[Frances "Fanny" Callaway Steptoe Langhorne at Oakly, Lynchburg, Virginia, to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie at [Pharsalia,] Nelson, Virginia, February 23, 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.]
Oakly February 23 1820
My Dear Sally
I am very sorry you should have been so uneasy about sister Betsy I know the state of your mind must be very disagreeable between doubt and anxiety. I hear from her she has mended considerably Lucy says since she came down; she never has been to see any one yet not ever.
Lucy when Bob and Betsy dined there and Papa sets with her constantly they ride every day 6 or 8 miles.
W Langhorne is here and says he went to Papa's [F]riday to ask them to the forest Saturday and when he got there Papa was out shooting partridges for her, if her cough can ever be removed.
I think she may get over it, she may get better and live a good many years and yet have a cough.
Mr. L has accused me of having the histericks [hysterics] to night Lucy Cousin Betsy Callaway Ann and Betsy left me this evening and I never felt so gloomy in my life we were quite merry yesterday and today we had a sally to town and you never saw people enjoy themself as much in your life Cousin Betsy the topic of laughter Tom William Leftwich Tom Miller and Charles Johnston.
Papa ordered to wait on her she came down in her gigg and none of them waited on her and when she got there Tom let her get a prodigious fall; she got tired of her gigg and took a seat in Lucy's carriage and sent a great many messages to Papa Mr. Langhorne but Tom and Ann in the gigg Ann has had some pleasant dreams about Tom who knows how that may turn out.
Sally, Bob's wife is butiful [beautiful] and seems to be devoted to him; it looks quite strange to see as handsome a creature love such an ugly fellow; your letter last night created considerable myrth [mirth] Wm Langhorne says you need not try to fool us for it was you who wished to know how Bob liked the fun instead of Mr. Massie to satisfy your curiosity they rise about ten; this morning Mr. Langhorne had the breakfast carried up stairs to them.
Tell Mr. Massie old Cate had her kissing match again.
Do come up any how if you stay longer than a week, Bob talks of going down in a short time if you do not come up; and I wish to go down with them if you come up perhaps we will go down at any rate Bob will, let us know directly how it is with you; I am quite anxious you should come.
I wish you could have been here yesterday; and indeed all along for we have but one Brother now to marry and I hope we will never see Bob married again.
I suppose you knew Lucy was quite burly again and pleased as punch.
Captain Mitchell's affairs keep Brother James constantly on the pad he is down now.old Ned our old friend N.T. Johnston and Charles are going to keep Bachelor's Hall in a large Brick house of Mr. Johnston's which he got from L. Reeves I shall go down occasional]l]y to drink cyder [cider].
I suppose you heard Lucy had a daughter. Mr. Bradfute is very much reduced. Mrs. Bradfute says he has troubles enough to bring him down to a frame he was so sure of being turned out of office he would not fill his ice house. Miss Peggy and Grace are rolling stones they are in town now, but will not remain there long.
Archy Roberson and his wife dined here yesterday; Betsey is seeking I expect her here in a few days to spend a week: I hope you will not slander her any more Miss Peggy says you fired a pistol at her once; it is now half past ten o'clock Mr. L and his brothers are hurrying me to finish my letter.
I will male a bargain with you I will write every week to you if you will allow me to write any fashion.
I am your affectionate sister
F. Langhorne
[Frances "Fanny" Callaway Steptoe Langhorne (1798-1832) married Henry Scarsbrook Langhorne (1790-1854) on March 13, 1816. Their son John "Jack" Scarsbrook Langhorne (1817-1896) was born on June 1, 1817 (in later years, sometimes changed to 1818 or 1819). Their son William Maurice “Wee” aka "Billy" Langhorne (1818-1900) was born on June 30, 1818.
[Many thanks to Sue Davis, William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]
Oakly February 23 1820
My Dear Sally
I am very sorry you should have been so uneasy about sister Betsy I know the state of your mind must be very disagreeable between doubt and anxiety. I hear from her she has mended considerably Lucy says since she came down; she never has been to see any one yet not ever.
Lucy when Bob and Betsy dined there and Papa sets with her constantly they ride every day 6 or 8 miles.
