Abbot/Bowditch Family Letters

Elizabeth (Woodberry) Story to Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch, 28 February 1879

[From Elizabeth (Woodberry) Story in Somerville, Massachusetts, to Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. She talks again about visiting Elizabeth; describes her health; and tells Elizabeth news of various family members and friends.]

Somerville Feb 28, 1879

My Dear Sister Lizzie,

Another birthday! How the years go round. Do you know that last fall I really thought for quite a time, that I had written to you. I got my things out to write and then being prevented I actually thought I had written.

And do you know that I came very near coming to see you last winter or fall? Perhaps John¹ has told you that he came over to see me after he came from Carolina, but he did not advise my trying the journey in any time but the late spring or summer, & so it was decided. If he had encouraged me, I really think I should have gone, for Isaac² was willing & me calling it south had an idea it would be good for my health. But John says the climate is no milder than with us. I must say he did not seem to encourage my coming over the mountains at any time, but I shan't mind that. If I live a few years more and am able to get about I hope to see you in your own home. I can't promise about this summer, for as I was away last spring until almost June I must do more about housecleaning. Taking up and putting down the carpets will not be done properly unless I am here to see to it. I am stiff & lame in my knees and not able to work, but I can see that others do not hurry carelessly over it. I do want to see you so much and coming so near last fall makes me want to come all the more.

Why don't you write to me? I wrote you before I left Baltimore and have never had an answer. If you don't have time, write short letters but do write. I want you now particularly to write to me about the best way and time of year for getting on being at your house. The only trouble with me is, that I can't bear the cold or draughts. I take cold very easily, but I am not fussy and I can put up with almost anything that any one else can. I am sure for the sake of your dear company I could do without what John calls, perhaps, the luxuries of life. I went down to Manchester beach some years ago and lived in a tent four weeks, and had a splendid time, & so this proves that I can live in the mountains without luxuries.

I am now taking a new medecine which I hope will cure me, or at least make me much better. It is called Salycilica,³ a European remedy and much talked up. I have hardly been out this winter, as we have had a good deal of snow & that makes it cold, or if it gets warmer, it begins to thaw and get wet. But now in a few weeks it will be spring and I hope to get out often & to be all the better for it. I am lame & stiff in almost every part, but my friends tell me I am looking fleshier and better than usual. So just as soon as I can get comfortably out, I intend having my picture taken. Perhaps you may see one and so can compare the young lady with the old one. I wish you could have yours taken, I should so like to see it.

My oldest boy Willie⁴ got married last June and now I have a daughter "May,"⁵ a Baltimorian. Willie is now Assistant Professor at the John Hopkins University at Baltimore. It is a very good position and I could not ask as far as this world goes that he could succeed better in life. He is also Editor of the Mathamatical Journal which gives him a good deal to do. Fred⁶ is still in Baltimore, teaching private pupils. Isaac M.⁷ the youngest is Assistant Engeneer on the Lowell Rail Road. It does not pay very well, but is good practice and he is waiting an opportunity for a better chance. Times are dull with us, and any one that has employment is luckly.

I heard the other day that your sister Ellen⁸ has a babe.⁹ I congratulate her. I suppose she had almost concluded not to have any.

I had a letter from Mother¹⁰ this week in answer to one I wrote on her birthday Feb 22 when she attained her 79th year. She has been troubled with the rheumatism this winter, but it has not kept her in the house, as it has me. Otherwise she is very well. She writes that last week she went & had ten upper teeth out, four of them sound & expects to get a new set in. So she don't feel very old you see.

Dr. Boyden¹¹ is quite sick, has two watchers nights, but you can't judge him as you would any one else, he is so fussy when he is sick. He has a kidney difficulty.

Mrs. Haddock¹² ("Whitney," you remember) lost her daughter,¹³ in consumption. She was about 19 or 20, died New Years, was engaged to Judge Perkins'¹⁴ son¹⁵ of Salem.

I don't know much more about our old friends in Beverly than you do. I am able to go out but little and when I do I hear or see but little excepting my own family. Since I returned from Baltimore last May I have been down but twice & staid one night each time. I hope to go when the warm weather comes on and stop longer, but then I don't like to go away from home then because the berries and fruits begin to ripen and it is so nice to have fresh fruit & vegitables from the garden.

John¹ told me what a time you had had to wait for your glasses. I felt for you for I know what a loss it would be to me to be without. Dear Lizzie can you not write to me to get what you want sometimes & have them sent through the mail? I have friends who send lots of things, almost every thing wearible out west to members of their family there and succeed very well in it. Scarcely ever is anything lost. Now I should be delighted to help you in this way. It would be a real joy to me to feel that I was helping you ever so little.

Love to all your family and tell Georgianna¹⁶ I hope to see her in New England one of these days. My Husband² writes with me in love to you. Do do write soon. God bless you and yours.

Your loving Sister Lizzie

 

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

Page created by John Cardinal's Second Site v8.03.