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Letters by Elizabeth (Woodberry) Story

Elizabeth Bowen Woodberry, daughter of Jacob Woodberry and Elizabeth Bowen, was born 1 December 1817 in Beverly, Massachusetts. She married Isaac Story on 19 November 1846 in Beverly, and died 23 October 1888 in Somerville, Massachusetts.

She and Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch were friends from their early days growing up in Beverly, Massachusetts, and corresponded throughout their lives. All of these letters were written to Elizabeth in North Carolina, between 1848 and 1888. All but four were written from 1877 to 1888.

The letters are generally in very good condition, especially those starting in 1877, and easy to read.

  • 8 March 1848. 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." [Transcription]
  • 10 March 1848. To Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch in Tarboro, North Carolina. She tells Elizabeth about her sister Georgiana's death, and expresses her sympathy, and talks about a bonnet Elizabeth had ordered. [Transcription]
  • 24 July 1849. To Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch in Tarboro, North Carolina. She apologizes for not writing sooner; tells Elizabeth about the death of her infant son Thorndike Marion Story; says Frederick (Elizabeth's brother) had been very sick, but was recovering quickly; and mentions news of various friends. [Transcription]
  • 19 November 1856. To Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. She talks about her children and how busy she is, and says she's expecting another child in January; gives her sympathy on the death of her son (George Abbot Bowditch, who died 4 June 1855 at age 4); philosophizes about God and heaven; and talks about an invitation Elizabeth had sent her for Rebecca to spend the winter with them in Tarboro. [Transcription]
  • 28 February 1877. To Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. She says she thinks of Elizabeth often, and their times together when young, and describes what her children and husband are doing. [Transcription]
  • 29 May 1877. 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. [Transcription]
  • 3 August 1877. To Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. She says she received Elizabeth's letter, and laments the years in which they weren't in touch; talks about her flowers, house, and garden; mentions pictures of Elizabeth's sons that she sent, sends one of her son Isaac Marion, and talks about him and his activities; describes a visit to Chelsea; and talks about religious matters. [Transcription]
  • 17 January 1878. To Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. She says she's spending the winter in Baltimore for her health; talks about two families she lived with "when I was south," apparently as a teacher, and how she has gotten in touch with some of them; and talks about the possibility of going to visit Elizabeth in North Carolina, or of Elizabeth and/or Georgiana visiting her in New England. [Transcription]
  • 20 March 1878. To Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. She mentions the possibility of visiting Elizabeth in North Carolina; describes her visits to former students in Baltimore; and tells Elizabeth news of various family members and friends. [Transcription]
  • 28 February 1879. To Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. She talks again about visiting Elizabeth; describes her health; and tells Elizabeth news of various family members and friends. [Transcription]
  • 24 January 1880. To Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. She wonders why Elizabeth hasn't written her; describes her health; and tells Elizabeth news of various family members and friends. [Transcription]
  • 11 February 1880. To Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. She sympathizes with Elizabeth on the loss of their house and belongings (in a fire); sends a bundle of clothes, etc.; mentions some blue flannel she will send to Georgiana for making a dress; and asks if they had given any thought to moving west, where opportunities might be better. [Transcription]
  • 17 February 1880. To Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. She says she sent two bundles of goods by mail, and asks if she could send a larger barrel of goods by freight; says the rest of the blue flannel she wanted to get for Georgiana's dress was unavailable, so she got blue and black plaid instead, and includes suggestions for using it; tells about her son Isaac changing jobs; and asks what she and her husband think about the idea of moving west. [Transcription]
  • 9 March 1880. To Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. She says they are sending a barrel of goods, and describes the contents, mostly clothing; says her (step)-mother and Mrs. Burley (her sister) put together a bundle of goods to send, and also contributed to a fund for them being raised by Hannah Rantoul; and tells Elizabeth news of various family members and friends. [Transcription]
  • 6 April 1880. To Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. She says the barrels were sent three weeks ago (13 March), and she anxiously waits for a letter from Elizabeth confirming their arrival, and talks about her health and all her aches and pains. [Transcription]
  • 6 July 1880. To Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. She tells Elizabeth about her sons, where they live and work; talks about Charles Peabody and his family, and says she doesn't regret not marrying him; talk and asks about Elizabeth's new house; talks about a letter and enclosure Elizabeth's husband had sent to her husband Isaac, which he took to a Mr. Gardner; and tells Elizabeth news of various family members and friends. [Transcription]
