Sunday, October 1, 2017

Frances "Fanny" Callaway Steptoe Langhorne to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie, September 7, 1823

[Frances "Fanny" Callaway Steptoe Langhorne at Oakly [at or near Lynchburg, Virginia] to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie at [Pharsalia,] Nelson County, Virginia, September 7, 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 Sept 7 1823

Dear Sally

I am truly sorry that every thing makes so much against my going to see you. Mrs. Bradfute said she would go down with me, I knew you would be glad to see her at any other time but Mr. Massie told me you expect expected Peggy Reeves and Aunt Eliza to see you, so I concluded it would not suit you as well, as Mrs. Bradfute's child would be a very great trouble to you diseases have been very fatal  with children in Lynchburg this summer, I have had sick children with me all the week but to day for the first time; have none, I am quite exhausted with the trouble.

Kitty Langhorne went from here this morning she looks quite respectable. Mrs. Bradfute and herself met yesterday for the first time and were very friendly.

Davy Coupland is with us and I do expect will stay some time if I were to go to Nelson Mr. Langhorne and Davy would have a frolick every night and would swig all my bounce and every thing else, he is shortly to be married to a Miss Jellous.

Bob's youngest child has been very ill and is still quite sick, it had at one time eight blisters.

Patsy Penn has another daughter Major Reid's house which use[d] to be a house of life and industry is quite idle and gloomy. Cate does not intend exerting herself and servants as her Mother.

The Doctor and Sarah will carry you news in abundance I hope for my eye is so painful I can't write any longer I have been advised to have an incision in my neck which I fear will have to be done.

My love to you all we hope to see you and your household next month.
                                                   I am with affecton
                                                      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

Mrs Bradfute = mother, aunt or sister-in-law 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).

Peggy Reeves = Not sure who this is (yet).

Aunt Eliza = Not sure who this is (yet). 

Kitty Langhorne = Catherine "Kitty" Callaway Langhorne (1792-1871), married to William Callaway Langhorne (1783-1858) since 1811. Their son George Callaway Langhorne was born on March 2, 1821 (or 1822). 

Davy Coupland = Not sure who this is (yet).

Miss Jellouse = Not sure who this is (yet). 

Bob's youngest = probably Robert Callaway Steptoe (1791-1870).  

Patsy Penn = presumably connected by marriage to Lucinda “Lucy” Steptoe Penn (1795-1878), who had married Robert Cowan Penn (1789-1854) in 1814. 

Major Reid = probably, or related to, Major John Reid (1784-January 18, 1816), aide-de-camp to Andrew Jackson, born in or near New London, Virginia, then based in Tennessee; and Maria Frances Thompson Reid (died January 1816?). They apparently had a daughter named Sophia Reid. Jack Reid was directly related to Nathan Reid (1753-1830), who had married Sophia Thorpe in 1784. Other Reid family members lived around New London and Lynchburg, Virginia. Jack Reid was working on a biography of Andrew Jackson at the time of his death.  

Cate = mentioned in other letters around this time. Not sure who she is, though.

The Doctor and Sarah = probably Dr. Thomas Massie II (1782-1864) and his daughter Sarah Maria Massie (1810-1844).]

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

1 comment:

  1. "When in winter, the frost of a morning feels raw, Were the ice in your stomach, good Bounce would it thaw ; And for heat in the summer you'll care not a fig, If of " Bounce upon Bess " you but take a full swig. Oh ! 'tis good in all weather, in each time and place, To all ranks and professions it shows a bright face ; And if you had enough of it, neighbours, in store, Oh, the devil a grief would come inside your door ! With, fall de ral, &c." Bounce = Irish whiskey. 'Popular Songs of Ireland' (1886), page 87.

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