[Elizabeth "Eliza" Prentiss "Betsey" Steptoe Johnston at New London, Virginia, to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie at White Sulphur Springs, Virginia, circa August 18, 1817, "by Col. Watts." Massie Family Papers, Virginia Historical Society. This is my rough, annotated transcription from a copy graciously provided by William Myers.]
My dear Sally
Ihave just met this morning with Col. Watts at Church who told me he would set out tomorrow for the West, and expecting he would see you at the Springs on his way determined to write a few lines to you.
I am now at Mr. Ward's, having dined here with a good many of my old friends.
I saw Papa and Lucy at Church who told me that little Tom was well. I saw him myself on Wednesday and was delighted to find him much improved. I believe when you return you will scarcely know him.
I received your letter dated Staunton and was surprised that you said nothing respecting your health, about which I was so anxious, but finding a letter here to day from you to Lucy I opened it in order to get some information on the subject.
I was not surprised that the warm Bathing had the effect you describe, it was precisely what it produced on me, only that it also gave me cold.
You must excuse this short letter and the mistakes you find in it, as I am sitting in a room full of Ladies and about 20 children, but it being a good opportunity I could not resist the inclination I had of writing, were it only a line.
My love to Miss Peggy and Mr. Massie believe me affectionately yours
Eliza P. Johnston
[Sarah “Sally” Tate Steptoe Massie (1796-1828) had married William Massie (1795-1862) in 1814.
Papa = James Steptoe (1750-1826).
Lucy = Lucinda “Lucy” Steptoe Penn (1795-1878), who had married Robert Cowan Penn (1789-1856) on June 15, 1814.
Little Tom = Thomas James Massie (March 23, 1817-1877).
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.]
My dear Sally
I
I am now at Mr. Ward's, having dined here with a good many of my old friends.
I saw Papa and Lucy at Church who told me that little Tom was well. I saw him myself on Wednesday and was delighted to find him much improved. I believe when you return you will scarcely know him.
I received your letter dated Staunton and was surprised that you said nothing respecting your health, about which I was so anxious, but finding a letter here to day from you to Lucy I opened it in order to get some information on the subject.
I was not surprised that the warm Bathing had the effect you describe, it was precisely what it produced on me, only that it also gave me cold.
You must excuse this short letter and the mistakes you find in it, as I am sitting in a room full of Ladies and about 20 children, but it being a good opportunity I could not resist the inclination I had of writing, were it only a line.
My love to Miss Peggy and Mr. Massie believe me affectionately yours
Eliza P. Johnston
[Sarah “Sally” Tate Steptoe Massie (1796-1828) had married William Massie (1795-1862) in 1814.
Elizabeth "Eliza" Prentiss "Betsey" Steptoe Johnston (1783-1820).
Colonel Watts = no doubt related in some way to Elizabeth Breckenridge Watts (1794-1862), who married General Edward Watts (1779-1859) of “Oaklands” in 1810. Watts family correspondence can be found at the University of Virginia Special Collections here. Additional primary sources, such as "Deed between Henry S. Langhorne and Frances, his wife, and Edward Watts for the sale of a tract of land in Botetourt County" (April 1828) can be found here.
Mr. Ward = Not sure who this is.
Colonel Watts = no doubt related in some way to Elizabeth Breckenridge Watts (1794-1862), who married General Edward Watts (1779-1859) of “Oaklands” in 1810. Watts family correspondence can be found at the University of Virginia Special Collections here. Additional primary sources, such as "Deed between Henry S. Langhorne and Frances, his wife, and Edward Watts for the sale of a tract of land in Botetourt County" (April 1828) can be found here.
Mr. Ward = Not sure who this is.
Papa = James Steptoe (1750-1826).
Lucy = Lucinda “Lucy” Steptoe Penn (1795-1878), who had married Robert Cowan Penn (1789-1856) on June 15, 1814.
Little Tom = Thomas James Massie (March 23, 1817-1877).
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.]
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