Mary Smith Gray Otis to Abigail Adams, 2 December 1798
Mary Smith Gray Otis to Abigail Adams
Philadelphia Decr: 2d 1798
Dear Mrs Adams
Next to the pleasure of seeing you, would have been that of hearing, of your perfect restoration to health; but ’tho that pleasing account has not yet reached me, it is a satisfaction to know that you are much better than when I left you: & I will still hope that “He, who is the health of the countenance,” will in his infinite mercy establish yours.1 I feel a great deduction from my happiness, by your absence, & your house & its inhabitants, a void which nothing can make up to them. We dined with the President, this and the last Sunday, according to former custom.—
We had a pleasant journey home, the weather & roads, excepting the first week, were very fine. Upon our approach to the city, we heard that our house was ready for us, & perfectly safe to go into, notwithstanding our Negro woman, had gone ’thro the Fever, she took every precaution in cleansing & airing the house that was necessary I believe, & had been well herself, a month before we came home, so that I felt no apprehension. But the city to me, wears a glommy aspect, & the mourners go about the streets in great abundance. Those who have staid, ’thro the sickness tell me, they never would do it again. I think there is but too much reason to fear a return of it another year, & the safest way is to shut up the house, & let it take its chance for being plundered.—
My neigbour Mrs Anthony return’d a few days ago, her daughter accompanied her, here, but will return immediately, I have not yet heard wether she stays in the house, this winter.—2
Mr Brecks family come into town tomorrow their house has been almost a hospital. Miss Willson came to see me, the other day, she enquired perticularly after you & Miss Smith, she bears her afflictions with great fortitude & patience Bishop White, has given her an invitation to pass the winter with him. Mrs Wolcot looks better than I ever expected to see her. The rest of our friends are all well.
Please to give my love to Mrs Cranch I hope Mr C— is getting better
Mr Otis & Harriet desire their Affecte: regards to you, with their best wishes for your speedy restoration to health.— Louisa also will please to accept their love, together with that of / Your Friend & Cousin
M Otis
RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “Mrs: Adams / Quincy”; endorsed: “Mrs Otis decbr / 2d / 1798.”
1. Psalms, 42:11.
2. Otis lived at 323 Market Street in Philadelphia, and Elizabeth Sheffield Anthony (ca. 1739–1799), widow of Joseph Anthony, lived at 337. Her daughter, Martha Anthony Pollock, resided in New York (vol. 10:426; Philadelphia Gazette, 18 Feb. 1799; Harrold E. Gillingham, “Old Business Cards of Philadelphia,” , 53:209 [1929]; , 1798, p. 16, 108, No. 34593).