[Peggy Bradfute [at or near New London, Virginia], to Sarah Tate Steptoe Massie [at Pharsalia,] Rose Mills, Nelson County, Virginia, November 24, 1824. Postmarked Lynchburg, November 27, 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.]
November 24 1824
My dear Friend
I acknowledge[e] with pleasure your wellcome [welcome] Letter & was quite astonished at the reluctance with which you enquired after my Health; I presume it was only for your own gratification in your Solitary retirement more than a wish to hear from one who feels a great interest in your present & Eternal Welfare.
[Y]ou passed by the door & never once said how do you [do]; I acknowledg[e] my mortification; as to Mr. Massie he comes often & never deins [deigns] to say howdy; I now freely forgive you both as I am likely bidden not only seven times but seventy times seven; in which I hope grace will always enable me to do towards all mankind.
I am highly gratified to hear of your perfect restoration to Health & hope for a continuance of the Same. [T[his leads me to answer your enquiries concerning us all.
Sister Maria has another Daughter 6 weeks old; Named Mary Cabell; she is very unwell has taken, Cold.
Mrs. Bird [Byrd] & daughter are well; Herself & Nancy Live with Mr. Tompkins; he has removed on the Hill to his own House.
Grace sends her Love to you & wishes to put a Postcrip[t] but as it is at my expence [expense] I won't suffer it; therefore you shall not sport at my cost now.
[T]he Girls wear [were] at Mr. Langhorne's a few days ago. Frances was only Tolerable; I expect to go in a few days & stay some with her.
[T]he rest of your friends I hear but little about; Mt. Johnston was down a fortnight past & went with my Brother to Richmond & returned in High spirits jokeing [joking] about sweethearts; on his return home he expected to find his daughter Lucy & said she contemplated on her return to pass through Lynchburg; & that his Children should come down with her; I am quite pleased at the thought of seeing them; for the sake of their Charming Mother; Whose memory I shall never cease to cherish with the Warmest Affections of my Heart.
I suppose the Doctor told you he met me & wanted me to write in great hast[e]; on my get[t]ing home I heard he was just on his return from Courting a Rich Widow. I hope he has been successful for his own sake as well as; yours. [Y]ou did not say how he like[d] the Bermudeans; report said for him he was very much pleased with the daughter but this trip to the South; puts it out of all dispute.
I was pleased to hear of Mr. Waller's great good back in a Wife. I hope all the rest; may be as fortunate .
I congratulate you on your visit from the Reeves [Rives?] & hope a continuance also Mrs. Miller; we have had her in Lynchburg & she paid us a half a dozen Visits; she is a perfect curiosity.
Nothing in this place worth your attention. [S]hall expected to hear from you shortly unless I have been too tuff [tough] your own words Commit[t]ed you.
I did not understand about [T]om what Business he was in exept [except] he was Courting; for I hear of none of his movements unless he had rented a place & gown [gone] to work if so I give him joy.
Present me affectionately to your Mama & except [accept] my best wishes for your spending this solitary Winter dif[f]erent from the last; with health peace & Plenty & an appetite to enjoy it; & may you my dear Sarah not loose [lose] sight of the everlasting obligations you are laid under to serve him who has restored you to health from the very jaws of death; oh let lasting Gratitude flow continually from your heart & Tounge [tongue] that my Prayer is that you may with all that . . . to you enjoy unless Felicity in a better world than thi . . .
Nothing about my coming to see you again; for I make know [no] calculation for to morrow for me know not what a day may bring forth. I have not any expectations that I shall ever see Nelson again . . . saying at the same time it would allways [always] afford me great pleasure to be with you & yours & to feel grateful for the kindness & great attention you have ever paid me.
Present me affectionately to your Rib & except [accept] the same for your self [self] & Household.
Farewell my Friend I ever remains yours with Gratitude & Love
Peggy Bradfute
[Sarah = Sarah “Sally” Tate Steptoe Massie (1796-1828), who married William Massie (1795-1862) in 1814.
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 Bradfute (1794-1861)
James Hamilton Bradfure (1803-1865).Sister Maria = Maria B. Byrd Bradfute (1786-1854), married to Davidson Bradfute listed above. Mary Cabell Bradfute (born October 1824).
Frances "Fanny" Callaway Steptoe Langhorne (1798-1832) married Henry Scarsbrook Langhorne (1790-1854) on March 13, 1816.
Mr. Johnston = Charles Johnston (1769-1833).
His daughter Lucy = Lucy Hopkins Johnston Ambler (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.
The doctor = Dr. Thomas Massie II (1782-1864). Lucy Waller Massie (1791-1822), his first wife, had died in 1822.
Tom = Thomas Eskridge Steptoe (1799-1880).
Your mama = Sally's mother-in-law, Sarah Cocke Massie (1760-1838).]
November 24 1824
My dear Friend
I acknowledge[e] with pleasure your wellcome [welcome] Letter & was quite astonished at the reluctance with which you enquired after my Health; I presume it was only for your own gratification in your Solitary retirement more than a wish to hear from one who feels a great interest in your present & Eternal Welfare.
