[Henry "Harry" Scarsbrook Langhorne and Frances "Fanny" Callaway Steptoe Langhorne at Oakly [at or near Lynchburg, Virginia] to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie at [Pharsalia,] Nelson County, Virginia, February 17, 1825. "By Robben." 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.]
Oakley 17th Feb 1825
Dear Sally
I am requested by Frances to thank you for the Depemen[?] sent by Robbin & to say that she had procured from the old Dutchman a cluster some which he has promised to deposit at Mr. Bowers[?] in the morning.
I will ransack the Town in the morning & if there is to be had a multiflora Rose you shall get it.
Fanny says if she could write at all she would . . . write more lengthily than you have done & that she wishes to hear from yr. own mouth how yr. health is.
The fair Eve has at length taken the forbidden fruit, she dined with us to day, & if we are to judge from appearance does not seem to think that there is any very great sin in the matter.
Miss Charlet [Charlotte] Mitchell is to be married to Mr. Harvey on the 8th of next month, I understand great preparations are making for a frolick at Liberty you will not be surprised, knowing my great fondness for such sport to learn that I intend making one of the party. I wish you & the Maj'r. could be with me, he to eat the good things, you to laugh & I to hug the girls.
Tell Massie I got out of the vile scrape he got me in when he was here, & that drat me if he gets me more in such another if I don't make him do worse than he did when I threw him down at my father's & Eliza Dillon had to have the room in such [?]tancy.
Your niece Frances is one of the greatest Belles about the city & is treated by one half of the Beaux on it, I fear they will turn her head quite topsyturvie [topsy-turvie].
Fanny's vision is much as it has been -- the children are all well.
Present our regard to Mr. Massie & for yr. self accept the best wishes of yr. brother HSL
[p.s.] The Old Dutchman says the roses need to put in 6 inches in the ground and slant them a little.
FL
[Frances "Fanny" Callaway Steptoe Langhorne (1798-1832) married Henry "Harry" 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.
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
[Many thanks to Sue Davis, William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]
Oakley 17th Feb 1825
Dear Sally
I am requested by Frances to thank you for the Depemen[?] sent by Robbin & to say that she had procured from the old Dutchman a cluster some which he has promised to deposit at Mr. Bowers[?] in the morning.
I will ransack the Town in the morning & if there is to be had a multiflora Rose you shall get it.
Fanny says if she could write at all she would . . . write more lengthily than you have done & that she wishes to hear from yr. own mouth how yr. health is.
The fair Eve has at length taken the forbidden fruit, she dined with us to day, & if we are to judge from appearance does not seem to think that there is any very great sin in the matter.
Miss Charlet [Charlotte] Mitchell is to be married to Mr. Harvey on the 8th of next month, I understand great preparations are making for a frolick at Liberty you will not be surprised, knowing my great fondness for such sport to learn that I intend making one of the party. I wish you & the Maj'r. could be with me, he to eat the good things, you to laugh & I to hug the girls.
Tell Massie I got out of the vile scrape he got me in when he was here, & that drat me if he gets me more in such another if I don't make him do worse than he did when I threw him down at my father's & Eliza Dillon had to have the room in such [?]tancy.
Your niece Frances is one of the greatest Belles about the city & is treated by one half of the Beaux on it, I fear they will turn her head quite topsyturvie [topsy-turvie].
Fanny's vision is much as it has been -- the children are all well.
Present our regard to Mr. Massie & for yr. self accept the best wishes of yr. brother HSL
[p.s.] The Old Dutchman says the roses need to put in 6 inches in the ground and slant them a little.
FL
[Frances "Fanny" Callaway Steptoe Langhorne (1798-1832) married Henry "Harry" 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.
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
Robin = Often used as a courier between family members, but not sure who exactly this was. Perhaps a servant, enslaved or free.
The fair Eve = not sure who this is.
Charlotte Mitchell and Mr. Harvey = Mary Charlotte Mitchell married John M. Harvey officially on March 30, 1825, by the Reverend Mr. William Shields Reid (1778-1853) of the First (Presbyterian) Church of Lynchburg.
Eliza Dillon = not sure who this is, but Mary Morris Johnston (1810-1884) would marry Dr. John Gilliam Dillon (1806-1835) in 1832.
Your niece Frances = Frances “Fanny” Steptoe Johnston (1807-1850). She married Dr. James Townes Royall on December 27, 1825.]
The fair Eve = not sure who this is.
Charlotte Mitchell and Mr. Harvey = Mary Charlotte Mitchell married John M. Harvey officially on March 30, 1825, by the Reverend Mr. William Shields Reid (1778-1853) of the First (Presbyterian) Church of Lynchburg.
Eliza Dillon = not sure who this is, but Mary Morris Johnston (1810-1884) would marry Dr. John Gilliam Dillon (1806-1835) in 1832.
Your niece Frances = Frances “Fanny” Steptoe Johnston (1807-1850). She married Dr. James Townes Royall on December 27, 1825.]
[Many thanks to Sue Davis, William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]
No comments:
Post a Comment
Commentaires