[Peggy Bradfute [at or near New London, Virginia], to Sarah Tate Steptoe Massie [at Pharsalia, Rose Mills,] Nelson County, Virginia, November 20, 1826. 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 Nov the 20 [or 26] 1826
your letters always bring pleasure to hear from you; is like hearing from one of my Sisters; I have know [now] before me a letter written ten days past; but hearing you were coming over did not send it; the contents was to let you know how your Sister was. I was to see her on Saturday for the first time Since she move[d]. She is very well as to Health. But quite Blind & I think in worse spirits than I have ever seen her; she has another Daughter it is the least thing you ever saw; but [a] very plump sweet thing; she is devoted to it says she don't know but she would rather loose [lose] any one of the others than that.
Lucy Penn was down last week she spent part of a day with us, she was in good Health & spirits, was in great hopes of seeing you; I tryed [tried] to Persuade her to go & see you; she said she would but had no one to go with her she Proposed to Tom; but his Business was such he could not leave home. I told Lucy that whenever she would go if nothing prevented I would go with her.
Mrs. Ward moved in October & have a good many Boarders she is not well. Grace has been among her relations for one month.
Betsy Robertson & her Brother have made Friends, good knews [news], she has been down & stay'd there a fortnight; her Brother from the West affected a reconciliation.
I could give you a great deal of knews [news]; but as you may see this is the only peice [piece] of paper. Mr. Massie said you told him to but me some; I presume you will think it will be very acceptable. I thank you very kindly as any present is very welcome at my hand & I will endeavor to appreciate.
[Y]ou wish to know how our Presbytery ended we had a delightful meeting a good many converts & Persons are still very much engaged; my Prayer is for its continuance. I now my dear Friend invite you to our Synod Next October; I hope you will not fail to come to it; it is to be in this place.
[I]f you don't think worth while to come & visit the High Church & hear the Grand 12 [?] Organ; & perhaps it may do great good; you will be able to draw the contrast between the Preacher & the Organ.
I was very much sorry & amazed to see Mr. Massie so much altered; I laught [laughed] at him for in his hand was a bad one as I had often predicted that you would outlive him; I pity you this winter if he is as impatient & fretful as he says he is. I told him I hope his affliction had made him; somewhat like patient Patient Job but he says not.
[G]ive my love to Elizabeth & tell her I am truly sorry to hear of her affliction & glad to hear of her regard for her mother.
I know you will be tired if this miserable epistle nothing but Blunders. Please to Burn it as I am ashamed of it if you have read Blair Sermons please send by the first chance a great many Wed[d]ings on hand except [accept] my best wishes for your present & future welfare [welfare]
Peggy Bradfute
[Sarah = Sarah “Sally” Tate Steptoe Massie (1796-1828), who married William Massie (1795-1862) in 1814.
Because the Bradfutes keep showing up in letters from this period, here is an additional overview. All years approximate.
Robert Bradfute (1749-1816) from Scotland, married Sarah Irvine (1757-1807).
Their children included:
Elizabeth Bradfute (1779-1861)
Davidson Bradfute (1781-1831)
Lillias Bradfute (1781-1849)
Archibald Bradfute (1786-1865)
Margaret "Peggy" Bradfute (1788-1833)
Grace Bradfute (1792-1855)
Robert "Bob" Bradfute (1794-1861)
James Hamilton Bradfure (1803-1865).
Your Sister = Frances "Fanny" Callaway Steptoe Langhorne (1798-1832) married Henry "Harry" 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. Their only surviving daughter was Elizabeth Johnston(e) Langhorne (1821-1888). Two other brothers also lived: James (1822-1905) and Thomas (1828-1889).
Lucy Penn = Lucinda “Lucy” Steptoe Penn (1795-1878), who married Robert Cowan Penn (1789-1854) in 1814. Their Bedford County, Virginia, estate was named "St. Helena."
Tom = Thomas Eskridge Steptoe (1799-1880).
Mrs. Ward = not sure who this is.
Grace = Grace Bradfute (1792-1861). She married Peyton Leftwich (1768/9-1859) at Lynchburg in 1831.
Betsy Robertson = possibly related to Archibald "Archy" Roberston, a Lynchburg merchant who corresponded with Thomas Jefferson. Some of his papers are held by the Library of Virginia, link here; and the College of William & Mary, link here.
Elizabeth = not sure who this is.
Blair's Sermons = presumably Sermons, by Hugh Blair (1777, 1790). Hugh Blair (1718-1800) was a Scottish clergyman.]
