Elizabeth (Woodberry) Story to Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch, 24 January 1880

[From Elizabeth (Woodberry) Story in Somerville, Massachusetts, to Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. She wonders why Elizabeth hasn't written her; describes her health; and tells Elizabeth news of various family members and friends.]

Somerville Jan 24, 1880

My Dear Sister Lizzie,

I have been expecting to hear from you for so long a time that I feel I must write. I hoped John1 would let me know about you when he returned but suppose he must have gone west this winter. I sent you my photograph last summer and I thought of course you would write at once and tell me what you thought of it. I fear sometimes you did not get it, and yet I can't see why. It was directed all right.

My health I think better than last winter but I am lame and weaker in my legs. I do not dare to go out in the street alone and get out anyway but seldom. I cannot write as plain as I used to because my right hand is almost shut up. I can only use the thumb & forefinger and those are stiff. I keep a yarn ball in my hand every night to try and force it open a little. I have just got some skunk oil2 and am going to try that. I am pretty comfortable when I sit in my chair but I can't do much.

You remember Aunt Chrissy,3 Mrs. Lovett. She fell down stairs last summer and has not been well since. She died on the 2d of this month. She is quite a loss to my Mother4 as she staid a good deal with her and Mother will feel very lonely without her.

Dr. Boyden5 has also gone. He died last fall after a long and painful sickness.

Hannah Rantoul6 has got back and gone to housekeeping again. Looks just the same as ever. She seems to enjoy life, travelling round, doing as she pleases and nobody to say why do you so?

My brother Thorndike7 is now at Havre. He came from Astoria and had so long a voyage that we almost feared he was lost. The passage is usually made in about 150 days & he was 217. Something happened to his rudder and he was blown out of his course. He arrived safe & well however, and expects to be home in a fortnight. He has been gone over two years. You never saw his wife8 did you? She is a very fine looking lady, tall & an unusually good figure. They have but one child,9 a girl about 17 years old this spring.

Now Lizzie I am not going to write you a long letter. I want you to write to me just as soon as you get this and let me know if you got my picture. I have been so disappointed not to hear from you before. Do not make me wait long this time.

Love to Georgianna10 and the boys. How I wish you lived near enough for me to see you. I get lamer & weaker. I am afraid I can never travel over the mountains even to see you.

Love much love from sister Lizzie.

  1. John Edwin Abbot (1831-1911), Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch's brother
  2. Oil from two lateral glands that run the length of a skunk's back, used as a healing balm or liniment.
  3. Christiana Lincoln (1803-1880) sister of Elizabeth (Woodberry) Story's step-mother Nancy Howe (Lincoln) Woodberry
  4. Nancy Howe Lincoln (1800-1886), actually Elizabeth (Woodberry) Story's step-mother
  5. Wyatt Clark Boyden (1794-1879)
  6. Hannah Lovett Rantoul (1821-1898)
  7. Jacob Thorndike Woodberry (1814-1880), Elizabeth (Woodberry) Story's brother
  8. Julia Morris Porter (1838-1915), Jacob Thorndike Woodberry's wife
  9. Julia Lincoln Woodberry (1865-aft 1919), Jacob Thorndike Woodberry's daughter
  10. Georgiana Abbot Bowditch (1848-1927), Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch's daughter