Frances Steptoe Johnston to Sarah Tate Steptoe Massie, October 31, 1823

[Frances Steptoe Johnston at Botetourt Springs, Virginia, to Sarah Tate Steptoe Massie at New London, Bedford County, Virginia, October 31, 1823. 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.]

Botetourt 31^st October 1823

My dear Aunt

I received your welcome letter a few days ago and am determined to answer it now as you seem to so hard of us not writing to you.

I am very sorry that it will not be in our power to meet you at Grandpa’s as we intended; we have deferred our visit untill [until] the Spring on account of our studies & Music principally as this is the only opportunity we shall have of obtaining a teacher and he will leave us at the close of the winter.

Cousin Nancy has also given out her trip to Petersburg.

I hope you my dear Aunt after you get as far as New London that you will not forget that you have such relations as we are and do us the favour and pleasure of visiting us it is only a little out of your way and we have not seen you for so long a time that you have become almost a stranger.

Papa expects Sister Lucy this fall she has not written for so long a time that he thinks she intends visiting us by surprise which I hope may be the case. What a pleasure it would be to see you at the same time. I should like to see my beautiful little cousin as I have heard so much of her indeed it cannot fail to be pretty if it is like Aunt Mary.

Papa says that you went to Lynchburg to meet Dr. Baker the dentist. I suppose your teeth wanted repair. I stood a severe operation of the same kind not long ago the pain of it is almost inconceivable he says that in a few years I should not have had a tooth so much were they decayed.

The last of our company left here about three weeks since. This place presents a dreary scene now contrasted with the gaiety of the preceding summer. We live very happily now there being only ten females and as many males the latter of which we seldom have any thing to do with.

I believe my stock of news is quite exhausted so with the love of the family to yourself and our other relatives and our prayers for your eternal happiness accept the warmest affections of your niece.

                                                                                       Frances S. Johnston

[p.s.] Tell Aunt Frances if you see her that Mary will write to her soon.

[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). There is a massive Massie collection at the University of Texas here.

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

Grandpa = James Steptoe (1750-1826), who had been married to Frances Callaway (1760-1807).

Cousin Nancy = Not sure who this is.

Papa = Charles Johnston (1768-1833)

Sister Lucy = Lucy Hopkins Johnston Ambler (1800-1888), married to Thomas Marshall Ambler (1791-1825).

My beautiful little cousin = possibly Elizabeth Steptoe Ambler (January 20, 1822-1900).

Aunt Mary = possibly Mary Cary Ambler Smith (1787-1843), married to John Hill Smith (1783-1843).

Dr. Baker the dentist = not sure who this is.

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

Mary = Mary Morris Johnston (1810-1884).]

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