Elizabeth (Woodberry) Story to Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch, 28 February 1883

[From Elizabeth (Woodberry) Story in Somerville, Massachusetts, and Baltimore, Maryland, to Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. She says she's leaving for Baltimore the next day, staying until May, and later (after arriving) describes the trip; talks about her cousin Rebecca Frances's poor health; says she went to Beverly for her (step-)mother's birthday; and tells Elizabeth news of various family members and friends. The first part of this letter was written in Somerville on 28 February (Wednesday), and finished in Baltimore on Friday (2 March).]

Somerville Feb 28, ‘83

My Dear Sister Lizzie,

Another year has brought round your birthday and I have been hoping I should have a letter to answer by this time, but my hopes are vain. I have sent you a letter and quite a number of papers since I heard from you. Now I am on the eve of my departure for Baltimore. Expect to start tomorrow afternoon. Have been as busy as possible all day and am now writing in the evening. I think I could have got time in the day, but having had company all day had to put it off. I am expecting to have a very nice time and shall, if nothing happens, remain until the latter part of May. I wish I could keep on to North Carolina, but cannot this time. I still keep up a good heart that perhaps "some day" I may come.

If I could have gone the early part of the winter, there might have been some chance of it this time, but several things arose to prevent that. They have had the smallpox there very badly and Frances'1 health was such that I could not leave without feeling that I should never see her again, and she depends a good deal on me to advise her and to strengthen and encourage. Left to herself she would just set down and do nothing. I think I told you about her in my last letter. She has a fibrous uterine tumor and cannot live many months if it cannot be put an end to. She has had one Electric operation, with some success and expects in about a week or two to have another. She may have to have severel. There is no certainty how many, but if they destroy it as I hope they will, it does not so much matter. She is gaing strength now & goes out to ride every pleasant day. There seems to be no growth since the first operation. The next the Dr. hopes will shew more decided effects.

Last Thursday was Mothers2 birthday and I went down on Tuesday to spend it with her. All my family were there on Thursday with my youngest son,3 his wife4 and baby.5 I came back on Friday and have been very busy since, preparing my house &c for a three months absence. It seems a great undertaking to leave home for so long a time.

I have had a Miss Chase, a friend of my husbands6 family living with me now over five years. She came just before I went to Baltimore the first time. She will keep house for me and be company for Isaac,6 so it is not quite as bad as if I left only a servant.

Baltimore Fri.

I did not finish this letter and thought perhaps you would get it quite as soon if I brought it on and sent it from here as to wait for the slow course of the mail.

I came on alone, took a sleeping car, but did not lie down or have it made up. I preferred to sit up, as I cannot dress and undress myself. I had quite a comfortable night, slept full half the time. I left Boston at 6 1/2 P. M, my husband & Miss Chase going with me to the car, and before 10 the next morning I was in Baltimore and my son7 there to take me to his house. So you see I was not at all exposed and had nothing to do, but to sit still & ride, did not have to change cars.

When I was in Beverly I looked at your old house & thought of the good times we used to have there. They use the southern part of the house & keep the northern rooms closed. Mary Howe8 was quite sick, but getting better. I wish you could see Emily.9 She has grown fleshy, dresses handsomely & in good taste and is really very much improved. She is a widow now you know. I don't have much Beverly news. I dare say John10 can tell you more than I can.

Mrs. Fanny Abbot11 has had a stroke of paralasis but is much better. Mr. Burley12 had his 80th birthday last fall. He has been quite sick this winter. We all feared he would not get over it, but he is much better now.

Love to Mr. B,13 Georgia14 and the boys. Are they never coming north again?

With much love I am

Your Sister Lizzie

Do write soon and direct to me care of Dr. William E. Story,7 256 North Calvert Street, Baltimore, Maryland.

  1. Rebecca Frances Ford Woodberry (1826-1887), Elizabeth (Woodberry) Story's cousin
  2. Nancy Howe Lincoln (1800-1886), actually Elizabeth (Woodberry) Story's step-mother
  3. Isaac Marion Story (1855-1918), Elizabeth (Woodberry) Story's son
  4. Adeline Sanderson (1848-1900)
  5. Isaac Franklin Story (1881-1948), Isaac Marion Story's son
  6. Isaac Story (1818-1901), Elizabeth (Woodberry) Story's husband
  7. William Edward Story (1850-1930), Elizabeth (Woodberry) Story's son
  8. Mary Brown Howe (1812-1889)
  9. Emily H. Howe (1818-1898), Mary Brown Howe's sister
  10. John Edwin Abbot (1831-1911), Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch's brother
  11. Probably Frances Ellingwood Larcom (1807-1883)
  12. Edward Burley (1802-1891), husband of Elizabeth (Woodberry) Story's (step-)aunt Harriett (Lincoln) Burley
  13. Joseph Henry Bowditch (1818-1900), Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch's husband
  14. Georgiana Abbot (1823-1848), Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch's sister