[Peggy Bradfute [at or near New London, Virginia], to Sarah Tate Steptoe Massie [at Pharsalia,] Nelson County, Virginia, December 27, 1815. 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.]
December 27th, 1815
my dear Sarah I have purchased for you the last bargain I could find in this place, I could have got you some Curtain dimity which you might have preferred but it was very coarse & narrow & the same price of what I have sent you; I hope my choice will please you; I could have got cambrick much cheaper; I believe the dimity will last us long again & think much the handsomest.
I will take a pleasure at any time in geting [getting] things for you if you can rely on my inferior judgment & tast[e]. I expect you must think I have but little if the sight of old John could restore me; I think the sight of you in your solitary mantion [mansion] would have a much more salutary effect than any bean in this place; I shan't spare you when do you intend to commission me to make choice for little william or margaret for your comfort as well as Mr. Massie's with pleasure will I visit you when ever an opportunity offers if my Father's healt[h] will permit.
Grace sends her best love to you both & says she is determined on coming to see you.
[M]y Father has been very unwell all this winter he feels better now to than he has for 3 months he sends his re[gards] to you both & wishes you well.
except [Accept] my warmest love [your]self & good man & every wish for present & eternal happiness.
Peggy Bradfute
December 27th, 1815
my dear Sarah I have purchased for you the last bargain I could find in this place, I could have got you some Curtain dimity which you might have preferred but it was very coarse & narrow & the same price of what I have sent you; I hope my choice will please you; I could have got cambrick much cheaper; I believe the dimity will last us long again & think much the handsomest.
I will take a pleasure at any time in geting [getting] things for you if you can rely on my inferior judgment & tast[e]. I expect you must think I have but little if the sight of old John could restore me; I think the sight of you in your solitary mantion [mansion] would have a much more salutary effect than any bean in this place; I shan't spare you when do you intend to commission me to make choice for little william or margaret for your comfort as well as Mr. Massie's with pleasure will I visit you when ever an opportunity offers if my Father's healt[h] will permit.
Grace sends her best love to you both & says she is determined on coming to see you.
[M]y Father has been very unwell all this winter he feels better now to than he has for 3 months he sends his re[gards] to you both & wishes you well.
except [Accept] my warmest love [your]self & good man & every wish for present & eternal happiness.
Peggy Bradfute
[Sally = 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).
Unable to hereby identify "old John" or "little william or margaret" without more identifying context.]
Unable to hereby identify "old John" or "little william or margaret" without more identifying context.]
[Many thanks to Sue Davis, William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]
No comments:
Post a Comment
Commentaires