Lucy Hopkins Johnston Ambler to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie, November 15, 1824

Botetourt Springs early 1840s. A digital copy can also be found via Hollins University.

[Lucy Hopkins Johnston Ambler at Botetourt Springs, Virginia, to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie at [Pharsalia,] Near Roses Mills, Nelson, Virginia, November 15, 1824. Postmarked Clover Dale [Cloverdale], Virginia, November 15, 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.]

                                        Boteourt Springs November 15[th 1824]

My dear Sally,

Your letter was received about five weeks ago and you will scarcely believe me when I tell you that I have been so busy since that time that I have not had time to write a line.

I did not wish to have any work to bring with me as I . . . plain work of every kind and I was unable to bring Cinthia as she took it into her head to get married about a year ago and it keeps her and myself pretty busy making the children's aprons and the rest of their cloathes [clothes]. I have with me a girl about eleven years old and she is my able[?] [?]endance. However she takes as good care of the children as any old woman and my youngest requires very little nursing as she walks and says every thing.

I had a most fatiguing journey shut up in the carriage and we were nine days on the road. Betsy was very sick for two or three days after my arrival in consequence of fatigue I suppose. She has recovered her usual health now.

Poor Mrs. Nat Burwell died a day or two after my arrival here of a bilious fever having a family of young children. The girls went to hear the funeral sermon and returned yesterday. I could not leave Betsy or carry her as she was too unwell.

I was afraid to undertake the road by your house as it is much worse than the one through the valley. However if nothing should happen to prevent it I am going down to visit Grandpapa and will go on from there to see you. 

Fanny and Mary I think are uncommonly sweet girls. I am distressed to find them situated as they are. I wish papa would be prevailed upon to have a separate house for his family to live in. I suppose papa will let them go down with me as I am anxious to have them with me as much as possible and it will afford the, great pleasure to visit their grandpapa and aunts.

Papa went to Richmond a few days before my arrival and has not returned yet but is expected back every day. I hope papa will be compensated for all the trouble and expense he has been at in fit[t]ing up this place for company. 

I think the cabins are delightfully planned. They are so much more private than those at the other springs.

You must excuse my not writing a longer letter as John has a very sore foot and I am knit[t]ing a coarse sock for him to wear over his other one and wish to finish it to day.

With my love to Mr. Massie and Tom I must bid you farewell and believe me to be yours affectinately
                                                L. H. Ambler

[L. H. Ambler = Lucy Hopkins Johnston Ambler (1800-1888) married Thomas Marshall Ambler (1791-1875) on April 14, 1819. Their main abode was "Morven," Fauquier County, Virginia, from about 1820 on. For a link, see here. 

Three children = Lucy Letitia Ambler (1820-1853), John C. Ambler (1821-1891) and Elizabeth "Betsy" Steptoe Ambler (January 20, 1823-1900).

Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie (1796-1828) was married to William Massie (1795-1862) and was the daughter of James Steptoe (1750-1826). Their son Thomas "Tommo" James Massie (1817-1877) was born on March 23, 1817.There is a massive Massie collection at the University of Texas here.

Cinthea / Cynthia = probably an enslaved servant. 

Mrs. Nat Burwell =  Lucy Carter Burwell (1789-November 10, 1824), spouse of Nathaniel "Nat" Burwell (1785-1866). Elizabeth Ann Carter Burwell (1810-1861), one of their daughters, would marry Frederick Johnston (1804-1893), the letter-writer's half-brother, in 1834. 

Papa = Charles Johnston (1769-1833), residing at Botetourt Springs, Virginia.

Grandpapa = James Steptoe (1750-1826).

Fanny and Mary = Frances "Fanny" Steptoe Johnston (1807-after 1850) and Mary Morris Johnston (1810-1884).]

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