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When it comes to really getting to know an ancestor, is there anything better than "listening" to their conversations with family and friends? We're fortunate to have access to several letters that allow us to eavesdrop on some of our ancestors during certain periods in their lives.

  • Philip Burlingham Letters
    On the Towne side of the family, Philip Burlingham spent several months, from about July 1870 to perhaps April 1871, in California. At least some of that time was spent working in a mining camp in Soapweed, California. While there he wrote letters back home to his wife and family in Michigan. These letters have been indexed.

  • Abbot/Bowditch Family Letters
    On the Bowditch side of the family, many letters written by friends and family members of Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch between about 1840 and 1920 have been preserved and handed down in the family. These letters have been indexed.

  • Abbot Letters to Hannah Rantoul
    Also on the Bowditch side of the family, Historic Beverly in Beverly, Massachusetts, has preserved many letters written to Hannah Rantoul, a childhood friend of Elizabeth (Abbot) Bowditch. Included among these are many written by Elizabeth, most between 1836 and 1849, plus a few written by some of Elizabeth's other relatives. These letters have been indexed.