Monday, October 16, 2017

Mary Morris Johnston to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie, September 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, September 11, 1825. Postmarked Cloverdale, Virginia, September 13, 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 Sep. 11, 1825

My Dear Aunt,

I was very much gratified a few days ago at receiving a letter from you and doubly so that it was a pleasure so long withheld and am determined by my punctuality this time to encourage you to expect it again.

It gave me the sincerest pleasure to hear that your health had so much improved. Aunt Frances told us when she was here that you looked better than at any time since your marriage and as the best assurance of it, said that you were fatter than I am. 

[S]he returned from the Springs about a week ago but [has] not at all benefited as she thought with regard to her eyes thought her general health was better. She had no expectation when she went of deriving any good to her eyes but had a little hope that the use of the Hot and Cold bath at the Hot Springs would be of some service to them. 

I suppose you did not know that Cousin Frances went with her. Uncle James and Aunt Kitty gave their consent very reluctantly to her going but Mr. Langhorne was determined on it and she came off without the least preparation leaving her Mama to do it all.

We received a letter from Sister a few days ago acquainting us with the birth of another daughter to whom she has given the name of Frances Langhorne.

Brother Edward I believe you have heard had gone to New York and has obtained an advantageous place in a Counting-house there.

I suppose Sarah Massie and Mr. Heath whom you said it was probable would accompany her are with you now.

There have been comparatively few people here this Summer and contrary to our expectation we have had very little to do in the way of house-keeping. Papa has employed a woman for a few months who attends to it altogether under his directions.

It would give us a great deal of pleasure to see you this fall but I am afraid it will be out of our power to leave home. The happy fortnight we spent in Nelson this spring will be ever vivid in my recollection and an opportunity of returning there will always delight me. 

I wish we could be of your Charlottesville party. 

Fanny desires me to tell you that she will write to you soon.

Give our love to Mr. Massie and Thomas and believe me my dear Aunt your ever affectionate niece
                                                Mary M. Johnston  

[Mary Morris Johnston (February 23, 1810-August 18, 1884). She was 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.

Cousin Frances = Cousin Frances = Frances Callaway Steptoe (1810-1880), daughter of Uncle James Callaway Steptoe (1781-1827) and Aunt Catherine "Kitty" Mitchell Steptoe (1780-1858). 

Sister =  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. Frances Langhorne Ambler (1825-1898) was born on August 8, 1825.  

Brother Edward = Edward Pickett Johnston (1798-?).

Sarah Massie = Sarah Maria Massie (1810-1844). Painting (circa 1825) via Leroy Keller on Ancestry.com. Her birth year is sometimes listed as 1812.

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.] 
  

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