Abbot Family Papers

For:

Mr. John Abbot. Andover. Mass

Care of Mr Ezra Abbot

Adjunct [XX]

[Red ink postal cancelation stamp/begin] R A N D O L P H M A S S. NOV 28 6 [stamp/end]

Mr. Ezra Abbot Harvard College Cambridge Mass.

Rufus Abbot Nov 27th 1831 -

Andover March 1828

My dear Brother,

I harken to answer your long letter (I say long because you have never written two pages before) which I received a few minutes since. W has been in the office several days--but through some mistake probably they had neglected to put it on the list. On my return from Cousin Horatio; store this afternoon Dr Swift overtook me & mentioned that there was a letter for me that it had been in the office several days. I eagerly seized it & was arguably disappointed surprised to find it to be the hand writting of my brother with the greatest pleasure Cousin Emily left us about a week since of a S. [.......son] I expected to be quite lonesome but her place was soon supplied by Cousin S Clark who cam here on Monday last-- she will probably spend several weeks. We are quite alone this afternoon Pa' & Ma' have gone to [fold damaged illegible] Fall and who is very feebleor much afflicted. You have probably ere this heard of the melancholy and unexpected death of her husband Mr B-- who put an end to his own earthly existance. We have heard many reports respecting the manner of his death yet hardly know what to believe Ma' will probably learn the particulars of which I will inform you of when she returns. His funeral was attened on Monday at 10 oclock in the morning on account of the town meetting in the afternoon. There was a vast

collection of people that attended though the the traveling was bad there were I believe upwards of 70 or 80 [......]. It is now quite dark & as tea is ready I must defer writting till evening.

Friday morn. I intended finishing fis last evening but for various reasons which prevented. YOu mentioned that you should like to come home soon you know the situation of your things better than we do you must therefore do as you think best.J^r wished you to consult with your Uncle respecting your coming or if he thinks it best & will not interfere to much with your studies we shall be happy to see you tomorrow in the stage but if he is unwilling to have you come at this time we will send the [......] on & you can get it done there. However we should rather have you come home (as we wish to turn it) if your Uncle thinks it will be practicable and proper. I have a great many things to tell you but for the want of time I must defer it till I see you which I hope will be soon Mr Badger took tea with us a few weeks since he is very plesant social and agreeable he has visited most of the [......] since he came. I delivered your message to sqr [Mace] and asked him & he would send his love to you he looked at me a moment & then said "I do not care if you do yes you may if you are a mind too & tell him that I shall expect him when I see him & not before." Cousin Elizabeth sends her love to you & says that she shall be very happy to see you. Daniel visits Salina very frequently but seldom makes a visit of more than three or four days at a time he is some times so fortunate as to be caught in a Room Alone with his plaint & returns on horse back & then has an excuse to go after A again. The family send much love to you & all friends but non sends more than your ever affectionate Sister Hannah

doubt in a short time You will begin to suspect that I have not much to say, but this little gal kicking up her heel under my window in the garden & frolicking about in Sack {illegible} decidedly interrupts the flow of my ideas. I have several irons in the fire & when I have affected something wonderful, shall let you know, but not till you have written to me Yrs ever P.S. the {illegible} are somewhat calmed down, but I am dosed pretty well in the house here. Two regular services a day besides extras. Do you hear anything from Brunswick or anything further about the disclosures at Exeter? Yrs {?}

Cambridge Nov. 13. 1832

Dear Ezra

I was not less astonished than delighted at the receipt of your letter, & that is saying agood deal. So many of our friends who enquired for you, I used to say that I know nothing about you, & did not expect to, though I had written to you. Then such a triumph for me, & such astonishment & envy for them when I announced a letter from you!! My note was somewhat long-winded, but here it is.

O! bloated, red-faced, slow-of-speech, semper-grinning, bundy-legged, waddling "Tegularum Structor" {Latin} Tu is iste qui felus furni Tobaci imittao omnes carton classmates; qui es fumans at mane usque ad noctem et is ad tunum lectum cum a cigar in tuo ore; et qui semper oles ut tardum fumatum. Tu es iste tam sequis at iners qui nunquam facis vitae receparia, qui dormis in recitatione qui non scotes trohere longum halitum sersten tuam luinquitudinum qui nunquam cucuriste in omni tua vita, qui lookest quasi teife - sum funquifacis for a "Brighton Cattle Show"! et qui nunquam matriculatus eras fuafeter hanc sequitudinum. -

