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| James Ewell Heath (1792-1862) from the Edgar Allan Poe Society |
Richmond November 11th 1826
Dear Sally,
Yours by Martin was safely received on Wednesday last, and the account he brought of you all being in tolerable health, was cause of much pleasure to us.
You will be sadly disappointed to learn from Mr. Saunders that the servant he had selected, & even purchased for you, was sold by the owner, the day before he intended taking her away; after the man having promised most sacredly to keep her for him. I was much concerned to hear this, as I liked the appearance of the girl, & from her account, as well as the woman who owned her, she would have suited you very well. I thought she was rather young, being about 16 years of age, but as her other qualifications were good, Mr. S concluded it would be the safest chance to get her.
I hope however he will be able to purchase another for you, which Martin can take up. I have not seen him since Wednesday, he told me then it was his intention to go to Powhatan, & endeavor to get someone there, whose character he had heard highly recommended. [S]hould he succeed, I hope she will prove as valuable as the former.
I have executed your commands, tho' not with the same dispatch I could have wished; the day I received your letter, I went ot Mrs. Blackgrove & enquired of her what would be the shortest possible time she could make a spencer[?]; I was informed that in consequence of having promised to finish some work, which was to go in the country, she could not possibly [finish] yours until yesterday, so that I might have it on Saturday morning.
I accordingly sent word to Mr. Saunders, that Martin would be detained a day longer if he waited for your articles, & desired to know whether he thought it would be agreeable to you for him to do so; he returned for answer that he must by all means wait. I accordingly sent the silk to Mrs. Blackgrove, & this morning I received the spencer. I hope you will like it; the cape which is attached to it, I think you will find comfortable; they are at present all the rage; no kind of dress is worn, without a cape of some sort; yours is nearly pasted on the spencer, you can wear it with, or without, as may be agreeable.
It took two yards of silk at 6/9 per yard, which amounts to $2.25 cents leaving in my hands $2.75 to defray Mrs. Blackgrove's bill. She sent me word this morning, she had not time to make out the bill, so that I do not know what her charge is. I will tho' ascertain & whatever money may remain I can send by the Doc't when he comes down -- if however Mr. Saunders keeps Martin in town to day, I can send it by him.
I told Martin I should be ready for him by 10 O'clock this morning, but as he had not made his appearance yet, I think it probably he may be detained to day.
I suppose the arrival of the Doct's company has quite enlivened your neighborhood; & doubt not but you spent a very agreeable day with them; I presume they have in turn visited you and conclude you put your best foot foreward [forward] to entertain them.
I am very sorry to hear Mr. Massie is still indisposed. I have been more fortunate than he has; for since the attack I had shortly after my arrival home my stomach has been quite free from complaint, & my health has been better for some weeks past, than I have known it for many months. I have not doubt that my visit to you has contributed greatly to my recovery -- the inducements to repeat it, I assure you would at all times be sufficiently strong, if it were in my power to do so.
Mr. Heath continues pretty much as when he saw[?] you. O hope his ankle is gaining strength, but it is hardly perceptible -- his general health is good, he desires to be remembered to you all.
We received a long letter from Mr. Cocke, three weeks ago; they were well and in Paris; but expected tp proceed to Italy in a few days.
Sarah desires to be remembered to you, & says she will write very soon.
My respects to Mr. Massie & love to the boys; tell them that I felt much pleased they should remember my children, & they are very thankful for the whips[?]
It gives me so much pleasure to hear from you, that I hope you will frequently indulge me in this way.
Farewell & believe me your sincerely attached friend -- EAH
[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.
Elizabeth Ann Macon Heath (1801-1868), spouse of James Ewell Heath (1792-1862), Virginia state (commonwealth) auditor, author and editor.
Martin = courier.
Mr. Saunders = not sure who this is.
Mrs. Blackgrove = not sure who this is.
The Doct. = probably Dr. Thomas Massie (1783-1864).
Mr. Cocke = not sure which of the Virginia Cockes this is (yet).
Sarah = <update November 3, 2017. Sarah = Sarah Maria Massie (circa 1810-1844), daughter of Dr. Thomas Massie II (1782-1864) and stepdaughter of Sarah Ann Carrington Cabell Massie (1795-1831) since 1826.>
My children = William (1821-1836), Richard (1822-1856) and Ellen Heath (1837-1860).]
[Many thanks to Sue Davis, William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]
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