Part 21

3. Peyton, Francis H., of Virginia, surgeon in 7th Infantry, 1799.

4. Peyton, Robert, of Virginia; captain in 2nd Infantry, 1812; died 1813.

5. Peyton, James R., of Virginia; captain in 1st Infantry, 1813; died 1814.

6. Peyton, John S., of Virginia; captain in 2nd Infantry, 1813; resigned 1816.

7. Peyton, Bernard, of Virginia; captain 1813; resigned 1816; Adjutant General of Virginia and ex-officio President of the Board of Visitors of the Virginia Military Institute 1839-'40.

8. Peyton, Richard H., of Virginia; a distinguished graduate of West Point, standing among first in his class; lieutenant of artillery 1831; captain 1838; served in the Seminole War, Florida, and died November 11th, 1839, while on duty at Tampa, in Florida, and P. M. of that place. He was one of the 12 persons who bought the land and laid out the city of Chattanooga, Tenn., foreseeing its future importance.

9. Peyton, Balie, of Tennessee; member of Congress in 1833; United States District Attorney for Louisiana 1837; in 1841 appointed Secretary of War by President Harrison, but declined to accept it under President Tyler; colonel of 5th Louisiana Regiment in the Mexican War; aid to Gen. W. J. Worth and mentioned for gallantry in the battle of Monterey; voted a sword of honor by Louisiana, said sword is now a trophy of the Civil War and in the capitol of Minnesota. He was envoy ext. and minister plenipotentiary to Chili from 1849 to 1853; presidential elector on Bell and Everett ticket in 1860; member of the Senate of Tennessee 1865-1869. The town of Peytonville, Tenn., named in his honor. Recommended by Thurlow Weed to President Lincoln for Sec. of War in 1860 (see 5th vol. of C. L. Webster's history of American Literature.)

EARLY LAND GRANTS TO THE PEYTON'S.

Peyton, Henry, Book 4, p. 255, 400 acres in Westmoreland Co., Va., Nov. 1st, 1657.

Peyton, Valentine, Book 4, p. 42?, 1600 acres in Westmoreland Co., July 20th, 1662.

Peyton, Major Robt., Book 7, p. 81, 1000 acres in New Kent Co., April 23, 1681.

Peyton, Robert, of Gloucester, Book 7, p. 233, 150 acres in Kensington parish, Gloucester Co., Va., Feb. 20th, 1682.

Peyton, Thomas, Book 17, p. 524, 100 acres in Gloucester Co., June 16th, 1738. (See Benning, vol. 3, p. 566, and Land Registry office).

ANECDOTE OF GEN. PEYTON OF KENTUCKY.

It was customary, thirty years ago, for the ladies to attend political pic-nics, or "barbacues" as they are called "out west." This was particularly the case in the exciting contest between General Leslie Coombs and John C. Breckenridge for a seat in Congress in 1840. Out of this affair grew the authentic story of the beautiful widow--called the "gem of the prairies." Not far from the Elkhorn river lived the pretty little widow; Mrs. Fauntleroy, whose nearest neighbor was Major-General John Peyton. The gallant general looked upon the widow very much as he did upon his thorough-bred horse, Powhatan. She was the finest woman and Powhatan the finest horse in the "Blue grass" district. Mrs. F. had mourned the loss of her husband more than twelve months; while the General--who was punctilious as to etiquette--waited patiently for the time to elapse in order to propose: The widow kept, with a woman's art, her lover at bay. He with her attended a pic-nic and on their return he declared his confidence in the success of the Whigs. The widow was equally confident of the success of the Democrats and offered to wager her palfrey "Gipsy" against Powhatan--the General accepted the wager and said, "it should be Powhatan or anything else she preferred on his estate." They had now reached the river (Elkhorn) and were about to ford it, when they were overtaken by the General's only son and heir John Peyton, an athletic and spirited young Kentuckian of 24 years. The party struck into the water. The east bank was steep and slippery, and as the horses were clambering up, the girth of Mrs. F.'s saddle broke, and the lady and saddle fell back into the stream, while the unencumbered horse mounted the bank with the swiftness of an arrow. In an instant John Peyton leaped from his horse into the stream and seizing the floating lady bore his lovely burden to the shore. The frightened lady recovering her self-possession requested the General to secure her horse, which was making off rapidly. The General disappeared and soon returned with the animal, finding his son and the widow in fine spirits and very merry over the adventure. She was soon mounted again and proceeded home with the General, while John struck across the meadows for his father's mansion. On reaching the Fauntleroy seat, General Peyton was easily persuaded to remain to dinner, after which the widow entertained him with some of her sweetest music. When he bid her adieu that night, his ponderous frame thrilling with the electrical touch of her hand, he inwardly felt that she was the most perfect woman and sweetest songstress in all Kentucky.

