Abbot/Bowditch Family Letters

Elizabeth (Woodberry) Story to Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch, 28 February 1888

[From Elizabeth (Woodberry) Story in Baltimore, Maryland, to Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. She reminds Elizabeth of the times she spent in Baltimore with Mr. Gould; says she's given up hope of visiting Elizabeth in North Carolina; says she plans to go home in April or May, and probably will not be able to visit Baltimore again; describes her health; and says her son and family will be moving into the country, and she expects to go with them.]

Baltimore Feb 28, ‘88
No. 8 W. Preston Street

Once more my Dear Sister I am writing to you on your birthday. How much pleasure it gives me to do so and to know that you can read & take pleasure in return.

As you will see I am now in Baltimore with my oldest son.¹ As I write I am reminded of that visit you once made here with Mr. Gould.² What a pleasant time you had, and how I mourned your absence. That was a long time ago. We have both been through much since then but time or curcamstances do not make me forget the feelings I had for you in those youthful days. Now I am over seventy years old but my heart still holds you very dear.

I did hope a few years ago that I should be able to see you some time in your own home, but I have given that up now. I do not believe I shall be able to come even to Baltimore again. I am very lame & stiff, use a cane constantly to even walk acrost the room. To see me you would wonder that I would venture so far from home. Isaac³ came with me and was here a week. He did not think I was equal to coming alone. I expect to remain until the last of April or early part of May.

My general health is good, but the slightest draught or change of temperature makes me stiff or lame in some part. Today it is quite cold & yesterday afternoon I caught it in my neck, so that I can hardly turn my head today. But it might be much worse, and I am truly grateful that I am as comfortable as I am, and am able to visit, instead of being shut up in my room at home. That is what is before me I suppose if I live, and I have a pleasant happy home, so I can even enjoy that.

I sent you just before Christmas a knit Jacket that I thought you would find useful. Did you get it? I hope you will be able to write when you get this letter. It is such a pleasure to me to get a letter from you. It seems so like old times. I did expect to write to Georgiana⁴ before this, but I took cold and was quite sick, a part of the time in bed, before I left home. Since I have been here, my time has been much taken up & I have many letters to write, but her turn will come before long.

I suppose you heard of Austin Kilham's⁵ death? I know no Beverly news. Sarah Lawrance⁶ is in Michigan spending the winter with her Aunt⁷ & Cousins. You remember Mrs. Rand?⁷

Mrs. Burley⁸ is my only Beverly corrispondent & she is not one to pick up news. Perhaps there is none. Mr. Burley⁹ is still hale & hearty, with the same bright piercing eye. He is now 85! And Mrs. B. 76. So you see we all growing old together.

My son¹ & family are expecting to move into the country about 4 miles & I suppose I shall go with them. They own this house where we now are, and it is furnished lovely. I can't see why they want to move, but they have taken a fancy to live in the country and I suppose that will be more lovely. "Man never is, but always to be blest." They will have 20 acres of land & a cow & a horse. (They don't imagine how much more care.)

I see I have filled this all up about myself. Now please return me one all about you & yours. How else should I know? Love to G.⁴

Lovingly,

Sister Lizzie

 

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

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