Elizabeth "Eliza" Prentiss "Betsey" Steptoe Johnston to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie, February 11, 1818

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, February 11, 1818, "by George." Massie Family Papers, Virginia Historical Society. This is my rough, annotated transcription from a copy graciously provided by William Myers.]

My dear Sally                         Sandusky  February 11^th 1818

I cannot think of letting the old man return without writing to you a few lines, altho I have nothing to say that will interest or amuse you. We are all jogging on pretty much in the old way. The girls frolicking about in town and country, and myself quietly seated by the fireside for I have scarcely moved from it since this cold weather set in.

Frances has just gone from here and Tom with her who is to stay until Mr. Langhorne’s return from Bedford where he will be for several days. [A]s soon as he gets back she will in all probability make you a visit, as she is very anxious to do so, she talked of going over to day, but as she has nothing more than a Gig, we prevailed on her to wait until the weather moderates a little. [S]he could have had our Carriage, but for Mr. Johnston’s being obliged to set off on Friday with Eliza to Richmond. I am not sure Frances will consent to stay about a fortnight with you, but I may come over to Pharsalia and bring her home, as by that time Mr. Johnston will have returned with the Carriage.

I was uneasy, after receiving Mr. Massie’s Letter respecting your situation. I saw brother William consulted him, and requested him to visit you, he said he would certainly do so if he considered you in any danger, but his opinion was, that you would perhaps be better, than you had been for some time, you must take good care of yourself, and if the weather should be fine about the time I come over I think you might safely venture to return with us. Frances, you and myself, with the two little boys can come in the Carriage and your Nurse on horseback, I shall leave all my children at home with their Sister Lucy.

You have learned no doubt that Lucy Penn has a daughter. Tis the most beautiful infant I ever beheld, I will not even except my James, who was always my standard of infant beauty. I never saw a little creature so nicely formed and proportioned, and with such exquisite features in my life.

I have sent you Sillimans Journal which will keep you amused awhile but you should not read much yourself it will injure your eyes exceedingly as this time, Mr. Massie will have no out door employment [in] this cold weather, so that he will have leisure to read to you.

We have a new novel here, by Miss Edgeworth which I would send you by Frances, but her company I suppose you would prefer to novel reading – present me affectionately to Mr. Massie and kiss dear little Tom for me and believe me your unalterable friend and sister Eliza P. Johnston.

[Sarah “Sally” Tate Steptoe Massie (1796-1828) had married William Massie (1795-1862) in 1814. "Dear little Tom" = Thomas James Massie (March 23, 1817-1877). 

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

"The old man" aka George = also mentioned in other letters, most possibly 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.

Frances = Frances "Fanny" Callaway Steptoe Langhorne (1798-1832), who had married Henry "Harry" Scarsbrook Langhorne (1790-1854) in 1816.

Tom = Thomas Eskridge Steptoe (1798-1832).

Mr. Langhorne = Henry "Harry" Scarsbrook Langhorne (1790-1854).

Mr. Johnston = Charles Johnston (1769-1833), husband of Elizabeth "Eliza" Prentiss "Betsey" Steptoe Johnston (1783-1820).

Eliza = not sure who this is, being conveyed to Richmond.

Brother William = Dr. William Steptoe (1791-1860) had been married to Ann Nancy Brown Steptoe (1792-1817). 

Their Sister Lucy = Lucy Hopkins Johnston (1800-1888).

Lucy Penn = Lucinda "Lucy" Steptoe Penn (1795-1878), married to Robert Cowan Penn (1789-1856) since 1814. 

Daughter = Frances "Fannie" Louisa Penn (January 21, 1818-1879), who later married General David Rodes (1795-1862), Clerk of the Circuit Court of Lynchburg.

James = James Steptoe Johnston (1808-1895), who later moved to Mississippi; his namesake son (1843-1924) became an Episcopal Bishop and is buried in San Antonio, Texas.

Silliman's Journal = The American Journal of Science (1818-present). 

New novel by Miss Edgeworth = Maria Edgeworth (1768-1849), "the Irish Jane Austen." The novel in question was possibly Ormond, published in 1817.]

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