Abbot/Bowditch Family Letters

Nancy (Stickney) Abbot to her son-in-law Joseph Henry Bowditch, and daughter Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch, 11 May 1848

[From Nancy (Stickney) Abbot in Beverly, Massachusetts, to her son-in-law Joseph Henry Bowditch, and daughter Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch, in Tarboro, North Carolina, about four months after the death of Nancy's husband (Elizabeth's father) George Abbot, and two months after the death of her daughter (Elizabeth's sister) Georgiana. The first part, to her son-in-law, talks about a real estate issue involving a house Joseph had apparently purchased. The second part, to Elizabeth, says she's had trouble finding a servant girl; talks about Georgiana's wedding gifts; and describes her sadness over the recent deaths in the family.

Addressed to "Joseph H. Bowditch Esq., Tarboro N. C." and postmarked "Beverly, MS, May 16." Also written on the outside is "Anna Abbot, Ship Riduga, Capt. Leach, May 1848." A small section has been torn away, with a few missing words.]

Beverly 11th May 1848

My Dear Mr. Bowditch,

I received your favour yesterday of May 1st with my husbands¹ letters enclos'd; think I understood the purport of them before, but feeling my troubles and care so great, did not feel like increasing them, if it were possible to avoid it, thinking at the same time there would not be much difference between taking a deed or a mortgage of the house you have purchased; thought I should prefer the latter, as I have so many houses now to take care of. Money is very hard to be got at, more so than when my husband wrote of the difficulty of getting it. At this time especially I have call for more than I can command.

However it is my wish to carry out all that my husband projected as far as in my power. After next Tuesday I shall be empowered to act, and then I will do the best I can for you after I have received the deed, made out agreeable to my husbands wishes. Mr. Rantoul² is my attorney and advises to have all such matters done according to law. I wish you to put the pay-day as far off as possible as I don't know where I can obtain the money. Write and let me know how I shall send it to you, and what amount is necessary immediately, and all particulars, and I will endeavour to meet your wishes.

Your friend truly,

Anna Abbot

[The rest of this letter is to Nancy's daughter, and Joseph Bowditch's wife, Elizabeth.]

Dear Elizabeth,

I am very glad to hear of the arrangement you have made for nurse, think it will do finely, and the next time I hear from you, hope you will be well through and comfortable.

I have been very busily engaged in fitting John³ away. He sails tomorrow in the ship Riduga,⁴ Capt. Leech,⁵ bound to Liverpool, and from there to Canton. George⁶ is still at home and is now engaged in seeing to repairs that your father had engaged to have done to the fences, &c., and I am having the lot in the cemetery fixed, which is a great care for me.

I am still without anyone, find it extreemly difficult to get such a one as I would like. Shall be obliged to put up with an ignorant Irish girl. I was disappointed in not having Mary,⁷ but her aunt thought she was too near my childrens age, & I think now it is as well that I could not have her. E. Story⁸ is going to have her. E. sends her love to you, is rather complaining.

H. Rantoul⁹ has returned with her mother¹⁰ who is no better.

Charles¹¹ told me he was going to write you again. He can tell you more news than I know. Every thing looks dark and gloomy to me. I am not interested in any thing, excepting what I am obliged to be. I think I shall fit my house, and let one half of it, but I have not decided what I shall do.

Mrs. Israel Stone¹² is dead. That makes seven in this immediate neighborhood since Jan.

You want to know what became of dear Georgiana's¹³ presents. Charles kept all but your cloth and dishes, those I have for you. Her clothing, and linens and crockery, and part of the furniture, I have, but all G's work they kept – her ottomans, chair &c, best beaureau, bed, &c.

We had a letter from Mr. Gould¹⁴ in in which he said he had not heard from you for a long time. If you have not written him, I wish you would, and send that note that Mr. Thayer¹⁵ wrote you. It will inform him more than we could tell him of Georgiana's death. We wrote him, but did not particularize. He seems to feel a great deal of sympathy for us.

How is dear little Nat.¹⁶ I would give a dollar to see him at this moment. I can fancy him in my minds eye, and hear him ask for toter [?]. I suppose he has forgotten them by this time. Dear little boy, his nose is almost out of joint. Fred¹⁷ says I wish I could see him.

Charles¹¹ desires to be remembered to you, and says Jo. Henry¹⁸ must make another attempt to write him. He spends almost every eve here, is impatient to get away. Wilson Flagg¹⁹ occupies the house that he did. Charles says he hates to pass by, it makes him feel so unpleasantly.

You want to know why George⁶ does not write. I have [_____] to persuade him to often, but can never succeed. He says [_____] of no use to write, therefore you will have to wait his own time.

You say the cap I sent Rufus²⁰ was not in the box. It was roll'd up with the stockings. You would call it a night cap, but the boys wore them here. Your father¹ bought one for Fred. The colours were so bright, he thought one would plese Rufus, and intended to have sent it. I have two little dresses, the last work that Georgiana did, and one has been on her boy which I intend for you.

O dear could all have gone on well, how happy we might have been. She often, if you remember, would say when all did not go right, it is all for the best. But poor dear girl we can see no good that can come out of these, our sad bereavements. But I shall endeavour to be still and know that God has done it, and trust that we shall all meet at last in Heaven.

My love to all friends. Kiss Natty¹⁶ for me, and believe me

Your affectionate Mother

A. Abbot

[A couple of lines were added, upside down, at the top of the portion of the letter to Elizabeth, by Elizabeth's brother George.]

Dear Sis,

Just wait until I find something to write & then I will try for a few lines.

Your aff. brother

George

 

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

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