[James Steptoe at [Federal Hill, New London, Virginia], to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie, [at Pharsalia] near Rose Mills, Nelson County, Virginia, August 14, 1820, "By George." 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 received a letter from Mr. Johnston yesterday. Doc. Yale, who attends on your Brother says that Tom is unquestionably safe, tho' his Fever has not, as yet, entirely left him. He is able to set up in his Bed and has once walked across his Room. The Fever is highly infectious, and I am very much afraid to hear from Mr. Johnston's Family, tho' every precaution has been taken to prevent the Fever from spreading.
Maj'r Read's Family is now in the most distressing situation imaginable, tho' I think they are a little on the recovery.
Tom caught his Fever from Sam Cabell.
Your Brother William set off for Botetourt yesterday,
As to myself, I am as well as I could reasonably expect to be. The Sulphur Water at Carvin's Spring agreed very well with me, but I was prevented from prosecuting my Journey to the other Springs in the Valley as I intended, in consequence of Tom's indisposition.
I intend setting off again to Botetourt in about a fortnight in order to take Tom Home.
yr. affect. Father
Ja. Steptoe
Aug. 14, 1820
[Many thanks to Sue Davis, William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]
Dear Sally,
I received a letter from Mr. Johnston yesterday. Doc. Yale, who attends on your Brother says that Tom is unquestionably safe, tho' his Fever has not, as yet, entirely left him. He is able to set up in his Bed and has once walked across his Room. The Fever is highly infectious, and I am very much afraid to hear from Mr. Johnston's Family, tho' every precaution has been taken to prevent the Fever from spreading.
Maj'r Read's Family is now in the most distressing situation imaginable, tho' I think they are a little on the recovery.
Tom caught his Fever from Sam Cabell.
Your Brother William set off for Botetourt yesterday,
As to myself, I am as well as I could reasonably expect to be. The Sulphur Water at Carvin's Spring agreed very well with me, but I was prevented from prosecuting my Journey to the other Springs in the Valley as I intended, in consequence of Tom's indisposition.
I intend setting off again to Botetourt in about a fortnight in order to take Tom Home.
yr. affect. Father
Ja. Steptoe
Aug. 14, 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.
Mr. Johnston = Charles Johnston (1769-1833).
Dr. Yale = not sure who this is.
Tom = Thomas Eskridge Steptoe (1799-1880).
Maj'r Read = probably related to the Rev. Mr. William Shields Reid (1778-1853) of Lynchburg, Virginia.
Sam Cabell = no doubt one of the Cabells of central Virginia.
Your Brother William = William Steptoe (1791-1860).
Carvin's Spring = renamed Botetourt Springs by Charles Johnston.
Carvin's Spring = renamed Botetourt Springs by Charles Johnston.
Botetourt = Botetourt Springs, Virginia.
George = George Steptoe (1785-1862).]
[Many thanks to Sue Davis, William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]
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