LETTER FROM ELIZABETH BOWNE IN FLUSHING TO HANNAH BOWNE IN LONDON

DOCUMENT ID: BFP 2018.1.03-06A

DATE: 18th of 5th month [July] 1676 (Old Style)

DESCRIPTION & NOTES

Elizabeth “Betsy” Bowne writes to her mother Hannah during Hannah’s religious visit and preaching tour overseas. She expresses her longing for her mother, but also a shared religious fervor and conviction that despite the physical distance they are united in spirit. Elizabeth, the eldest of the Bownes’ seven surviving children, was just 17 years old at the time, but would soon take on the responsibility of caring for the younger children following John Bowne’s departure to join Hannah a few months later.