Adams Family Correspondence, volume 13

Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Adams, 16 February 1799 Peabody, Elizabeth Smith Shaw Adams, Abigail
Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Adams
My Dear Sister— Atkinson February 16 1799

My little Abby—has been sick with a slow intermitting fever, occasioned by a cold—which has thrown many round us into fevers— The Dr has just been here, & says that disorders opperate strangely, many whom he thought out of danger, are seized again—Some in their heads, lungs, & several have died with repeated voilent billious cholicks—but we have not lost any one in the Town as yet— It has been remarkably healthy in this town, for eighteen months past— I think there has been but four that have died here in this time— While many others places have been greatly distressed; here we have been blessed with the cheerful voice of health, & I hope our hearts have sent forth an hymn of Joy & gratitude—

I hope Abby is really better, but a fever will hang on, all we can do, & it is now almost twenty days since she was seized— I was frighted about John, & sent for the Dr— I thought he had the Quincy, but he got better soon— William is finely—& the Group are well, except colds—

I think William & John had better have two or three cotton shirts a peice that which is really strong— They are certainly better for them in the winter— linnen goes like the dew— they like Cotton, they wore them all the spring but have mended them, till they will not hold the needle—now any longer— If you chuse to get it for them, you will have an Opportunity next week I suppose to send by Mr Poor, from 409 Mr Fosters at Boston—1 If you would prefer my geting Cloth at Haverhill, I suppose I can—but I do not know what they have in there Shops—for I have not been in them for twelve months— Miss Betsy Palmer can Make them if you like to have her do them—

I wish you would send some peices of the Childrens darkest woolen cloaths— I have some peices of all the others I believe—

I thank you for your kind letter hope your Son has reached you before this, give my love to him— my letter dated this month I hope you have gotten— William has some reason to complain but I have so much often to say, that I say nothing—not knowing where to begin— I have written largely to him, the beginning of January.2 I hope in favour it is not lost—

I am thankful you are good enough to keep up a correspondence with him— you know how to be of service to him, better than I—& where to throw in your cautions, & encouragements—

I send the measure of ribbands as you desired— With the tenderest Affection I am your Sister

E P—

RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “Mrs Abigail Adams / Quincy”; endorsed: “Mrs Peabody / Febry 16 1799”; notation: “favoured by / Mr Pratt.”

1.

Probably Jonathan Poor (1742–1822) or his brother Capt. Jeremiah Poor (1747–1811), both of Atkinson, N.H. (William Richard Cutter, ed., Genealogical and Personal Memoirs Relating to the Families of Boston and Eastern Massachusetts, 4 vols., N.Y., 1908, 2:1090–1091; Haverhill, Mass., Merrimack Intelligencer., 7 Dec. 1811).

2.

AA to Peabody, 30 Dec. 1798, and Peabody to AA, 29 Jan. 1799, both above. In Peabody’s 10 Jan. letter to William Smith Shaw (DLC:Shaw Family Papers) she reported on the events immediately following Shaw’s November departure from Quincy, commenting in particular on AA2’s decision to return to New York. She “knew there had been for several days a struggle in her breast, between filial, & conjugal affection,” and although “the indisposition of the best of Mothers … was a weight in the scale of filial love,” AA2 “invoked the aid of Reason, who sent her Fortitude, & she called up Prudence, and this meeked eyed Matron gave in her verdict that she must return immediately— In this Mrs Smith wisely consulted the happiness of her Husband, of consequence, the interest, & honour of her Family.” Peabody also wrote of her hopes for Shaw and reported the arrival of Elizabeth Palmer in Atkinson, N.H.