[Lucinda “Lucy” Steptoe Penn [at or
near Bedford County, Virginia], to Sarah “Sally” Tate Steptoe Massie [at
Pharsalia, Nelson County, Virginia], January 1817. 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.]
January 1817
January 1817
Dear Sally
Things have indeed turned out much more favourable than we had any idea of when I last wrote you, Brother James has nearly entirely recovered and Brother George much better we heard of his being at the factory the other day -- grand mama had another paraletic stroke a few days ago which deprived her of her speech for some time I have never seen her since but hea[r]d Aunt Lucy say that she had a very strange unnatural look she thought; Bob thinks another attack would carry her of[f].
Nancy is still very low but somewhat better than she was when I last wrote you she has been here and staid [stayed] two days with us and appeared very melancholy and dejected as might be expected, old Mrs. Martin whom I suppose you have heard of has been with her for several days for the purpose of talking to her on the su[b]ject of Religion I believe.
I have seen nothing of Di[c]k as yet but have heard of his being at Brother W. . . . he is afraid of being plagued about Miss Francisco I expect is the reason why he has not been here, Papa diverts himself very much at Dick's saying he intended to mend the breed.
I spent a day at Major Reid's not long since I thought they were as cheerful as ever. [T]hey enquired several times why you did not go to see them when you were up.
Aunt Lucy told me when she was here that a man by the name Perceval[or Percy?] worked at Mr. Johnston's last summer reported it on Stanton that he was engaged to be married to Lucy Johnston and had left her, he was married to Betsy Anderson a week or two ago --if Mr. Johnston was to hear it I expect he would run mad.
Enclosed I send you the pattern a cap and believe me I never thought of it before until it was two [too] late or you shuld have had it before this; but hope you are not in immediate want of it.
I must finish my letter by requesting you will not examine the writing as it is a bitter cold day, an[d] can scarcely keep myself warm.
I spent a day at Major Reid's not long since I thought they were as cheerful as ever. [T]hey enquired several times why you did not go to see them when you were up.
Aunt Lucy told me when she was here that a man by the name Perceval[or Percy?] worked at Mr. Johnston's last summer reported it on Stanton that he was engaged to be married to Lucy Johnston and had left her, he was married to Betsy Anderson a week or two ago --if Mr. Johnston was to hear it I expect he would run mad.
Enclosed I send you the pattern a cap and believe me I never thought of it before until it was two [too] late or you shuld have had it before this; but hope you are not in immediate want of it.
I must finish my letter by requesting you will not examine the writing as it is a bitter cold day, an[d] can scarcely keep myself warm.
I remain 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."
Dick = probably Richard Henry Lee Steptoe (1786-1818/1819).
Miss Francisco = a daughter of Peter Francisco (1760-1831), a Portuguese war hero of the American Revolution: Polly Francisco (born 1788) or Susan Brooke Francisco (born 1796). Peter Francisco was married thrice: to Susannah Anderson (1767-1790), Catherine Fauntleroy Brooke (1762-1819), and Mary Grymes West (1814-1887).
Major Reid's = Major John Reid (1784-January 18, 1816), aide-de-camp to Andrew Jackson, born in or near New London, Virginia, then based in Tennessee; and Maria Frances Thompson Reid (died January 1816?). They apparently had a daughter named Sophia Reid. Jack Reid was directly related to Nathan Reid (1753-1830), who had married Sophia Thorpe in 1784. Other Reid family members lived around New London and Lynchburg, Virginia. Finally, Jack Reid was working on a biography of Andrew Jackson at the time of his death.
Perceval (or Percy) = not sure who this is at this juncture.
Lucy Johnston = Lucy Hopkins Johnston (1800-1888).
Betsy Anderson = not sure who this is at this juncture.
Mr. Johnston = Charles Johnston (1769-1833).]
[Many thanks to Sue Davis, William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]
[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. Their son Thomas James Massie (1817-1877) would be born on March 23, 1817.
Brother James = James Callaway Steptoe (1781-1827), married to Catherine Mitchell Steptoe (1780-1858) since 1808.
Grand mama = probably Mary Langhorne Turpin (1746-1821), third wife of James Callaway (1736-1809). Also, "Uncle George" mentioned in other letters was probably George Callaway (1785-1822), a son of James Callaway by his second wife, Elizabeth Early Callaway (1759-1796).
Aunt Lucy = probably Lucy Callaway Brown (1759-1831), a daughter of James Callaway by his first wife, Sarah Tate Callaway (1735-1773).
Bob = probably Robert Callaway Steptoe (1791-1870).
Brother W = Dr. William Steptoe (1791-1860), who had been 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 George = George Steptoe (1785-1862), married to Maria Anne Thomas Steptoe (1792-1872) since 1810.
Grand mama = probably Mary Langhorne Turpin (1746-1821), third wife of James Callaway (1736-1809). Also, "Uncle George" mentioned in other letters was probably George Callaway (1785-1822), a son of James Callaway by his second wife, Elizabeth Early Callaway (1759-1796).
Aunt Lucy = probably Lucy Callaway Brown (1759-1831), a daughter of James Callaway by his first wife, Sarah Tate Callaway (1735-1773).
Bob = probably Robert Callaway Steptoe (1791-1870).
Brother W = Dr. William Steptoe (1791-1860), who had been 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.
Dick = probably Richard Henry Lee Steptoe (1786-1818/1819).
Miss Francisco = a daughter of Peter Francisco (1760-1831), a Portuguese war hero of the American Revolution: Polly Francisco (born 1788) or Susan Brooke Francisco (born 1796). Peter Francisco was married thrice: to Susannah Anderson (1767-1790), Catherine Fauntleroy Brooke (1762-1819), and Mary Grymes West (1814-1887).
Major Reid's = Major John Reid (1784-January 18, 1816), aide-de-camp to Andrew Jackson, born in or near New London, Virginia, then based in Tennessee; and Maria Frances Thompson Reid (died January 1816?). They apparently had a daughter named Sophia Reid. Jack Reid was directly related to Nathan Reid (1753-1830), who had married Sophia Thorpe in 1784. Other Reid family members lived around New London and Lynchburg, Virginia. Finally, Jack Reid was working on a biography of Andrew Jackson at the time of his death.
Perceval (or Percy) = not sure who this is at this juncture.
Lucy Johnston = Lucy Hopkins Johnston (1800-1888).
Betsy Anderson = not sure who this is at this juncture.
Mr. Johnston = Charles Johnston (1769-1833).]
[Many thanks to Sue Davis, William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]
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