James Gould to Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch, 27 March 1871

[From James Gould in Forest Hills, Massachusetts (part of the Jamaica Plain neighborhood in Boston), to Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. He sympathizes with her over the death of her sister Martha; reminisces about the times they had together in Baltimore; sympathizes about their "reverse of fortune and loss of property," and tries to encourage her; notes that Nat has gone west, and suggests her family should consider it also; and says he traveled to Baltimore, Washington, and New York in February with his niece Eliza Weld and "some young Ladies that I invited."]

Forest Hills
27th March 1871

Dear Lizzie,

It seems a long long time since hearing from you, although I hear of you & yours through John1 and Mrs. Frederick.2 And my letter writting has become less frequent of late to all my kind correspondents. I plead guilty to remissness, but it is much easier to confess than to amend of faults.

I thank you for your last kind letter and truly sympathize with you in the death of dear Martha.3 I loved her dearly and was shocked at the intelligence of her death. All who knew her feel a void in the circle of loved ones, and feel that the loss is ours. Is it not fortunate that dear Ellen4 is there to look after the children, and lessen the severity of the blow to William,5 whom also to know is to love. May he find consolation in the hope that to her it is indeed gain. How glad I am that I visited them in their dear Home, and how kindly they received me. It will ever be a sweet memory. And I recall her kindnesses & hospitality and gentleness and pleasant greetings as vividly as it were yesterday.

Imagination takes us back to Baltimore, and my Eliza6 a part of the group, and we live over the pleasant hours, and dear scenes, and happy moments passed in each others society, & hear the hilarious laugh & pleasant repartee, and see the genial smile, and live over again the times of early years. Well dear Lizzie, let us be thankful for the good we have enjoyed, and make the best of circumstances, and I look forward with trust that we may all meet again in love unending. I see no gloom in the future state, our Father is all love, and can & will make us happy, though weakening & sinful. He is our Father & will make his children happy, and my trust in his goodness is perfect.

I have read an reread your letter and deeply sympathize in your reverse of fortune and loss of property. But dear Lizzie, courage. I have been similarly or worse circumstances and can truly sympathize with your struggles. Hope energy, and perseverance, may yet repair the losses of fortune, and your young family make your later years peaceful and happy. It is trials that prove our strength. And with a clear conscience and a confiding trust in out loving Father, He tempers the wind to the shorn lamb and shall he not care for us his children. Yes we will trust in him, and try & believe that all is for the best, and hope on, hope ever.

I learn that Nat7 has gone West. May it be a begining of brighter hours. That seems to me to be the place for making or rebuilding fortunes, but you must be the judge of making it your future home. If it is best for your family, sacrifice personal & present comforts & ties and begin the world anew out there. It is not place that gives happiness & home is any where if we are doing well & have health. And distance almost anihilated by modern travelling. But I cannot judge for you and can only offer my best wishes.

I have not heard from Georgiana8 for a long time. Give my love to her & a kiss for both of you. Emma2 & Cora9 was out to see us a few days since. How you would like to hear her prattle. Ellen4 is very busy I suppose. Have not heard from her for a good while. The pen is the tongue of the absent, but if silent for awhile, love abides and we will hope it ever will with us.

On the first of February I left Boston in company of Eliza Weld10 and some young Ladies that I invited to go to Baltimore & Washington. And we made a joyous time of it, stopping in New York &c. Staid two weeks in Baltimore &c. Left Eliza there and she is still south. Took some cold and have not been quite so well since. But though tis snowing & blowing cold today, yet milder weather will soon be with us. How Time flies. Here is the last of March and a year has flown like a dream. On the 30 instant I shall be 76 years old.

Yours as ever,

James Gould

  1. John Edwin Abbot (1831-1911), Elizabeth's brother
  2. Emily Lynde Whiting (1843-1928), wife of Elizabeth's brother Frederick
  3. Martha Eliza Abbot (1835-1870), Elizabeth's sister
  4. Ellen Louisa Abbot (1837-1887), Elizabeth's sister
  5. William H. Thorndike (1835-1887), Martha (Abbot) Thorndike's husband
  6. Elizabeth Leach (1797-1859), James's wife
  7. Nathaniel Ingersoll Bowditch (1846-1913), Elizabeth's son
  8. Georgiana Abbot Bowditch (1848-1927), Elizabeth's daughter
  9. Cora Whiting Abbot (1866-1889), daughter of Elizabeth's brother Frederick and Emily (Whiting) Abbot
  10. Eliza G. Weld (1834-1871), daughter of James's sister Lydia