That night in his dreams the little widow was so often repeated that he resolved to propose on the next meeting. Business called him to Louisville the next day and detained him until after the election which resulted in the defeat of the Whigs and in the election of Breckenridge. General Peyton was both astonished and indignant.

"Mr. Clay's district has disgraced itself," was almost his first remark to his neighbor, Colonel Beaufort.

To his son John, he communicated his intention of bringing Mrs. F. to adorn his establishment.

"Sir, she is" said he, "the finest woman in Kentucky--the pride of the 'blue grass' district. I hope you will, notwithstanding her youth, treat her with deference and respect, and yield her the love she has a right to expect from my son!"

John, with a quiet but knowing smile, assured the General of his determination to accord affectionate respect to whomever he might choose for a wife. The old soldier was delighted and ordered Powhatan to be led to Mrs. Fauntleroy's. "Sir," said he to his son, "the Whig party has disgraced itself and Mr. Clay's district, and I must part with my favorite horse Powhatan, who has no equal in the Commonwealth. I have just ordered him to be delivered to Mrs. F. and am about to call, will you accompany me?" The son consented, and when they arrived they found Mrs. F. and two lady friends admiring the splendid animal.

"Madam," said the General, addressing the pretty widow, "I have come to pay the wager I have lost--Powhatan is yours."

"But General," interposed the lady, "I believe the wager was conditional. It was the horse or anything else I might prefer on your estate, was it not?"

"Right you are madam," said the General, "but I can never allow you to select an inferior animal, and I have none that approaches Powhatan."

"You have a very superior biped on your estate, General," replied the blushing widow, "your son, John, whom I have already promised to accept instead of Powhatan."

The astonished General, defeated for the first time, summoned his fortitude, and after recovering from the stunning effect of the widow's speech, rose and in his blandest manner bade the party adieu. To his son he said--"Sir, you will remain and do your duty."

The General never entirely forgave his daughter-in-law her practical joke. In after years he used to say, "Lilley is the finest woman in Kentucky, but she always lacked taste."

COL. HENRY PEYTON--A HERO OF 1776.

INTERESTING LETTER FROM JEFFERSON TO C. PEYTON, OF ALBEMARLE.

We publish below an interesting letter written by the illustrious Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence, to his connection, the late Craven Peyton, Esq., of Monteagle, Albemarle county, Va. Craven Peyton was one of the first gentlemen of his day in Virginia, but his tastes were social and literary rather than political, and he passed a long and useful life in the quiet of his plantation, loved and admired by all who enjoyed the privilege of his friendship and partook of the elegant hospitalities of his old Virginia home--one of the stately mansions and most extensive landed estates in Virginia. He married Miss Lewis, a niece of the President, and left among other issue a son, Charles L. Peyton, of Greenbrier, now surviving at an advanced age, and a daughter who married an esteemed townsman, William C. Eskridge, Esq., the father of William Peyton Eskridge, of this city. Craven Peyton was a nephew of the Revolutionary patriot, Colonel Henry Peyton, whose third and last son, old enough for military duty, was killed by a cannon ball from the British fleet during the siege of Charleston, S. C. He fell into the arms of the late Lieut., afterwards Gen. Porterfield, of Augusta, who immediately communicated the sad intelligence of his death to his father. Col. Peyton, when he heard of it, was struck dumb with grief, but in a moment recovering his equilibrium and self-control, exclaimed, "_Would to God I had another to put in his place._" Such was the stuff of our Revolutionary heroes. Col. Henry Peyton was the father of Miss Fanny Peyton, wife of Chancellor Brown, and great-grandfather of the late distinguished and still lamented Col. John B. Baldwin and Mrs. Alexander H. H. Stuart:[30]

