Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Mary Morris Johnston to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie, November 28, 1825

[Mary Morris Johnston at Botetourt Springs, Virginia, to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie at [Pharsalia,] near Rose Mills, Nelson, Virginia, November 28, 1825. Postmarked Cloverdale, Virginia, December 2, 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 Nov. 28 1825
My Dear Aunt

I received your letter about a week ago and should have answered it immediately upon its reception to inform you of an event for which I have been so busily preparing as to prevent my stealing a moment to write till now. It will no doubt surprise you very much to hear that Fanny is to be married in a few weeks to Dr. Royall.

It was a circumstance very unexpected to us at least its taking place at so early a period, and it is with great reluctance that I shall part with her so soon.

Papa returned from Richmond about a week ago and by him we heard from all our relations. [H]e told us that Aunt Frances was better and intended to go to Richmond some time this winter: he has promised her to let me go with her which will delight me very much.

Brother Charles has been in Fauquier several weeks and he promised to do his best to bring Sister Lucy back with him but I hardly think she will undertake such a trip very shortly again.

I suppose you will soon be alone as you mentioned that Miss Peggy Bradfute would leave you in a short time. I should like very much to spend some part of the winter with you but it will not be in my power.

I was very much surprised to hear that Miss Betsy Watts was to be married. I don't know what could be the inducement of any person to marry her but I suppose she has a fortune.

Papa tells us that Mr. Langhorne has some idea of buying land in this county. Oh how it would delight me if Aunt Frances would consent to live up here. But she is so violently opposed to it that I am afraid she would never be prevailed on to come.

I am afraid you will not be able to read this scrawl but I can't get a tolerable pen and only half a sheet of paper.

All the family send their love. Give my love to Mr. Massie and Thomas and to Miss Peggy if she is with you and believe me your 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.


Fanny = Frances “Fanny” Steptoe Johnston (1807-after 1850). She married Dr. James Townes Royall (1797-1860) later that year, on December 27, 1825.

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

Brother Charles = Charles Pickett Johnston (1802-1852), died in Mississippi -- details sketchy. 

Sister Lucy =  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.  

Miss Peggy Bradfute = Because the Bradfutes keep showing up in letters from this period, here is an additional overview. All years approximate.

Robert Bradfute (1749-1816) from Scotland, married Sarah Irvine (1757-1807).

Their children included: 

Elizabeth Bradfute (1779-1861)
Davidson Bradfute (1781-1831)
Lillias Bradfute (1781-1849)
Archibald Bradfute (1786-1865)
Margaret "Peggy" Bradfute (1788-1833)
Grace Bradfute (1792-1855)
Robert "Bob" Bradfute (1794-1861)
James Hamilton Bradfure (1803-1865).

Miss Betsy Watts = possibly Elizabeth R. Watts, who married Joseph W. Scott in Bedford County, Virginia, in 1827.] 

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

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