[Frances "Fanny" Steptoe Johnston at Liberty, Virginia, to Sarah Tate Steptoe Massie [at Pharsalia,] Rose Mills, Nelson County, Virginia, June 1, 1825. Massie Family Papers, Virginia Historical Society. This is my rough, annotated transcription from a copy graciously provided by William Myers.]
Liberty June 1st, 1825
My dear Aunt,
I have delayed untill [until] now what I should have done before and what you have no doubt expected me to do but I thought the longer I postponed writing the more materials I should accumulate but I believe at best I shall have but a scanty subject.
We reached Mr. Langhorne's very safely as I suppose you heard we staid [stayed] there about ten days and spent a pretty merry time of it; Papa with Martha and the three boys met us there.
Cousin Frances and myself went to a ball in Lynchburg last [W]ednesday evening. Mary staid [stayed] with Grandpapa as she had no wish to go. We spent our time very agreeably and danced till one o'clock when we went out to Mr. Langhorne's and as we had made an engagement to dine at Mr. Walker's the next day we had to set off as soon as possible to make it good so we were continually on the road.
I believe Aunt Frances intends going to Philadelphia shortly her eyes are pretty much the same.
Aunt Mary has gone to Prince Edward she says she is determined to make Uncle William live there with her.
Grandpapa is at present in Lynchburg he is as well as usual.
I suppose you are able by this time to walk about your garden. I have often wished myself back there to enjoy your company since you recovered.
We called to see Aunt Maria the other day as we came up she has been very ill but is better.
Tell Mr. Massie that Miss Mary Bard has left Inchburg [Lynchburg] never to return.
We expect to pay Aunt Lucy Penn a visit while we stay here as we have not had it in our power to go yet.
I suppose you must be very lonesome now unless you are busy gardening.
Cousin Frances says that you must send her a barrel of snow by the first opportunity.
I expect Papa will send for us in five or six days as our time will have expired then.
Aunt Kitty and the girls join me in love to you and the Squire and believe me yours affectionately forever
Frances 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 "Fanny" Steptoe Johnston (1807-after 1850), making her about eighteen when she wrote this letter.
Langhorne's/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).
Papa with Martha and the three boys = Papa = Charles Johnston (1769-1833); James Steptoe Johnston (1808-1895), Julius Dandridge Johnston (1811-1851), and Francis Duchouquet Johnston (1814-1833).
Mary = Mary Morris Johnston (February 23, 1810-August 18, 1884).
Grandpapa = James Steptoe (1750-1826).
Cousin Frances = Frances Callaway Steptoe (1810-1880), daughter of James Callaway Steptoe (1781-1827) and Catherine "Kitty" Mitchell Steptoe (1780-1858).
Aunt Mary = Mary Burleigh Dillon Steptoe (1796-1872), wife of Dr. William Steptoe (1791-1862), married since 1822.
Aunt Maria = Maria Anne Thomas Steptoe (1792-1872), married to George Steptoe (1785-1862) since 1810.
Mary Bard = not sure who this is.
Aunt Lucy Penn = Lucinda "Lucy" Steptoe Penn (1795-1878), married to Robert Cowan Penn (1789-1856) since 1814.
Aunt Kitty = Catherine "Kitty" Mitchell Steptoe (1780-1858).]
Liberty June 1st, 1825
My dear Aunt,
I have delayed untill [until] now what I should have done before and what you have no doubt expected me to do but I thought the longer I postponed writing the more materials I should accumulate but I believe at best I shall have but a scanty subject.
We reached Mr. Langhorne's very safely as I suppose you heard we staid [stayed] there about ten days and spent a pretty merry time of it; Papa with Martha and the three boys met us there.
Cousin Frances and myself went to a ball in Lynchburg last [W]ednesday evening. Mary staid [stayed] with Grandpapa as she had no wish to go. We spent our time very agreeably and danced till one o'clock when we went out to Mr. Langhorne's and as we had made an engagement to dine at Mr. Walker's the next day we had to set off as soon as possible to make it good so we were continually on the road.
I believe Aunt Frances intends going to Philadelphia shortly her eyes are pretty much the same.
Aunt Mary has gone to Prince Edward she says she is determined to make Uncle William live there with her.
Grandpapa is at present in Lynchburg he is as well as usual.
I suppose you are able by this time to walk about your garden. I have often wished myself back there to enjoy your company since you recovered.
We called to see Aunt Maria the other day as we came up she has been very ill but is better.
Tell Mr. Massie that Miss Mary Bard has left Inchburg [Lynchburg] never to return.
We expect to pay Aunt Lucy Penn a visit while we stay here as we have not had it in our power to go yet.
I suppose you must be very lonesome now unless you are busy gardening.
Cousin Frances says that you must send her a barrel of snow by the first opportunity.
I expect Papa will send for us in five or six days as our time will have expired then.
Aunt Kitty and the girls join me in love to you and the Squire and believe me yours affectionately forever
Frances 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 "Fanny" Steptoe Johnston (1807-after 1850), making her about eighteen when she wrote this letter.
Langhorne's/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).
Papa with Martha and the three boys = Papa = Charles Johnston (1769-1833); James Steptoe Johnston (1808-1895), Julius Dandridge Johnston (1811-1851), and Francis Duchouquet Johnston (1814-1833).
Mary = Mary Morris Johnston (February 23, 1810-August 18, 1884).
Grandpapa = James Steptoe (1750-1826).
Cousin Frances = Frances Callaway Steptoe (1810-1880), daughter of James Callaway Steptoe (1781-1827) and Catherine "Kitty" Mitchell Steptoe (1780-1858).
Aunt Mary = Mary Burleigh Dillon Steptoe (1796-1872), wife of Dr. William Steptoe (1791-1862), married since 1822.
Aunt Maria = Maria Anne Thomas Steptoe (1792-1872), married to George Steptoe (1785-1862) since 1810.
Mary Bard = not sure who this is.
Aunt Lucy Penn = Lucinda "Lucy" Steptoe Penn (1795-1878), married to Robert Cowan Penn (1789-1856) since 1814.
Aunt Kitty = Catherine "Kitty" Mitchell Steptoe (1780-1858).]
[Many thanks to Sue Davis, William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]
No comments:
Post a Comment
Commentaires