Lucinda “Lucy” Steptoe Penn to Sarah “Sally” Tate Steptoe Massie, February 5, 1818

[Lucinda “Lucy” Steptoe Penn [at or near Lynchburg, Virginia], to Sarah “Sally” Tate Steptoe Massie [at Pharsalia,] Nelson County, Virginia, February 5, 1818, conveyed “by Uncle 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.]

                                                                       February 5^th, 1818

Dear Sally,

I hope you have not accused me for lack of affection when your letters to me have so often been unanswered, but to my dislike to writing.

Papa says you sent him word you were coming up next month to shew him that the March winds cannot blow you away, but he thinks you had best wait until the swallows come.

I understand Mr. Massie was at Mr. Johnston’s the other day tell him I think he might have come up to see us. I suppose he told you poor Brother Rich’d was Dead, after a lingering illness of six or seven weeks, for a week before he died he was entirely out of his senses sometimes he appeared to have lucid intervils [intervals] he told Mr. Penn the Evening before he died that we must all die and would frequently say his time had come.

I am sorry Miss Peggy cannot go down to stay with you, we have moved home about a fortnight ago, I cannot call it home either as Mr. Penn has sold it, come up as soon as you can. Papa is very lonesome since I have moved away. I would write you a good deal more but Uncle George waits at the door for my letter kiss little Tom for me my love to Mr. Massie and believe me your Affectionate Sister

                                                                  L Penn

[L. Penn = Lucinda “Lucy” Steptoe Penn (1795-1878), who married Robert Cowan Penn (1789-1854) in 1814.

Sally = Sarah “Sally” Tate Steptoe Massie (1796-1828), who married William Massie (1795-1862) in 1814.

Mr. Johnston = Charles Johnston (1769-1833).

Brother Richard = Richard Henry Lee Steptoe (1786-February 3, 1818).

Miss Peggy = probably Peggy Bradfute.

Papa = James Steptoe (1750-1826), residing at Federal Hill.

Uncle George = also mentioned in other letters, most probably George Callaway (1785-1822), a son of James Callaway (1736-1809) by his second wife, Elizabeth Early Callaway (1759-1796). However, "Papa" James Steptoe (1750-1826), Eliza and Sally's father, also had a brother George Steptoe, born in 1748 but, according to vague family trees on Ancestry.com, died in 1802 -- a doctor, apparently.]

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