W Langhorne is here and says he went to Papa's [F]riday to ask them to the forest Saturday and when he got there Papa was out shooting partridges for her, if her cough can ever be removed.
I think she may get over it, she may get better and live a good many years and yet have a cough.
Mr. L has accused me of having the histericks [hysterics] to night Lucy Cousin Betsy Callaway Ann and Betsy left me this evening and I never felt so gloomy in my life we were quite merry yesterday and today we had a sally to town and you never saw people enjoy themself as much in your life Cousin Betsy the topic of laughter Tom William Leftwich Tom Miller and Charles Johnston.
Papa ordered to wait on her she came down in her gigg and none of them waited on her and when she got there Tom let her get a prodigious fall; she got tired of her gigg and took a seat in Lucy's carriage and sent a great many messages to Papa Mr. Langhorne but Tom and Ann in the gigg Ann has had some pleasant dreams about Tom who knows how that may turn out.
Sally, Bob's wife is butiful [beautiful] and seems to be devoted to him; it looks quite strange to see as handsome a creature love such an ugly fellow; your letter last night created considerable myrth [mirth] Wm Langhorne says you need not try to fool us for it was you who wished to know how Bob liked the fun instead of Mr. Massie to satisfy your curiosity they rise about ten; this morning Mr. Langhorne had the breakfast carried up stairs to them.
Tell Mr. Massie old Cate had her kissing match again.
Do come up any how if you stay longer than a week, Bob talks of going down in a short time if you do not come up; and I wish to go down with them if you come up perhaps we will go down at any rate Bob will, let us know directly how it is with you; I am quite anxious you should come.
I wish you could have been here yesterday; and indeed all along for we have but one Brother now to marry and I hope we will never see Bob married again.
I suppose you knew Lucy was quite burly again and pleased as punch.
Captain Mitchell's affairs keep Brother James constantly on the pad he is down now.
I suppose you heard Lucy had a daughter. Mr. Bradfute is very much reduced. Mrs. Bradfute says he has troubles enough to bring him down to a frame he was so sure of being turned out of office he would not fill his ice house. Miss Peggy and Grace are rolling stones they are in town now, but will not remain there long.
Archy Roberson and his wife dined here yesterday; Betsey is seeking I expect her here in a few days to spend a week: I hope you will not slander her any more Miss Peggy says you fired a pistol at her once; it is now half past ten o'clock Mr. L and his brothers are hurrying me to finish my letter.
I will male a bargain with you I will write every week to you if you will allow me to write any fashion.
I am your affectionate sister
F. Langhorne
[Frances "Fanny" Callaway Steptoe Langhorne (1798-1832) married Henry Scarsbrook Langhorne (1790-1854) on March 13, 1816. Their son John "Jack" Scarsbrook Langhorne (1817-1896) was born on June 1, 1817 (in later years, sometimes changed to 1818 or 1819). Their son William Maurice “Wee” aka "Billy" Langhorne (1818-1900) was born on June 30, 1818.
Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie (1796-1828) was married to William Massie (1795-1862) and was the daughter of James Steptoe (1750-1826). Their son Thomas "Tommo" James Massie (1817-1877) was born on March 23, 1817.There is a massive Massie collection at the University of Texas here.
Because of the Panic of 1819, Charles Johnston (1769-1833) had to sell Sandusky; the Johnstons relocated from Lynchburg to Botetourt Springs in late 1819, early 1820.
Betsy (also Betsey) = Elizabeth Prentiss Steptoe Johnston (1783-March 28, 1820). The Panic of 1819 and abrupt relocation away from Sandusky seem to have broken her spirits and led to an early death.
Bob and Betsy = Robert "Bob" Callaway Steptoe (1791-1870) and Elizabeth "Betsy" Leftwich Steptoe (1800-1840), who married on February 15, 1820.
Papa = James Steptoe (1750-1826).
W Langhorne = William Callaway Langhorne (1783-1858), who was married to Catherine Callaway Langhorne (1792-1871).
Lucy = Lucinda "Lucy" Steptoe Penn (1795-1878), married to Robert "Bob" Cowan Penn (1789-1856).
Cousin Betsy Callaway = one of the numerous Callaways.
