James Steptoe to Sarah Tate Steptoe Massie, 1819 and 1820

James Steptoe by Harvey Mitchell in Memorials of Old Virginia Clerks (1888)

[James Steptoe at Federal Hill, New London, Virginia, to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie, at Pharsalia near Rose Mills, Nelson County, Virginia, December 7, 1819, and July 10, 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.] 

Dear Sally,

I have received your Letter of the 5th, by Robin, with the carpet. Enclosed I send to Mr. Massie $20. The balance I will send him by one of your Brothers Robert, or Tom, at Christmas, as I presume one, or the other, of both of them will be over to see you at that time.

As your sister Betsy passed on up to Botetourt I touched the subject of her Wintering with me as gently as possible, but found such insuperable difficulties and objections to prevail on the part of Mr. Johnston, that I was obliged to desist. I heard yesterday that Betsy was getting better.
                                               Yrs aff'y
                                                 J. Steptoe
                                                  Dec. 7, 1819

James Steptoe by Harvey Mitchell, color version (1820s)

Dear Sally,

I received a letter from Mr. Johnston yesterday, enclosing one from Mr. Ravenscroft. He informs Mr. Johnston that he will be in New London on Saturday the 29th day of this month & will on that day be ready to preach at the Academy a Funeral Sermon on the death of your Sister Betsy, and on the next day he will preach at Mrs. Clay's a Funeral Sermon of the death of Mr. Clay, and altho' your Brother Tom says that you cannot conveniently be in Bedford before next Fall, I have thought it might not be amiss to drop you these few lines.

I shall set off, the last of this week, or the beginning of the next, for the Sweet Springs, and shall stay with Mr. Johnston a few days as I go on. Mr. Johnston and his little children  will be at my House on the 26 or 27. 

Mr. Penn, and your Sister Lucy, will attend to, and accommodate, at their own House and at mine, such of my children and grand children as may think proper to attend.                   
                 My best Respects to William.
                                           Yr affect. Father
                                                   Ja. Steptoe
                                                     July 10, 1820 

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

Robin = Not sure who this is. 

Brothers Robert and Tom = Robert Callaway Steptoe (1791-circa 1856) and Thomas Eskridge Steptoe (1799-1880).

Betsy (also Betsey) = Elizabeth Prentiss “Betsey” Steptoe Johnston (1783-March 28, 1820). 

Mr. Johnston = Charles Johnston (1769-1833) 

Botetourt = Botetourt Springs.

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

Mr. and Mrs. Clay = Rev. Mr. Charles Green Clay (1745-February 8, 1820) and Editha Landon Davies Clay (1777-1838). 

Mr. Penn, and Your Sister Lucy = Robert Cowan Penn (1789-1856) had married Lucinda "Lucy" Steptoe (1795-1878) in 1814.]

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