Thursday, September 21, 2017

Mary Morris Johnston to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie, September 8, 1820

[Mary Morris Johnston at Botetourt [Springs], Virginia, to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie at [Pharsalia, Rose Mills,] Nelson, Virginia, September 8, 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.]

                                                        Botetourt Sep. 8th 1820

My Dear Aunt

I received your letter two weeks ago but have not been able to answer it sooner. Papa has got a lady to come and stay with him Miss Nancy Butler his cousin in Petersburg she is an aged woman.

We expected Mrs. Mead but Mr. Mead has been up and they have not come to any terms. I have not heard from Aunt Frances or Aunt Lucy since we came up.

I expect it will be a long time before we go to New London again.

I suppose Thomas can talk very plain now.

Aunt Kitty has been up once and she staid a week and went to the sulphur spring every day, we have had a good deal of company there.

You must write sometimes to let us know how all do down your way.

Give my love to Mr. M and Tom.

We are all well.

I remain yours affectionately
                          
                                                              Mary M. Johnston

[Mary Morris Johnston (February 23, 1810-August 18, 1884). She was ten years old when she wrote this letter. Daughter of Charles Johnston and Elizabeth Prentiss Steptoe Johnston (who died earlier in the year) listed below.

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.

Papa = 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 spirit and led to an early death.

Miss Nancy Butler = not sure who this is, but Charles Johnston's mother was a Butler = Martha Butler (1732-1799), widow of Thomas Rogers, daughter of John Butler. John Butler may have had a son, who in turn became Nancy Butler's father. 

Mrs. Mead and Mr. Mead = not sure who they are.

Aunt Frances = Frances "Fanny" Callaway Steptoe Langhorne (1798-1832) married Henry "Harry" Scarsbrook Langhorne (1790-1854) on March 13, 1816.


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


Aunt Kitty = possibly Catherine Mitchell Steptoe (1780-1858), spouse of James Callaway Steptoe (1781-1827). 

Sulphur Spring = one of two springs at Botetourt Springs. The main tract was originally named Sulphur Spring.]

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

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