Elizabeth "Eliza" Prentiss "Betsey" Steptoe Johnston to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie, February 20, 1819

Sandusky, Lynchburg. November 2008 by Pubdog. Public domain 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 20, 1819, "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  Feb[ruary] 20 1819

The weather and roads have been so bad since old George came up, that I have not been able to go to town. I therefore sent your memorandum to Nancy Byrd with a request that she would execute the commission for me, which I hope she has done to your satisfaction.

I am pleased to hear of your intention of visiting uncle George next month. I have been always anxious that you shou[l]d do so we have not in the world a more affectionate sincere relation and placed as you both are at a distance from your other connections, I should think it would be very gratifying to each of you to visit. 

I wish it were in my power to come over and accompany you, but that is impossible for various reasons, but most particularly on account of its being too cold, however when the weather becomes warmer and more settled I hope to be with you all, we shall expect you here in the meantime.

I have kept the dress you sent up to make by as the old man has so many things to carry I thought he might get it very much rumpled, and expected you would not want it before you came up.

With respect to the Bonnet, there are none but very fine at 14 dollars you will not be able to wear a black Bonnet when it becomes a little warmer, on account of its drawing the sun and making the head very warm and frequently producing the Headache. I directed Nancy to get the latter. I should have preferred, had I been in your place, getting a straw and having it trimmed with black crepe, it is what I have done.

God bless you my dear Sally believe me your affectionate Sister Eliza P. Johnston

Your prescription has been of great service to my cough, but I was not able to take it the way you directed, with milk. I stewed it to a [?]rdie, and eat it that way. 

[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).

"Old George" / Uncle 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. "Old George" could also be a servant, enslaved or free, employed as courier.

Nancy Byrd = Nancy Anne Byrd (1784-); married James T. Wright on January 27, 1821. From Find A Grave: 

"Alexander Tompkins resided in the house [where] Davidson Bradfute 1781-1831 and wife Maria Byrd 1786-1854 had lived. Alexander's wife was Maria Byrd's sister.
Three more Byrd sisters, all daughters of Francis Otway Byrd and Ann Ursula Munford married and lived in Lynchburg.

Nancy Anne Byrd married 27 Jan 1821 to James T Wright.
Evelyn Byrd married 9 Feb 1825 to Roger Quarles Tompkins.
Abigail Willing Byrd married 8 Nov 1815 to Phillip E Jackson and 2nd married about 1822 to Dr Howell L Davies. All of these Byrd sisters were granddaughters of Col William Evelyn Byrd III of Westover Plantation." Link here]

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