Abbot/Bowditch Family Letters

Nancy (Stickney) Abbot to her daughter Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch, and Martha Abbot to her sister Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch, 3 July 1850

[From Nancy (Stickney) Abbot in Beverly, Massachusetts, to her daughter Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch, in Tarboro, North Carolina. She mentions preparations for the upcoming Independence Day; describes the death of Charles Huntington, captain of the ship Elizabeth's brother George was on, and George's resulting situation of being in charge; 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 talks about her plans for Independence Day; describes a sailing trip she was on with several friends; and talks about the activities of various friends and family members.

Addressed to "Mrs. Joseph H. Bowditch, Tarboro, N. C." and postmarked Beverly, MS, Jul 4."]

My Dear Elizabeth,

It is a long time since we wrote you. Martha¹ has began a letter a number of times and as often failed in her attempt. They are so much engaged with Independance they can think of nothing else. I have been making boquets all the morning for the floral processions in Boston and Salem and now am seated in my chamber all alone in the house.

John² has been gone nearly a month. He had an attack of disentary, and was not well when he sailed. He is subject to that complaint, but I hope he will be careful of himself.

Poor George³ felt very bad about having charge of so much property. He felt Capt. Huntingtons⁴ death sensibly, said he had lost his best friend. True, he did not go before he enlisted George in the favour of his owner. May he prove, what they expect of him. It was a rare chance indeed, and as unexpected to him. I tremble fearing he will not apreciate his situation, and suden promotion. I must leave him in the hands of God, and his own endeavours, & should he succeed and do well, his fortune is sure. If not I know not what will be the consequence.⁵

You ask for particulars of Captn Huntingtons death. He was in Boston Wednesday previous to his death. George went with him from the vessel to the cars, he complaining of feeling dizzy, aproved to be variloyd, was not considered dangerously sick. On Saturday morn the Doctor gave his consent for him to go to Boston on Monday, expecting to go to sea on Tuesday. In the course of the forenoon he had an ill turn, said that he should die. Had his senses perfectly until his breath left his body, on Saturday noon. Was buried on Sunday. George went to Boston with the pleasing anticipation of seeing him there, when Mr. Silsbee came up and told him he was dead, and buried. What a shock it was to him, you can judge. How true it is that in the midst of life we are in death.

Henry Brown⁶ is dead. He died in in New York at his brothers.⁷ Betsey⁸ is here at her mothers⁹ with her children for the present. After a while she will go to Framingham. She looks very well considering what she has passed through.

Mrs. Giddings¹⁰ has been very sick, but is now better.

And now for your self and little ones. How are you, have got all painted, and papered, looking bright and new. Did not the smell of the paint affect you unpleasantly. I can fancy you all, Nat¹¹ and Sis,¹² doing all sorts of things out in the yard for amusement. Do you allow them in the garden.

How prolific your strawberry bed has proved; 30 qts is enormous. They are plenty here now at 1 shilling per qt. We shall have no cherries this year. The cold spring hurt the blossom.

I wish Nat and Sis could see the procession tomorrow. They would be delighted. Tell them if they were here now Grandma would not keep them shut up in the chamber. Poor children, how cruel it was to rob them of their freedom, and make them sick. Ask Nat if he remem how he used to run round the entry, and Grandma after him, and sis with a grave face say Naat bad boy. How I should like to see them.

Theodore Choate¹³ has had the real smallpox, a very bad case, the Doctor called it. Fred¹⁴ took the varioloyd¹⁵ somewhere and neglected to have the child vaxinated, and he liked to have lost him. Have you had Nat & Sis vaxinated. I should by all means. You don't know how they may be exposed. Have it done at once.

Charles¹⁶ is gone likewise to New York to go in the old gipsy again to Rio. His mother¹⁷ is at home and better.

Have you heard from Mr. Gould¹⁸ since you were there. I have not heard a word from them, and do not expect to unless through someone.

The weather is unpleasant, wind Easterly, and has been so for two weeks. The sun has hardly made its appearance. A very unpleasant season. It seems as though the wind gets fast to the east some times.

I feel much better than when you were here, altho I never expect to be fleshy again.

Martha¹ is at home from school now, & I shall give up my pen to her. Give my love to all and kiss Nat & Sis ten times apiece for their Gamma, & believe me your mother

A. Abbot

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

Beverly July 3rd 1850

My Dear Sister,

Ma¹⁹ has filled two pages of this sheet, and has given me permission to fill the other page, so I shall begin about the 4th inst. Tomorrow is independant day, and I am going over to Salem with Ellen²⁰ and Fred²¹ to see the Floral Procession. If it is pleasant I shall go over at half past six as the procession is to form at seven. I fear that we shall have a rainy day, as there is every appearance of it now. I shall send you a paper with the order of the day, and you will also see in the paper Professor Websters²² confession. In the evening there will be some fire works. There is also to be a procession in Boston. Next time I write I can tell you more particularly about it.

I will now tell you about a sail that I took a fortnight from next Saturday. It was a very unpleasant day to go as the wind was east and it was very cold and damp, and we went down to the wharf and started at half past one. We numbered thirty. I had a splendid time as I was sick before we lost sight of the wharf. I was obliged to go down into the cab[_____] down the first time that I was ever on the water and I then [_____] that [_____] should be [_____] last time. We went almost to the misery Island and then turned and sailed all around Salem harbor. We arrived at home about 5 o'clock. I was asked when I got home where I had been, but I could not tell any more than if I had not gone. It was very rough and windy.

This term ends next Saturday and then we are to have a fortnights vacation, and then I begin again.

Isaac Wallace²³ died in California.

Grandma²⁴ and Grandpa²⁵ are very well and send much love.

Hannah Rantoul²⁶ has not been down here since I last wrote you. I saw her this morning and believe she is very well.

Mrs. Pickett²⁷ and boy²⁸ are very well. She came to the door a few minutes a short time ago with it, but did not come in.

Will[_____] Michael²⁹ is going in September to Calcutta to stop two years.

[_____] see by the papers that Elisha³⁰ is Capt., having left the [_____] sick at Batavia.

John Endicott³¹ is going away soon, if not already gone, second mate of a new ship. I do not know where or how long he is to be gone.

Sarah Folger Lovett³² is here spending the summer at Capt. Pyam Lovett.³³

I don't know as I have anything more to write, and must bid you good bye with love to all from all, & a good hard kiss for ¹¹ and Sis.¹²

I remain your affectionate sister,

M.

 

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

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