From Abbie to Allie, July 14, 1855
Dublin Core
Title
From Abbie to Allie, July 14, 1855
Subject
Abbie
Allie
Billerica, MA.
Description
From Abbie to Allie
Creator
Abbie
Source
Jerome Peirce Collection, National Park Service
Publisher
HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington
Date
1855-07-14
Contributor
NPS, Civil War Study Group, Paul and Louise Marahrens (Transcribers)
Rights
For educational purposes with no commercial use. Courtesy of National Park Service, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP, FRSP 16095-16102 (FRSP-00904).
Language
English
Type
Text
Identifier
Letter #230
Coverage
No location indication but probably Billerica, MA.
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
Saturday Morning, July 14th, 1855
My dear Sister,
Against my will I shall be obliged to write in haste for lack of time before the mail closes. I have so much on my mind to say to you, that I wished a less hurried opportunity. We were glad to hear from you and that your eyes were better. Very glad, too, that Aunt was able to visit Malden, and do hope the visit will benefit her. Harriet E. [Edmands] has not been here yet, nor have we heard from her lately.
Mr. G. Clark that lives by the schoolhouse has been bleeding very badly indeed, he is not expected to live long. Blaney Abbott is very low. I went to meeting all day last Sunday. Mother went in the morning, stopped at the Doctor’s at noon, found little Hattie very sick. They feared she would be as bad as last summer. The Dr. was obliged to go away in the afternoon and did not like to leave Mrs. B. alone with her so Mother stayed. She is better now, and they think of going the first of next week. I am glad your cherries tasted good, but they are all gone now.
Dear Sister, I wish to speak again to you upon that subject which we have so often conversed upon together and which I mentioned in my last letter. I had a long talk with Mother Sunday eve, which did me so much good, as I had for so long a time wished it. Is it not a comfort to be able to speak to parents, and to know that your dearest interests are understood and appreciated? On Monday I went up in town, made a short visit at the Col.’s, where I had a private conversation with Lissie and took tea with Maria P. all of which I enjoyed much.
Lizzie B. offered to accompany me a part of the way home and assist in carrying a large and beautiful bouquet she had got for me. She spoke at once upon what was interesting my mind and I told her my wish to see Mr. C. as I had told Mother before and my intention of calling soon. She advised me by all means to do so. I do not know what it was, but a strong, irresistible feeling within urged me on to action and I stopped. He met my feelings with a great deal of sympathy and encouragement, gave me some kind advice and lent me books suited, as he said, for my state of feelings. He spoke of the proneness to leave such thoughts and interests to a later period and oftentimes putting them off until we grew dead to them, but he said it was a most dangerous practice. A great deal more was spoken by him, which I can tell you when I have more time. I do not know how I made my thoughts known, but it must have been hardly intelligible, tho’ he readily comprehended my desires. I spoke to him of you considerable, and he inquired much. He wishes to know when you were are coming home, how long you would probably stay etc. He promised me another interview very soon and last night he came, tho’ not much in particular was advanced. He brought another book and gave me leave to send that tract to you. Lizzie B. sent me a copy of the Covenant and I sent one to you.
Have you seen Mr. Ellis?
Write something definite in your next letter, won’t you? And write very soon, as I wish to hear. Love to all from Abby
My dear Sister,
Against my will I shall be obliged to write in haste for lack of time before the mail closes. I have so much on my mind to say to you, that I wished a less hurried opportunity. We were glad to hear from you and that your eyes were better. Very glad, too, that Aunt was able to visit Malden, and do hope the visit will benefit her. Harriet E. [Edmands] has not been here yet, nor have we heard from her lately.
Mr. G. Clark that lives by the schoolhouse has been bleeding very badly indeed, he is not expected to live long. Blaney Abbott is very low. I went to meeting all day last Sunday. Mother went in the morning, stopped at the Doctor’s at noon, found little Hattie very sick. They feared she would be as bad as last summer. The Dr. was obliged to go away in the afternoon and did not like to leave Mrs. B. alone with her so Mother stayed. She is better now, and they think of going the first of next week. I am glad your cherries tasted good, but they are all gone now.
Dear Sister, I wish to speak again to you upon that subject which we have so often conversed upon together and which I mentioned in my last letter. I had a long talk with Mother Sunday eve, which did me so much good, as I had for so long a time wished it. Is it not a comfort to be able to speak to parents, and to know that your dearest interests are understood and appreciated? On Monday I went up in town, made a short visit at the Col.’s, where I had a private conversation with Lissie and took tea with Maria P. all of which I enjoyed much.
Lizzie B. offered to accompany me a part of the way home and assist in carrying a large and beautiful bouquet she had got for me. She spoke at once upon what was interesting my mind and I told her my wish to see Mr. C. as I had told Mother before and my intention of calling soon. She advised me by all means to do so. I do not know what it was, but a strong, irresistible feeling within urged me on to action and I stopped. He met my feelings with a great deal of sympathy and encouragement, gave me some kind advice and lent me books suited, as he said, for my state of feelings. He spoke of the proneness to leave such thoughts and interests to a later period and oftentimes putting them off until we grew dead to them, but he said it was a most dangerous practice. A great deal more was spoken by him, which I can tell you when I have more time. I do not know how I made my thoughts known, but it must have been hardly intelligible, tho’ he readily comprehended my desires. I spoke to him of you considerable, and he inquired much. He wishes to know when you were are coming home, how long you would probably stay etc. He promised me another interview very soon and last night he came, tho’ not much in particular was advanced. He brought another book and gave me leave to send that tract to you. Lizzie B. sent me a copy of the Covenant and I sent one to you.
Have you seen Mr. Ellis?
Write something definite in your next letter, won’t you? And write very soon, as I wish to hear. Love to all from Abby
Original Format
Letter/Paper
Files
Collection
Reference
Abbie 1855, From Abbie to Allie, July 14, 1855, HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington
Embed
Copy the code below into your web page