of this kind. But I was a captive as soon as I entered the house; and was obliged to make the best of my bargain. After the usual gratulations were over, the viol struck a brisk jig. All the eyes in the room were turned except the master`s, were turned upon a tall, gaunt figure, that stood in one corner of the room. I soon found that it was the wish of the company that he should dance a jig. He was too conscious of merit to need twice asking. He had a bobtaild coat on, which had undergone as thorough a powdering in its owner's mill, as his daughter's hair for this jovial occasion. His other dress was happily suited to his coat, his shoes not excepted; which bore in their underpinning, as many nails as Argus had eyes. Thus equiped, Don Quixote like he sallied into the room in quest of adventures. His first attack was upon a neat trig woman of 30, who sat demure by the fire. But her ladyship positively refused him; no one can tell why, tho all I believe suppose she had regard to her 'cloaths.' Our hero proceeded to another, whose inclination accepted before she was asked. I will not attempt to describe our heroine; I will only say, that I should beloth to bet 4 pence that she was taller, than big round. They stept to the tune of "Up the river down the run"; & in trust stept it most surprizingly. I cant compare the music of his feet to any thing but a mill-clapper; & who knows but that was his master; for he is a miller by trade. I am much in doubt, which was greatest the dexterity of the jiger, or the admiration of the company. After the jig I was sollicited to call a country dance, which the company danced pretily and much to my satisfaction. After dancing till eve we were all well fatigued, we sat down & were entertained with [?]; till we were rested. We rose again & they insisted on the master's calling again [?] whole was finished with a dance which I believe is peculiar to them. - Now a'nt you in my debt again, friend? I hope to be at Andover Sunday after next; if you can supply your brother with a few shillings - Write to me immediately & send it to Porters, or any where it will get here

A. A. Love & Duty

the father, as well as the daughter, heard of my brother. The family appeared remarkably hospitable. After the old gent had taken two cups of tea, he told me that he had not taken two cups before for 15 years; which I think was a handsome compliment to his guest. I departed immediately after tea. The father defined me to call often to see them, for they should be happy to see me; take an opportunity says he, & spend the afternoon with us. I told him I was much engaged at present, but would call some time as I was going to my school; & if I would be in a sleigh, It might be agreeable to N. y to ride to school with me. "Undoubtedly,: says, the father. " I should be sorry to give you the trouble of carrying me" says th^e daughter. "it would be a pleasure," says the master.

So much for history; now for observations. Mr. W. has been liberally eduated; but the schollar seems lost in the appearance of a rich farmer. This company finds a frank generous reception. His house is neatly, notelegantly furnished. His children dress handsomely & fashionably. Something was said about a school that kept in the neighborhood. "You are too old & proud Miss N.," said I, "to go to school, I suppose." By no means sir; if it were convenient for me to go. I should be happy in going. Perhaps you will go to M^r. Woodbrige's in the Spring, Miss N-- "Why," says M^r W., "show her mother's chief dependance at home; I don't know how we could share her." N--y blushed. The girl, Ezra, is modest, young, & handsome. If of her father's disposition, kind & generous. She is not yet quite ripe for marriage. How long will it take you to bild?--Interest should not have weight with you. But her father has, I am told, two or three houses & farms in W.C. He has four children; two married in Says N. "where is that brother of your's? I don't intend to wait long for him." She says but a little, that is generally wise in youg folks. Well, come & see her. If you don't suit yourself but a little time or money is lost! By the Symptoms I have

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descovered in the family, I judge you will [...] out of doors. If you get this letter soon enough, come next Teusday fornoon. Strike [...] may be hot. She is younger than you expect. But it is better that side than the [...] will think it best to keep this letter close. I have written much in great haste. Your's [....] Bring my boots if they are done. [...]

Cambridge Sep.tr 20th

H.n.d Parent,

Mr. Pearson has requested me to communicate his wishes respecting a quantity of syder. He is sensible of the approaching scarcity, & is desirous of protecting against it [?] . He wishes therefore, you would engage two tons or more, for himself and Dr. Wigglesworth. As he has an high opinion of your syder, he would prefer having it from your own orchards; but if that be impracticable, he requests it as a favour, that you would procure it of some person,

whose syder you can recommend; and he is ready to make you satisffaction.

I have one favour likewise to aske for myself -- But as I'm so often obliged to have recourse to your goodness, shall only mention it. -- What I would wish for is a horse to ride a little way into the [?] from the forepart of the vacation. I expect a couple of my classmates to go to and by Andover, and tarry a day or two with me, there, if you think proper, I would to ride with them as far as Harvard, or Princetown - But I submit it to your pleasure ---- By granting it, however, you will confer a new obligation upon

Your ever duitiful & obedient Benj.n Abbot

Cap. J. Abbot