Lucy Hopkins Johnston Ambler to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie, August 3, 1822

[Lucy Hopkins Johnston Ambler at Morven, about three miles south of Markham, Fauquier County, Virginia, to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie at [Pharsalia,] August 3, 1822. Postmarked Farrowsville, Virginia, August 10, 1822. 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.] 

My dear Sally I am afraid you will think me very Lazy for not answering your letter sooner but I have been very busy since that time and besides I have had company constantly. I have put a bed quilt in frame and you know that must be a tedious job. The quilt was commenced by Mr. Ambler’s mother and I think I am bound to finish it. Catherine and Elizabeth Ambler are staying with me and they occasionally assist me though not much.

Besides this quilt I have another very serious job on hand which is working a spencer for myself which is a good deal for me to do as I do all the sewing for my family.

I am obliged to keep Cinthea [Cynthia?] nursing John as he has no notion of walking yet owing to his laziness for he is sixteen months old and could stand alone three months ago.

Our neighborhood is quite fashionable at present. We have Dr. and Mrs. Alexander from Baltimore Mr. and Mrs. Lewis from below Richmond and Mr. and Mrs. Douthat from that town all in this immediate neighborhood and in a very short time Mr. Ambler’s father and mother will be up.

The neighbors are going to unite and give a barbacue [barbecue] to General Marshall who is also up from Richmond and I am told they are to have a dance as there will be an abundance of young ladies though I believe beaus are scarce.

I hope you have had more rain with you than we have had. We have had so little that the mills have stopped grinding and we are obliged to send over to Frederic[k] county for every dust of meal for our negroes.

Mr. Tom Marshall and Mr. A are the only persons in this part of the country who will make any corn. It is melancholy to see the corn which has not filled up at all and not more than half the usual hight [height].

Do you ever hear from Frances Langhorne[?] I am afraid she is very lazy or has forgotten me one for it has been at least a year or two since I heard from her.

I did not understand you when you spoke of Nancy Wright in your last letter as being very dejected for I had never heard of the death of her husband and it has not been more than two or three weeks since I heard of it.

I hardly ever hear from home now. None of the Children ever write and you know papa’s eyes prevent his writing often so I do not hear from them for three months sometimes.

I am sure I have beat you this year raising turkeys. I have twenty eight young ones and should have raised more but the hogs broke up two of my turkeys.

Mr. A. joins me in love to you and Mr. Massie and Tom.

Believe me to be yours affectionately

                                                 L. Ambler

[Checked against a transcript as rendered in Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. XXIII, No. 2 (April 1915), pages 188-189. A few variations in punctuation. Biggest change is from "Farmville" in the 1915 transcription to Farrowsville in this one. 

Lucy 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. 

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.

Mr. Ambler's mother and father = John Ambler (1762-1836) and Katherine (aka Catherine) Bush Ambler (1773-1836: Norton from first marriage).

Catherine and Elizabeth Ambler = Catherine Cary Ambler (1802-1850) and Elizabeth Byrd Ambler (1804-1877). 

Cinthea / Cynthia = probably an enslaved servant.  

John = John C. Ambler (1821-1891). 

Fashionable people = all interwined with Amblers and Marshalls.

General Marshall = Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Marshall (1755-1835). 

Mr. Tom Marshall = probably Thomas Marshall 1784-1835), son of Chief Justice John Marshall and Mary Willis "Polly" Ambler Marshall (1766-1831); Mr. A = Thomas Marshall Ambler. 

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.


Nancy Wright = not sure who this is.

None of the children / papa = other children of Charles Johnston (1769-1833).]

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

Margaret "Peggy" Bradfute to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie, May 5, 1822

[Margaret "Peggy" Bradfute [at or near New London, Virginia], to Sarah “Sally” Tate Steptoe Massie at Pharsalia, [Nelson County,] Virginia, May 5, 1822. 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.]