[30] From this branch of the Peytons are also descended Mrs. J. M. Ranson, of Jefferson county, W. Va., Captain William L. Clark, of Winchester, Va., Mrs. R. T. W. Duke, of Albemarle, the late Judge J. E. Brown, of Wythe, Mrs. Hunter McGuire, of Richmond, Mrs. Robert Gibson, of Cincinnati, and many others of worth and distinction in Virginia, the South and West.--R. A. B. in Richmond Standard.

Monticello, August 12, 1821.

_Dear Sir_--Instead of answering your letter yesterday, I desired the bearer to tell you I should see you at Monteagle to-day, being anxious, also, to see my sister before I set out for Bedford, whom you mention to be still unwell. I accordingly mounted my horse just now to visit you, but found him so lame I was obliged to turn back. With respect to the fodder I had, on Mr. Bacon's suggestion, searched for and found the account of it, which he had given me, at the time and I had forgotten; that, therefore, is right and there can be no difficulty between us. I have not yet learned from Mr. Estor Randolph when he will be able to make me payment. The moment he does I will transmit to you. I have not yet urged him, because I know he is a most anxious man always to pay a debt and that he will soon inform me. With respect to ----, if he ever becomes a sober man, there will be no difficulty of reconciliation on Anne's account, but as long as he is subject to drink, his society is dangerous and we shall reject it.

I shall be glad to know the exact state of my sister's health; and pray, if she needs it, that Dr. Watkins may be requested to attend to her, and to place it on my account. I shall not stay more than a week in Bedford.

Affectionately yours, Craven Peyton, Esq. TH. JEFFERSON.

OLD LETTER OF COL. JOHN L. PEYTON.

TO HIS UNCLE, MAJ. T. PRESTON LEWIS.

Shirley, near Staunton, Feb'y 28th, 1858.

_Dear Uncle:_

I was much gratified to get your letter, brief as it was, a few days since, and was surprised to hear that you had been so long and so seriously indisposed. I hope by this time you have entirely recovered, and if not, I must renew my suggestion and invitation to you again. My suggestion that you ought to leave Washington for a time, and my invitation that you should pass that time in the fresh air and quiet comforts of my house at Shirley. By coming and staying a month or two with me you might be permanently improved in health, and it would not, as you seem to apprehend, increase your expenses, or cut off your salary in Washington. Gov. Floyd, under the circumstances of the case would not hesitate to grant you a furlough. The pleasure I would enjoy from your society would be very great, and my wife asks me to assure you that nothing would give her more pleasure than to have you come.

The weather here is charming, and spring-like, which is something unusual at this season, but is what we expected after the vile "spell" we have had for the past five weeks.

Staunton has been quite up in the books this winter between lectures, concerts, auctions, exhibitions and other pastimes and amusements.

Among the eminent strangers we have had lecture here, was George D. Prentice, of the "Louisville Journal." I did not hear his lecture, but dined with him one day while here at Judge J. H. McCue's, and confess I was not much impressed which is still further evidence of the soundness of the opinion I formed when travelling west in 1848, namely: The farther I went west the more convinced I was that the wise men came from the East.

Few persons left here for Richmond on the 22nd, and those who did were so worried by the great crowd that they saw little, and enjoyed what they saw, less.

