Abbot/Bowditch Family Letters

Elizabeth (Woodberry) Story to Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch, 8 March 1848

[From Elizabeth (Woodberry) Story in Beverly, Massachusetts, to Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch in Tarboro, North Carolina. She informs Elizabeth of the death of Elizabeth's sister Georgiana's newborn son on 1 March, and tells her that Georgiana herself is not expected to live "more than a few hours."

Addressed to "Mrs. Joseph H. Bowditch, Tarborough, N. Carolina," and postmarked "Beverly, MS, Mar 8."]

Beverly March 8th 1848

My Dear Sister Lizzy,

When I sent my last letter I promised to write to you very soon again and perhaps you think I have hardly fulfilled that promise. [____] have had a lame finger so that I could do [____] but sit with my hand in a sling for a fortnight. This I am sure you will consider a sufficient excuse now that I write so soon after I have the use of my hand.

Since my last you have heard of poor Cora's¹ death, and, I have no doubt, feel as if you had lost a friend growing up with her from childhood as you have. What a loss she is to your Mother² you can tell better than I.

You have heard much to distress you within a very short time, but oh! Lizzy you must look to "Him who does not willingly afflict the children of men" and who I trust will enable you to bear all that in his kind providence He sees good to send you. Our deepest afflictions may in value to us be as much above all earthly blessings as are our souls above our mortal life.

And I Lizzy who love you so tenderly, who would if possible avert from you every grief, am doomed instead to add yet more to your cup of sorrow and to tell you that Georgianna's³ little babe⁴ prematurely born lived but an hour or two and then was recalled to a brighter world without having ever known the sin or sorrow of this. It is a great disappointment and you I know will sincerely mourn with and for them. But Georgianna herself is very sick and at such a time the loss of the child cannot be so severely felt. It was a little boy.

Georgianna went over to Salem about a fortnight since to do some shopping and on her return thinking she was late hurried to the depot in Salem. In doing so she heated herself very much and took a violent cold. She was not well for some days before they at all suspected that she would miscarry. She had not I believe a very painf[____] but fever which had preceeded the birth, re[____]fter it and now dearest Lizzy I must say to you that her life is considered in danger.

Your mother wished me to write to you by today's mail and before I close my letter I shall go in and see how Georgianna is but almost dread doing so. If I could avert this blow from your already bruised heart how gladly would I do so, but the decree has gone forth from One who loves you even better than I, and He will help you to bear what his love sees best for you. I feel that I can say nothing to console you but He feels for you and He knows every throb of your heart. He only can heal and assuage your grief.

I have just been in and Georgianna is still living but they have no hope that she will continue more than a few hours. You must resign her as she has resigned her own life into the hands of God. She saw Mr. Thayer⁵ this morning and is very calm and resigned, perfectly conscious of her situation. It must be a great consolation that she is so.

All your family are well and send you much love as also do Charles'⁶ family. I need not add my own sympathy, of that you are assured.

I fear the mail's closing and finish in haste. You shall hear from someone the next mail. Remember me to Mr. B.⁷

Yours truly and lovingly,
Elizabeth

 

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

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