Frances Steptoe Johnston to Sarah Tate Steptoe Massie, July 6, 1820

[Frances Steptoe Johnston at Botetourt Springs, Virginia, to Sarah Tate Steptoe Massie near Rose’s Mill, Nelson County, Virginia, July 6, 1820. 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 July 6^th 1820

Dear Aunt

Papa recieved [received] a letter from Mr. Ravenscroft a few nights ago informing him that he would attend to his wish on the fifth Saturday in this month he says it is out of his power to perform it on a Sunday and the fifth sunday [Sunday] being already appropriated to preaching the funeral of Mr. Clay he must take Saturday as he wishes to accomplish his objects in two days the 29^th and 30^th of July.

Papa says we will all go down in three weeks at which I am very much delighted for I am heartily tired of staying up here in these lonesome mountains where I hardly ever see any person but dutch people passing along the road.

I was very glad to hear that Grand-papa has got almost entirely well and we expect him up in five or six days.

Sister Lucy only staid with us three weeks she was very anxious to go home by Lynchburg but Mr. Ambler has such complete command over her that she could not prevail on him to let her go; we missed her very much for five or six days but now we have got used to staying by ourselves that is when Papa goes away which he did then and now does sometimes.

I should have written to you long before but it is so far and I had no private opportunity and Papa says our letters are not worth going by the mail.

I have no more to say but when I write you again I will write as much again. Farewell and believe me to be yours affectionately

                                                                 Frances S. Johnston

[p.s.] Give little Thomas one hundred kisses for me.

[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.

Little Thomas = Thomas James Massie (1817-1877)

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

Papa = Charles Johnston (1768-1833). His second wife, Elizabeth Prentiss (aka Prentis) Steptoe Johnston (1783-1820), mother of 
Frances, had died on February 13, 1820, age thirty-seven, and was 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.

Mr. Ravenscroft = John Stark “Mad Jack” Ravenscroft (1772-1830), Episcopalian, who is buried in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Grand-papa = James Steptoe, Jr. (1750-1826), whose portrait was painted by Harvey (Manning) Mitchell (circa 1799-1866). His estate was “Federal Hill.”

Dutch people = more likely of German ancestry.

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


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