  • 5 October 1880. To Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. She talks about taking Turkish Baths in Boston, describes the process, and says she thinks they're helping improve her health; says she visited Beverly for three days; mentions Elizabeth's son's marriage (Joseph Bowditch, to Martha Elizabeth Anderson); tells her that a son of a friend is living in Marion, North Carolina; asks about her new house, and home life; and tells Elizabeth news of various family members and friends. [Transcription]
  • 21 February 1881. To Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. She describes the death of her brother Thorndike, a trip she made to see his family after the funeral, and how hard it was on her health; talks about her son Isaac and his new wife; asks again about Elizabeth's farm and what they raise; and tells Elizabeth news of various family members and friends. [Transcription]
  • 16 June 1881. To Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. She talks about how busy she's been, and that her girl (servant) had left her in April and she's had four others since then; says she's been to Beverly, and that while the houses are the same she knows very few of the people; tells about her sons' activities; asks about the progress on their house, and why they're not rich considering how much land they own; says she's more lame and feeble, but hasn't given up hope of seeing her again; and tells Elizabeth news of various family members and friends. [Transcription]
  • 10 January 1882. To Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. She wishes Elizabeth would write more often, and says if her health continues to improve she may be able to come see her a year from the coming spring; talks about her husband's interest in poetry, and Egypt; tells Elizabeth about her sons, and her new grandson; and tells Elizabeth news of various family members and friends. [Transcription]
  • 7 February 1882. To Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. She sends Elizabeth some poetry written by her husband Isaac. [Transcription]
  • 28 February 1882. To Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. She talks about Elizabeth's birthday, how old they are, and how she thinks of her as still young; says she went to Beverly for her mother's birthday where there was quite a party; and tells Elizabeth news of various family members and friends. [Transcription]
  • 30 May 1882. 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. [Transcription]
  • 25 December 1882. To Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. She says she's been sick after taking cold during a Christmas shopping trip to Boston; talks about her cousin Rebecca Frances's poor health; and describes in detail a trip she took in the fall to Watkins Glen and Niagara Falls. [Transcription]
  • 28 February 1883. To Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. She says she's leaving for Baltimore the next day, staying until May, and later (after arriving) describes the trip; talks about her cousin Rebecca Frances's poor health; says she went to Beverly for her (step-)mother's birthday; and tells Elizabeth news of various family members and friends. [Transcription]
  • 28 January 1884. 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. [Transcription]
  • 28 February 1884. To Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. She talks about growing older; says she's enjoying being in Baltimore with her son's family and would like to stay through March, but may go home earlier; feels for Elizabeth living so far from society; and says her cousin Frances's health is improving. [Transcription]
  • 16 July 1884. To Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. She talks about how busy she is; says her cousin Lucy has died; talks about her sons, and her son Isaac's family; asks if there's anything they own that "can be convertable to money"; and tells Elizabeth news of various family members and friends. [Transcription]
  • 22 December 1884. To Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. She says she's sending her a package, originally intended for Christmas, and includes pictures of her sons; describes her Thanksgiving; talks about the deaths of Ellen Lovett and Hannah Rand; describes a trip to Canada; and tells Elizabeth news of various family members and friends. [Transcription]
  • 28 February 1885. To Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. She says she's had a bad cold but is better; talks about her visit to Beverly and her (step-)mother's birthday party; describes changes in their old neighborhood, and asks if she'll ever come visit Beverly again; asks Elizabeth to have her picture taken and send her one; talks about her son Frederick's upcoming wedding; says her health is better; and tells Elizabeth news of various family members and friends. [Transcription]
  • September 1887. To Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. She tells Elizabeth about her sons and their families; talks about her failing health; and mentions her (step-)mother's death. [Transcription]
  • 22 December 1887. To Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. She rejoices over Elizabeth's "recovery"; says she's sending her a jacket that her cousin Frances had knit for her several years ago; tells about Frances's death; and tells Elizabeth news of various family members and friends. [Transcription]
  • 28 February 1888. 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. [Transcription]
  • 15 June 1888. To Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. She says she is still in Maryland, waiting to return home with her son Fred's family in a week; talks about her son Frederick's move into the country, 3-4 miles from Baltimore, and his new house; says she got the dollar Elizabeth sent, and will get the slippers and send them to her after she returns home; talks about some clothing patterns Elizabeth was asking about; and encloses two poems she has written. [Transcription]