I had anticipated a visit from Mrs Adams, & both her Children, for a few days at least, when she came to Haverhill, & we regretted very much that it was not in our power to send for them, or to visit her while there—Abby, & I, both went down a monday, and had the mortification to find she went to Boston the Saturday before—Mr Peabody was absent the whole of your Thansgiving week, & I could not...
“Completely blest, to see my fellows blest.” I was happy to hear from you, & to find that you, & your family had enjoyed health, through a long cold tedious winter, for sickness at any time is a great affliction, more especially when it is necessary to have watches in long nights— We have been favoured with a remarkable share of health among our numerous boarders, untill lately, & have never...
I will not, I dare not, stop to think how long it is, since I have written to my Dear Sister, but hope she has been favoured with as good a state of health, through this winter, as she enjoyed in the course of the former part of the year, & that each dear & valuable branch of her household, have had a large share of a blessing, which those who are deprived of health, especially, know to be...
14From Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Smith Adams, 9 May 1808 (Adams Papers)
Last Wednesday Miss Livermore was conducted by her Brother, from this House, as far as Haverhill, accompanied by Mr Eliot, for she told her Brother she would not ride with him , he looked so plaugy homely, & cross—Mr Eliot should go with her, certainly as far as Haverhill where they would stop one night, for she was not able to go further—The next day was fine weather & Dr Clapp was good...
I received your kind letter, with the sum enclosed for Mr Little. Butter has, since yours was engaged, fallen to fifteen Cents pr pd—but we have had none yet, under a shilling—It is very mortifying to the Farmers to bring their produce so many miles, & have to take a quarter less than they expected—An high price, has for many years sweetened their Labour—& their heavy toils have been lightend,...
16Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Adams, 9 March 1803 (Adams Papers)
I hear by Dr Tufts that our Medford Farm will be greatly injured by the middlesex Canal being cut through the land— I am very sorry to have what little landed property I have destroyed— But I suppose it will do no service to object— People are so very economick, & publick spirited at this day, that every thing must be sacrificed to the common weal— But the President, & you my Sister know much...
17Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Adams, 29 March 1801 (Adams Papers)
A mind agitated by the Vicissitudes attendant upon the present juncture of publick affairs, & oppressed by a large portion of domestic concerns, cannot often be disposed, nor find leisure to delineate its feelings upon paper— To the almost impossibility of portraying the various sentiments, passions, & exercises of the heart which have been roused in the past winter, I attribute Yours, & my...
18Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Adams, 13 July 1801 (Adams Papers)
For the communications by Mrs Black, you have my grateful acknowledgements. She made me only a Vis—short, & sweet. I was very sorry she could not tarry longer. I rejoice to hear that after many dissappointments your Eldest Son, is at length made the happy Father of a living Child. May his & your joy be complete, by seeing it grow up, a comfort to its Parents, an honour & a blessing to the...
19Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Adams, 16 April 1804 (Adams Papers)
When your Son delivered me your kind letter, little did I think, it would be so long, before I should reply. But my youngest Girl went home the Saturday after, & I have had a round of heavy cares upon me eversince. It was ten weeks before we could get any other Girl, & in some of the worst cold weather, & dreadful Storms which has proved quite too much for Lydia & me. But it could not be...
Mr Peabody, & your Aunt, were much gratified last Fall, by a visit from your venerable Parents, who presented me with a Letter from you, requesting our parental care & attention to your eldest Son. With heartfelt pleasure, I received the precious Charge, considering it as a pledge of your regard, & former affection; & of the Opinion you still entertain of my Integrity, in discharging the...