                                                May 5, 1822

Dear Sarah

Nothing but the high regard I have for you induces me to answer your insulting note; for if I was in reach blows should not compensate for your insolence; however I take it from whence it came.

I am sorry you wear [were] under a mistake about the Promise; don’t you recollect I said if you could get me to promise you mite [might] depend on me; I made a promise if Grace would go with me which she would not consent to for at that time her mind was better employed seeking her Soul’s Salvation; in this I have acquit[t]ed my life as well as her.

I think to serve her Maker was her first duty & then her fellow creatures; she would be highly pleased with myself but seems to have but little disposition to go from home; but is devoted to the Glorious cause she has embarked in.

Oh my beloved Friend you may imagine the pleasure it has given your unworthy friend, better than I can describe to have my Sister engaged hand & heart pressing toward the Haven of eternal rest.

When shall I enjoy the happiness of seeing you & yours experience that happy change; without which there is know [no] happiness beyond the grave. Grace says she never knew what happiness was until [until] she enjoyed it in the pardon of her sins.

Dear Sarah your repeated & warm solicitations for us to visit you, induces me to say is my wish & Graces; you know I am like a bird of Passage ever on the wind; whear [where] I fare best generally stay longest; the terms on which you get our company is paying dear for it . . .

You ought to know good company can’t be gotten every day, however I don’t choose any body to enjoy mine without a full reward; as it is in such great demand; I fear I shall have to be divided for some of the N Londoners [New London, Virginia] can hardly exist without me; I took a flying trip up to the Sacraments I could hardly get back so anxious for my good company I saw all our Friends wear [were] well & your Father & Lucy was to see us on Monday last, he said he had not been so happy for seven years; in the greatest glee I ever saw; we all wear [were] delighted to see him for it was almost [almost] like seeing my own Father; while I am writing the tears are inflaming my eyes; I hardly know how I am writing excuse all & every defect.

Tom is now in town I hear he intends to visit you shortly.

Poor Fanny is gown [going] over the River to live; much against her will I have never been to see her since my return home after a trip of 7 months.

[E]very Body that knows me wants to know wherean [where] my home is. Mrs. Read asked is Lynchburg was not my home & I said I was so seldom their [there] I was not so sure wheather [whether] it was my abode or not.

Give my respects to Mr. Massie tell him I am satisfyed [satisfied] he don’t wish to see me in his House; as he did not think it worth while to call & see weather [whether] [or] not we wear [were] dead or alive; but sent me a message & nothing but con[s]cious innocence made me think of it with indif[f]erence. I can assure him I think as much of my word; as of most people’s Oaths; in future you must touch lightly & have Christian charity think there was some good reason; tell him not to curse me for he says what he pleases & so shall I without offence.

I know you will hail me welcome [welcome] & he is submissive & I shall be satisfied; Grace sends her love & says you must have preaching for her every sabath [Sabbath] & she will stay several weeks; you must let me hear from you again before July & Lucy talks of going to see you but the horses is so busy you may calculate in my; going if nothing happens to prevent yours affectionately in hast[e]

                                          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), a Scottish emigrant, and Sarah Irvine Bradfute (died about 1807). Grace Bradfute (circa 1792-1855) was one of her sisters. Some of her writing seems like phonetic Scottish English (such as “wear” for “were”).  

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).

Your Father & Lucy = James Steptoe (1750-1826) and Lucinda “Lucy” Steptoe Penn (1795-1878), who married Robert Cowan Penn (1789-1854) in 1814. Their Bedford County, Virginia, estate was named "St. Helena." (James lived at Federal Hill). 

Tom = Thomas Eskridge Steptoe (1799-1880).

Fanny = Not sure to which Fanny she is referring.

Mrs. Read = probably one of the Reads/Reids living around New Bedford, Virginia.

