Abbot/Bowditch Family Letters

Nancy (Stickney) Abbot to her daughter Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch, and Martha Abbot to her sister Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch, 12 August 1850

[From Nancy (Stickney) Abbot in Beverly, Massachusetts, to her daughter Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch, in Tarboro, North Carolina. She asks about Elizabeth's children, and talks about how she wishes to see them; mentions a brief note from Elizabeth's brother George; describes a visit from Lydia (Gould) Weld and her daughters; and talks about various friends and family members. This is a two-part letter with the second part written by her daughter (Elizabeth's sister) Martha Abbot, in which she describes a berrying trip she was on; talks about the Princeton Boat Club; mentions the upcoming services for President Zachary Taylor, and the hanging of John Webster; and talks about the activities of various friends and family members.

The letter is dated 12 July 1850, but postmarked 13 August. The correct date on the letter should have been 12 August. This is shown by the second part of the letter, from Martha, in which she says "Next Thursday Fred is nine years old." Martha's brother Frederick Abbot was born 15 August 1841, and 15 August was indeed a Thursday in 1850. In addition, the previous letter was written on 3 July 1850. In that letter Martha noted that she was about to start a two week vacation from school, and would thus have not been in school on 12 July, but in this letter she says she had just returned from school.

Addressed to "Mrs. Joseph H. Bowditch, Tarboro, N. C." and postmarked Beverly, MS, Aug 13."]

Beverly July 12th 1850

My dear Elizabeth,

I have been anxiously looking for that letter you were to write in the course of a week, as you said in your last. I hope you have not been prevented by sickness; you had a chill the day before. Was it from imprudence? I must call you very much so, to expose Sis¹ so, poor darling child. How cruel to make [_____] sick. Trust she is well, and hearty, by this time. & Nat,² how is he? How I wish I could have a visit from them often. But it is vain to wish, a long space separates us. I am expecting every day to hear good tidings from you. How I should delight to see Nat and Sis, at the first introduction with what astonishment they will look up and wonder.

We have had for two weeks now real dog-day weather, very unpleasant, but healthy generally. Father³ has had a touch of cholera morbus, but has got over it.

Since I wrote you I have had a line from George.⁴ He was spoken a fortnight out. The contents of his letter, after stating the Lat. & Long., was, Dear Mother, we are all well, and send love. I have time to write only one word. But I was pleased indeed to receive this much from him.

Martha⁵ and myself have been setting out a small strawberry bed, the one under the front fence in the garden. If I succeed in making them as prolific as yours, shall be encouraged to set a larger one next year.

I must not omit telling you that I have had a call from Lydia Weld,⁶ and her two daughters Eliza⁷ and Julia.⁸ They came from Salem where they were making a short visit at Mr. Downings. Julia looks much like Mrs. Gould,⁹ she ought to have had the name. She has a Grandchild four months old,¹⁰ it seems almost impossible (but all serves to remind us of the rapidity of time). She appears as ever, easy and clever. Said she should come down and make us a visit before summer was through.

Lucy Lovett¹¹ has gone to Brunswick, Mrs. Choate¹² to Northhamton.

Perhaps you have heard that Mr. McGaffy¹³ was dead. He died at the mines in California. I should think the Doctor¹⁴ would feel bad about Joseph,¹⁵ who is out there.

Israel¹⁶ has just been in, and says give my love to Elizabeth. He tells me that Frank Edwards¹⁷ is going to Europe upon R. Road business, and Rebecca¹⁸ wants to go with him.

I have nothing particular more to write. Will give my pen to Martha, after expressing my love for all, and kisses for the little ones from their grandmother.

A. Abbot

Again I resume my pen to finish this scrawl. I intended that Martha should have mailed it today, but she seems to have all her time taken up. She has commenced taking musick lessons of Mr. Amelio.¹⁹ Goes to Salem Saturdays & Wednesdays. He has the reputation of being a very good teacher.

Mary L. Libby²⁰ is here, with her children I believe, and Mrs. Dowling Trask²¹ with two likewise. They had a large party last week.

Hannah²² has not been out to church today, something unusual for her. She went a berrying Saturday with William,²³ and Saml Endicot,²⁴ and families, Jane,²⁵ Martha Giddings,²⁶ &c. Berries are very plenty, and everybody seems to be going after them. It seems to me to be a toil of pleasure.

[This second letter on the sheet is from Elizabeth's sister Martha.]

My Dear Sister,

I have just returned from school, and Ma²⁷ has given the pen to me to write a few lines. She began telling you about berrying. I shall finish by telling you that I went last week with a small party of girls. We walked to the same place that you went three years ago. I don't know as you remember it, but I think you will when I say it was the time when we killed that snake and I brought it home in an old handkerchief.

The thing of most interest that I can tell you is about the Princeton boat Club. Ten young men have hired a boat from the navy yard. They go out every night at eight o'clock, and people assemble on the wharves and beach to see them row with such order, dipping their oars at once. Their uniform is red baize shirts ornamented with gilt and white pantaloons, straw hats with a wide black ribbon and long streamers. They look very pretty. They had a supper down to Capt. Israel Whitney's²⁸ one evening last week. They seem to enjoy themselves much.

The obsequies in honor of our late lamented President Taylor²⁹ is to take place in Boston on Thursday the fifteenth. I expect that it will be splendid. The Catafalque is to be splendid.

Also on the thirtieth Professor Webster³⁰ is to be suspended. I wonder how he feels.

William Michael Whitney³¹ & family have gone up to the Leach farm to board for a while.

Betsy³² & baby³³ have left Mrs. Lovetts¹¹ and gone to spend the remaining part of the summer with Mrs. Brown.³⁴ She intends coming back here in the winter. Charley³⁵ st[_____]tay here and goes to school.

John Safford³⁶ has made a short visit home about a week since, but has again returned to New York.

Mr. Edward Meacom³⁷ arrived about a fortnight since. He is going again in abut six weeks, and George Endicott³⁸ is going with him.

And now for Nat & Sis. How do they do. But poor Sis, she has been sick, what a pity. If she was on here now she should go out as much as she was a mind to & Nat too.

Next Thursday Fred³⁹ is nine years old. What a great boy. He is very well. He began to study Grammar today. He will soon be old enough to go to the Academy.

I have begun a new term. The school is very thin, about twenty five. It is mostly on account of the hot weather. We have not had much though, and in the morning & evening it is quite cool. You would feel like having a fire, but about noon it is quite pleasant. Cool weather will soon be here, only one month more of summer. The leaves have already begun to fall.

I don't know as I have anything more to write, and I must end by bidding you good bye. With love from all to all. I remain your ever loving Sister,

Martha

 

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

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