Robert Callaway Steptoe to Sarah Tate Steptoe Massie, October 26, 1827

[Robert Callaway Steptoe at St. James Church, Virginia, to Sarah Tate Steptoe Massie [at Pharsalia], by Roses Mills, Nelson County, Virginia, October 26, 1827. 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 just returned from Liberty and have time to announce to you the death of our much beloved brother James, who has been confined to his bed with a bilious fever for ten weeks, & left us the 24^th Instant at 3 O’clock in the evening.

It is unnecessary to say I left behind me deep distress and almost frantic grief. In a few moments I start to the graveyard to witness the internment of one more near relation added to the long catalogue before.

Last week poor old Molly Anderson, the last of the old Callaway family, was numbered with the list, and who shall be the next God only knows.  

                              As death with his scythe at once strews along

                              The young the old the feeble and the strong

                                                In hast[e] affectionately yours

                                                          Robt. C. Steptoe

[Robert Callaway Steptoe (1791-1870); his wife was Elizabeth Leftwich Steptoe (1800-1840).

Sarah 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.

James Callaway Steptoe (December 10, 1781-October 24, 1827) was married to Catherine Mitchell Steptoe (1780-1858); they had at least two children: Frances Callaway Steptoe (1810-1880) and Edward Dillon Steptoe (1811-1854). James served for a time as Clerk of Bedford County, in which capacity he mentored Robert Crump Mitchell (1807-1872), a maternal nephew. Upon the death of James, Robert was elected (on November 27, 1827) the new County Clerk.

Molly Anderson = Mary “Molly” Callaway Anderson (1741-October 14, 1827), widow of Jacob Anderson (1731-1822).]

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