Abbot/Bowditch Family Letters

Elizabeth (Woodberry) Story to Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch, 10 January 1882

[From Elizabeth (Woodberry) Story in Somerville, Massachusetts, to Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. She wishes Elizabeth would write more often, and says if her health continues to improve she may be able to come see her a year from the coming spring; talks about her husband's interest in poetry, and Egypt; tells Elizabeth about her sons, and her new grandson; and tells Elizabeth news of various family members and friends.]

Somerville Jan 10, ‘82

My Dear Sister E.,

I was very glad to get your letter of Dec 8th. It had been a long time since I heard from you. I wish you would not wait so long between your letters. As letters seem to be all we are likely to have of each other, I think we need not make them so scarce. Then too I want to hear from you oftener. I really had begun to fear you might be sick last fall, it was so long since I had heard. We are growing old now dear Lizzie and we must improve the time that may be left to us. I thought a few years ago that I might possibly come and see you, but since then I have been much more infirm and have felt compelled to give up the hope. And yet I can't say I have fully given it up. I am not able now but I am much better than I have been for more than a year.

Willie¹ my oldest son was keeping house in Baltimore last year, but I could not travel so far. He is boarding now, but thinks he shall keep house again next winter. If he does and I continue to improve and get stronger, rather than weaker, I may spend the winter or most of it with him, then I sometimes think it may be possible in the early spring to come down and see you and return North in the summer. This is rather a wild idea and I dare not let any one here know I have such thoughts. They might think I was crazy. But strange things as this have happened & who knows what time and patient waiting may bring us. If I could only see you once more I should be too happy.

I am glad you enjoy the papers, and that Ga.² takes care of them. Mr. Story³ is very much interested in the subject and is sitting now absorbed in his books (it is evening). He is quite a scholar and reads and writes a good deal. A few years ago he was all taken up with poetry. Now it is Egypt &c. I think he has written some very nice poetry and I call myself something of a judge, but he had never had any printed or I should have sent it to you. Perhaps some time I may copy off a piece just to let you see. This last week the Somerville Journal was taken up with city Inaugarals &c and Isaac did not have a peice in, but will continue them next week and then you shall get them as usual.

I suppose you would like to hear about my little grandson. He is called Isaac Franklin Story⁴ and is the child of my youngest son.⁵ He is now about four months old and seems strong and healthy. They are boarding at her mothers⁶ about half a mile from us. Isaac⁵ is now chief Engineer of the Boston & Lowell Rail Road, quite a responsible situation for so young a man. He did go to Texas in the spring but he had this offer and we were glad enough to get him back to Somerville. We were very anxious about him while he was south. He came back in July. We feared the hot months for him as he was exposed to hardships, travelling on foot miles from any houses locating Rail Roads. I quite sympathise with you in having your boys away. Perhaps they may yet return and help on the farm.

Willie¹ and his wife⁷ spent six weeks last summer with us, and Fred⁸ was on a fortnight. He is practising Law in the firm of Morris⁹ & Hinckly,¹⁰ Baltimore. He gets the least money of any of them, but his prospects are good and every year sees him advancing.

Mrs. Smarts¹¹ youngest son¹² has been at, or near Marion through the summer, but he is now at home. I believe he expects to return. If he does I shall see him and see if he will be able to come up to see you. The brother Willard¹³ that was there before is now in New Brunswick I think. This one, the youngest, has been out west for some years, but I used to know him very well.

I went to Beverly in October and made Mother¹⁴ a visit of ten days. I spent one long day with H. Rantoul¹⁵ and enjoyed it very much. We talked much of you and also of Ellen Bridge.¹⁶ H. is just as she used to be, journeying & Europe have not altered her a particle.

Rebecca Frances¹⁷ is not teaching now. She is at home with her Mother.¹⁸ Aunt Lucy¹⁸ is feeble and they watch her very tenderly. She is now 82. They all spent the New Year at my Mothers. Have you heard of Mrs. Matha Endicotts¹⁹ death? Pneumonia a fortnight ago. I saw her when I was down. She always enquired about you.

Lovingly your Sister Lizzie

I fear you may make the mistake that a lady did to whom I was talking yesterday of my son Isaac M.⁵ He is civil Engeneer, sees to repairs and alterations on the road and superintends the putting up of bridges &c. It is quite a responsible position and he is very young for it, but he has had a good education that prepared him for it. It is not how old a man is but what he knows.

Do write to me soon & I will answer it. Love to Ga.² & the others. I think I will soon send you some poetry that Ga. will like.

Lovingly E.

 

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

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