Peggy Bradfute to Sarah Tate Steptoe Massie, December 26, 1817

[Peggy Bradfute [at or near New London, Virginia], to Sarah Tate Steptoe Massie [at Pharsalia,] Nelson County, Virginia, December 26, 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.]

                                                                December 26 1817

Dear Sarah
               
I have been in every store in town & cannot get your dress, the description you want I have sent you two samples to see if you like them if so by the first chance you can get one; no other colour a plenty of black.

Maria Gray has just returned from Richmond & says [?]nton crepes are all the rage; & made like the one you saw Mrs. Morgan with at the springs the yellow full at top.

I have gotten for you 3 yards & a half of India look[?] cambrick [cambric]; they say it is superior to any thing of the cambrick [cambric] for last that ever was in this place; if it does not suit he has obligated himself; to take it back William that and the box of cotton is two dolars [dollars].

Nancy Byrd request[s] me to write you she would take pleasure in visiting you; but dislikes to put you to the trouble of sending for her; she says her mother talkes [talks] of going down the country the 15 of next month & then they will let you know if they can come.

I am sorry to say it will be out of my power to leave home this [in] this cold weather; on account of my health to go so far thoug[h] I assure you it would give me great pleasure to sit by you[r] hospitable fire side.

[M]y respects to Mr. Massie & tell him I was sorry when he was last in town; that he could not spare a few minutes to see wheather [whether] I was alive or not; my respects to your Mama & kiss dear little Tom for me I hope you have had a chance to spend your month as your Brother Robert is a pretty good hand; I was extremely glad to hear that you had entirely recovered for to more than I can boast of a Robert is now with us & is certainly married; is proposing to live in New London with his wife.

[H]ave you had a merry Christmas if not I wish you a happy new year except [accept] my best wishes for your future health & happiness & you express your sorrow at troubling me know [no] trouble I assure a pleasure to wait on my Friends if I can please them which I presume I do or they would not try mea[?].

                                    Peggy Bradfute

[E]xcuse blunders in has[te] by candle light.


[Sarah = Sarah “Sally” Tate Steptoe Massie (1796-1828), who married William Massie (1795-1862) in 1814.

Peggy Bradfute = 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).

Maria Gray = not sure who this is. A seamstress, apparently, also mentioned in other letters.

Mrs. Morgan = not sure who this is. 

William = possibly William Massie (1795-1862), but she could mean William Steptoe (1791-1860) or another William. 

Nancy Byrd = Nancy Anne Byrd (1784-); married James T. Wright on January 27, 1821. 

Your mama = Sarah Cocke Massie (1760-1838), Sally's mother-in-law.

Dear little Tom = Thomas James Massie (March 23, 1817-1877).]

Robert Callaway Steptoe (1791-1870), unmarried at the time. 

Robert Bradfute (circa 1794-1861), one of Peggy's brothers.]

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