Luther Upton to his brother-in-law Joseph Henry Bowditch, 18 May 1856

[From Luther Upton in Springfield, Massachusetts, to his wife Helen's brother Joseph Henry Bowditch in Tarboro, North Carolina. He describes the aftermath of the death of Joseph's sister Sarah, and its affect on their mother Lucinda (Morse) Bowditch; proposes bringing her to live with them in Springfield; and asks for money to pay her expenses.]

Springfield May 18, 1856

Dear bro. Joe,

I wrote you a hurried note from Beverly conveying the sad tidings of Sarah's1 death. We have in a measure been slightly prepared for the worst, but cannot realize we shall never more see her again in this world, and can only say God's will be done, He doeth all things well.

The funeral was a distressing occasion, and I am utterly unable to give expression to my feelings, or those of Helen.2 She feels her loss deeply, but bears it with Christian fortitude.

Martha3 & Ellen,4 when we left them yesterday, though sorry to be obliged to do so, viewed their affliction with considerable calmness, and I hardly know what they would have done if John5 had not kindly and voluntarily given up his contemplated voyage and remain till poor George6 returns to find his home desolate and the light thereof extinguished.

As for your Mother,7 she seems at times completely broken down and at others appears quite calm. Having had Sarah near her so long & received so many thoughtful attentions from her, it seems almost a mercy that the feeble state of her mind at times breaks or tempers the force of her affliction, coming as it has so suddenly & so severely. Her lameness is no better, and with the aid of a crutch and considerable time is only able by resting to reach an adjoining chamber. She seems to feel & dwell upon her loneliness.

There remains one thing to be done, if possible (and I think it is) and that is to bring her to Springfield and make remaining days comfortable as we can. We think the change may be of great benefit to her, and Josey8 cheerfully gives up his chamber for her, and it is about the pleasantest in the house. I have done considerable for your Mother and I am glad to have been able to do so, and am still happy to offer her a home, with her only daughter,2 for life. I should like to accomplish this plan the latter part of next week, and hope you will aid me in so doing, by, with your usual promptness, sending me money enough to pay for her board & expenses, about $120. Just at this time I cannot without considera- inconvenience (some of my dividends &c having failed to be paid) advance that amount.

Sarah1 as you know made us a visit of four weeks during the month of February, and we look back now upon it with unspeakable satisfaction. The last letter she wrote, May 11, a cheerful one, was to me, and I shall always treasure it.

It was exceedingly gratifying to find what a great number of kind and sympathizing friends we and the Abbots formed. She has left a void that cannot be filled.

Write me immediately if you can.

All join me in kind regard and sympathies to you & family.

I am

Your brother

L. Upton

  1. Sarah Morse Bowditch (1816-1856), Joseph's sister
  2. Helen Maria Bowditch (1814-1889), Luther's wife and Joseph's sister
  3. Martha Eliza Abbot (1835-1870), sister of Joseph's wife Elizabeth and Sarah's husband George William Abbot
  4. Ellen Louisa Abbot (1837-1887), sister of Joseph's wife Elizabeth and Sarah's husband George William Abbot
  5. John Edwin Abbot (1831-1911), brother of Joseph's wife Elizabeth and Sarah's husband George William Abbot
  6. George William Abbot (1825-1861), Sarah's husband and brother of Joseph's wife Elizabeth
  7. Lucinda Morse (1786-1858), Joseph, Sarah, and Helen's mother
  8. Joseph Bowditch Upton (1837-1891), Luther's son