Selected excerpts from the letters of Eliza Southgate Bowne Note: Eliza Southgate was born in Scarborough, Maine, in 1783. A doctor's daughter, she grew up leading a life noticeably different from Asa G. Sheldon's. Medford, May 12, 1797 Honored Parents: (Eliza is writing from school at age 14). I am not doing anything but writing, reading, and ciphering. There is a French master coming next Monday, and he will reach French and dancing. Mr. Wyman says I must learn geometry before geography and that I better not begin it until I have got through my ciphering. We get up early in the morning and make our beds and sweep the chamber. It is a chamber about as large as our kitchen chamber and a little better furnished. There's four beds in a chamber and two persons in each bed. We have chocolate for breakfast and supper. Your affectionate daughter, Medford, August 25, 1797 Never did I know the worth of good parents half so much as now I am from them. I never missed our closet so much and above all things our cheese and butter which we have but very little of. But I am very contented. I wish you would send me up my patterns all of them for I want them very much indeed, for I expect to work me a gown. I am with due respect Your dutiful daughter, Boston, February 13, 1798 Honored Father I am again placed at a school under the tuition of an amiable lady, so mild, so good. No one can help loving her; she treats all her students with such tenderness as would win the affection of the most savage brute. I learn embroidery and geography at present and wish your permission to learn music. Boston, February 7, 1800 After the toil, the bustle and fatigue of the week I turn towards home to relate the manner in which I have spent my time. I have been continuously engaged in parties, plays, balls, etc., etc. Since the first week I came to town I have attended all the balls and assemblies, one week and one the next. They have regular balls once a fortnight so that I have been to one or the other every Thursday. They are very brilliant and I have formed a number of pleasing acquaintances there - danced until 1 o'clock - they have charming suppers, table laid entirely with china. I had charming partners always. Today I intend
going to Mrs. Codman's but went instead to see Bunker Hill. In the morning I am going to look at some instruments. Give my respect to Pappa and Mamma and tell them I shall soon be tired of this dissipated life and almost want to go home already. Now Mamma, what do you think I am going to ask for? A wig. Eleanor has got a new one just like my hair and only 5 dollars. Mrs. Mayo has one just like it. I must either cut my hair or have Eleanor's. She will write to Mrs. Sumner to get me one just like it. How much time it will save -- in one year we could save it in pins and paper, besides the trouble. At the assembly I was quite ashamed of my head, for nobody has long hair. If you will consent to my having one do send me over a 5 dollar bill by the post immediately after you receive this for I am in hopes to have it for the next assembly. Do send me word immediately if you can let me have one. Scarborough, Tuesday night Don't hurry home (Eliza was in Scarborough, her mother in Portland) until you have stayed as long as you wish, for I don't know anything at present that requires your presence. I think I make a very good manager. Tell sister Boyd I am astonished to find out how I have improved in my housewife's talents this last winter. The children won't allow me absolute rule among them but I have the worst of it. They do pretty well considering what a gay mistress they have. I have not been out of the yard since I came home until this afternoon. I rode a mile or two on horseback just to smell the fresh air. Tis charming to get home after being gone so long. Salem, September 9, 1802 My Dearest Mother At Albany, on our way to Ballston, we put up at the same house with a Mr. Bowne from New York. For four weeks I saw him every day and probably had a better opportunity of knowing him than if I had seen him as a common acquaintance in town for years. I felt cautious of encouraging his attentions although I did not wish to discourage it. He is a man of business, uniform in his conduct and very much respected. He knew I was not at liberty to encourage his address without the approbation of my parents. He insisted on coming on to Scarborough immediately. That I absolutely refused to consent to. But all my persuasion to wait until winter had no effect. On the first of October he will come. And now, my dearest Mother, I submit myself wholly to the wishes of my father and you, convinced that my happiness is your warmest wish. That I feel deeply interested in Mr. Bowne I candidly acknowledge and I think him better calculated to promote my happiness than any person I have yet seen. Excerpted from A Girl's Life Eighty Years Ago: Selections from the Letters of Eliza Southgate Bowne. Reprinted by Corner House Publishers, 1980.