Henry "Harry" Scarsbrook Langhorne to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie, May 22, 1828

[Henry "Harry" Scarsbrook Langhorne at Chestnut Hill, Virginia to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie at [Pharsalia,] Nelson [County, Virginia,] May 22, 1828. Care of "Robbin Daggen[?]." 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.]

                                                 Chestnut Hill  22nd May 1828

Dear Possum
                       
Doc't Steptoe left my house yesterday morning, he intended to have gone on to Nelson for the purpose of accompanying you up, such [is] the badness of the weather & the prospect of a continuance of it, had induced him to return; He requested me to give him the earliest information of Robbin's arrival, & that he would go down immediately he should be informed that the carriage had gone on.

I have sent up to him & expect him here to Breakfast in the morning should he not get down tomorrow night you must not be uneasy; it being possible that his professional durties, may have called him from home.

I assure you, you need not fear the paint at my home, I cannot discover the least smell from it; I shall have a room prepared for you & you must make your . . . election between it & Mrs. Bradfute's.

Bob I understand cannot go down as he expected when he passed here.

I have a rod in soak[?] for you, & as soon as there is meat enough on your stack of bones to stand a good flogging I shall use it.

Fanny sends her love to one & all for myself accept my best wishes.
                                           yours affectionately
                                                         H. S. Langhorne

[added at bottom margin: "Alas, no meat ever came on those dear bones. [S]he succeeded in reaching her brother's Dr. Wm. Steptoe a few days after this & lived only a month or so.  Thos. J. Massie  June 1873."]

 [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.

Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie (1796-July 28, 1828) was married to William Massie (1795-1862) and was the daughter of 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

Dr. Steptoe = Dr. William Steptoe (1791-1862). 

Mrs. Bradfute = Davidson Bradfute (1781-1831), one of Peggy Bradfute'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).

Bob = Robert Callaway Steptoe (1791-1870).]

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

Frances "Fanny" Callaway Steptoe Langhorne to Sarah "Sally" Tate Steptoe Massie, February 11, 1828

[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.

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. 

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.]   

John Hall Fulton to Sarah Buchanan Campbell Preston, December 11, 1828

[John Hall Fulton at Richmond to Sarah Buchanan Campbell Preston at Abingdon, Virginia, December 11, 1828. Box 29, Folder 7, Robert Morton Hughes Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Patricia W. and J. Douglas Perry Library, Old Dominion University Libraries, Norfolk, VA 23529. This is my rough transcription. Instances of the "long s" in the original have been modernized and paragraph breaks added for easier reading.]

Dr. Madam

I was a few days since intrusted [entrusted] with a Secret with an Injunction not to propagate it -- an Injunction which I have extreme difficulty to comply with, and as all will be consumated [consummated] before this reaches you, I deem it no violation of confidence to send it to your fire side. 

Judge Johnston is here, about ten days ago he met with a Miss Bernard at Judge Cabel's [Cabell's] it was the first time he had ever seen her. In a day or two afterwards he courted her; in a day or two thereafter they concluded upon a marriage contract, and, if there is no flying off, they will be married between this and [T]uesday, for on that day he intends to set out for home.

Miss Bernard is said to be an estimable woman, and has lived in the world a little more than half a century, I know nothing of her family or fortune, except that she is the sister of Mrs. Copeland of this place.

If you have ever in the course of your life observed the influence of Love, you can form a remote Idea of the Judge's actions, he speaks freely to Keller & myself [and] every Topic other than Miss Bernard, is without interest, he talks incessantly of his Girl, his sweetheart. The fate of contending nations, national & state politics, friends & loss of friends, are all secondary matters, and that Interest which under other circumstances he would feel in those subjects is now lost in the contemplation of the delectable Miss Bernard.

Richmond is dull and promises to be so during the winter. In the Legislature we anticipate much excitement, on the subject of a convention, the different local interests are beginning to be developed, and there is too much reason to appr[ehen]d that the conflicting interests of the different sections of the state, will result in the indulgence of much bad feeling among us.

Miss Lorraine's "Donald Adair" is out. It is read here with some Interest, and is really a work of much merit. I will send the young Ladies a copy by the first oppt'y. I hope they will read it and pray for Miss Lorraine's success.

I hope Miss Sally has recovered & that you are all enjoying Health & Happiness.

                                                                   J. H. Fulton

[John Hall Fulton (1792-1836), brother of Andrew Steele Fulton (1800-1884).
Sarah Buchanan Campbell Preston (1778-1846)
Judge Johnston = Peter Johnston, Jr. (1763-1831)
Miss Bernard = Peter married Ann Nancy Bernard (1775-1865) in Richmond on December 13, 1828 (his second wife). Elizabeth Ann Bernard Wills (1778-1862), one of Ann's sisters, was a consort of John Allan (1779-1834), with whom she had "natural" twin sons. Allan, a wealthy, Scottish-born merchant based in Richmond, was also Edgar Allan Poe's (1809-1849) estranged foster father. 
Judge Cabel = Judge William Henry Cabell (1772-1853)
Mrs. Copeland = Hennigham C. Bernard Copland (1781-1838) was the second wife of Charles Copland (1756-1836) of Richmond, and sister of Ann Nancy Bernard and Elizabeth Ann Bernard Wills. 
Keller = ?
A. M. Lorraine, Donald Adair (2 volumes). Richmond: Peter Cottom, 1828.
Miss Sally = Sarah "Sally" Buchanan Preston (1802-1879).]

