[Lucinda “Lucy” Steptoe Penn [at or near Lynchburg, Virginia], to Sarah “Sally” Tate Steptoe Massie [at Pharsalia,] Rose Mills, Nelson County, Virginia, February 17, 1821, postmarked Lynchburg "FEB 22." 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.]
February 17 1821
Dear Sally
I have been writing to you for the last two months but never until now have accomplished it, and expected before this to have welcomed you to a new Sister, but to our great surprise all proved a phantasm.
Papa talked incessantly of Mary and Billy and now he scarcely mentions her name; I received a letter from Tom yesterday and some of the young men in the neighborhood had been giving him a most laughable account of brother W. they said he talked and laughed in reason and out of reason in short every vestage [vestige] of former self was gone.
We are to have a dancing party at Mrs. Miller['s] the 22 of this month, Mr. Penn has promised to be a manager provided they pay his expenses which Polly Irvine has agreed to do. Donald has returned from Scotland and it is eminently reported Polly and himself are to make a match.
Catherine Reid report says is to be married in the Spring to a widower from Patrick with two children.
I am quite delighted with our new neighbors Mr. Alexander's family upon the short acquaintance I have with them they appear to be very plain genteel people[.]
Miss Peggy has been with me the greater part of the winter she is now at Mr. Langhorne's where she has been for the last week[.]
Kitty Langhorne is very sick expecting every day to increase her family, this will remind you of what you told her some time ago.
Grace is converted and has joined the Methodist it was reported Mrs. Bradfute had also but without foundation I believed.
I saw Francis about a week ago she appeared to be the picture of good health.
Sister Kitty has been down and staid several days with us whilst Brother James was in Richmond.
Papa has James Johnston and James Steptoe staying with him they are a great deal of company for him I never saw him in better spirits nor look better than he does except he is not quite as fat[.]
Miss Peggy and myself have been talking of going down to see you this spring and will if I can make it out but don't look til you see us.
Mr. Johnston['s] children will certainly be down in the Spring I expect at which time we shall expect to see you.
I must now conclude as it grows late the family is all well except myself I have been very unwell for several days and am sometimes afraid I shall have another spell of sickness let us hear from you soon --
and believe me your truly Affectionate Sister
L. Penn
[L. Penn = Lucinda “Lucy” Steptoe Penn (1795-1878), who married Robert Cowan Penn (1789-1854) in 1814.
Papa talked incessantly of Mary and Billy and now he scarcely mentions her name; I received a letter from Tom yesterday and some of the young men in the neighborhood had been giving him a most laughable account of brother W. they said he talked and laughed in reason and out of reason in short every vestage [vestige] of former self was gone.
We are to have a dancing party at Mrs. Miller['s] the 22 of this month, Mr. Penn has promised to be a manager provided they pay his expenses which Polly Irvine has agreed to do. Donald has returned from Scotland and it is eminently reported Polly and himself are to make a match.
Catherine Reid report says is to be married in the Spring to a widower from Patrick with two children.
I am quite delighted with our new neighbors Mr. Alexander's family upon the short acquaintance I have with them they appear to be very plain genteel people[.]
Miss Peggy has been with me the greater part of the winter she is now at Mr. Langhorne's where she has been for the last week[.]
Kitty Langhorne is very sick expecting every day to increase her family, this will remind you of what you told her some time ago.
Grace is converted and has joined the Methodist it was reported Mrs. Bradfute had also but without foundation I believed.
I saw Francis about a week ago she appeared to be the picture of good health.
Sister Kitty has been down and staid several days with us whilst Brother James was in Richmond.
Papa has James Johnston and James Steptoe staying with him they are a great deal of company for him I never saw him in better spirits nor look better than he does except he is not quite as fat[.]
Miss Peggy and myself have been talking of going down to see you this spring and will if I can make it out but don't look til you see us.
Mr. Johnston['s] children will certainly be down in the Spring I expect at which time we shall expect to see you.
I must now conclude as it grows late the family is all well except myself I have been very unwell for several days and am sometimes afraid I shall have another spell of sickness let us hear from you soon --
and believe me your truly Affectionate Sister
L. Penn
[L. Penn = Lucinda “Lucy” Steptoe Penn (1795-1878), who married Robert Cowan Penn (1789-1854) in 1814.
Sally = Sarah “Sally” Tate Steptoe Massie (1796-1828), who married William Massie (1795-1862) in 1814.
Mary and Billy (aka brother W.) = Mary Burleigh Dillon (1796-1872) and Dr. William "Billy" Steptoe (1791-1860). It appears they were formally married on October 14, 1822. Who knows what shenanigans were going on amidst the current "phantasm." Billy's first wife, Ann "Nancy" Brown (1792-1817) had died in 1817; they had married in 1815.
Mrs. Miller = not sure who this is, but she's mentioned in other letters from around this time.
Polly Irvine = possibly Mary B. Irvine, who married Dr. Paul C. Cabell in 1823.
Donald = not sure who this is.
Catherine 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.
Mr. Alexander = possibly related to Elizabeth Alexander (1791-1872), who had married John Thomas Wyatt Read (1777-1852) in late 1808.
Miss Peggy, Grace = Margaret "Peggy" Bradfute (circa 1788-1833), daughter of Robert Bradfute (1749-1816) and her sister Grace Bradfute (circa 1792-1855). Their brother Davidson Bradfute (1781-1831) married Maria Byrd (1786-1854) in 1809, and he 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).
Mr. Langhorne = Henry Scarsbrook Langhorne (1790-1854).
Kitty Langhorne = Catherine "Kitty" Callaway Langhorne (1792-1871), married to William Callaway Langhorne (1783-1858) since 1811. Their son George Callaway Langhorne was born on March 2, 1821 (or 1822).
Mr. Langhorne = Henry Scarsbrook Langhorne (1790-1854).
Kitty Langhorne = Catherine "Kitty" Callaway Langhorne (1792-1871), married to William Callaway Langhorne (1783-1858) since 1811. Their son George Callaway Langhorne was born on March 2, 1821 (or 1822).
Francis = not sure who this is. Possibly Lucy's sister Frances "Fanny" Steptoe Langhorne (1798-1832).
Sister Kitty, Brother James = James Callaway Steptoe (1781-1827) and Catherine "Kitty" Mitchell Steptoe (circa 1780-1858).
Papa = James Steptoe (1750-1826).
James Johnston = not sure who this is. <Update 9/25/2017: James Steptoe Johnston (1808-1895)>
James Steptoe = not sure who this is -- confusing because this is the same name as Lucy's father.
Mr. Johnston = Charles Johnston (1769-1833).]
[Many thanks to Sue Davis, William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]
No comments:
Post a Comment
Commentaires