Frances Callaway Steptoe to Sarah Tate Steptoe Massie, October 29, 1815

Federal Hill, near New London, Virginia. Virginia Department of Historic Resources

[Frances Callaway Steptoe at Federal Hill, then Bedford now Campbell County, Virginia, to Sarah Tate Steptoe Massie at Nelson County, Virginia, October 29, 1815. 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.]

                                                   Federal Hill Oct 29 1815

I have never been able to learn whether you got home dead or alive until last night. Sally why did you not write to us, and tell us you got home; out of sight, out of mind, is that the case, I hope not indeed.

Mrs. Reid is run to her eyeballs as Mrs. Miller says, she has been looking for General Jackson and Jacky for a fortnight she has given him out once but she received a letter from him a few days ago; that he should be in to day she has been serving and rubing [robbing] and borrowing from every one in the neighborhood; Jackson[‘s] wife is to stay at Mrs. Reid’s until he returns from the City.

I still talk of going to Richmond if I do go I will write to you again and let you know when I will go to see you. Tom has vacation next month, and I will make him go with me down.

Do write to us Sally and don’t be so selfish, I cannot go on with my letter my hand trembles so badly.

                                                I am your affectionate sister

                                                            F. Steptoe

[Frances Callaway Steptoe (1798-1832) would marry Henry Scarsbrook Langhorne (17901054) on March 13, 1816. She was seventeen at the time of this letter.

Sarah “Sally” Tate Steptoe Massie (1796-1828) was married to William Massie (1795-1862) and was the daughter of James Steptoe (1750-1826). There is a massive Massie collection at the University of Texas here.

Federal Hill = James Steptoe estate very close to New London and also Lynchburg, Virginia; about three miles or so away from Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest. Was in Bedford County, but now it’s in Campbell County. Picture here.

Mrs. Reid = Not sure who this is, possibly the mother of Lucy and Patsy ‘Reed’ mentioned in a later letter.

Mrs. Miller = Not sure who this is.

General Jackson = Major General Andrew Jackson (1767-1845)

Wife = Rachel Donelson Robards Jackson (1767-1828)

Jacky = probably Andrew Jackson, Jr. (1808-1865)

Tom = Thomas Eskridge Steptoe (1799-1880).]

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