Frances Steptoe Johnston to Sarah Tate Steptoe Massie, May 15, 1821

[Frances Steptoe Johnston at Botetourt, Virginia, to Sarah Tate Steptoe Massie [at Pharsalia] near Roses Mills, Nelson County, Virginia. Massie Family Papers, Virginia Historical Society. This is my rough, annotated transcription from a copy graciously provided by William Myers.]

                                                             Botetourt May 15^th 1821

My Dear Aunt

I have now seated myself to write to you if my time will permit me for we go to school so constantly since Mr. Kidd our new schoolmaster has come that we hardly have time to turn around.

Papa set off to Lynchburg last Thursday and we expect him back Saturday evening and it is so seldom that he stays so long a time we shall be very much pleased to see him when he was down before Aunt Frances told him that you were coming up this month. [If] you do not come before long we shall give you out entirely.

I was very much surprised to hear that Aunt Frances had increased her family since we were down in February but I have not heard whether it was a boy or girl nor what it was called.

We expect uncle Peter and a part of his family here every day on their [their] way to Albermarle to see Aunt Johnston’s mother. I expect that if you come up this month that you will meet them here as they will stay a week.

I suppose that you have not heard that I have a little nephew about six weeks old; Sister says he is very cross and restless; he is called John after Mr. Ambler’s father.

I should write mote if I had more room but if I write so long a letter after it is folded up it would look like two or three letters the paper is so think.

Aunt Johnston is almost distracted to go to the Missouri and when Papa is gone she attempts to exercise complete authority over us.

Cousin Nancy and all the family send their love to you and believe me your ever heart-dear niece

                                                      Frances S. Johnston

P.S. Kiss little Thomas for me untill [until] his mouth is sore

[My Dear Aunt = Sarah Tate Steptoe Massie (1796-1828), who was married to William Massie (1795-1862) and was the daughter of James Steptoe (1750-1826). For more on Pharsalia, see this link. There is a massive Massie collection at the University of Texas here.

Frances Steptoe Johnston (1807-after 1850), making her about fourteen when she wrote this letter.

Mr. Kidd = not sure who this is.

Papa = Charles Johnston (1768-1833)

Aunt Frances = possibly Frances Callaway Steptoe Langhorne (1798-1832), married to Henry Scarsbrook Langhorne (1790-1854).

Uncle Peter = Judge Peter Johnston, Jr. (1763-1831)

Aunt Johnston = Mary Valentine Wood Johnston (1769-1825)

Aunt Johnston’s mother = Lucy Henry Wood (1743-1826)

A little nephew = John Ambler (April 3, 1821-March 3, 1891)

Sister = Lucy Hopkins Johnston Ambler (1800-1888)

Mr. Ambler = Thomas Marshall Ambler (1791-1825)

Mr. Ambler’s father = John Ambler (1762-1836)

Aunt Johnston = Mary above or possibly Anne Owen Nash Johnston (1775-1851) of Lauderdale, Botetourt, widow of Andrew Johnston (1767-1811) or unnamed wife of Edward Johnston (1774-1836).

Cousin Nancy = Not sure who this is.

Little Thomas = Thomas James Massie (1817-1877)]

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