Abel Hutchins 1845

Andover April 24, 1845

Dear sister, Here I am- at Andover I arrived this morning about half past eight o'clock. I made quite a long visit at Boston and had a first rate time. I went from Concord last Wednesday at three o'clock and we were four hours going to Nashua; we had to get out and walk a number of times; the road was very much damaged by the [dreshit]. There was no trouble after we left Nashua. From [Sardwell] we came very swift; about thirty miles an hour the first night and staid at the Merchants [Lochange] Hotel, with father was going to stay at Mr Danforths, but Mr and Mrs Prince would not consent to it. Mr Grooms family have gone to Dorchester again. Mr and Mrs [Chasen] are staying at Mr Price's now. Mrs Groom has got another little girl.

I room here with Joseph [Abbot] from Concord. The one that George calls Pop. The folks in Boston thought that I should be homesick the first day but I have not been at all homesick. Joseph [Abott] says that he was terrible homesick the first day. We had "your favorite dish" (as father says for dinner today and bread and milk for supper. They have bread and milk for breakfast and supper; baked beans every Monday for dinner, Roast Beef two or three times a week. In the winters we have to rise in the morning at half past four o'clock and in the summer at four every schollar that boards in Commoms, is required to save wood three quarters of an hour every fortnight.

Miss [Brewstin] is going to Bradford to school; Mrs Prince paid that you had seen her in Boston. She intended to have gone at the Commencement of the term, but being taken with the scarlet fever she was presented to Mrs P. will send something to you by her.

I went to see Ruth Fletcher this morning with Father; she sent her love to you and said she should be happy to have you come over and spend the Sabbath with her. Write me a letter soon. --Excuse mistakes and believe me your off to brother Abel

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Miss Mary T. Hutchins, Bradford, Mass.

Andover July 2nd 1843

Dear Sister,

As I have not written to you for a long time, I will now write you a few lines. I went to Boston the Friday afternoon before the 17th of June, and went to Mr. Prince's house and staid [stayed] that night, and the next morning (which was the 17th) went down to the Depot, and when the second class train from Concord got in I saw William [Webster?], and he told me that George would come in the next train. I waited and the next train came in with the [Andover?] train in which all the other schollars [scholars] came. I saw George but did not have time to stay with him long, as I had to go in the procession with the rest of the schollars [scholars]. Our school formed at the Depot and marched up to the common and formed into the great procession. We have to wait there on the common [until] [crossed out] for about two hours until the rest of the procession moved before we started. We marched all over the city and then went over to Bunker Hill. I heard only about half of the speech for I was so crowded I could not stay; so I went over to Boston to Mrs [P's?] and got some dinner ; then I went down to [Tremont?] St to see the procession come back. It was a splendid sight, the companies of soldiers looked grand. The President was not cheered half as much as [Daniel Webster?]. After procession broke up I went to Mr. Danforths to supper and there I saw grandfather and George. Charley Danforth asked grandfather what that great brass key was which he carried in the procession and Grandfather said "You saucy blockhead I have a great mind to

box your ears; it was not brass, it was gold." and then he whispered to [Isaac?] Warren, "gilded over". But Charley did not know what a [free?] mason [Freemason?] was so said he to grandfather , "What do the free masons [Freemasons] believe any way." but Grandfather did not answer him, but Uncle said "they learn to keep secrets" and that silenced him. That evening I went with Isaac Warren over to Warren bridge to see the fireworks, but George staid [stayed] with Charley and saw them from the top of the house. The next day I went with Mr. [Prince?] to meeting in the [forenoon?] and with Uncle Danforth in the afternoon. I came home (at least to Andover) Monday morning, and Aunty Danforth put me up a thanksgiving pie which I brought with me. I had my valise come from home last night and Mother wrote me, that Aunty was not at all well, and Grandmother was sick and Grandfather very dangerously sick. Mother sent me some lemons and sugar, to make lemonade the 4th of July, and a whole box of sponge cake. I should like to send you some, but I suppose you have things just as good. I [heared?] [heard] you girls had a nice time when your new dining room was dedicated. I hope you will come over here next Saturday. Let me know which train so I can meet you at the Depot. I have no more time to write now.

Your affectionate brother Abel.

P.S. Only five weeks more and I shall go home. How many before you will?

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Miss Mary T. Hutchins Bradford Mass.