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

Frances Steptoe Johnston to Sarah Tate Steptoe Massie, April 19, 1822

[Frances Steptoe Johnston at Botetourt Springs, Virginia, to Sarah Tate Steptoe Massie near Rose Mills, Nelson County, Virginia, April 19, 1822. 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 April 19^th 1822

My Dear Aunt

I am very sorry that I have delayed so long to write to you and should be glad to be excused but I know my negligence is unpardonable and therefore I shall not pretend to frame any causes.

We have the disheartening news to inform you, that Sister Lucy is not coming this Spring and has put off her visit till the fall she has disappointed us very much for we were expecting her every day untill [until] papa got her letter but my dear Aunt that need not be any reason why you should not come be assured that you will be heartily welcome to the Botetourt Springs if you will condescend to favour them with your presence.

I suppose you have heard of the improvements that papa has made lately. Brother Edward & Mr. Moore (our teacher) are now engaged in taking views of it to send to Washington, Charleston, Richmond &c. I suspect its fame will be spread far & near.

I believe I have never written to you since we began to learn French he commenced Telemachus a few weeks ago and are now reading the 2d book. I think it is a very agreeable and useful study; we are very much pleased with our present teacher he is a very clever man but unluckily he is very unhealthy.

You cannot think what a large family there is here 23 is the number of white persons every day to eat and what a quantity they must consume in a year. I believe Cousin Nancy is beginning to be afraid that the bacon will not hold out although there was 15000 wt.

I expect there will be a great many people here next summer and in a few years it is probable that this place will be as much resorted to as any in the State or perhaps in the United States speaking not so much of the water as of the accommodations and conveniences.

I have drawn a map of the United States lately and am now employed in drawing one of Europe. Mr. Moore says it is the best way to learn Geography and indeed I think so myself for it gives me a perfect idea of all the places and their situations.

Papa is going to save Sister’s piano brought up shortly and he has engaged a lady in Lynchburg to teach us music. I expect she will be up about the middle of next Month.

James is going to spend his vacation with us. I am anxiously and impatiently waiting his arrival which I hope will not be far off it seems an age since I saw him though he only went away in November he is on great leave down there and from his continually being in company I expect he will be much more polished in his manners than we.

I think nothing would be half as pleasant to me as to be with my dear friends once more but I fear the time is far distant: what a length of time has it been since I had that pleasure! And I have a great desire to go to Sandusky once more at least if it was only for an hour. I long to walk over the gardens and survey the scenes of my happiest days again but I am sure I never shall and I must content myself.

It is now late at night and I am obliged to conclude with the love of the whole family to yourself and Mr. Massie & Thomas and believe me my dear Aunt your ever affectionate niece.

                                                            Frances S. Johnston

P.S. Cousin Nancy says do pray do not disappoint her in not coming for she has met with one disappointment already and a second will be too bad.

                             Once more Adieu

                                                            F.S.J.

[My Dear Aunt = Sarah Tate Steptoe Massie (1796-1828), who was married to William Massie (1795-1862) and was the daughter of James Steptoe (1750-1826). There is a massive Massie collection at the University of Texas here.

Frances Steptoe Johnston (1807-after 1850), making her about fifteen years old when she wrote this letter, quite precocious. 

Sister Lucy = Lucy Hopkins Johnston Ambler (1800-1888), married to Thomas Marshall Ambler (1791-1825).

Papa = Charles Johnston (1768-1833).

Brother Edward = Edward Pickett Johnston (1798-1893) is a bit of a mystery. He later married (in 1830 or 1832) Anne Smith Chilton (1810 or 1812-1893).

Mr. Moore = Not sure who this is.

Telemachus = In Greek mythology, son of Odysseus and Penelope.

Cousin Nancy = Not sure who this is.

Brother James = James Steptoe Johnston (1808-1895)

Thomas = Thomas James Massie (1817-1877)
Sandusky = Charles Johnston estate from 1808 to 1819, in Lynchburg. For much more, see this link.]

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