ELIZABETH THOMPSON¹Elizabeth Rowell Thompson (1821–99) was born in Lyndon, Vermont, to an impoverished farm family and began work as a house servant at age nine. Her fortunes changed when she married the wealthy Bostonian Thomas Thompson in 1844. Following her husband’s death in 1869, Thompson dedicated her life and fortune to charitable causes. One of her first ventures was support for the resettlement of the urban poor in Colorado and Kansas. For the temperance cause, she wrote a pamphlet titled (1878), which presented statistical “evidence” of the costs of drinking to American society. Thompson philanthropically supported science as well. She made major gifts to the American Association for the Advancement of Science as well as a $10,000 grant to Congress in 1878 to investigate the causes of a yellow fever epidemic plaguing the southern states. Upon her death, the remainder of her husband’s fortune went to the workingwomen of the towns of Brattleboro, Vermont, and Rhinebeck, New York. These women, who were mainly seamstresses and shop clerks, shared an estimated $1.3 million. Howard S. Miller, (Seattle, 1970), 127–29; , 3: 452–54; (online). TO FREDERICK DOUGLASS

[New York, N.Y.]²Thompson added “124 Ea 45’ st” to her address. 23 April 1878[.]

DEAR FREDERICK

I need not tell you that yours of 13th was more than wellcome. I wanted
to answer it before but thought I should be reasonable as possible. How I
hate this restraint—yet they may be useful so I yeald as best I can to those
in power—How I wish you were with us.

Can you imagine my delight while sitting alone musing over a leaf of
lettuce last evening to see little Abby [illegible]³Probably one of Elizabeth Thompson’s known friends, Abby Hutchinson Patton (1829–92), the only female member of the Hutchinson Family Singers. Born in Milford, New Hampshire, she joined her three brothers to form the famous singing quartet. After marrying the New York financier Ludlow Patton in 1849, she retired from the stage, performing with her brothers only on special occasions. Instead, Patton devoted her energies to writing poems and essays, many in support of reform causes. Frances E. Willard and Mary A. Livermore, eds., (Buffalo, N.Y., 1893), 561–62; Mary Sargent Hopkins, “Women Who Have Made the World Better: Abby Hutchinson Patton,” , 28: 177 (March 1899). come pushing in at the
door?

I really do love her so much of course she talked of all the Washington
people in general and in particular, she is so awfully keen on intuition she almost reads peoples thoughts

She said your friend Kate Doggert⁴Thompson likely refers to Kate Newell Doggett (1828–84), the widow of the Chicago merchant William E. Doggett. A writer on natural science and painting, she was an active member of the National Woman Suffrage Association. Doggett published frequently in Mary Ann Livermore’s reform periodical, the Agitator. Doggett’s declining health led her to take up residence in Havana in her final years. , 15: 300 (June 1884); Merrill and Ruchames, , 5: 335. was in the city so I must go and
find her—

Your letter seems a little sad, as is the sadness in my self—

What tho’ we never meet in the flesh? does not the soul meet and
recognize soul

The mountains rise and ocean [illegible] between the material covering a miracle?

You & I have lived too deeply & earnestly to imagine because your
body may be surrounded by four walls in one city and mine in another
then our spirits do not meet and mingle gathering strength & repose by
each other—oh no. I send my thoughts to you all that is selfish or
material—they go yonder than they can on the telegraph—and I am sure
yours came to me and tho I may not recognize them at the time—I soon
feel the influence of soul seeking soul.

God bless and keep you strong and useful in all that is right

Never despair. God sees and knows all all our wishes and he gives us
what is best

With that let us you & I be content

So let it be

ELIZABETH

[P.S.] Write me so often as you have time convenience & believe me ever
yours

ALS: General Correspondence File, reel 3, frames 250–52, FD Papers, DLC.