[Many thanks to Sue Davis, William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]
Dear Sally Nov the 20 [or 26] 1826
your letters always bring pleasure to hear from you; is like hearing from one of my Sisters; I have know [now] before me a letter written ten days past; but hearing you were coming over did not send it; the contents was to let you know how your Sister was. I was to see her on Saturday for the first time Since she move[d]. She is very well as to Health. But quite Blind & I think in worse spirits than I have ever seen her; she has another Daughter it is the least thing you ever saw; but [a] very plump sweet thing; she is devoted to it says she don't know but she would rather loose [lose] any one of the others than that.
Lucy Penn was down last week she spent part of a day with us, she was in good Health & spirits, was in great hopes of seeing you; I tryed [tried] to Persuade her to go & see you; she said she would but had no one to go with her she Proposed to Tom; but his Business was such he could not leave home. I told Lucy that whenever she would go if nothing prevented I would go with her.
Mrs. Ward moved in October & have a good many Boarders she is not well. Grace has been among her relations for one month.
Betsy Robertson & her Brother have made Friends, good knews [news], she has been down & stay'd there a fortnight; her Brother from the West affected a reconciliation.
I could give you a great deal of knews [news]; but as you may see this is the only peice [piece] of paper. Mr. Massie said you told him to but me some; I presume you will think it will be very acceptable. I thank you very kindly as any present is very welcome at my hand & I will endeavor to appreciate.
[Y]ou wish to know how our Presbytery ended we had a delightful meeting a good many converts & Persons are still very much engaged; my Prayer is for its continuance. I now my dear Friend invite you to our Synod Next October; I hope you will not fail to come to it; it is to be in this place.
[I]f you don't think worth while to come & visit the High Church & hear the Grand 12 [?] Organ; & perhaps it may do great good; you will be able to draw the contrast between the Preacher & the Organ.
I was very much sorry & amazed to see Mr. Massie so much altered; I laught [laughed] at him for in his hand was a bad one as I had often predicted that you would outlive him; I pity you this winter if he is as impatient & fretful as he says he is. I told him I hope his affliction had made him; somewhat like patient Patient Job but he says not.
[G]ive my love to Elizabeth & tell her I am truly sorry to hear of her affliction & glad to hear of her regard for her mother.
I know you will be tired if this miserable epistle nothing but Blunders. Please to Burn it as I am ashamed of it if you have read Blair Sermons please send by the first chance a great many Wed[d]ings on hand except [accept] my best wishes for your present & future welfare [welfare]
Peggy Bradfute
[Sarah = Sarah “Sally” Tate Steptoe Massie (1796-1828), who married William Massie (1795-1862) in 1814.
Peggy Bradfute = Margaret "Peggy" Bradfute (circa 1788-1833), a daughter of Robert Bradfute (1749-1816). Grace Bradfute (circa 1792-1855) was one of her sisters. Davidson Bradfute (1781-1831), one of Peggy's brothers, married Maria Byrd (1786-1854) in 1809, and 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).
Because the Bradfutes keep showing up in letters from this period, here is an additional overview. All years approximate.
Robert Bradfute (1749-1816) from Scotland, married Sarah Irvine (1757-1807).
Their children included:
Elizabeth Bradfute (1779-1861)
Davidson Bradfute (1781-1831)
Lillias Bradfute (1781-1849)
Archibald Bradfute (1786-1865)
Margaret "Peggy" Bradfute (1788-1833)
Grace Bradfute (1792-1855)
Robert "Bob" Bradfute (1794-1861)
James Hamilton Bradfure (1803-1865).
Your Sister = Frances "Fanny" Callaway Steptoe Langhorne (1798-1832) married Henry "Harry" 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. Their only surviving daughter was Elizabeth Johnston(e) Langhorne (1821-1888). Two other brothers also lived: James (1822-1905) and Thomas (1828-1889).
Lucy Penn = Lucinda “Lucy” Steptoe Penn (1795-1878), who married Robert Cowan Penn (1789-1854) in 1814. Their Bedford County, Virginia, estate was named "St. Helena."
Tom = Thomas Eskridge Steptoe (1799-1880).
Mrs. Ward = not sure who this is.
Grace = Grace Bradfute (1792-1861). She married Peyton Leftwich (1768/9-1859) at Lynchburg in 1831.
Betsy Robertson = possibly related to Archibald "Archy" Roberston, a Lynchburg merchant who corresponded with Thomas Jefferson. Some of his papers are held by the Library of Virginia, link here; and the College of William & Mary, link here.
Elizabeth = not sure who this is.
Blair's Sermons = presumably Sermons, by Hugh Blair (1777, 1790). Hugh Blair (1718-1800) was a Scottish clergyman.]
[Many thanks to Sue Davis, William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]
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