Abby Hopper Gibbons letter to Sarah Hopper Gibbons Emerson

New York Dec 30/73

My dear daughter

I went to Cambridge
the day before Thanksgiving in company with
[William Choate] & Mary Choate, who were kind as kind could
be, arrived at Dr Walkus about seven P.M
had not been in the house an hour when
a messenger arrived from Boston with a box
of the loveliest flowers, and a note from
Miss Bernard asking me to meet [guides?]
on 7th day evening. To be true to tea at
6, and a carriage would be at my
service, I accepted graciously, saying
I would find my way to them at the appointed
hour. Dr Walker was now more
agreeable & delightful and his prayer
Thanksgiving Day lovely, he pronounced
blessings upon us, and I have faith that we
may receive in amount as [underlined] he [/underlined] asked.
Two of his nieces dined with us, one
a tall, handsome creature who is
a seamstress, having a round of
families in which she circulates, and
holds from year to year. The other
is full of life and animation. She is Book
Keeper in a real estate office, and
takes charge of the future business,
attending in the Office all day, while
the gentleman who employs her is off
elsewhere. She is very pleasing and
a genuine character. The Doctor uncle,
seems to be fond & proud of them.

[sideways along left margin]
no letter has come to us this week, but Mr Rusch says
steamers are not got in

[left side]
I passed a morning at the [Gremerys?] very
pleasantly indeed. They said they should
write, expressed much sympathy on
account of the disappointment that had
come to them, because of the loss of Miss
Putnam, but hoped thee would remain
for the winter. After a most satisfactory
week, I went into Boston by
invitation of Maria Seal who is one
of the kindest human beings that ever
lived. But I must not pass over
my visit to the Bernard's. Dr Walker
does not go anywhere this winter
not often to Church, so I was in
my black silk all so fine, went in
by Car to Bowdoin Square where
I stept into a carriage, and went to
Hotel Rotham, on Mr & Mrs Parsons
were there at first, but one after
another came until the parlors
were well filled, an army
of young doctors were there all
because of one sick kitchen which
was to be talked up for the benefit
Prof [Perise?] & Son. The pretty Miss Roach
Mrs Brinney, and a concourse of
celebrities, and finally came very
devoted wife find Mr Blatch for
he was overpowering, and when I
was ready to enter the carriage he
was at the door and [underlined] would [/underlined] go out
to Cambridge with me

[right side]
it did not [underlined] seem [/underlined] an infliction and yet
I could not see how it could be otherwise,
he called twice at Maria Seals
and brought his cousin Mrs Sendder
who is a lonely looking, graceful and
evidently an accomplished woman
she pressed me to visit her and
and next time she would visit
"[underlined] & so forth [/underlined]," as Maria [?] winds up
with on all occasions. I did
not go to Salem, but Robert and
Heather came twice to pass days
Anne & Emily Sever come. [John Tebbets]
and May Dana. [Reverend William Koote]
called with his wife, and were lovely
I went to Kings Chapel and sat in
their row by invitation. I went
twice to Mrs Cobbs, and had a
very pleasant time. By the way
Ellie is coming on for a few days
The Baroness took tea with us,
and was more agreeable than for
a long time. She came out of her
self. [Theodore Neat?] was devoted.
Came in every day, and was
so kind as to have my basket for
home the day before, and a
seat in the [Polar?] &c &c
Since I came home [Hattie Rontaul?]
has sent me for Christmas a dozen
nice napkins hemmed and name
embroidered by Edith & Margaret

and Will Cohen sent me a magnificent
pair of blankets with my name embroidered
[?], or rather [underlined] woven [/underlined] in the centre. A
very nice letter preceded, various little
traps come from Mr Home. Where
they dressed 50 Dollies for Randalls,
where thy father, Mrs Cook, Miss Hoskey,
and Heather Eastman, also Dr Judson
accompanied. I will send a printed
account in a few days. The
Island condemns the Commissions
and I hold them convicted of gross
neglect and inhumanity. But
for our gifts, (which numbered 600)
Dolls never so pretty, they would have
had no Christmas at all. Poor
children! The little French Flora was
so sick that she was quite unconscious
of our presence, but we
laid prettiest of our babies by
her side in bed. An idiot girl was
sitting by watching us faithfully,
and tenderly, as if she had forty years
experience, we all hoped she might
sleep forever, and harmless as she was
I do not see why we did not take
a more human view of her case
long ago, for the rest of Randalls
is poor indeed. I shall try to do something
with the Heather Commissioners
soon as these holidays are over.

