James Gould to Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch, 29 May 1866

[From James Gould in Baltimore, Maryland, to Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. He laments again how Martha and Ellen don't write him, asks how Elizabeth's son Nathaniel is doing, and whether his time as a soldier helped or hurt, and says it helped his nephew Warren.]

Baltimore May 29 1866

Dear Cousin Lizzie,

Your letter of March last I have not before me, but having a leisure moment, I avail of it to say that immediately on receipt of it I wrote in reply, but unfortunately addressed it to Morgantown Keen Co., N. C. Some time afterward I discovered that it should have been Yancy Co. And I then wrote to the Postmaster at Morgantown enclosing stamps, asking him to forward it to you. Did you ever get it. If not you may think me very remiss in acknowledgement and I now write to ask if it came to hand.

I have nothing new to write about. Am still at 38 Franklin St. Kate1 & Warren2 are with me and I plodding on the old round of lifes duties.

I get frequent letters from my sister3 and her family at the north, but not a syllable from Martha4 or Ellen.5 I am not aware of the why or the wherefore. God bless them. They have my love unalterable for the much of happiness of the past they afforded me, of which I fondly cherish the memories, and of which you also gave so large a share. But time and absense seems to have wrought a change which I can only lament, but am wholly unconscious of a cause.

In arranging some papers I found a letter from Martha of last summer relating to your son Nathaniel6 and urging me to visit Beverly. I did visit Beverly and the dissapointment of not seeing her was only alleviated by seeing Ellen, which was indeed a happiness, but I could not refrain from expressions of regret at missing Martha, which I hope could not be cause of offence to Ellen. I will not offer explanations as they cannot be necessary. If my whole past will not assure them of my love, nothing I could now say would. I should be rejoiced to hear of them thr' you if in no other way. Tell me of their welfare and of your own, and of your family.

How is Nath'6 doing and has his soldier life been of advantage or otherwise. It has been of real service to my nephew Warren.2 He is very much improved and the rough life of the camp has been of great service. His associates were all from the vicinity of Boston & kept their morals & character good, and were welcomed by their friends as Patriots on their return. Let us hope never again to have occasion to renew the strife.

How shall I know this reaches you. Do write and say if the one was forwarded from Morgantown.

With love to all with you. Believe me as ever yours.

Uncle James

  1. Catherine Gould (-1869), James's sister
  2. Warren Gould Hyde (1833-1894), Catherine (Gould) Hyde's son
  3. Lydia Gould (1805-1888), James's sister
  4. Martha Eliza Abbot (1835-1870), Elizabeth's sister
  5. Ellen Louisa Abbot (1837-1887), Elizabeth's sister
  6. Nathaniel Ingersoll Bowditch (1846-1913), Elizabeth's son