Abbot/Bowditch Family Letters

Elizabeth (Woodberry) Story to Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch, 30 May 1882

[From Elizabeth (Woodberry) Story in Somerville, Massachusetts, to Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. She talks about visiting "the Peabody girls" in Andover, then her Mother and cousin in Beverly; tells about the deaths of her husband's brother William, and her aunt Lucy (Glover) Woodberry; says they are doing spring cleaning, have put up new wallpaper in two rooms, and the garden is blooming; and tells Elizabeth news of various family members and friends.]

Somerville May 30, 1882

My Dear Sister Lizzie,

Three whole months since I wrote to you! I did not think it would be so long, but I have been much engaged all through that time. I have thought of you often and have seen you in my dreams, which always delights me as it is so much like really seeing you. Let me give you some little account of how my time has passed since I wrote last.

In March Julia,¹ Thorndike² widow, made me a visit & after she left I went to Andover, to see the Peabody girls³ and was there a week. I had a delightful time. They were so glad to see me. I have not been there for six years before this, but they come here occasionally for a night or two. We have always been on the best terms and they seem to think about as much of me as if I had really married their brother.⁴

I returned home the first of April and as I had letters from Frances⁵ that she was not at all well, I went then to Beverly to see her & Mother,⁶ was there nearly a week. Found Mother well but Frances is quite out of health. I fear she may never be much better.

The week after my return Isaac's⁷ brother William⁸ died. He had been sick two months, apoplexy. He died on Sunday and the next Saturday Aunt Lucy⁹ died, quite unexpectedly. Had had one of her turns of constipation, to which she has been subject for a few years past, and which have usually reduced her strength, leaving her bowels weak and relaxed. She was in bed a week with that, and then Pneumonia came on, which caused her death in two days. A great loss to the girls¹⁰ although they bear it much better than I thought they would. They have always been very kind and attentive to her. If devoted care could have kept her alive, she would have lived many years. She was 82 years old but very companionable and never shew the least weakness of mind. No matter how old they may be, we are never ready to part with those we love.

I spent all the week following her funeral in Beverly, seeing as much of Frances⁵ as I could. I left her in bed, when I came home, threatened with congestion and under the care of a doctor. But she is better now though still feeble and very far from being well. She will come up & visit me as soon as she is well enough. Somerville air always agrees with her much better than Beverly does. Next week I expect to go down again for a few days.

We are cleaning house now and I am hurrying along so as to get through before hot weather. The cold wet spring we have had has delayed me a good deal as on account of my health & rheumatism I cannot have the house open as is necessary for cleaning while the weather is cold. I think more of my health you see than I do of a clean house. But I know many people who get through before I begin and some of them get cold and almost sick if not quite.

We have had a new paper on our palours and also one on my chamber. If I can I will put a little piece of the palour paper in for you to see. Our garden is blooming out but I suppose we are much behind you in that respect. By the looks I should judge it would be two or three weeks before roses are in bloom, although we usually call June the month for roses and June will be here in two days. Lillies of the valley are just blooming.

When in Beverly last I saw your brother John.¹¹ I was very glad to see him, it brings me so near to you, although he did not give me very much information about you, I suppose because it is so long since he saw you.

Has Mr. Smart¹² been to see you yet? He promised me he would come if he could. I think you will like to see him, although a stranger to you, as he can tell you about me.

We both were writing at the same time our last letters.

Good bye.

Lovingly, Lizzie

Give my love to Mr. B,¹³ Georgianna¹⁴ and any of the boys who may be with you. My little grandson¹⁵ grows finely, has 4 teeth and can pull himself up & stand on his feet by taking hold of something. He is eight months & a half old. My Mother⁶ lost her oldest brother¹⁶ a few weeks ago. He was 88 years old. There are now only Mother & Mrs. Burley¹⁷ left.

Isaac⁷ sends love. He has almost got through his newspaper articles.

I hope you will write very soon as it is three whole months since I heard from you.

 

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

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