Thomas Eskridge Steptoe to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie, May 24, 1826

[Thomas Eskridge Steptoe [at New London, Virginia, as postmarked on May 24, 1826] to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie, at [Pharsalia], Rose Mills, [Nelson,] Virginia, May, 1826. 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

I have just received a letter from brother James saying that he had engaged Mr. Cobbs to preach the funeral on the 3d Sunday in next month and requesting me to inform you of it by the first mail.

I should have been down to see you before now had I not expected this to have been sooner, as it would, but it was thought best to put it off till good weather would suffer you come up with less danger.

I may visit you before then but if I don’t, will be sure to go down with you.

You hemmed me some ruffles last year and I must beg you to make the same present again as I have nobody to do such a favour for me. The stage is waiting. God bless you all

                                                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).

Brother James = James Callaway Steptoe (December 10, 1781-October 24, 1827) was married to Catherine Mitchell Steptoe (1780-1858); they had at least two children: Frances Callaway Steptoe (1810-1880) and Edward Dillon Steptoe (1811-1854). James served for a time as Clerk of Bedford County, in which capacity he mentored Robert Crump Mitchell (1807-1872), a nephew. Upon the death of James, Robert was elected (on November 27, 1827) the new County Clerk.

The funeral = for James Steptoe (1750-February 9, 1826), who had lived at Federal Hill.

Mr. Cobbs = Nicholas Hamner Cobbs (1796-1861).]

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