Thomas Eskridge Steptoe to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie, June 1, 1825

[Thomas Eskridge Steptoe at [or near Lynchburg, Virginia, as postmarked on June 5, 1825] to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie, at [Virginia], June 1, 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.] 

D’r Sally

Your letter informing us of your gradual recovery was received a few days ago – it is not necessary for me to assure you that an account of your good health gives us much delight as it can for you to enjoy it – and that you may hereafter possess more of this incalculable blessing than has fallen to you heretofore is my warm and earnest prayer.

The old man has just returned from Lyn[ch]b[ur]g where he has been for several days on business at the Chancery office – this is a great travel for him – and he has as much to talk about the wonders he saw as I am Shorts or Jack Tar both of whom he carried with him. He is quite hearty – he says there is no alteration[?] in Frances’s eyes – she has been satiated[?] lately but has found no benefit as yet from it. She is to be home next Sunday and Lucy is expected also.

Dot’r Billy and his hysterical Lady have gone to P.E. where she says she knows she will die. I told him I would go to the funeral but she didn’t invite me. She says she must be moved down near Ma’s. Some think she is deranged, some again that it is hysterics – but I believe as do many others that it’s nothing but affectations – just because as Dot’r M. would say she thinks it most lady like. She appears to be in as good health as once she was – eats and drinks as much as old Mrs. Walker, yet swears she won’t live the day out. One thing is certain, that she had better be dead, if she don’t quit her foolish ways.

The girls are now at Liberty where they will remain about a week, when their father will send for them. It was a mistake about old Charles’s being sick – he came down and brought all the children. He is still lame with the gout. You wonder why his springs which cure everything don’t him. I expect they would if he would drink their water exclusively but the old fellow seems to prefer the warm waters of Jamaica to all others.

Tell Mr. Bonaparte I wish I had him to read over my letters with “a critical eye” for I am generally too lazy to do it. Give my respects to him & the Dot [Doctor] and believe me to be y’s affectionately

                                                T. Steptoe

                                                       

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

T. Steptoe = Thomas Eskridge Steptoe (1799-1880).

The old man = James Steptoe (1750-1826), residing at Federal Hill.

Frances = Frances Callaway Steptoe Langhorne (1798-1832) married Henry Scarsbrook Langhorne (1790-1854) on March 13, 1816. At the time of this letter, they had four children: John Scarsbrook Langhorne (1817-1896), probably “Jack Tar;” William “Wee” Maurice Langhorne (1818-1900), probably “Shorts;” Elizabeth Johnstone Langhorne (1821-1888) and James Steptoe Langhorne (1822-1905).

Lucy = Lucinda “Lucy” Steptoe Penn (1795-1878), who married Robert Cowan Penn (1789-1854) in 1814.

Doctor Billy and his hysterical Lady = Dr. William Steptoe (1791-1860) had married Mary Burleigh Dillon (1796-1872) in Prince Edward (“P.E.”) County, Virginia, on October 14, 1822.

Old Mrs. Walker = in Bedford County.

Old Charles = Charles Johnston (1769-1833).

Warm waters of Jamaica = rum.

Mr. Bonaparte = a tutor, presumably.]

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