Abbot/Bowditch Family Letters

Elizabeth (Woodberry) Story to Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch, 28 January 1884

[From Elizabeth (Woodberry) Story in Baltimore, Maryland, to Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. She says she came to Baltimore in December; talks about her two new grandsons; talks about the health of her cousins Rebecca Frances and Lucy, including Rebecca's electrical treatments for uterine tumors; says she would enjoy seeing Elizabeth, but hope is fading that she ever will; and tells Elizabeth news of various family members and friends.]

256 North Calvert Street
Baltimore Jan 28, 84

My Dear Sister Lizzie,

I was glad enough to get your letter of Nov 16 and would not have thought then, that I would have waited so long before answering it. It is now about nine weeks since I got it and in that time I have done a good deal. I did not then expect to come here until about this time, but as Isaac¹ said he could come on with me for a short visit, of course I came to suit his convenience which was the 3d week in Dec. And I had everything to arrange in a hurry. One has to look after a good many things before leaving home for three or four months, even under the most favorable circumstances.

Since I have been here I have had a good many letters to write home and my little grandson takes up some of my time of course. I think I sent you a card informing you that I had two more little grandsons, making in all three. I am as pleased with them as I can well be. The one here² is named for his father,³ William Edward Story, Jr. He is 19 weeks old today and has just been weighed, weighs 17 1/4 lbs. He is a large fine looking boy, not over fat but plump and rosy cheeks and clear bleu eyes. He is teething but has not got one through yet.

I had a letter today from my youngest sons⁴ wife⁵ and she says their baby has one tooth through & another coming. He is 24 weeks old and is named Joseph Marion Story.⁶ He has a brother⁷ two years old last September who is a smart forward boy. She finds it hard to answer some of his questions. He says is God a man? Has he a mouth? And what does he say to Frankie?⁷ Such children are very interesting in their development. A grandmother has more chance to watch and notice these things. When I had my own children, they came so fast and I had so much to do, that I have not stored up these things in my mind. I remember a good many things, but little about their early infantile mental development. Do you?

We think the more of Willie's³ baby because they were married over five years, before it made its appearance. Of course we had almost given up any hope. I am very glad they have it. I think married people are happier and it is much better for them to have children. If they do not they grow so selfish, so taken up with each other that they care nothing about the rest of the world.

I have had a letter from Frances⁸ since I commenced this. She is getting better. She has had three electric operations and we hope they have been successful. The wires are put into her stomache so as to reach the tumor and then the electricity is applied from 10 to 12 minutes, the object being to kill the tumor, which is supposed to be a number of tumors. They can't tell at the time whether the operation is effectual or not. Of course she is under the influence of either. The last one was more than six months ago and they seem to be going away, at least she is gradually losing her size, although still somewhat larger there than natural. Her Dr does not recommend trying any more at present. He thinks she is doing very well and says "let well enough alone."

Lucy⁹ her younger sister is in very poor health. The Dr says she has Brights disiese of the kidneys and can never get over it. She keeps about however most of the time and has always good spirits. She does not know all the Dr says about her. He does not wish her to. They miss their Mother¹⁰ very much. Old as they are, somehow they don't seem to be able to take care of themselves. One gets cold and the other two get sick taking care of her & so on.

I suppose you knew that Stephens Baker¹¹ died last fall. Now his widow¹² is dead. He left $20,000 which goes to his two grandchildren.¹³ I wish I knew a little Beverly news to tell you, but I do not. I hope John¹⁴ is able to give you more. Mr. Burley¹⁵ had a bad cough last fall, but has got pretty much over it. His wife¹⁶ is pretty well. Her trouble is despepsis.

Mother¹⁷ is well for her age, will be 84 next month Feb 22. She has some rheumatism. I suppose you hear from Hannah¹⁸ sometimes & she is able to give you whatever news there is. Only to think of William Boyden¹⁹ having two sons in College!²⁰ How they grow up.

I felt very sorry when I heard you had had no glasses that suited you. If I had known your number I could have sent you some. I don't know how I could get through life six months without glasses. Perhaps you may think that this letter looks as if it was written without glasses, but it is not so. My pen is coarse and the ink is black and rather thick. Your letter looks so delicate and well written as it lies before me that I am quite ashamed of this.

I am sorry you are so fleshy as to be uncomfortable. As for me I weigh with my cloak and bonnet on 101 lbs. So you see I am not over fleshy, but my face is round & full.

I saw in the paper that there had been tin found in Cleavland Co. N. C.²¹ Do you think there is any chance of its being found on your place?

How much I should enjoy seeing you once more. I begin to fear I never shall. I kept up a good hope for some years but it is fading out now. I feel I have not got the activity, the power of going ahead that I had even a few years ago. I see you however in my drams and you look so natural. Twice since I have been in Baltimore I have dreamt of your whole family and both times I kissed your father²² & your mother²³ and was so glad to see them. Thought I had not seen them for a long time. What strange things dreams are!

You ask after Thorndike's²⁴ family. His wife²⁵ & only child a daughter almost 21 years old,²⁶ are living in New York. She is tall, with a fine figure, and quite as fond of the beaux as ever her Aunt Lizzie was.

Talking of beaux did you know William Peabody²⁷ was married about 3 years ago. He and his wife²⁸ have been on spending the summer and fall. Got back home in San Francisco about the middle of of December. They came to see me and I went to their sisters²⁹ (the three girls keep house together) in Andover and staid two days. Mr. Story¹ came for me & took me home the last day. I had a very nice time. I always liked him so much, and it seemed almost like being young again to see him. He seems to have a very nice wife.

You know Charles³⁰ has his 2d wife.³¹

Now dear Lizzie do write to me soon. I do so enjoy your letters.

Your loving sister

Lizzie

Give my love to Ga.³² I hope some time to see her. And kiss the little granddaughter³³ for me. Your boys seem to be as far from you as mine are. Is it not a good thing that I can come and see mine?

My husband¹ is still busy writing about Egypt. He hopes to get his book out before long. It takes all his time and all his thoughts. Good bye, do write soon.

My boys are all well & so is Mr. Story.

 

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

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