Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Elizabeth "Eliza" Prentiss "Betsey"/"Betsy" Steptoe Johnston to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie, Late July, 1818

[Elizabeth "Eliza" Prentiss "Betsey" or "Betsy" Steptoe Johnston [at Sandusky, Lynchburg, Virginia,] to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie [at Pharsalia, Nelson County, Virginia,] [Late July, 1818,] "by George." Massie Family Papers, Virginia Historical Society. This is my rough, annotated transcription from a copy graciously provided by William Myers.]

My dear Sally

I have sent you by old George the piece of cloth you requested. [I]t is not yet entirely white and therefore does not look so well. When Mr. Massie was over last I expected to have been with you about the second week in August but since then, Mr. Johnston has determined on going over the Mountain  where he will stay a fortnight, and as he will take with him the Carriage Horses, it will be out of my power to make my visit to you until his return, which will be the end of August or the beginning of September.  [A]bout that time you will see us without fail, Papa talks confidently of going over with us, and I shall not let him give it out if I can possibly prevent it.

We have all been extremely alarmed about poor brother George, who has been ill nearly three weeks, he is now getting much better, and we are in great hopes of his recovery. [I]t was a violent attack of the bilious fever with which he had been threatened for some time. 

Frances left us this morning on her way to New London, it is her first visit since her confinement. I never saw her look better if possible she is fatter than before, and her little boy is a remarkably fine one, he is called William Maurice.

We shall expect you certainly to return with us when we go over, and must not be disappointed. [T[he old man is waiting for the letter so that I cannot write a longer one present me affectionately to Mr. Massie and his dear little Tom for me your truly sincere and affectionate sister
                                                Eliza P. Johnston

[Sarah “Sally” Tate Steptoe Massie (1796-1828) had married William Massie (1795-1862) in 1814. "Dear little Tom" = Thomas James Massie (March 23, 1817-1877). 

Elizabeth "Eliza" Prentiss "Betsey" or "Betsy" Steptoe Johnston (1783-1820), married to Charles Johnston (1769-1833).

"The old man" aka George = also mentioned in other letters. "Papa" James Steptoe (1750-1826), Eliza and Sally's father, also had a brother George Steptoe, born in 1748 but, according to vague family trees on Ancestry.com, died in 1802 -- a doctor, apparently. Could also be a courier, enslaved or free. 


Brother George = presumably George Steptoe (1785-1862). 

Frances = Frances "Fanny" Callaway Steptoe Langhorne (1798-1832), who had married Henry "Harry" Scarsbrook Langhorne (1790-1854) in 1816. William "Wee" Maurice Langhorne (1818-1900) was born on June 30, 1818.]

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

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