[Frances "Fanny" Callaway Steptoe Langhorne at Oakly, Lynchburg, Virginia, to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie at [Pharsalia,] Rose Mills, Nelson, Virginia, August 6, 1820. 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 August 6th 1820
My dear Sally
Papa came down yesterday and left Tom excessively ill, he says he came to get brother Billy to go over immediately; but I fear Sally that is only an excuse, could my dear old Father witness the dying groans of his son, for such I fear will be the case from all accounts, in my letter to papa I mentioned to him I would go over with Mr. Langhorne but on Lucy's account, poor Tom saw my letter and write me a little scroll to be sure and come, for I knew not how much he wanted me, he then gave it to Billy and made him promise him; not to let any one see it he said he was suffering for a great many things, no female in the house the children never going near him and Mr. Johnston rarely seeing him, Papa's leaving him, all combined must make him feel dreadfully.
Charlotte Mitchell came down with Papa, she went over to Lucy's last night and this morning she had to get up by times and run over to Papa's. Lucy was in labour and sent her word to go, distress of mind has produced it sooner than it otherwise would have been Charlotte said.
Papa was very much distressed and said if Tom died he did not know what he should do.
Papa says he is going back in two or three weeks unless Tom gets better he will hardly do so I expect, [t]hey are all getting better at Major Reid's Doctor Reid was their [there] yesterday.
There was a fight in town last evening between Capt. Mitchell and Mr. Dudley; Dudley taking up the cudgels for Friend Davis the Capt. got very much worsted broke one of his fingers and cut his head most dreadfully that Capt had nothing to defend himself with and Dudley had; they say Dudl[e]y was not much worsted.
Mr. Langhorne has gone to town. I can't decide upon going until he returns. Billy says Papa don't want me to go over but he knew nothing of Tom's letter if he had seen that he would be anxious for me to go, Mr. L goes to the Springs tomorrow week.
Tell Mrs. Byrd I saw Mrs. Bradfute yesterday they were all well.
Your affectionate sister
F. Langhorne
[Frances "Fanny" Callaway Steptoe Langhorne (1798-1832) married Henry "Harry" 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.
Papa = James Steptoe (1750-1826).
Brother Billy = 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). Lafayette Penn was born on August 6, 1820 (and died in 1840).
Tom = Thomas Eskridge Steptoe (1799-1880).
[Many thanks to Sue Davis, William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]
Oakly August 6th 1820
My dear Sally
Papa came down yesterday and left Tom excessively ill, he says he came to get brother Billy to go over immediately; but I fear Sally that is only an excuse, could my dear old Father witness the dying groans of his son, for such I fear will be the case from all accounts, in my letter to papa I mentioned to him I would go over with Mr. Langhorne but on Lucy's account, poor Tom saw my letter and write me a little scroll to be sure and come, for I knew not how much he wanted me, he then gave it to Billy and made him promise him; not to let any one see it he said he was suffering for a great many things, no female in the house the children never going near him and Mr. Johnston rarely seeing him, Papa's leaving him, all combined must make him feel dreadfully.
Charlotte Mitchell came down with Papa, she went over to Lucy's last night and this morning she had to get up by times and run over to Papa's. Lucy was in labour and sent her word to go, distress of mind has produced it sooner than it otherwise would have been Charlotte said.
Papa was very much distressed and said if Tom died he did not know what he should do.
Papa says he is going back in two or three weeks unless Tom gets better he will hardly do so I expect, [t]hey are all getting better at Major Reid's Doctor Reid was their [there] yesterday.
There was a fight in town last evening between Capt. Mitchell and Mr. Dudley; Dudley taking up the cudgels for Friend Davis the Capt. got very much worsted broke one of his fingers and cut his head most dreadfully that Capt had nothing to defend himself with and Dudley had; they say Dudl[e]y was not much worsted.
Mr. Langhorne has gone to town. I can't decide upon going until he returns. Billy says Papa don't want me to go over but he knew nothing of Tom's letter if he had seen that he would be anxious for me to go, Mr. L goes to the Springs tomorrow week.
Tell Mrs. Byrd I saw Mrs. Bradfute yesterday they were all well.
Your affectionate sister
F. Langhorne
[Frances "Fanny" Callaway Steptoe Langhorne (1798-1832) married Henry "Harry" 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.
Mr. Johnston = because of the Panic of 1819, Charles Johnston (1769-1833) had to sell Sandusky in Lynchburg; the Johnstons relocated from Lynchburg to Botetourt Springs in late 1819, early 1820. 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.
Papa = James Steptoe (1750-1826).
Brother Billy = 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). Lafayette Penn was born on August 6, 1820 (and died in 1840).
Tom = Thomas Eskridge Steptoe (1799-1880).
Charlotte Mitchell = probably Charlotte Claytor Mitchell (1803-1888), daughter of Samuel Mitchell (1759-1835) and Margaret "Peggy" Claytor Mitchell (1773-1835).
Major Reid, Dr. Reid = Probably related to 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. Jack Reid was working on a biography of Andrew Jackson at the time of his death.
Captain Mitchell = probably William Manning Mitchell (1774-June 12, 1824).
Mr. Dudley and Friend Davis = there is a reference to a later duel in Lynchburg featuring William M. Davis with John W. Dudley, his second, against William M. Lambert. Another duel pitted Henry Langhorne against Samuel Wiatt. See W. Asbury Christian, LYNCHBURG and ITS PEOPLE (Lynchburg: J. P . Bell Company, Printers, 1900), pages 116-117.
James Callaway Steptoe (1781-1827) was married to Catherine Mitchell (1780-1858).
Mrs. Byrd = probably related to Nancy Anne Byrd (1784-), who would marry James T. Wright on January 27, 1821.
Bradfutes. 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).]
Major Reid, Dr. Reid = Probably related to 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. Jack Reid was working on a biography of Andrew Jackson at the time of his death.
Captain Mitchell = probably William Manning Mitchell (1774-June 12, 1824).
Mr. Dudley and Friend Davis = there is a reference to a later duel in Lynchburg featuring William M. Davis with John W. Dudley, his second, against William M. Lambert. Another duel pitted Henry Langhorne against Samuel Wiatt. See W. Asbury Christian, LYNCHBURG and ITS PEOPLE (Lynchburg: J. P . Bell Company, Printers, 1900), pages 116-117.
James Callaway Steptoe (1781-1827) was married to Catherine Mitchell (1780-1858).
Mrs. Byrd = probably related to Nancy Anne Byrd (1784-), who would marry James T. Wright on January 27, 1821.
Bradfutes. 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).]
[Many thanks to Sue Davis, William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]
No comments:
Post a Comment
Commentaires