Mary Morris Johnston to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie, March 11, 1825

Botetourt Springs early 1840s. A digital copy can be found via Hollins University's website.

[Mary Morris Johnston at Botetourt Springs, Virginia, to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie at [Pharsalia,] Rose Mills, Nelson, Virginia, March 11, 1825. Postmarked Clover Dale [Cloverdale], Virginia, March 16, 1825. 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.]

                                                     Botetourt Springs March 11th 1825
My Dear Aunt

I am very sensible of the correctness of your reproof of my negligence in performing a duty so pleasing to me and which ought to be punctually observed, but if you will pardon this instance of neglect I will endeavor to wipe of[f] the appellation of lazy.

I hope we will have the pleasure of visiting our relations this Summer; for besides the pleasure we derive from seeing our friends it is a period when home at all other times so agreeable loses its charms from the continued bustle and crowd of company and the frequent inconveniences of all kinds which we undergo.

I am truly sorry to hear that Aunt Frances' eyes are no better I am afraid she will never recover her sight. [W]hat an afflicting circumstance! I supposed she was utterly unable to undergo the fatigue attending the preparation for a large company.

We understand there is to be a wedding at Uncle James' in Liberty. Charlotte Mitchell is to be married to a son of Col. Harvey's of this county. I suppose Aunt Kitty will give her a splendid entertainment.

Tell Thomas that Francis says if he does not study very hard he will outstrip him in learning and that he will write to him shortly, however in learning Francis has the advantage as his teacher is very strict and requires great attention to study.

Fanny and I take lectures from him on Chymestry [Chemistry], a study with which we are very much pleased.

As I have written every thing I can think of I must conclude tho' if I had the materials I would fill the whole sheet.

With the love of all the family to yours I remain my dear Aunt your ever affectionate niece
                                          Mary M. Johnston 

[Mary Morris Johnston (February 23, 1810-August 18, 1884). She had just recently turned fifteen years old when she wrote this letter. Daughter of Charles Johnston (1769-1833) and Elizabeth Prentiss Steptoe Johnston (1783-1820).

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" aka "Tom" James Massie (1817-1877) was born on March 23, 1817.There is a massive Massie collection at the University of Texas here.

Aunt Frances = Frances "Fanny" Callaway Steptoe Langhorne (1798-1832), who had married Henry "Harry" Scarsbrook Langhorne (1790-1854) on March 13, 1816.

Uncle James  = James Callaway Steptoe (1781-1827), married to Aunt Kitty = Catherine "Kitty" Mitchell Steptoe (1780-1858). 

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. Was Mary Charlotte Mitchell a younger sister of Catherine Mitchell Steptoe, a cousin or a niece? 

Francis = Francis Duchouquet Johnston (circa 1813-1833).

Fanny = Frances “Fanny” Steptoe Johnston (1807-1850). She married Dr. James Townes Royall later that year, on December 27, 1825.] 

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