Elizabeth (Woodberry) Story to Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch, 29 May 1877
[From Elizabeth (Woodberry) Story in Somerville, Massachusetts, to Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. She says it's been three months since she wrote to Elizabeth (the 28 February 1877 letter) and hasn't received an answer, ensures her of her love, and encourages her to write; describes her hard life and how it left little time for writing; and describes her physical and health problems.]
Somerville May 29 '77
My Dear Sister Lizzy,
I have just been writing to Mother1 & by the date I am remined that it is just three months since I wrote to you, and I have not yet an answer. Did you receive it? My other met with such poor luck I thought perhaps this might. But I did not know your address then, now I do.
Dear Lizzy do write. If you think I have neglected you in all these long years please forgive me and believe, however it may look, my feeling for you has never changed. If you could look into my heart you would see nothing there concerning you but love & tender memories of the past, and those memories have never permitted me to believe one word to your disadvantage. Can you say as much dear Lizzy? Then write and tell me you still love me.
I have had a hard life. You know I have had ten children and that of itself would bring care & hard work. I have besides had much sickness and as our expenses were large (sickness & death always bring expense you know) and we were determined to educate those children that were left to us, I have worked hard with my own hands to save money to expend upon them. I cannot in a letter go over all the past, but can you not feel, that with much more to do, than I could accomplish well, I was always harried & had little time for writing or anything but the most exacting occupations?
I have got over this now. Our family is small. Our two older boys are educated & supporting themselves.
But I am a good deal of an invalid & not able to do much. My hands & feet are both out of shape & stiffened with rheumatism. I have not been able to bend either wrist for several years, but I am able to write & talk. I can go out some too, but it hurts me to walk and I cannot walk far. I used a crutch for two years, but it is now nearly two years since I laid it aside. Still I fear I may have to have recourse to it again, for I am getting much lamer than I was. We have had a very damp spring. I have also a bronchial trouble and cough a good deal, and the Doctor says my heart is not just right.
I hate to write all these things, but how else would you know them? Now don't imagine me as a sick old lady crouched down in the chimney corner, groaning & telling my aches & pains to every one who will hear me, for it is no such a thing. I suppose I must admit the age, as you know. I shall be 60 my next birthday, but I have but few grey hair, I wear my natural curls, and am always in good spirits. I know that "all things work together for good to those that love God." "And so, I take from His hand All things, whatsoe'er I cannot understand."
Do write, it makes me feel young again to write to you.
Truly your loving sister,
Lizzie
Now do be sure & write very soon & tell me all about yourself & your family.
- Nancy Howe Lincoln (1800-1886), actually Elizabeth (Woodberry) Story's step-mother