Everett's[31] oration surpassed any anticipations I had formed of it, while Hunter's fell far below the public expectation. What can compensate a man for falling below the public estimate on such an occasion! It almost drives a man to believe every effort a mockery--and that he is apt to reap by his efforts not fame, but despair.

[31] Edward Everett's Oration on Washington.

Crawford's statue of Washington is said to be the finest specimen of the kind extant, by the side of which that hobby-horse concern, Mill's Statue of President Jackson, in Washington is a miserable failure. The "horse" of Crawford is agreed to be above praise, while that of "Mills," in front of the President's house is said to be a ewe-necked tacky, a mealy-mouthed, wall-eyed brute, who looks as if old Jackson, in the language of a Tennessee poet:

"Had placed on him a bridle and a saddle, Then on his back had leapt astraddle."

and had been ever since fastened there by iron rods, which are said to run up the horse's hind legs, keeping him on an equipoise, and forever facing the White House.

Among those who were attracted to Richmond was Howe, but what, (if any) impressions were made on his mind, is not known, as he has since observed a severe silence.

I was not surprised to learn of the rage for fashion and extravagance in Washington. It is always so with the _parvenues_, whether in Washington or on 5th Avenue. The "new-rich" have no other way of bringing themselves into notice and contempt. They constitute a beastly crew, who change their principles much oftener than their linen. I cordially participate in your feelings of disgust for such a gang.

Betty joins me in affectionate salutations. Hoping to hear from you soon, I am dear Uncle, as ever,

Your affectionate nephew,

Thos. P. Lewis, Esq.,} JOHN LEWIS PEYTON. War Department, } Washington, D. C. }

LETTER OF COL. JOHN LEWIS PEYTON.

A DISPUTED POEM--PROOF THAT THE EARL OF DERBY DID NOT WRITE THE POEM TO GENERAL LEE.

Staunton, Va., December 3, 1877.

_To the Baltimore Gazette:_

In your paper of the 30th of November you introduce the following lines, with the remark, "_On the fly-leaf of the copy of the Iliad given by the late Earl of Derby to General Robert E Lee were the following verses_:"

The grave old bard, who never dies, Receive him in our native tongue; I send thee, but with weeping eyes, The story that he sung.

_Thy_ Troy has fallen--thy dear land Is marred beneath the spoiler's heel; I cannot trust my trembling hand To write the grief I feel.

Oh, home of tears! But let her bear This blazon to the end of time; No nation rose so white and fair, None fell so pure of crime.

The widow's moan, the orphan's wail, Are round thee; but in truth be strong; Eternal right, though all things fail, Can never be made wrong.

An angel's heart, an angel's mouth, (_Not Homer's_) could alone for me Hymn forth the great Confederate South; Virginia first--then Lee.

Permit me to say that you are in error in attributing these lines to the late Earl of Derby. Lord Derby was an eminent statesman, as well as distinguished scholar, and during the whole period of the civil war in our country was the leader of the opposition, or Tory party in the British Parliament. Never during this time did he criticise adversely the policy of Lord Palmerston in refusing recognition to the Confederate government. So far from it, he distinctly and repeatedly announced his concurrence in the course of the British cabinet. Had he been at the head of her majesty's government at that period I am satisfied that he would have adhered strictly to the policy of Palmerston and Gladstone in this particular. This was his firm position, though urged to use his influence to secure Confederate recognition by many influential gentlemen of the Tory party, among them Sir Seymour Fitzgerald, the present governor of Bombay; Mr. Beresford Hope, M. P.; Mr. Gregory, M. P. for Galway, and others not so well known in this country.

Such was Lord Derby's anxiety to relieve the distress arising from the cotton famine in Lancashire, lest it might lead to popular agitation in favor of a recognition of the Southern States, that he made a single subscription to the relief fund of £5,000. Not only in this case, but in many others throughout the war, he showed himself anything else than what was styled in those days in England "a friend and sympathizer with the South."

