Friday, October 6, 2017

Frances "Fanny" Callaway Steptoe Langhorne to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie, April 10, 1824

[Frances "Fanny" Callaway Steptoe Langhorne at Oakly [at or near Lynchburg, Virginia] to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie at [Pharsalia,] Nelson County, Virginia, April 10, 1824. 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.]

Dear Sally


Tom went from here yesterday and would have gone on to Nelson but for his having promised Mr. Johnston to go down with the girls some time this month, he is a complete man of pleasure and does nothing but ride about, I hope their good company and the fine weather will recover you so far as to be able to come up with them for I never was an anxious to see you in my life and nothing but my clumsy and unsightly appearance has kept me from you so long, I have been prevented from going out for the last month in consequence of my very delicate form, but would have gone to see Mrs. Bradfute today, who is just from Richmond but for one of hour horses being lame.


Mr. Langhorne was to see Papa a week ago he says he is in fine spirits, nothing would do but Jack must stay with him.


I am very much afraid he will not be as well managed as he was at your house last fall every person who saw Jack said they never had seen a child so improved.


I suppose you knew Cate Reid was married, her husband is very sick with the bilious fever I was very much diverted at Uncle Tom Callaway a few days ago, he said he expected if Cate had not have married him the very day she did she never would have married that he always thought her like a fickle day in April. 


I hope you will keep Miss Peggy with you until you come up which I hope will not be long it may produce as good an effect as it did some years ago when you said you mended every mile.


My eye has become so very weak and blind that I can neither write or read much without it being very painful to me.


Do take all the care of yourself and get well and come up with Fanny and Mary as your trip will be rendered more agreeably by their good company.


My love to Miss Peggy Mr. Massie and the rest of you all.

                                        your affectionate Sister
                                         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. Other children included Elizabeth Johnston(e) Langhorne (1821-1888) and James Steptoe Langhorne (1822-1905). 

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

Tom = presumably Thomas Eskridge Steptoe (1799-1880). 

Mr. Johnston, the girls = Charles Johnston (1769-1833), residing at Botetourt Springs, Virginia; Frances “Fanny” Steptoe Johnston (1807-after 1850) and Mary Morris Johnston (1810-1884).

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). 

Papa = James Steptoe (1750-1826).

Jack = not sure who this is. 

Cate Reid = Catherine "Cate" Reid = probably 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.


Uncle Tom Callaway =   Thomas Callaway (1789-1877).]

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

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