers were acceptable, as I thought they might be in your family readings. I understood Mr. B.1 that you receive them now regularly. It is the best family paper I think of the many published.

As I have left my store address your letters to 38 Franklin St until I go north to stay.

I will tell Julia12 what you say. No doubt she remembers you as at her age then. Memory is very retentive. Sarah & her husband13 with two children and Eliza14 have gone by water to New Orleans. Eliza is out of health. We are rather anxious about them as they were in the neighborhood of the West India storms.

Love to all from Cousin

James Gould

  1. Joseph Henry Bowditch (1818-1900), Elizabeth's husband
  2. Ellen Louisa Abbot (1837-1887), Elizabeth's sister
  3. Lydia Gould (1805-1888), James's sister
  4. Warren Gould Hyde (1833-1894), son of James's sister Catherine
  5. Catherine Gould (-1869), James's sister
  6. James Gould Weld (1832-1904), son of James's sister Lydia
  7. Martha Eliza Abbot (1835-1870), Elizabeth's sister
  8. William H. Thorndike (1835-1887), Martha (Abbot) Thorndike's husband
  9. Thomas Stephens (1789-1868)
  10. Samuel Endicott (1793-1872)
  11. Georgiana Abbot Bowditch (1848-1927), Elizabeth's daughter
  12. Julia Rebecca Weld (abt 1836-1880), daughter of James's sister Lydia
  13. Sarah Abby Weld (1829-1911), daughter of James's sister Lydia, and Jacob Weld Seaver (1820-1914)
  14. Eliza G. Weld (1834-1871), daughter of James's sister Lydia