Abbot/Bowditch Family Letters

James Gould to Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch, 9 December 1866

[From James Gould in Baltimore, Maryland, to Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. He reminisces about past visits with Elizabeth, and says he's glad that she may be moving back to Tarboro.]

Baltimore December 9th 1866

Dear Cousin Lizzie,

Does not the world seem to roll backward as I write Cousin Lizzie. Oh! How many many pleasant letters I recal in reply to my own, which I fear were often prosy inflictions upon your patience. But they came warm from my heart and if poor in Ideas were true tributes of affection.

As I look up, and your Portrait returns my gaze, how vividly past times & scenes pass in review. In this very parlour where I now write, there is everything to remind me of delightful events of love & happiness with dear Eliza,¹ as you knew her. Various and gay as youth ever is, how refreshing to us was your vivacity and cheerfulness to our sedate and quiet home. Can it be gone forever. Oh! No, no, no, I will hope and believe that we shall all meet again, were those we love will forever be reunited and purified from all that can trouble us. We may have the fruition of happiness.

You say it grieves you to have me write of leaving you all forever. No not forever, it is but for a time. And I love to think that my release is near and that I can soon go to those dear ones who are awaiting my coming. Yet while here I love the more the lessening number of dear ones yet willing to accept my love. Seventy odd winters have bleached my hair but my heart pulsates as warm as seventeen summers knew, and would welcome you as ever could we meet. Is it not an evidence of immortality that while the body fails us, our minds are ever progressing, and are developing new powers, intellectual and moral, to fit us for a better state.

Am very glad to hear of Martha² & Ellen.³ Congratulate Martha for me upon her new babe.⁴ May every happiness attend them, and may Ellen share their joys. How it would seem to visit Beverly, and not see them. That is what I never expect however. Fred & his wife⁵ and John⁶ have my good wishes, but I never have seen enough of them to enlist my sympathies as you girls have. If John should pay you a visit, tell him that the latch string of my cabin is ever on the outside to him, and a welcome awaits him.

Am very glad that you look forward to making Tarboro again your home with so much pleasure. May Mr. B.⁷ realize his fondest hopes. But at our age, experience says, be not too sanguine but persevere. And he is young enough yet to accumulate all that is wanting. Energy and enterprize always wins. And with your help, success is certain with Gods blessing.

Thank your friend Mrs. Owen⁸ for her kind remembrance of me. May the renewal of your acquaintance as neighbors be mutually pleasant. The giving up of your country home will be with varied emotions, I am sure. For altho' town have many comforts that are desirable, yet there is a charm in country life to many that is more than compensating. Not for me tho' I have never known what it is, and must have society to enjoy anything. Were I young again.

I see by referring to your letter ‘tis dated Nov 10th, a month old. How time slips away. Winter is again upon us, but so far has been very mild, and with you probably warm. But, cold & snow and storm we must soon expect, terrible to the poor and houseless. We should be thankful to be so well cared for.

I should like much to see your Georgie.⁹ Is she like her mother. I hope so. And if Mr. B. or you come north, bring her along and leave her with us while he goes to buy his goods, if agreeable to her.

With love to all,

As ever your James Gould

 

Copyright Charles Towne. Usage of this work is licensed under Creative Commons BY-NC 4.0
Compiler: Charles Towne

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