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

Charles Clement Johnston to Eliza Madison Preston Johnston, October 26, 1828

[Charles Clement Johnston at Wythe Court House to Eliza Madison Preston Johnston at Abingdon, Virginia, October 26, 1828, Postmarked October 27, 1828. Box 25, Folder 5, Robert Morton Hughes Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Patricia W. and J. Douglas Perry Library, Old Dominion University Libraries, Norfolk, VA 23529. This is my rough transcription. Instances of the "long s" in the original have been modernized and paragraph breaks added for easier reading.]

My Dearest Love

I write only to say that I am here quite well -- the fatigue of travelling in the stage did not prove in any degree injurious to me. I shall leave this place as soon as I can quit my business for I cannot support the anxiety I feel about you when absent. I am made much easier by hearing from you both yesterday & today. 

I thank you my dearest for following my wishes so faithfully in attending to the remedies prescribed.

I hope Sue will be kind enough to write to me by every mail. If you get more unwell, I beg you to apprize me of it immediately and I will instantly break away from every thing else to be with you.

Present my kindest greetings to Susan & your Mama & believe me as ever your fond & anxious husband

                                                               Chs. C. Johnston

Your Uncle Frank went on to Botetourt last evening. 

[Eliza Madison Preston Johnston (1803-November 27, 1828) married Charles Clement Johnston (1795-1832), at Greenfield, on December 29, 1822. 
Sue/Susan = Susanna (Susan) Smith Preston (1805-1857)
Your Mama = (stepmother) Elizabeth Ann Carrington Preston (1768-1839)
Uncle Frank = Francis Smith Preston (1765-1836).]

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

Peter Johnston, Jr.: Letter of Sympathy on the Death of Rachel Donelson Robards Jackson

[Richmond Enquirer, Volume XXV, Issue 81 (January 20, 1829), page 3.]

COMMUNICATED.

Intelligence of the death of Mrs. Jackson, wife of Gen. Andrew Jackson, having reached Abingdon, Virginia, a number of the gentlemen of the town, and its vicinity, assembled at the Court-House, on the evening of the 5th of January, 1829. Judge Peter Johnston was called on to preside, and David Campbell appointed Secretary of the meeting.

The objects of the meeting having been explained by the chair, Gen. Preston rose, and offered the following preamble and resolutions which were unanimously adopted:

The citizens of Abingdon and its vicinity having heard of the late melancholy death of Mrs. Jackson, wife of Gen. Jackson, the President elect, and having met to consult in what manner they must suitably express to her afflicted husband the deep concern they feel at her loss.

Resolved, unanimously, That a letter of condolence be prepared, and sent to Gen. Jackson, expressive of the the sincere regard they have for the character and memory of his deceased lady; and the sorrow they feel at his afflictive bereavement.

Resolved, That a committee be appointed, to prepare the letter of condolence, and such further resolutions as they may deem necessary; and thereupon, the Chair appointed Gen. Preston, Capt. Francis Smith, and John N. Humes, esq., who retired a short time and reported the following resolutions, and letter, which were unanimously adopted by the meeting.

Resolved, That mourning be worn on the left arm, for thirty days, by the members of this meeting.

Resolved, That the Rev. Mr. Ogden, be requested, by the Chairman, to preach a funeral sermon adapted to the occasion, on next Sabbath[.]

Resolved, That these resolutions, and the letter of condolence, be signed by the presiding member, and transmitted to Gen. Jackson --- also, that they be published in the Richmond Enquirer, and United States Telegraph.

LETTER.

Sir: The late afflicting dispensation of providence, in terminating the ties by which you were united to a lady, on whose existence your domestic happiness essentially depended, demands the condolence of your friends. Permit us to mingle our tears with yours, in deploring the loss of a female partner, distinguished for piety, for benevolence, and the other amiable qualities of the heart.

That you may long survive this painful bereavement, exerting yourself for the benefit of that country, which you have heretofore so eminently served, and enjoying the confidence and gratitude of your fellow citizens, is the  earnest and fervent prayer of this meeting[.]

Signed by order of this meeting,
                                                          PETER JOHNSTON.

[Mrs. Jackson = Rachel Donelson Robards Jackson (1767-December 22, 1828)
Gen. Jackson = Andrew Jackson (1767-1845), who took office as US President on March 4, 1829. 
Peter Johnston, Jr. (1763-1831)
David Campbell (1779-1859)
Gen. Preston = Francis Smith Preston (1765-1836)
Capt. Francis Smith = Francis Smith III (circa 1772-1841)
John N. Humes, newspaper editor.
Rev. Mr. Ogden = Thomas Anderson Ogden (1802-1878), Presbyterian.]


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