Are there any Peytons of Virgina on DU?

[IA_Seth]

My grandmother is descended of the Peytons of Virginia, who have their roots in England (Peyton Hall and Isleham) with an ancestor being William Malet (later changed to Peyton) one of William the Conquerers generals at the Battle of Hastings.

There were quite a few Peytons involved in most of the major wars, with mentions of them in George Washinton's letters/diaries, searchable at the library of congress website.

Anywho.. the Peyton's are a rather large lot, and I am hoping there are others here?

www.peytonsocietyva.org

[marions ghost]

1. yesterday by coincidence

I was reading about Grace Sherwood, "The Witch of Pungo" (Virginia Beach). This was the last known witch-hunt in N. America. A 'Mr. Peyton' was mentioned as defending her at the trial. Is this the same Peyton family, dating back to the 1600's?

http://richmondthenandnow.com/Newspaper-Articles/Witch-Grace-Sherwood.html

At this point the proceedings were suddenly interrupted. Mr. Peyton, a well-known planter from up the river, who has studied law in England and practiced the profession on occasion, had risen from his seat on the side of the room, and came striding down the crowded aisle. He was a tall, gray-headed man, of uncommon benevolent countenance and prepossessing appearance. His hair was combed back from his high, polished forehead, and fell in long, white locks upon his coat collar. He was dressed very much after the same style as the presiding justice, and carried an ivory-headed cane.

[IA_Seth]

4. Per the story...

"The story is a true story in very major particular, including names, save that of Mr. Peyton, who is purely a ficticious character"

I'd guess that the name Peyton was used because of the Peyton families that resided in the area, they were rather well known and wealthy...however it doesn't look like there was actaully a Peyton at the trial.

But you did get my hopes up!

[marions ghost]

2. Peytons

http://www.peytonsocietyva.org/

The Peyton Society of Virginia

The Peyton Society of Virginia (PSV), in its present form, was established on May 16, 1971 and is the successor organization of the John Peyton Memorial Association which was founded on May 18, 1952. The PSV is one of the most active family organizations in America. An annual reunion and meeting is usually held on the third Sunday of each year at Aquia Church in Stafford County, Virginia. Peyton descendants and their spouses and children, including honorary and associate members are welcome to attend.

Our Society is dedicated to the memory of those brave men and women, our immigrant English ancestors, who left their homes in England in the 17th century, after the ravages of the long Civil Wars between the forces of Charles I and those under Oliver Cromwell, and who boarded small overcrowded sailboats and embarked on a perilous, rough sea voyage of over 3,000 miles to an unknown land, living for months on salt fish, hard tack, and stale keg water, without sanitary facilities of any kind on board, and in storms, existing as best they could between decks in space so narrow they could not stand upright. Nor did it raise their spirits or smooth ruffled tempers to sit idly in the sun in the mid-Atlantic for days during dead calms, waiting for the wind to blow them onward.

[IA_Seth]

3. That's my fam!

That is actually why I asked. While I am not a member of the group at this time, my grandmother's line is traced in their latest book and all I'd have to do is prove my relation to her. I plan on doing that here eventually (man, life is busy!).

It's all quite interesting actually. The Peyton family has made several trips to the UK to visit sites meaningful to our family. There are a few churches, and the first residence of our ancestors, Peyton Hall is also still stainding. It is now in private hands but they've been kind enough to open their doors to the group on a few occasions.