[sideways along left margin]
James B. Thayer is appointed Law Professor at Harvard
associated with Langdell. Was accepted, he is delicate

New Years Day, and may it prove
a happy one to thee, my very dear
daughter. There are constant inquiries
for thee. Julia is in Philadelphia
and father & self pass our evenings
in the parlor, he at Chess, with his
book for a partner, and I at my
Daney work, which is a cricket for
Sarah Powells new parlor. I worked
a beauty for Bonney, and took it
to Ellie Cobb to be made up. It was
ready for Christmas and was a perfect
success. She has taken a new [?] the
last week, soon as she reaches
my room, she says, take me up. I
want you to write to aunty Sally,
and I'll tell you what to say.
"Tell aunty Sally to come home, tell
her you gave me a [underlined] school bay [/underlined] which
means a Doll with Knit pants & Jacket
on. She says her papa has school
[days?]. She is a great talker and thy
father says he never saw so bright
a child. I remember we thought
just so of every one of our [underlined] own [/underlined]
Joe Choate passed on hour with
us last evening, and was very
affectionate and agreeable. By the
way [William Carter] sent me a check

[sideways along left side]
I miss thee dreadfully to day, being alone to receive
calls, and having quite an unusual number including [Foundlings?]

[left side]
of Fifty Dollars for our "Diet Kitchen"
In spite of the hard terms, I succeeded
getting all my subscriptions & directions
to the Home, and generous contributions
to the Infant Asylum & Diet
Kitchen. Julia will doubtless
tell thee about her visit and of dear
Aunt Anna. She is such an uncomplaining
persons that we cannot
get at the truth, nor is it necessary
as the [?] will come all too soon
and yet we hope for more than we
can believe. Uncle Edward does
his beset to pressure a cheerful presence,
and [underlined] hope [/underlined] for her pictures
and this is merciful for I really
believe it sustains, and even prolongs
life. Isaac was here a
few days ago and was like himself
as for Maria She is a strength to lean
upon in all the dark days.
I imagine by the length & frequency
of Julia's letters that she learns nothing
untold, and I often but nevertheless
I venture, as all words are welcome
to ready ears.

The Tribune gives today
a notice of the death of Sarah M
Grimke, no particulars, but

[right side]
no doubt, multiplied years [?]
slow desire finished her course
which has been so new but remarkable
She was certainly distinguished for her
love of humankind, and especially
womankind in which she had full
truest & faith. That she will sleep
well, there is not the shadow of a
doubt, and any kind will turn
to her children & grandchildren to find
companionship & love. The sisters were
beautiful & true to each other.

We sent to Richard Cobb (or rather
Julia did, a very pretty little Hart
full of Candies. I sent to [William Emerson Cobb]
a book I brought
home from Cambridge, full of
pictures and little stories that Richard
could enjoy with him, and
Julia dressed such a pretty Doll
for Louisa. A nice letter
of acknowledgement came from
Kate, who said Mr Cobb and
Richard were passing the week
in Boston.

Well, the Ball opened
this morning with a [underlined] card [/underlined] from Ignatius
who is in Boston. Then [Aspad?] called.

a card by being post from [Dr N. B. Emerson],
Mr Rusch & the handsome
Adolph have just left after a long
call. I think I did not tell of an
evening since I came from Boston
when Mr Blatchgood came. The
Dolls were being dressed and baskets
& scrops, and about 50 dressed
Dolls were an exhibition to his perfect
delight, he enjoyed it immensely,
[underlined] [Sinke?] [/underlined], I have received the dearest
little letter, with a loss of [herses?]
found under a soldiers pillow
during the war, and telling me another
year, over Randalls Island
Festival should be helped through
Boston. Julia was charming
and sensible that evening, and
feeling energetic herself, she did [one?]
[underlined] he [/underlined] had grown in many ways,
and was an alive man.
Mrs Hatshel sends her care and says
she misses thee a great deal. She was
greatly pleased that thee called on Miss Hatshel
a very pleasing daughter, so
unpretentious

I left this to receive a
long & pleasant call from Mr Carter
he says Miss Haren has been very ill
with Pneumonia, but is getting better.

[sideways along left margin]
Hoping the year will give us all happiness
am thy loving mother

We had an unusual number of calls
winding up with William Leggeth to tea, and
Dr Mason George Jr Baker, [?] too
the charming [underlined] Berry [/underlined] man next door
cut one, Bloor, Home mouse
and our old neighbor [William Eastman]
and several others. By the way
John Eastman has gone to Florida to
do missionary work

Mrs Putnams address now
and for the winter is, at Mrs Hudsons
132 West 23rd st. I shall
call upon her very soon again
Thy letter was a great comfort to
her. Julia will be home
tomorrow. I have just received
a postal from her, and a
Happy New Year from one dear Dr
Stearns

And now with
loves & kisses thy mother