Bob and Betsy = Robert "Bob" Callaway Steptoe (1791-1870) and Elizabeth "Betsy" Leftwich Steptoe (1800-1840), who married on February 15, 1820.
Papa = James Steptoe (1750-1826).
W Langhorne = William Callaway Langhorne (1783-1858), who was married to Catherine Callaway Langhorne (1792-1871).
Lucy = Lucinda "Lucy" Steptoe Penn (1795-1878), married to Robert "Bob" Cowan Penn (1789-1856).
Cousin Betsy Callaway = one of the numerous Callaways.
"Old Cate" and Ann = not sure who they are, but they were bridesmaids at Bob and Betsy's wedding (see previous letter). <Update: Ann probably = Ann Bowker Leftwich (1803-1829), a sister of Elizabeth "Betsy" Leftwich Steptoe's>.
Tom = Thomas Eskridge Steptoe (1799-1880).
William Leftwich = William Callaway Leftwich (1788-1854).
Tom Miller = not sure who this is.
But one Brother now to marry = Tom Eskridge Steptoe (above).
Captain Mitchell = probably William Manning Mitchell (1774-<June 12, 1824>).
Brother James = James Callaway Steptoe (1781-1827), married to Catherine Mitchell (1780-1858), the above Mitchell's sister.
<Bachelor's Hall = Charles = possibly Charles Pickett Johnston (1802-1852), died in Mississippi -- details sketchy. L. Reeves/Rives = probably related in some way to William Cabell Rives (1793-1868); note also that Dr. James Turner Saunders (1791-1864) married Ann Marie Rives (1805-1887); they are buried together in Lynchburg, Virginia.>
Peggy and Grace are rolling stones = Margaret "Peggy" Bradfute (circa 1788-1833), a daughter of Robert Bradfute (1749-1816); Grace Bradfute (circa 1792-1855) was one of her sisters. Davidson Bradfute (1781-1831), one of Peggy's brothers, married Maria Byrd (1786-1854) in 1809, and served as Cashier for Farmer's Bank of Lynchburg. Alexander Tompkins (1784-1864) acquired Davidson Bradfute's house, in the vicinity of New London, Virginia, after the latter's death, and was Head Cashier at the same bank. Among these folks would have been possible candidates for portraits by Harvey Mitchell (1799-1866).
Archy Roberson = Archibald Roberston, a Lynchburg merchant who corresponded with Thomas Jefferson. Some of his papers are held by the Library of Virginia, link here; and the College of William & Mary, link here.]
Tom = Thomas Eskridge Steptoe (1799-1880).
William Leftwich = William Callaway Leftwich (1788-1854).
Tom Miller = not sure who this is.
But one Brother now to marry = Tom Eskridge Steptoe (above).
Captain Mitchell = probably William Manning Mitchell (1774-<June 12, 1824>).
Brother James = James Callaway Steptoe (1781-1827), married to Catherine Mitchell (1780-1858), the above Mitchell's sister.
<Bachelor's Hall = Charles = possibly Charles Pickett Johnston (1802-1852), died in Mississippi -- details sketchy. L. Reeves/Rives = probably related in some way to William Cabell Rives (1793-1868); note also that Dr. James Turner Saunders (1791-1864) married Ann Marie Rives (1805-1887); they are buried together in Lynchburg, Virginia.>
Peggy and Grace are rolling stones = Margaret "Peggy" Bradfute (circa 1788-1833), a daughter of Robert Bradfute (1749-1816); Grace Bradfute (circa 1792-1855) was one of her sisters. Davidson Bradfute (1781-1831), one of Peggy's brothers, married Maria Byrd (1786-1854) in 1809, and served as Cashier for Farmer's Bank of Lynchburg. Alexander Tompkins (1784-1864) acquired Davidson Bradfute's house, in the vicinity of New London, Virginia, after the latter's death, and was Head Cashier at the same bank. Among these folks would have been possible candidates for portraits by Harvey Mitchell (1799-1866).
Archy Roberson = Archibald Roberston, a Lynchburg merchant who corresponded with Thomas Jefferson. Some of his papers are held by the Library of Virginia, link here; and the College of William & Mary, link here.]
[Many thanks to Sue Davis, William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]
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