It is not at all likely, then, that his lordship would, whatever his admiration of the character and military genius of General Lee, have addressed him the foregoing lines, nor is it true. The lines were written by a young and gifted English poet, now no more, _Philip Stanhope Worsely_. Mr. W. was a scholar of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, and died about ten years since. He gave the world in 1861 a translation of the Odyssey in the Gregorian stanza--one of the most pleasing hitherto produced--and in 1865 published a translation of the Iliad in the Spenserian stanza. A copy of this latter work he sent to General Lee, with a little poem of presentation written on the fly-leaf. It was seen by the General's friends, who requested a transcript of the verses for publication, but he would never permit them to be printed, his native modesty shrinking from the warm panegyric they embodied. Now that both poet and soldier have passed away there is no good reason why they should be withheld from the public eye, and I must express my gratification at seeing them in _The Gazette_. At the same time it is due to the memories of both that the error into which you have unconsciously fallen should be corrected, and this is the sole motive with which I have addressed you this brief and hasty note.

J. LEWIS PEYTON.

INDEX.

Abandons the Jackson party, 11

Alexander, Dr., 53

Alexander, John, 130

Account of his visit to Kentucky, 51

African colonization favors, 79

Ablest criminal lawyer in Virginia, 84

Academy, the Staunton, 10

Adams, John Quincy, 11

Adams, Dr., 37

Appendices A, 276

Anecdote of the Fighting Major, 29

Anecdote of Gen. Peyton of Kentucky, 260

Anecdote of J. H. P. in a criminal case, 55

Allen, Judge J. J., 13, 116, 138, 132

Augusta Agricultural Society, 10

"Allen" nominates Mr. P. for Court of Appeals, 118

A bundle of miscellaneous letters, 131

Amherst Festival, J. H. P's letter, 123-5

Anderson, Col. Wm., a letter of, 236

Advice of J. H. P. to S. M. P., 132

A hero of 1776--Col. Hy Peyton, 280

Advice to Col. J. L. P., 139

Appeals, Court of, adopts J. H. P's letter to Tucker, 116

A deplorable accident to J. H. P., 125

Accident to Judge B. G. Baldwin, 101

A captain of light horse, 7

Attorney for the Commonwealth resigns, 158

A complete lawyer, 160

Allison's History of Europe, Mr. P. on, 180

Always helped the young, 179

A master spirit, 181

Barbour, Judge P. P., 9

Baldwin, J. B., 17, 46, 149, 226

Baldwin, Susan M., sketch of, 271

Baldwin, B. G. on J. H. P., 65, 76, 101, 138

Bumgardner, Capt. James' speech, 204, 210

Bowyer, m., 37

Bowyer, Henry, 126

Baxter, John, 49

Baxter, Sidney S., 208

Barton, R. R., 130

Bickle, Adam, 20

Berrian, John M. (Senator), 70

Brockenbrough, Dr. John, 37, 134

Brickley, 37

Brock, R. A., letter of, 238

Bradshaw, 48

Brown, Chancellor John, 45

Breckenridge, Gen. Jas, 92

Benton, Th. H., 104

Bosses, The Ring, Mr. P. on, 76

Burrell, Nat, 126

Boys, Dr. William, 45

Books a boy should read, 45

Cabell, J. C., 109

Cabell, Wm. H., 116

Cabell, Mayo, accident to, 144

Cadets, the Va., at West Point, 143

Campbell, Hugh, 143

Campaign of 1840, 118

Clay, Henry visits Staunton, 113

