Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Adams, January 29, 1799

Atkinson Jan. 29th. 1799

My Dear Sister

After many expecting, anxious hours for my dear Nephew, I am made
happy by seeing his safe arrival announced in the Newspaper— The fibres of my heart
cannot remain untouched, while my Sisters must be filled with joy, & gratitude— I claim a share, & feel that I am a maternal Participant— I know that you long to clasp your Son in your fond arms— When he reaches Peace-field you will
think the order of nature inverted that the days are shortening, instead of lengthening. Times downy foot will tread so soft,
that moments will fly swift, & hours slide unperceived away—. It has been a long
separation— O! how thankful that there is not a forever
annexed—but that each of you after Sickness, & perils, are living monuments
of sparing mercy— After you have pressed him to your fond Bosom, & viewed him
over, & over a thousand times, I hope urged by affection, & inclination, I may
be indulged with a visit, & partake of the rich repast—enjoy the flow of Soul—

My Friend Mrs Osgood of Haverhill has had a Son absent for ten
years, doing business in the east Indies— He got home last week, & is now
dead— 1 This instance of mortality
which I this moment have heard of, gives a severe check to my pleasing anticipations,
& adds one more, to the list I am daily receiving, of the precarious tenour upon
which we hold our enjoyments, & convinces us, that [“]the spiders most attenuated
thread, is Cord, is Cable to man’s tender tie, on earthly bliss.”— 2

We have all bad colds, John, & Abby are most sick— William,
Ben & us are not so bad—

I am glad to hear of our Brother Cranch’s recovery— We want “the
faithful” here upon earth— I have been thinking of writing every day to my dear Mrs
Smith, & am ashamed to think I have not more energy— I am rejoiced to see in the
late appointments Col. Smith’s name— Though it may not be equal to his merit, &
military Talents, yet it is much better than to have them remain useless, when our
Country’s exigencies call for men of worth in every department— It is quite a luxury
to me to hear the President approves of Williams Services— I hope he will be careful
of his health, & of every thing else that he ought—

I hear Mr & Mrs Webster are upon the road, & we [ex]pect
them every hour— They bo[th le]ft Us & went on their way singing, & rejoicing
last winter, but their notes now must be in the elegiac strain— at least I am sure
through the medium of my ears, they cannot but have a most plaintive cadence yet with
you, I must say, that a wise Providence allots my portion of happiness, & that
though all is not agreeable to my short sight, yet I have more than my deserts— With
the tenderest affection I am your Sister

Elizabeth Peabody

The Childeren send love, Mr Peabody his respectful love—to you,
& our Brother & Sister Cranch— Louisa accept my love— 3