Sunday, August 20, 2017

Lucinda “Lucy” Steptoe Penn to Sarah “Sally” Tate Steptoe Massie, December 28, 1816

[Lucinda “Lucy” Steptoe Penn [at or near Bedford County, Virginia], to Sarah “Sally” Tate Steptoe Massie at Pharsalia, Nelson County, Virginia, December 28, 1816, "by Bill." 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.]

                                                                 December 28, 1816

Dear Sally

Bill is now a waiting and [I] can write you but a few lines, I send you by him the silk jacket which Bob gave you it should have been sent before but was entirely forgotten. 

Brother William's wife is very low she was taken the other night with a shortness of breath, which alarmed Brother W-- very much, he said yesterday it was impossible she would live longer than two months and that he should not be at all surprised to see [her] dead any hour, you may imagine what his situation must be, he really appears to be almost deranged.

Brother James is very unwell he has a much worse cough than Nancy ever had complains of pains in the breast and side and Brother George received a very severe fall the other day, sprained his ancle [ankle] & it is not certain but that it may be cut of[f] he is very much frightened times are truly distressing with us.

Mrs. Clark is much better tis thought she will recover I have not time or I would write you more your butter was very exceptable [acceptable] indeed write me soon and let me know how young Massie comes on. I hear you begin to look very portly.  

Mr. Penn has at last purchased land three miles this side of Liberty and within three miles of Brother George's it is said to be a very fine tract of Land. 

[M]y love to Mr. Massie and believe me to be your affectionate Sister
                                                                                  Lucinda

[Lucinda “Lucy” Steptoe Penn (1795-1878), who married Robert Cowan Penn (1789-1854) in 1814. Their Bedford County, Virginia, estate was (or would be) named "St. Helena." 

Sally = Sarah “Sally” Tate Steptoe Massie (1796-1828), who married William Massie (1795-1862) in 1814. "Portly:" their son Thomas James Massie (1817-1877) would be born on March 23, 1817.

Bill = courier, not sure who this is.

Bob = probably Robert Callaway Steptoe (1791-1810). 

Brother William = Dr. William Steptoe (1791-1860), married to Anne Nancy Brown Steptoe (March 4, 1792-April 5, 1817) since February 7, 1815. Their son, Edward Jenner Steptoe (1815-1865), was born on November 7, 1815. 

Brother James = James Callaway Steptoe (1781-1827), married to Catherine Mitchell Steptoe (1780-1858) since 1808.  

Brother George = George Steptoe (1785-1862), married to Maria Anne Thomas Steptoe (1792-1872) since 1810.

Mrs. Clark = not sure who this is.]


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

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