[Frances "Fanny" Callaway Steptoe Langhorne at Lynchburg, Virginia, to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie at [Pharsalia,] Nelson [County, Virginia,] February 11 [or 4], 1828. 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. Fanny's eyesight was deteriorating.]
Lynchburg February 11 [or 4] 1828
My dear Sally
I am truly sorry to hear of your misfortune in the death of your horse both for your sake and my own.
I anticipated paying you a visit about this time and it was by your means I was to do so; but I am in hopes there are a number of horses in the works, as good as yours.
I shall in a few days be with you I am almost affraid [afraid] to carry horses to your house, I shall set off by light so as to be able to send them back a few miles out of the reach of the disorder.
Tobacco seems to be Mr. Langhorne's whole talk as well as thought, he has gone out now to Patrick Henry Pittsylvania [counties] and I can't tell where in search of Tobacco, their [there] are two [too] many old buyers here for him to do much.
Their [there] is no news stirring in this place the people visit me more than [I] could expect. Mrs. Bradfute the best of them Miss P is still grunting [grumbling?].
Sister B and myself went up to Papa's last saturday [Saturday], to see Lucy she is very well and has a very handsome daughter Jimmy Shorts is worse than ever. [U]ncle George can give you a description of the manner in which we were treated by the waggoners [wagoners].
The old man is in a hurry and as I expect to be with you soon, I must bid you farewell.
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.
Miss P = Margaret "Peggy" Bradfute (1788-1833).
[Many thanks to Sue Davis, William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]
Lynchburg February 11 [or 4] 1828
My dear Sally
I am truly sorry to hear of your misfortune in the death of your horse both for your sake and my own.
I anticipated paying you a visit about this time and it was by your means I was to do so; but I am in hopes there are a number of horses in the works, as good as yours.
I shall in a few days be with you I am almost affraid [afraid] to carry horses to your house, I shall set off by light so as to be able to send them back a few miles out of the reach of the disorder.
Tobacco seems to be Mr. Langhorne's whole talk as well as thought, he has gone out now to Patrick Henry Pittsylvania [counties] and I can't tell where in search of Tobacco, their [there] are two [too] many old buyers here for him to do much.
Their [there] is no news stirring in this place the people visit me more than [I] could expect. Mrs. Bradfute the best of them Miss P is still grunting [grumbling?].
Sister B and myself went up to Papa's last saturday [Saturday], to see Lucy she is very well and has a very handsome daughter Jimmy Shorts is worse than ever. [U]ncle George can give you a description of the manner in which we were treated by the waggoners [wagoners].
The old man is in a hurry and as I expect to be with you soon, I must bid you farewell.
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.
Papa = James Steptoe (1750-1826).
Mrs. Bradfute = 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.
Miss P = Margaret "Peggy" Bradfute (1788-1833).
Sister B = probably Elizabeth "Betsy" Leftwich Steptoe (1800-1840), married since 1820 to Robert Callaway Steptoe (1791-1870).
Lucy = Lucinda “Lucy” Steptoe Penn (1795-1878), who married Robert Cowan Penn (1789-1854) in 1814. Their Bedford County, Virginia, estate was named "St. Helena."
Very handsome daughter = presumably she means either Frances "Fannie" Louisa Penn (181-1879) or Elizabeth "Bettie" Johnston Penn (1822-1912). Margaret Penn, who was born on April 3, 1828, died on August 19, 1828.
Very handsome daughter = presumably she means either Frances "Fannie" Louisa Penn (181-1879) or Elizabeth "Bettie" Johnston Penn (1822-1912). Margaret Penn, who was born on April 3, 1828, died on August 19, 1828.
Jimmy Shorts = probably Lucy's son, James Steptoe Penn (1817-1854).
Uncle George/the old man = also mentioned in other letters, most possibly George Callaway (1785-1822), a son of James Callaway (1736-1809) by his second wife, Elizabeth Early Callaway (1759-1796). However, "Papa" James Steptoe (1750-1826), Lucy 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.]
[Many thanks to Sue Davis, William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]
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