[Frances "Fanny" Steptoe Johnston at Botetourt Springs, Virginia, to Sarah Tate Steptoe Massie [at Pharsalia] near Rose Mills, Nelson County, Virginia, January 31, 1825. Postmarked Clover Dale [Cloverdale], "2 Feby 1825." Massie Family Papers, Virginia Historical Society. This is my rough, annotated transcription from a copy graciously provided by William Myers.]
My dear Aunt B. Springs Jan'y 31st 1825
I suspect you think me very negligent in not writing to you oftener. I hope however that you will not attribute it to want of inclination; far from it I assure you; you well know as I have often said before that this neighborhood is too dull to afford me a subject for frequent letters.
Sister Lucy left us about three weeks ago to our great dissapoinment for we expected her to stay with us during the winter. Mr. Ambler came for her much sooner than she calculated on and obliged her to return with him as he said that he could not think of remaining at home alone.
She received your letter a few days before she left here and was very anxious to have gone by the way of your house on her return, but Mr. Ambler having travelled a part of the way he said that it was almost impossible for them to go that road.
We were very much disappointed in not paying you a visit when we were down but situated as we were it was impossible for I suppose you have heard that we were so unfortunate as to be sick which was along unpleasant circumstance both to our friends and to ourselves.
You may know how little satisfaction we enjoyed from our trip Papa has promised to send us again either in the Spring or Summer and I hope we shall be then compensated.
I was very glad to hear that your health had so much improved. I hope it may continue so. Another trip to the Springs will completely restore you I have no doubt.
Aunt Frances I am afraid will never recover the use of her eyes. What a serious loss it is to her. I was glad to see her so cheerful she bears it I think with great fortitude which is a great advantage to her.
Grandpapa was in as good spirits as I ever saw him. We left him quite alone and the poor old gentleman shed tears on our departure.
Martha says she will make an attempt before long to write to you.
All the family join me in love to yourself and family & believe me still your affectionate niece.
F. S. Johnston
[My Dear Aunt = Sarah Tate Steptoe Massie (1796-1828), who was married to William Massie (1795-1862) and was the daughter of James Steptoe (1750-1826). For more on Pharsalia, see this link. There is a massive Massie collection at the University of Texas here.
Frances Steptoe Johnston (1807-after 1850), making her about seventeen or eighteen when she wrote this letter.
Sister Lucy = Lucy Hopkins Johnston Ambler (1800-1888), who had married Thomas Marshall Ambler (1791-1875) on April 14, 1819. Their main abode was "Morven," Fauquier County, Virginia, from about 1820 on. For a link, see here.
My dear Aunt B. Springs Jan'y 31st 1825
I suspect you think me very negligent in not writing to you oftener. I hope however that you will not attribute it to want of inclination; far from it I assure you; you well know as I have often said before that this neighborhood is too dull to afford me a subject for frequent letters.
Sister Lucy left us about three weeks ago to our great dissapoinment for we expected her to stay with us during the winter. Mr. Ambler came for her much sooner than she calculated on and obliged her to return with him as he said that he could not think of remaining at home alone.
She received your letter a few days before she left here and was very anxious to have gone by the way of your house on her return, but Mr. Ambler having travelled a part of the way he said that it was almost impossible for them to go that road.
We were very much disappointed in not paying you a visit when we were down but situated as we were it was impossible for I suppose you have heard that we were so unfortunate as to be sick which was along unpleasant circumstance both to our friends and to ourselves.
You may know how little satisfaction we enjoyed from our trip Papa has promised to send us again either in the Spring or Summer and I hope we shall be then compensated.
I was very glad to hear that your health had so much improved. I hope it may continue so. Another trip to the Springs will completely restore you I have no doubt.
Aunt Frances I am afraid will never recover the use of her eyes. What a serious loss it is to her. I was glad to see her so cheerful she bears it I think with great fortitude which is a great advantage to her.
Grandpapa was in as good spirits as I ever saw him. We left him quite alone and the poor old gentleman shed tears on our departure.
Martha says she will make an attempt before long to write to you.
All the family join me in love to yourself and family & believe me still your affectionate niece.
F. S. Johnston
[My Dear Aunt = Sarah Tate Steptoe Massie (1796-1828), who was married to William Massie (1795-1862) and was the daughter of James Steptoe (1750-1826). For more on Pharsalia, see this link. There is a massive Massie collection at the University of Texas here.
Frances Steptoe Johnston (1807-after 1850), making her about seventeen or eighteen when she wrote this letter.
Sister Lucy = Lucy Hopkins Johnston Ambler (1800-1888), who had married Thomas Marshall Ambler (1791-1875) on April 14, 1819. Their main abode was "Morven," Fauquier County, Virginia, from about 1820 on. For a link, see here.
Papa = Charles Johnston (1769-1833) .
Aunt Frances = Frances "Fanny" Callaway Steptoe Langhorne (1798-1832), who had 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).
Aunt Frances = Frances "Fanny" Callaway Steptoe Langhorne (1798-1832), who had 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).
Grandpapa = James Steptoe (1750-1826).
Martha = Martha Butler Johnston (1814-1836).]
Martha = Martha Butler Johnston (1814-1836).]
[Many thanks to Sue Davis, William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]
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