Frances Callaway Steptoe Langhorne to Sarah Tate Steptoe Massie, July 20, 1817

[Frances Callaway Steptoe Langhorne at Cumberland, Virginia, to Sarah Tate Steptoe Massie at Bedford County, Virginia, July 20^th 1817. Massie Family Papers, Virginia Historical Society. This is my rough, annotated transcription from a copy graciously provided by William Myers. Extra paragraph breaks inserted for easier reading.]

                                                   Cumberland July 20^th 1817

Dear Sally

Mr. Langhorne sets off this morning to the sale, and I have only time to write a short letter, it is but seldom I write and generally in a hurry; I am now writing in bed with a desk in my lap. I expect you will be setting off to the springs about this time. I hope your health will be perfectly restored and as soon as you return come and see us, I looked for you this spring and the first I heard of you, you had a fine boy. John is a fine sprightly boy, he awakes us every morning crowing and kicking up his little feet, Lucy Johnston thought him as large as James when she was here, he has grown considerably since.

Mama is very uneasy about grandmamma she heard yesterday that she has been very sick, but had gotten better, she has very sore eyes herself, she wishes very much she was going with you to the springs.

Sally you will see Mary Deane at the springs, do get well acquainted with her, she is a charming girl. Tell Lucy I hear a great deal about her, and Mrs. Clark’s henpecking their husbands it is talked of by every body, and so pray don’t let them talk of it any longer; Mary sends her mamma a fan her love and howdy and is very anxious to see her.

I understood yesterday sister Betsy intends coming to see me shortly tell her she must not give it out by any means. I shall be delighted to see her, give my love to Papa and tell him he must come down with Betsey, tell young shorts I hear of his grins at his Father I shall certainly whip him for it when I see him, they shall not treat poor shorts in that manner.

My love to the family and believe me to be your affectionate sister

                                                      Frances Langhorne

[Frances Callaway Steptoe Langhorne (1798-1832) married Henry Scarsbrook Langhorne (1790-1854) on March 13, 1816. Their son John Scarsbrook Langhorne (1817-1896) was born on June 1, 1817 (in later years, sometimes changed to 1818 or 1819). Their son William Maurice “Wee” Langhorne (1818-1900) would be born on June 30, 1818.

Sarah Tate Steptoe Massie (1796-1828) was married to William Massie (1795-1862) and was the daughter of James Steptoe (1750-1826). Their son Thomas James Massie (1817-1877) was born on March 23, 1817.There is a massive Massie collection at the University of Texas here.

Lucy Hopkins Johnston (1800-1888) would marry Thomas Marshall Ambler (1791-1825) on April 14, 1819.

James = probably James Callaway Langhorne (1813-1841).

Mama and grandmamma = possibly Elizabeth Langhorne (1758-1818), Henry’s mother, is “Mama.”

Mary Deane = Not sure who this is.

Lucy = probably Lucinda “Lucy” Steptoe Penn, who had married Robert Cowan Penn (1789-1856) in 1814; their daughter Frances “Fannie” Louisa Penn (1818-1879) would be born on June 21, 1818.

Mrs. Clark = not sure who this is.

Young shorts = a son, one of four, of “his father” =Charles Johnston (1768-1833). Charles’ second wife, Elizabeth “Betsy” or “Betsey” Prentiss (aka Prentis) Steptoe Johnston (1783-1820), would die on February 13, 1820, age thirty-seven, and be buried at the Callaway-Steptoe Cemetery in Bedford County, Virginia. Before the relocation to Botetourt Springs, Sandusky = Charles Johnston estate from 1808 to 1819, in Lynchburg. For much more, see this link.

Papa = James Steptoe (1750-1826).]

[Many thanks to Sue Davis, William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]