Lucy Hopkins Johnston Ambler to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie, December 11, 1824

[Lucy Hopkins Johnston Ambler at Oakly, at or near Lynchburg, Virginia, to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie at [Pharsalia,] Roses Mills, Nelson, Virginia, December 11, 1824. Postmarked Lynchburg, December 18, 1824. 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.]

                                                             Oakly December 11^th 1824

My dear Sally

We arrived at grandpapa’s on the last of November and the day after poor Fanny was taken very sick it turned out that she had the scarlet fever which is very infectious. I was in hopes that we would escape but last night Mary and James were both seized with the symptoms of the disease and this morning James is very ill but Mary thank heaven is much better and broke out all over which always produces relief.

Frances Langhorne and myself had both intended to have set off to day to pay you a visit but the sickness of James and Mary puts it entirely out of my power to visit you at all as I am in daily expectation of my children taking it and it is a most dangerous disorder for children of the age of mine.

Another thing is I would give it to all the children under your care. You cannot think what uneasiness it gives me to think of my children having it. The first symptom is a violent sore throat which you know is always dangerous for children.

Fanny has not been down here yet as she still has fever so that their visit to their grandpapa and aunts will give them but little satisfaction. I am afraid we will have a complete hospital at poor Frances.’

I am very sorry that I shall not be able to visit you as it would be most unreasonable in me to carry my family to your house to be sick.

Mr. Ambler has returned home and I do not expect him until January.

With my love to Mr. Massie and Tom I must bid you farewell and believe me to be yours most affectionately

                                                           L. H. Ambler

   

[L. H. Ambler = Lucy Hopkins Johnston (1800-1888) 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. 

Three children = Lucy Letitia Ambler (1820-1853), John C. Ambler (1821-1891) and Elizabeth Steptoe Ambler (January 20, 1823-1900).

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

Grandpapa = James Steptoe (1750-1826).

Fanny = Frances “Fanny” Steptoe Johnston (1807-1850).

Mary = Mary Morris Johnston (1810-1884).

James = James Steptoe Johnston (1808-1895).

Frances Langhorne = Frances "Fanny" Callaway Steptoe Langhorne (1798-1832) married Henry Scarsbrook Langhorne (1790-1854) on March 13, 1816. Their son John "Jack" Scarsbrook Langhorne (1817-1896) was born on June 1, 1817 (in later years, sometimes changed to 1818 or 1819). Their son William Maurice “Wee” aka "Billy" Langhorne (1818-1900) was born on June 30, 1818.]

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