James Gould to Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch, 6 May 1866

[From James Gould in Baltimore, Maryland, to Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. He laments how Martha and Ellen haven't written him; says Elizabeth's husband should not be discouraged over an apparent loss of property, and that things will get better now that the war is over; and says he's been a recluse for six years but is now getting out more, after his trip north to see relatives.]

Baltimore May 6 1866

Dear Lizzie,

You will not object to the address, it seems. So much more like old times. And the reading of your letter received yesterday altho' dated April 16th calls up the pleasant memories when your letters were so pleasant and frequent that I seem to see you and hear your joyous laugh with us. Us only in part now, the other part we hope in Heaven.

You speak of changes. Tis indeed hard to realize how great they have been. Of the many acquaintance we had when you were with us, I must write dead for very many of them. Mr. Burnap1 died six months after Eliza2 Sept 1859. Mr. Harlan3 long before that. He left quite a family but I never see or hear of them now.

You speak of Fred4 as having entirely recovered. I did not know he had been ill.

Martha5 and Ellen6 have entirely ignored Uncle James as they used to call me. I have no letter from them since I was at the North and called at the homestead in Beverly. Went down but Martha had gone, and I should have repeated my visit but was obliged to return to Balto. on account of then illness of my Mr. Ward.7 I wrote immediately to Ellen, but have no reply. It grieves me to lose their affection, but I love them, and shall always love them. I will not intrude my letters on them, but will ever pray for their welfare and would serve them if in my power. "The heart that has truly loved never forgets." I do not blame them, they have new joys, new hopes, new friends. God bless them, and may they be happy. They have blest me with many happy hours, of sweet and cheerful happenings, as you have also, and fond memory delights to recall them.

I thank you for your letter, and your love. May your future, tho' a little clouded now, soon brighten, and with your little family be filled with much happiness yet.

Mr. Bowditch8 (my love to him) must not be discouraged. Matters are settling down and peace now restored the horizon is brightening. I lost every cent of property twice, once when older than he is, but persevered and blest with health recovered some more, and lived to realize that loss of property is a small matter to loss of friends. Trust in the all wise and be of good cheer, all will yet be well.

Did you ever expect to get a letter from me at three score and ten. Yet so it is, and my heart is as young and warm as ever. Is it not cheering to think we may rejoin our friends in the spirit land, with enlarged faculties of enjoyment, and were time will not impair our energies but ever be progressive in attaining [?] purer higher nobler than aught of earth. Oh! I long to be immortal & with them.

Kate9 says give my love to Lizzie. Tis Sunday and she is at the parlour window while I am now writing to you. Warren10 has gone to walk and we are as quiet as Quakers.

I have never left my house. For two years I gave the family their rent and have always retained and occupied my chamber, and gave to them the use of my whole furniture, carpets, linen bedding & everything, and they wore out almost everything. But while money would replace it, I did not allow it to trouble me. For six years I was a recluse, never spent an evening out, and my business was my only relief from grief & care. But when I went North my relatives won me back in a degree by their untiring attention & love, that I have thot it my duty to mingle a little more in society and have done so.

Sister Lydia & her husband11 spent a month with me just before Christmas and cheered me much. She has James12 and Frank,13 and Sarah14 & Julia15 all married and settled round her.

We received a card of invitation from Julia, for her tin wedding. She is pleasantly located in Boston. Sent 400 cards and over 200 accepted and were entertained. Ten years they have a tin wedding, 25 a silver, & 50 a gold wedding. How few have the last.

But I must stop. Would I could see you here again. You & yours shall ever be welcomed by

Uncle James

  1. George Washington Burnap (1802-1859)
  2. Elizabeth Leach (1797-1859), James's wife
  3. Reuben Stump Harlan (1811-1858)
  4. Probably Frederick Darlington Bowditch (1859-1920), Elizabeth's son
  5. Martha Eliza Abbot (1835-1870), Elizabeth's sister
  6. Ellen Louisa Abbot (1837-1887), Elizabeth's sister
  7. William H. Ward, business partner of James Gould
  8. Joseph Henry Bowditch (1818-1900), Elizabeth's husband
  9. Catherine Gould (-1869), James's sister
  10. Warren Gould Hyde (1833-1894), Catherine (Gould) Hyde's son
  11. Lydia Gould (1805-1888), James's sister, and George Francis Weld (abt 1800-1875)
  12. James Gould Weld (1832-1904), son of George and Lydia (Gould) Weld
  13. Franklin Weld (1841-1898), son of George and Lydia (Gould) Weld
  14. Sarah Abby Weld (1829-1911), daughter of George and Lydia (Gould) Weld
  15. Julia Rebecca Weld (abt 1836-1880), daughter of George and Lydia (Gould) Weld