James Gould to Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch, 14 February 1866

[From James Gould in Baltimore, Maryland, to Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. He thanks her for her letter of 6 January, the first he's received in six years (since the war started), although she had written often; tells her news of his family and mutual friends; and says he had been "quite a recluse" until last summer, when he started traveling more to see family and friends.]

Baltimore February 14, 1866

Dear Lizzie,

Your letter dated January 6th came to hand only yesterday, and it gave me great pleasure to here from you and recognise the old familiar hand writing and to learn that you were well. Oh! What an age it seems since we last met, and since your last letter, for this is the first for six years. You say that you have written often and I thank you although I did not receive one. Yet the effort was in kindness.

I was very glad to see Mr. Bowditch1 and to learn about you thru him, and glad to learn that Nat2 was home again and well. Any little services I may have rendered him, was a pleasure to me as serving you also, and would have done more if in my power.3 What a terrible thing this unnatural war has been, and its effects will long remain as a future warning to Knavish Politicians.

The uncertainty of you receiving my letter is a drawback upon the pleasure of writing, but as you say that you did get some from me in the long interval it will admit the hope that others may reach you. I see your letter is Postmarked Morgantown which is not the address Mr. B.1 gave to me.

Where shall I begin and what shall I say. I wish you were seated at my side, in the Old Parlor. What a long talk we would have. As you ask about us, let me say that I am still at 38 Franklin St. Kate4 is with me and her son.5 Only think of his being 32 years old. He has been in the army 3 years, and last August his time being out, I took him to assist him. In 1861 I sent Kate north and until last July rented my house, reserving a room for myself, and have been lonely enough, waiting for my release in hope that it would soon come and reunite me with the loved ones in the spirit land. But it seems otherwise determined, and for some wise purpose I am still here.

Have been quite a recluse, untill this last summer. I felt it a duty to meet my relatives & friends again & have done so. I went to Boston for a few days. Went to Beverly and just missed seeing Martha,6 she having left the day before. It was a great dissapointment. But I saw Ellen,7 dear Ellen, but for a few hours as my time was so limited. But how changed everything seemed since I was last there. I love them all, but have not a letter from any one of them since, for which I cannot account. Give my unchanged love to them when you write.

You ask of Mrs. Talbot8 & family. Dead, all but Mary9 & Hannah10 who are yet together. How few of those you knew here are living, not one in a dozen. I hope your family may be long spared to you.

When at Boston in October I gave one day to each. Sister Lydia11 and her married children. They are all settled around her and in Boston, and all seemed so happy in being together. I could not go anywhere else as I was obliged to be back so soon. But they were untiring in their endeavors to make my time pleasant and I enjoyed the visit, almost like a child at play, after my long seclusion. Sister Lydia & George12 paid me a return visit in December, and I hope to have some of them with me occasionally. When your Georgiana13 comes this way I shall be most happy to welcome her for your sake. When I remember you as when here, and think how you are now deprived of the society and the comforts of civilization almost, it seems such a pity. But I hope you may yet come North and be very happy. If Mr. B.1 could sell out there even at much sacrifice, I think our northwest offers great inducements to you young folks, but you can best judge in the matter.

If this letter reaches you, and you desire it, I will write again. And shall be always glad to hear of & from you, and [__?__] to you & yours am as ever

Affectionately Cousin James

  1. Joseph Henry Bowditch (1818-1900), Elizabeth's husband
  2. Nathaniel Ingersoll Bowditch (1846-1913), Elizabeth's son
  3. Elizabeth's son Nat had served in a North Carolina artillery regiment during the Civil War, and was captured at Fort Fisher. James Gould was instrumental in obtaining his release.
  4. Catherine Gould (-1869), James's sister
  5. Warren Gould Hyde (1833-1894)
  6. Martha Eliza Abbot (1835-1870), Elizabeth's sister
  7. Ellen Louisa Abbot (1837-1887), Elizabeth's sister
  8. Hannah Lytle (abt 1787-1857)
  9. Mary Wilson Talbott (1816-1900), Hannah (Lytle) Talbott's daughter
  10. Hannah Lytle (1815-1899), Mary Wilson Talbott's cousin
  11. Lydia Gould (1805-1888), James's sister
  12. George Francis Weld (abt 1800-1875), husband of James's sister Lydia
  13. Georgiana Abbot Bowditch (1848-1927), Elizabeth's daughter