Letter about the Abbotts:

From: Nelson, NH, Nov 29, 1926

To: Mrs. Helen M. Butler Young
Cincinnati, OH

Dear Mrs. Young

My grandmother Lucy Abbott Lehman was sister of James Abbott your grandfather. They also had one brother Nathaniel Abbott who settled in New York State.

I know very little about the ancestry except as my father told me a few things.

They lived in the south part of this town (Nelson) and their father died when James the oldest was seven years old, and as small as he was, he went to his mother after the funeral and asked if he would have to be "bound out" as was often the custom in those days, but the mother said "not if I can possibly prevent it".

A Massachusetts man had large tracts of land in this town and would drive his cows up for pasturage. He hired her to care for them, so until fall she milked and made cheeses; a certain proportion of which went to her in payment and in this manner she made a living until the children were old enough to work out.

The hard work told on the strength of the mother and in after years she lost her mind and in her last years lived with her daughter - my grandmother.

I had lost all knowledge of the whereabouts of Mrs. Merritt's daughter - in fact do not know her married name. Thank you for writing about her.

If in any way, I can help you further I should be very glad to do so.

Most cordially,

Wilmer (P.?) Tolman
Chesham NH
RD Box 49