Abbot/Bowditch Family Letters

Elizabeth (Woodberry) Story to Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch, 15 June 1888

[From Elizabeth (Woodberry) Story in Baltimore, Maryland, to Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. She says she is still in Maryland, waiting to return home with her son Fred's family in a week; talks about her son Frederick's move into the country, 3-4 miles from Baltimore, and his new house; says she got the dollar Elizabeth sent, and will get the slippers and send them to her after she returns home; talks about some clothing patterns Elizabeth was asking about; and encloses two poems she has written.]

Carroll Baltimore Co.
June 15, ‘88

My Dear Sister,

Your letter of April 17 reached me in due time and I was truly much pleased with it. It seems so good to get one of your dear long letters, like those I used to have long ago.

You will be surprized to see I am still in Maryland, but I am too lame to go home alone and as my son Fred¹ with wife² & child³ will go home this month I thought it best to wait & go with them. I hoped to go a month ago & was disappointed when I found I could not, but I have waited pretty patiently and now expect to start next Friday just a week from today. I have made a long visit, but I do not expect ever to come again. I do not believe I shall ever be willing to leave my husband⁴ again for a long visit.

My son Will,⁵ whom we call the Dr., has moved into the country about 3 or 4 miles from Baltimore. It is a fine place of about 20 acres of land, well laid out and under perfect cultivation. We have a fine view from the front Piazza of Baltimore & a little more to the right a fine water view, the bay I believe. He has made some alterations to the house, which are not yet quite finished, although the work men have been here over three months. He will have a very handsome place when he gets through. I wish you could see it.

Your last letter was a real nice one, although you did not seem to think so, but it told me just what you were doing and about your boys, which is all so interesting to me. I found the dollar enclosed and when I go home, will send you the slippers. You know I cannot go to the stores myself and in Baltimore, I know nothing where to send. But I can send and get them, where I got the others. I hope you have not needed them, but yet I fear you have, from what you wrote. If I could get out myself I would have tried even in Baltimore, but I have not been able to walk but two squares since I came & I don't believe I could do that now.

About the patterns, my little grandchild⁶ here is a boy, but his mother⁷ thinks she could find me a coat pattern that might do for next fall or winter. Her brothers wife living near here, has a little girl about five & I think I can get a dress pattern from her. I will send them if I can when I go home. I will send you a phamplet or fashion book, in which you can see all sorts of styles. If you like any of them you can send me word and I can get any of the patterns of the proper size, and will be glad to do so. I do not go in myself, but I have a friend who has lived with me nearly ten years Miss Chase and she delights to go in Boston, shopping, when there is any excuse for it.

About the basque you wrote of, do you want a dress basque or an over jacket. If you will send your size measuring round under the arms I can get you one to fit. But when I go home I will cut out one from any basque pattern and perhaps you can make it do for one of you. You must remember I am not very stylish, but I suppose you do not care so much for that in the mountains.

I am sorry I could not attend to these things for you, at the time you wrote, as the summer is on us now, in all its heat, & summer clothes ought to be all ready. However as I was situated I could not do better or I should have only been too glad to oblige you.

I got Georgiana's⁸ letter and shall write to her after I get home. We are having peas too, tell her, and a plenty of strawberries. Cherries are ripe too.

I have only one little girl grandchild⁹ & she is only two years old. It must be a great pleasure for you to have two boys at home with you. Give my love to all.

Your loving sister Lizzie

I have seen May's⁷ sister and she will give me the pattern & a book of patterns. The dress is low neck & short sleeves with white, high under waist & white under sleeves. Looks pretty.

I send you with this two pecies of poetry I have written the last week, one to a friend who is losing her sight, the other to a friend who wrote wishing me home & speaking of my home.

To H. G. on the loss of her sight.

Friend, is it dark around thee now?
It is the shadow of His wings;
Keep thou still, and listening wait,
For the whispered word He brings.

The earth is dark, but just beyond
The glimmer of a little light.
And soon the glory of thy Lord,
Shall burst on thine enraptured sight.

He shuts thee out, from all that would
Remove thy heart from His too much.
Oh draw thou near, and wait for Him,
So shalt thou feel His loving touch.

He bids thee come aside awhile,
And He draws near, with thee to stay.
Oh can'st thou not with Him abide,
Who turns thy darkness into day?

"So it is I, be not afraid."
"My peace I give," thy heart to cheer.
My love shall round about thee stay
Till thou shalt feel no doubt or fear.

Dear Savour yes, my heart is thine,
Do Thou according to Thy will;
Thy love shall more than all repay,
That love alone my heart shall fill.

E. B. S.

Baltimore Co.
June 9, ‘88

To Mrs. L. H. P.

Thanks, dear Sister, for your note,
Like words of gold, in silver set,
Or like the rain on thirsty grass,
Those words of yours my vision met.

Oer Hill and vale my heart flies home,
To meet the dear ones waiting there.
Too slow the hours, too long the days,
That brings me not, that home to share.

I come, I come. One little week,
Shall see me back to thee once more.
What months ob absence takes away,
One little week shall all restore.

Beauty is round me, none could ask,
A fairer sight to greet the eye.
Stretching before, on either side,
Of green and bleu, of sea and sky.

And loved ones too, my own, my own!
Are ever near my steps to guide,
Their voices sweet fall on my ear.
Blest be the home where I abide!

But my own home lies far away,
I turn to that with eager eye;
How dear my home ones seem today;
I long for wings, that I may fly.

E. B. S.

Baltimore Co.
June 15, ‘88

 

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

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