Abbot family letters JPGs

Penobscot, Sept'r 7th 1793. Dear Sir, I am much obliged to you for your punctuality in writing after your return. It give me much pleasure to hear that you had to short a passage. It seems that you went thro' the same operation of casting up your accounts. I hope by this time they are well settle It is good once in a while to see how matters stand. I think however you were a little imprudent to venture so fast to Andover, but am glad that you were able to bear so much fatigue. Mr Hure & I have been perigrinating this week. Beside walking a number of miles in this town & making a number of ministerial visits, we have been up Penboscot river as far as Brick's town which is 16 or 18 miles of rough road.

We thought it better to trust our own legs than to mount horses. We had a fatiguing tho' quite agreeable time. There are several pleasant situations on the banks of the river; but might be made more pleasant by a number of good farmers. They make too many singles & cut too much cord wood &c to make their farms look well. It would be worth while for some of our western farms to come down & set them an example. The land appears better than the husbandmen. What account does Abiel give of us here? He doubtless has a considerable long story to tell of his journey to Penobscot & back to Bluehill. How he got into the woods & lodged among the fleas, &c. It was just upon him. He might have tarried here that night & had a comfortable time. You must make allowance if he brings an ill report. You know how it iw.

I perceive that you still remain in the line of bachelor's. I shall feel quite easy while it is honored with such good company. The ladies you mention appear to be leaving us. Let them go, there are enough younger & as handsome. None of our young ladies in this house are yet married. There was a house raised here last week & named for one of them. Doubless some of them will wait till we can raise & name one for them. We had two weddings in one day last week. It was unfortunate that the present bishop here was not fully authorized. It might have been something in his pocket as well as a little cake. I hope you had quite an agreeable visit of your sister from Bluehill; it was, I imagine, quite unexpected, but none the less pleasant for that. Let me hear how times are going among you. I suppose haying is done, & now Rosanante must be well turned for a ride to look for __ I wish you good luck. If you can't do better come this way. Make my suitables to friends. With esteem, I am, dear Sir, your friend & humble Servt. A. Abbot. Mr. Ezra Abbot

To be left at Mrs Margaret Phillips' Cornhill, Boston. Mr. Ezra Abbot Andover Obliged by Capt. {illegible}

Exeter Decr 22d 1793. Dear brother, I intended to have written to you this evening by Mr. Ranlet who goes very early tomorrow morning for Boston & passes through Andover. As I was setting down to write to you, Mr Stone of Reading came in, who spends the night with us, & soon after other company, which has prevented me. But I now write you a line or two & must send it immediately or the bearer will be in bed. My brother is considerably better in health than when you left us; and occasionaly goes into the Academy. The spirits are rather better, though they are quite low yet. Grandmama left us yesterday; & after a sort, we keep bachelors hall. Little John & his bed fellow have been halled up to grave. Though a tedious jobb, it is thought effectual. Noah Emery Gray turned out to meeting the Sabbath after the funeral; & attended yesterday all day. It is a matter which gives us great pleasure here; especiaally at the two houses. Tell Abiel of this; I know he