[Y]ou passed by the door & never once said how do you [do]; I acknowledg[e] my mortification; as to Mr. Massie he comes often & never deins [deigns] to say howdy; I now freely forgive you both as I am likely bidden not only seven times but seventy times seven; in which I hope grace will always enable me to do towards all mankind.
I am highly gratified to hear of your perfect restoration to Health & hope for a continuance of the Same. [T[his leads me to answer your enquiries concerning us all.
Sister Maria has another Daughter 6 weeks old; Named Mary Cabell; she is very unwell has taken, Cold.
Mrs. Bird [Byrd] & daughter are well; Herself & Nancy Live with Mr. Tompkins; he has removed on the Hill to his own House.
Grace sends her Love to you & wishes to put a Postcrip[t] but as it is at my expence [expense] I won't suffer it; therefore you shall not sport at my cost now.
[T]he Girls wear [were] at Mr. Langhorne's a few days ago. Frances was only Tolerable; I expect to go in a few days & stay some with her.
[T]he rest of your friends I hear but little about; Mt. Johnston was down a fortnight past & went with my Brother to Richmond & returned in High spirits jokeing [joking] about sweethearts; on his return home he expected to find his daughter Lucy & said she contemplated on her return to pass through Lynchburg; & that his Children should come down with her; I am quite pleased at the thought of seeing them; for the sake of their Charming Mother; Whose memory I shall never cease to cherish with the Warmest Affections of my Heart.
I suppose the Doctor told you he met me & wanted me to write in great hast[e]; on my get[t]ing home I heard he was just on his return from Courting a Rich Widow. I hope he has been successful for his own sake as well as; yours. [Y]ou did not say how he like[d] the Bermudeans; report said for him he was very much pleased with the daughter but this trip to the South; puts it out of all dispute.
I was pleased to hear of Mr. Waller's great good back in a Wife. I hope all the rest; may be as fortunate .
I congratulate you on your visit from the Reeves [Rives?] & hope a continuance also Mrs. Miller; we have had her in Lynchburg & she paid us a half a dozen Visits; she is a perfect curiosity.
Nothing in this place worth your attention. [S]hall expected to hear from you shortly unless I have been too tuff [tough] your own words Commit[t]ed you.
I did not understand about [T]om what Business he was in exept [except] he was Courting; for I hear of none of his movements unless he had rented a place & gown [gone] to work if so I give him joy.
Present me affectionately to your Mama & except [accept] my best wishes for your spending this solitary Winter dif[f]erent from the last; with health peace & Plenty & an appetite to enjoy it; & may you my dear Sarah not loose [lose] sight of the everlasting obligations you are laid under to serve him who has restored you to health from the very jaws of death; oh let lasting Gratitude flow continually from your heart & Tounge [tongue] that my Prayer is that you may with all that . . . to you enjoy unless Felicity in a better world than thi . . .
Nothing about my coming to see you again; for I make know [no] calculation for to morrow for me know not what a day may bring forth. I have not any expectations that I shall ever see Nelson again . . . saying at the same time it would allways [always] afford me great pleasure to be with you & yours & to feel grateful for the kindness & great attention you have ever paid me.
Present me affectionately to your Rib & except [accept] the same for your self [self] & Household.
Farewell my Friend I ever remains yours with Gratitude & Love
Peggy Bradfute
[Sarah = Sarah “Sally” Tate Steptoe Massie (1796-1828), who married William Massie (1795-1862) in 1814.
Peggy Bradfute = Margaret "Peggy" Bradfute (circa 1788-1833), a daughter of Robert Bradfute (1749-1816). Grace Bradfute (circa 1792-1855) was one of her sisters. Davidson Bradfute (1781-1831), one of Peggy's brothers, married Maria Byrd (1786-1854) in 1809, and served as Cashier for Farmer's Bank of Lynchburg. Alexander Tompkins (1784-1864) acquired Davidson Bradfute's house, in the vicinity of New London, Virginia, after the latter's death, and was Head Cashier at the same bank. Among these folks would have been possible candidates for portraits by Harvey Mitchell (1799-1866).
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 Bradfute (1794-1861)
James Hamilton Bradfure (1803-1865).Sister Maria = Maria B. Byrd Bradfute (1786-1854), married to Davidson Bradfute listed above. Mary Cabell Bradfute (born October 1824).
Frances "Fanny" Callaway Steptoe Langhorne (1798-1832) married Henry Scarsbrook Langhorne (1790-1854) on March 13, 1816.
Mr. Johnston = Charles Johnston (1769-1833).
His daughter Lucy = Lucy Hopkins Johnston Ambler (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.
Tom = Thomas Eskridge Steptoe (1799-1880).
Your mama = Sally's mother-in-law, Sarah Cocke Massie (1760-1838).]
[Many thanks to Sue Davis, William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]
No comments:
Post a Comment
Commentaires