[Frances "Fanny" Callaway Steptoe Langhorne at Oakly [at or near Lynchburg, Virginia] to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie at [Pharsalia,] Nelson County, Virginia, August 9, 1823. 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.]
Oakly August 9 1823
Dear Sally
You have I expect been very uneasy about Papa, and I have been very remiss in not writing you particularly his situation, for one moth after I returned from Nelson I was prevented from visiting him by company, and would not write until I had seen him. [W]hen I went I was agreeably disappointed at finding him so much better that I expected, tho he became very sick when I was their [there], owing, I think to his eating more than he ought; he is much better.
Brother Billy came up yesterday. Mary has a fine daughter and for one week after its birth she was as well as could be expected, but has for the last fortnight been very ill and not in her proper mind, he says she will sometimes take leave of her Mama and himself a dozen times a day. I do expect she has the high strikes [or strokes] in perfection her Mother was exactly so; I am told.
I went to see Lucy when I was up she is quite well and in fine spirits.
I wish you would make hast and come up I want to see you very much, and with you to her our famous preacher Mr. Charlton, he says the people have become luke warm and indifferent about religion.
Mrs. Bradfute and myself went down to see Mrs. Markham last [M]onday and the sun has injured my eyes so much I can scarcely see to write.
I went to see Abby yesterday she looks very handsome indeed, she is quite round but is not as much pleased as the awful time approaches.
Sister Kitty was down to see me about three weeks ago and stayed nearly a week, she frequently complained when she was here, of a head ache and shortly after she got home she was taken very ill and her life was despaired of for several days, she has gotten well enough to go to the Springs, or was to have set off a few days ago.
I labour under serious disadvantages in writing this morning my eyes and fingers are both painful I think I have the rheumatism in my rist [wrist] and fingers.
You think you will find me at the mill when you come up again I hope that will never be, I hear nothing like it now but few if I go any where it will be to town, but I shall object going any where.
I must bid you adieu but I hope for a short time.
Frances Langhorne
Mr. Charlton = possibly the Rev. Mr. George W. Charlton (1796-1863).
[Many thanks to Sue Davis, William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]
Oakly August 9 1823
Dear Sally
You have I expect been very uneasy about Papa, and I have been very remiss in not writing you particularly his situation, for one moth after I returned from Nelson I was prevented from visiting him by company, and would not write until I had seen him. [W]hen I went I was agreeably disappointed at finding him so much better that I expected, tho he became very sick when I was their [there], owing, I think to his eating more than he ought; he is much better.
Brother Billy came up yesterday. Mary has a fine daughter and for one week after its birth she was as well as could be expected, but has for the last fortnight been very ill and not in her proper mind, he says she will sometimes take leave of her Mama and himself a dozen times a day. I do expect she has the high strikes [or strokes] in perfection her Mother was exactly so; I am told.
I went to see Lucy when I was up she is quite well and in fine spirits.
I wish you would make hast and come up I want to see you very much, and with you to her our famous preacher Mr. Charlton, he says the people have become luke warm and indifferent about religion.
Mrs. Bradfute and myself went down to see Mrs. Markham last [M]onday and the sun has injured my eyes so much I can scarcely see to write.
I went to see Abby yesterday she looks very handsome indeed, she is quite round but is not as much pleased as the awful time approaches.
Sister Kitty was down to see me about three weeks ago and stayed nearly a week, she frequently complained when she was here, of a head ache and shortly after she got home she was taken very ill and her life was despaired of for several days, she has gotten well enough to go to the Springs, or was to have set off a few days ago.
I labour under serious disadvantages in writing this morning my eyes and fingers are both painful I think I have the rheumatism in my rist [wrist] and fingers.
You think you will find me at the mill when you come up again I hope that will never be, I hear nothing like it now but few if I go any where it will be to town, but I shall object going any where.
I must bid you adieu but I hope for a short time.
Frances Langhorne
[Frances "Fanny" Callaway Steptoe Langhorne (1798-1832) married Henry Scarsbrook Langhorne (1790-1854) on March 13, 1816. Their son John Scarsbrook Langhorne (1817-1896) was born on June 1, 1817 (in later years, sometimes changed to 1818 or 1819). Their son William Maurice “Wee” Langhorne (1818-1900) was born on June 30, 1818.
Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie (1796-1828) was married to William Massie (1795-1862) and was the daughter of "Papa," James Steptoe (1750-1826). Their son Thomas James Massie (1817-1877) was born on March 23, 1817.There is a massive Massie collection at the University of Texas here
Brother Billy =Dr. William Steptoe (1791-1862) married Mary Burleigh Dillon Steptoe on October 14, 1822. Her mother was Elizabeth Gilliam Dillon (1774-1850). Fine daughter = may have died young; cannot find a name for her (yet).
Lucy = Lucinda “Lucy” Steptoe Penn (1795-1878), who had married Robert Cowan Penn (1789-1854) in 1814.
Mrs Bradfute = mother or aunt of Margaret "Peggy" Bradfute (circa 1788-1833), who was a daughter of Robert Bradfute (1749-1816), as was her sister Grace Bradfute (circa 1792-1855). Their brother Davidson Bradfute (1781-1831) married Maria Byrd (1786-1854) in 1809, and he 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).
Mrs. Markham = not sure who this is.
Abby = not sure who this is (yet).
Sister Kitty = Catherine "Kitty" Mitchell Steptoe (circa 1780-1858), married to brother James = James Callaway Steptoe (1781-1827).]
[Many thanks to Sue Davis, William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]
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