Frances "Fanny" Callaway Steptoe Langhorne to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie, January 1826

Dr. John Jordan Cabell house, Lynchburg, VA (Jones Memorial Library collection). Built 1809, photo circa 1900.

[Frances "Fanny" Callaway Steptoe Langhorne [at or near Lynchburg, Virginia] to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie at [Pharsalia,] Nelson County, Virginia, [late January 1826]. "By Robin." 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.]

My dear Sally

I will steal a few moments to write you. Bill will be going down to let you know what a great hoedown there is to be here to morrow night a party given to the two brides Mrs. Cabbell [Cabell] and Fanny Royall all of the Doctor's Relationes [relations] have given him a party, there will be a very large dancing party at Doct. John Cabbell's [Cabell's] next week we all are making great preparations for the grand wedding of Judge Daniel & Mrs. Paulina Cabbell [Cabell] which is to take place on Tuesday next. 

Lynchburg bids fair to be very gay this winter, I wish very much that you could be up here to enjoy the pleasure of going to some of these parties which I think you find very agreeable.

I have not heard from papa for several weeks and therefore cannot give any information concerning his health.

[Y]ou must write to me and let me know how you all are it is late so I must bid you adieu for the present; you must know this . . . as I cannot see well and am very busy. [W]e are all tolerable well, once more adieu dear Sally.
                                        I remain yours sincerely
                                             Frances Langhorne
Mr. L sends his love to you 

[Frances "Fanny" Callaway Steptoe Langhorne (1798-1832) married Henry Scarsbrook Langhorne (1790-1854) on March 13, 1816. Their son John Scarsbrook Langhorne (1817-1896) was born on June 1, 1817 (in later years, sometimes changed to 1818 or 1819). Their son William Maurice “Wee” Langhorne (1818-1900) was born on June 30, 1818. Other children included Elizabeth Johnston(e) Langhorne (1821-1888) and James Steptoe Langhorne (1822-1905). 

Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie (1796-1828) was married to William Massie (1795-1862) and was the daughter of "Papa," James Steptoe (1750-1826). Their son Thomas James Massie (1817-1877) was born on March 23, 1817.There is a massive Massie collection at the University of Texas here.

Bill = probably Dr. William Steptoe (1791-1862).

Fanny = Frances “Fanny” Steptoe Johnston (1807-after 1850). She married Dr. James Townes Royall (1797-1860) on December 27, 1825.

Dr. John Cabbell = Dr. John Jordan Cabell (1772-1834), who had a large house in Lynchburg. The largest Cabell house in Lynchburg, however, must have been "Point of Honor," still standing. 

Judge Daniel & Mrs. Pauline Cabbell = Judge William Daniel, Sr. (1770-1839) married Paulina Cabell (1780-1840) on or about February 2, 1826. Both had previously been married; Margaret Baldwin Daniel (1786-1824), the Judge's first wife, died on October 11, 1824.

Papa = James Steptoe (1750-1826).]

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