James Gould to Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch, 21 July 1867

[From James Gould in Baltimore, Maryland, to Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. He talks about the Peabody Fund, apparently responding to a request from Mr. and Mrs. Owens passed to him through Elizabeth; says he was pleased to get a letter from Georgiana; sends Elizabeth 4 dozen issues of Harpers Monthly; says he heard that Martha and Ellen were in Beverly for the summer, and again laments that they never return his letters, and wonders what has estranged them from him; and talks about his niece Julia Weld and her husband visiting him, and that they are both in poor health.]

Baltimore July 21 / 67

Dear Cousin Lizzie,

In replying to your letter of the 12, I assure you that it would give me pleasure to serve your friends Mr. & Mrs. Owen,1 but I think the Peabody fund2 will be applied through the Trustees in the several locations. But when Mr. Eaton3 the trustee here returns, I will advise with him, and write to you on the subject.

I thank you for the kind feelings toward me and as my circle of friends lesson by removal to a purer state, the few remaining are more valued.

I was more than pleased with the letter from Georgiana.4 It seemed a new friend found. And how strange that your daughter should be writing to me. Not strange in itself, but difficult to realize that so much time has elapsed. Old Rip Van Winckel, waking after his twenty years nap, is almost realized, and I imagine yourself repeated in Georgiana. Would that I could see her, and will live in hope.

I send by express some 4 dozen numbers of Harpers Monthly. In your Mountain Home there must be leisure to enjoy them, and as I have read them, they are lying about useless here. May they be a pleasure to you.

Sister Lydia5 wrote to me that she heard that Martha6 & Ellen7 were in Beverly to pass the summer. How strange that I should only know of them through others. I have always loved them truly and do yet, and would serve them in all kindness if I knew how. I have not the remotest Idea what can have estranged their regard for me. But as my letters remain unanswered I cannot intrude even my love upon them. The time may come, when they will explain the reason, but I have been unable to imagine a cause. May God bless them and may they find other friends. But they cannot have any more truly sincere than my heart tells me that I am still, and have ever been or tried to be.

I shall tell Hannah Lytle8 of your kind remembrance. She is with Mary Talbot,9 recreating in this their summer vacation and will be absent a month or more.

My very dear niece Julia Weld10 & her Husband Mr. Bradlee11 were with us last Sunday week both invalids. Had been to Washington on business. She is one of the sweetest and dearest women that ever lived. They are devoted to each other, have two children, and are very wealthy, surrounded by every comfort and luxury but health. He is very industrious and takes much pride in his business as an architect, altho' sick himself and his Father12 very wealthy & ninty years of age. But Health, ah what blessing is there equal to that. Would we exchange with them. Oh how truly is it, that all have their burdens & happiness is very nearly distributed, could we but see each others hearts.

Sister Lydia5 is surrounded by her family, and highly blessed in having them all steady and affectionate to each other. Sarah13 & her large family live next door & Frank14 just across the street, with their old Aunts just opposite. So they constitute about one family. They want me to quit business & live with them. But I could not be Idle.

I shall be looking out for Mr. Bowditch.15

Accept love of cousin James

  1. Thomas Robinson Owen (1809-1882) and Mary Blount McCotter (1811-1876)
  2. The Peabody Education Fund was established by George Peabody in 1867 for the purpose of promoting "intellectual, moral, and industrial education in the most destitute portion of the Southern States." The main purpose of the fund was to aid elementary education by strengthening existing schools. Distribution was in the hands of the trustees without restriction, but limited to about $80,000 per year over a period of thirty years. See Peabody Education Fund.
  3. George Nathaniel Eaton (1811-1874)
  4. Georgiana Abbot Bowditch (1848-1927), Elizabeth's daughter
  5. Lydia Gould (1805-1888), James's sister
  6. Martha Eliza Abbot (1835-1870), Elizabeth's sister
  7. Ellen Louisa Abbot (1837-1887), Elizabeth's sister
  8. Hannah Lytle (1815-1899)
  9. Mary Wilson Talbott (1816-1900), Hannah Lytle's cousin
  10. Julia Rebecca Weld (abt 1836-1880), daughter of James's sister Lydia
  11. Nathaniel Jeremiah Bradlee (1829-1888)
  12. Samuel Bradlee (1778-1867)
  13. Sarah Abby Weld (1829-1911), daughter of James's sister Lydia
  14. Franklin Weld (1841-1898), son of James's sister Lydia
  15. Joseph Henry Bowditch (1818-1900), Elizabeth's husband