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

Federal Hill, New London, Virginia. Home of James Steptoe. Virginia Department of Historic Resources. 

[Frances "Fanny" Callaway Steptoe Langhorne [at or near Lynchburg, Virginia] to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie [at Pharsalia, Nelson County, Virginia,] [probably early February 1826]. 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. Fanny's eyesight was deteriorating.]

My dear Sally

This is the only peice [piece] of paper I can find but it is all sufficient to inform you what I wish, Papa is in bed and has been very sick tho he was much better last night when I left him; he has exposed himself and Doctor Cabell and Brother Billy told him when they saw him riding on horseback he should be in bed.

Mr. Langhorne has gone for Doctor Cabell.

Papa wanted to see if he sanctioned Brother Billy's modes and agreed with him in every thing; he thinks Brother Billy is affraid [afraid] he has not confidence in him and they both wish to see Cabell; he sent Tom for me and stayed by himself and felt lonesome and rode every day which was very wrong; he has relapsed and his fever has been suffered to linger two [too] long he seems willing to have blisters or be bled or do any thing Brother Billy directs; his cough is exceptionally distressing a good deal of blood at times.

[I]f you should feel anxious to come you had better do so; Tom thinks and brother Billy that he is much better but a few days will determine better.

Miss Peggy is with me she desires her best love.
                                               yours truly
                                                  Frances 

[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.

Papa = James Steptoe (1750-1826).

Dr. Cabell = probably 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. There were other doctors in the family. 

Brother Billy = Dr. William Steptoe (1791-1862).

Tom = Thomas Eskridge Steptoe (1799-1880).

Miss Peggy = Margaret "Peggy" Bradfute (1788-1833).]

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