[Elizabeth Ann Macon Heath at Richmond, Virginia, to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie at Pharsalia, Nelson County, [Virginia]. December 21, 1827. "Politeness of Doc't Massie."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.]
Richmond Dec'r 21st 1827
Dear Sally
Your kind letter by Mr. Saunders has remained unanswered much longer than I intended, in consequence of my spending the greater part of last month in the country, and finding much to employ me on my return home; together with almost constant indisposition.
My personal situation (of which you may guess) contributes very greatly to unpleasant feelings, but in addition to this (which is hard enough to be borne) for the last fortnight, I have been troubled with the old stomach complaint, from which I have suffered considerably. I hope however if it pleases heaven to spare my unprofitable life, that a few months more will relive me, & restore to something like tolerable health again.
It always affords me real pleasure to hear from you, and I was particularly gratified to learn by my brother Miles & the Doc't that you were as well as usual when they left you.I have tho' been recently pained by the Doct['s] information concerning your late attack; which the old gentleman wrote him , had been quite a severe one, & had left you much debilitated, I sincerely hope that in this, you have recovered from it, & that with care, you may get through the winter tolerably well.
This my dear friend, is a life of sorrow & suffering under almost any circumstances, and it behooves us, while we are so frequently reminded bu sickness, of an eternal state to prepare seriously for it. O' may it be the happy lot of you & I, to do so, that when death comes, we shall meet it with composure, & not dread.
The buckskin jackett [jacket] that you requested to be sent for, has been ordered from New York, but I fear has not arrived. [T]he Doc't told me yesterday, that he understood from Mr. Hale it was on its way here; if it does not come to day, in time for him to carry, it can go when John (who I suppose will ride down with his master) returns, or by Mr. Saunders, who expects to visit you about the 1st of January. I hope it will suit, & that you will find it beneficial.
I was pleased to find, from Sarah's letter, that she took such interest in her Mama & the baby. I am sure from all I hear that the Doc'r['s] wife will do every thing in her power to make his children happy & contented, & it is the least they can do, to requite it, by kindness to herself & offspring.
You expressed a wish in your last to hear something from our friend in Italy. [W]e received about two months since,a letter from Mr. Cocke, informing us, that he intended to spend this winter & spring in Rome. [H]is health is still very delicate, but hers has been perfectly good, since she left home they write in as good spirits as can be expected, have seen a great deal to amuse & instruct them, but do not speak of returning to their native land, for some time yet. [T]he prospect of seeing them again, will you know, afford me, unspeakable pleasure.
Mr. Heath's ankle has for six weeks past, been improving very much. [H]e walks about the house with the assistance of a cane quite smartly, and altho' it is frequently thrown back by little twists or slips of the foot, yet I hope, after a while. he will get the entire use of it.
My two older boys are quite hearty -- they both go to school now, which is a great relief to me. James is well, except for an eruption, which has nearly covered his face, & I fear will shock his body -- it is very uncomfortable to him I suppose, for he is fretful enough.
Write to me when you are all able. I feel anxious to hear how you have gotten. Mr. Heath unites me in best wishes for the health & happiness of you all, & believe me your sincere friend.
E A Heath
PS When John comes down, if you have any commissions to execute here, let me know & I will attend to them with pleasure.
[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.
[Many thanks to Sue Davis, William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]
Richmond Dec'r 21st 1827
Dear Sally
Your kind letter by Mr. Saunders has remained unanswered much longer than I intended, in consequence of my spending the greater part of last month in the country, and finding much to employ me on my return home; together with almost constant indisposition.
My personal situation (of which you may guess) contributes very greatly to unpleasant feelings, but in addition to this (which is hard enough to be borne) for the last fortnight, I have been troubled with the old stomach complaint, from which I have suffered considerably. I hope however if it pleases heaven to spare my unprofitable life, that a few months more will relive me, & restore to something like tolerable health again.
It always affords me real pleasure to hear from you, and I was particularly gratified to learn by my brother Miles & the Doc't that you were as well as usual when they left you.I have tho' been recently pained by the Doct['s] information concerning your late attack; which the old gentleman wrote him , had been quite a severe one, & had left you much debilitated, I sincerely hope that in this, you have recovered from it, & that with care, you may get through the winter tolerably well.
This my dear friend, is a life of sorrow & suffering under almost any circumstances, and it behooves us, while we are so frequently reminded bu sickness, of an eternal state to prepare seriously for it. O' may it be the happy lot of you & I, to do so, that when death comes, we shall meet it with composure, & not dread.
The buckskin jackett [jacket] that you requested to be sent for, has been ordered from New York, but I fear has not arrived. [T]he Doc't told me yesterday, that he understood from Mr. Hale it was on its way here; if it does not come to day, in time for him to carry, it can go when John (who I suppose will ride down with his master) returns, or by Mr. Saunders, who expects to visit you about the 1st of January. I hope it will suit, & that you will find it beneficial.
I was pleased to find, from Sarah's letter, that she took such interest in her Mama & the baby. I am sure from all I hear that the Doc'r['s] wife will do every thing in her power to make his children happy & contented, & it is the least they can do, to requite it, by kindness to herself & offspring.
You expressed a wish in your last to hear something from our friend in Italy. [W]e received about two months since,a letter from Mr. Cocke, informing us, that he intended to spend this winter & spring in Rome. [H]is health is still very delicate, but hers has been perfectly good, since she left home they write in as good spirits as can be expected, have seen a great deal to amuse & instruct them, but do not speak of returning to their native land, for some time yet. [T]he prospect of seeing them again, will you know, afford me, unspeakable pleasure.
Mr. Heath's ankle has for six weeks past, been improving very much. [H]e walks about the house with the assistance of a cane quite smartly, and altho' it is frequently thrown back by little twists or slips of the foot, yet I hope, after a while. he will get the entire use of it.
My two older boys are quite hearty -- they both go to school now, which is a great relief to me. James is well, except for an eruption, which has nearly covered his face, & I fear will shock his body -- it is very uncomfortable to him I suppose, for he is fretful enough.
Write to me when you are all able. I feel anxious to hear how you have gotten. Mr. Heath unites me in best wishes for the health & happiness of you all, & believe me your sincere friend.
E A Heath
PS When John comes down, if you have any commissions to execute here, let me know & I will attend to them with pleasure.
[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. Associate of Edgar Allan Poe's (1809-1849).
Children = William (1821-1836), Richard (1822-1856) and Ellen Heath (1837-1860). James may have been another son who died young.
Brother Miles = Miles Cary Macon (1791-1852). Miles Cary Macon, Jr. (1836-1865), a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, died at Appomattox the day before Lee's surrender.
Children = William (1821-1836), Richard (1822-1856) and Ellen Heath (1837-1860). James may have been another son who died young.
Brother Miles = Miles Cary Macon (1791-1852). Miles Cary Macon, Jr. (1836-1865), a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, died at Appomattox the day before Lee's surrender.
Sarah = Sarah Maria Massie (circa 1810-1844), daughter of "the Doc't" Dr. Thomas Massie II (1782-1864) and stepdaughter of Sarah Ann Carrington Cabell Massie (1795-1831) since 1826. The baby referred to was Annie Cabell Massie (August 10, 1827-February 1829).]
[Many thanks to Sue Davis, William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]
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