Elizabeth "Eliza" Prentiss "Betsey" Steptoe Johnston to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie, July 26, 1817

Sandusky, Lynchburg, Virginia. November 2008 by Pubdog via Wikimedia Commons

[Elizabeth "Eliza" Prentiss "Betsey" Steptoe Johnston at Sandusky, Lynchburg, Virginia, to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie at Pharsalia, Nelson County, Virginia, July 26, 1817, "by George." Massie Family Papers, Virginia Historical Society. This is my rough, annotated transcription from a copy graciously provided by William Myers.]

                                                 Sandusky   July 26 1817

You will be surprised my dear Sally that Uncle George has been so detained. The dress which you requested Lucy Johnston to get for you was not got, owing to her not understanding the directions given for that purpose -- you write her to get you a cloth dress, which she could not believe was your intention to have said, and not knowing what to do, determined to get none. I had one brought up, which I intended sending you, but upon reflection thought you might not choose such a colour, it being a red colour, I therefore thought best to get one, and make the old man wait one day to have it made. I went this morning to town for that purpose, I could find nothing but Canton Crepe and Bombazine, and as you had one of the former I chose the latter, it is a very nice one, I think, I directed Maria Gray to make it by mine which Mr. Johnston brought from Richmond.

I have not been to Papa's since you left us, as I had no horses. I sent [?]up on Wednesday. [T]hey sent me word that little Tom was very well, and that Sally was extremely attentive to him. I expect to go up and see him tomorrow or the next day and take with me the rose-water.

I send you the Smelling Bottle, which you may want during your trip, also your Fan.

[Y]ou must certainly write us from Staunton, visit my friend Mrs. Payton while there and present me affectionately to her.

my love to Peggy, and Mr. Massie, and believe me my dear Sally your truly affectionate sister
                                          Eliza P. Johnston

N.B. The Bacon was all received and is I think very nice. I shall make much of the old hams, intending them altogether for my own Tooth.

[Sarah “Sally” Tate Steptoe Massie (1796-1828) had married William Massie (1795-1862) in 1814.

Elizabeth "Eliza" Prentiss "Betsey" Steptoe Johnston (1783-1820).

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.

Lucy = Lucy Hopkins Johnston (1800-1888).

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

Maria Gray = not sure who this is.

Little Tom = presumably Thomas James Massie (March 23, 1817-1877) and Sally, his mother, recipient of the letter.

Mrs. Payton = or Peyton. Not sure who this is.

Peggy = probably Margaret "Peggy" Bradfute (circa 1788-1833), daughter of Robert Bradfute (1749-1816) and sister of Grace Bradfute (circa 1792-1855) and Davidson Bradfute (1781-1831), the last who had married Maria Byrd (1786-1854) in 1809, and served as Cashier for Farmer's Bank of Lynchburg. ] 

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