Thomas Eskridge Steptoe to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie, March 27, 1820

[Thomas Eskridge Steptoe [probably at Federal Hill, New London, Virginia], to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie, at [Virginia], March 27, 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

As you desired I send Ben down to inform how sister Betsy is. I had hoped although I feared the contrary that her situation would have been such as to have allowed of your returning home, at least for a short time. But I am sorry to tell you that my apprehensions were but too well founded.

Every hour seems to make a visible change for the worst, and such is the violence of her disease and aggravation of every mournful sym[p]tom that without some providential interference I am afraid she cannot survive more than a few days.

This is the opinion I believe of all that see her. Yesterday, she attempted to ride but was only able to go one mile and when she returned she was so fatigued that it was necessary to stimulate here – this we occasionally have to repeat to revive her exhausted strength.

She often expressed the wish that you had not left her and seems to be anxious that her brothers and sisters should be within a convenient distance of her. If you wish as U suppose you do to have the melancholy pleasure of being with her in her last moments I would advise you to come up immediately. Frances perhaps will come up with you.

                                         Your affectionate Brother

                                                          T. Steptoe

                                                        Mar. 27, 1820

[Sally = 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.

T. Steptoe = Thomas Eskridge Steptoe (1799-1880).

Ben = a servant?

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

Frances =  Frances Callaway Steptoe Langhorne (1798-1832) married Henry Scarsbrook Langhorne (1790-1854) on March 13, 1816.]

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