Charlottesville, J. H. P., speech, 114

Cameron, Col, 48

Carter, Hill, 116

Carter, Robt. W., 160

Conrad, R. Y., 13

Comfort, Professor, 53

Chalkley, Judge L., letter of, 203

Cowan, Joseph, 40, 82

Crutchfield, Mr., 240

Cowan, A. M. D., 14

Clark, Samuel, 82

Crawford, B., 50, 191

Clark, A. B., of N. Y., 107

Cochran, John, his home, 97

Cochren, Geo. M, 204, 191

Couch, Deborah, 144

Captain of Light-horse, 7

Chief of Staff, 27

County Court, on J. H. P's resignation, 159

Daniel, Judge Wm., 13

Daniel, Peter V., 97

Dabney, John, 108

Dade, Judge A. G., 111

Declines a 2nd term in Senate, 127

Dorman, Geo. C. P., 130

Dined and wined, 97

Descendants of Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Peyton, 270

Duncan, Judge E. S., 112

Divers, Mr., 95

Difficulties, how to overcome, 90

Disease leads to his change of home, 23

Democratic party, 11

Davidson, Jas. D., 209, 235

Dupuy, Mrs. L., letter of, 239

Derby, Earl of, 285-86

Empress, Catherine, of Russia, 36

Education, his views on, 10, 11

Eskridge, George, 82

Elder, Maj. T. C. speech accepting J. H. P's portrait, 210

Echols, General letter of, 230

French, Judge S. B., letter of, 235

Fighting Major, 29

Federal Attorney declines, 32

Fultz, David, 59

Green, T. M., 208

Goss, John, 242

Family, every one a history, 88

Frazier, Win., sketch of J. H. P., 109, 168

Farragut, Admiral, 105

Fry, Judge, 107

Faulkner, Chas. J., 160

Garland, Mayor James, 184

Gallagher, M., 54

Gaston, Judge Wm., 70

Gallagher, Miss, 98

Green, Mary, of Kentucky, 98

Girl, defenceless, J. H. P. defends, 112

Gallaher, J. S. on J. H. P's retirement, 128

Griffith, Dr., 126

Gatewood, E., 145

Green, John R., 152

Green, T. M., 208

Getty, George W., 152

Goss, John, 242

Hay, George, 9

Hayne, R. C., 23

Harrison, Wm. H., 30

Harrison, Randolph, 116

Hart, Nat, 32

Holiday, Lewis, 36

Harvie, Wm., 37

Huston, Gen., 54

Halcombe, Wm. H., 149

Hendren, John N., 152

Hubbard, J. R., 160

Harrison, Judge Geo. M., 218

Hanger, Hon. Marshall, 219

Invests money in public work, 84

Ingersoll, I. R., M. C., 1

Johnston, Frederick, 126

Johnson, Col. R. M., 32

Jay, John, 32, 35

Jackson, Pres., refuses to follow him, 87, 43

Jackson, party dines him in Richmond, 97

Judgeship declines, voted for, 68, 70

Jefferson, T., letters, 109

Kent, Mrs. Jos. F., why so named, 139

Knowledge leads to happiness, 142

Langhorne, M., 126

Languages, ancient and modern, improvements of, 143

Lee, Gen. G. W. C., 240

Lawyer, the fiddling, 59

Lawyer, the ablest in Va., 84

Leigh, B. W., 9, 97

Letters, old, 32, 39, 44, 48, 88, 99

Letters, of J. H. P. on 2nd term in Senate, 121

Letters, miscellaneous, 131

Letters, declines a 2nd Senatorial term, 127

Letters, from Rockbridge committee, 129

Letters, of advice to S. M. P. and J. L. P., 132, 139

Letters, on Earl of Derby, 284

Letters, Littlepage, Lewis, 35

Lewis, Charles H., 152

Lewis, Gen. S. H., 97

Lewis, Col. Wm. L., 59, 60

Lewis, James A., 145

Lewis, Major John, 42

Lewis, major Thos. Preston, 102

Lewis, John Benjamin, cadet, 51

Lewis, J. F., letter of, 237

Lewis, Mrs. Mary P., letter of, 242

Lewis, Col. John, 243

Lewis, Mrs. Mary Preston, letter of, 240

Lockridge, Alex, 50