John Howe Peyton's Montgomery Hall
I’ve spent more than six years researching enslaved African-Americans associated with John Howe Peyton at Montgomery Hall (now Montgomery Hall Park and formerly an African-American park between 1946 and 1969), those enslaved at his other properties, those enslaved by his immediate and extended family members, and those enslaved by other former owners of the Montgomery… Continue Reading
John Howe Peyton suffered a stroke in August, 1845 after which he resigned from the Virginia Senate. Peyton mostly recovered from this stroke. He suffered a second stroke in 1846 that left him paralyzed, but mentally capable and able to speak. Peyton died April 3, 1847, less than a year after dictating his will. William… Continue Reading
Two of my favorites, dogs and horses, were ever-present at Montgomery Hall and the Peyton and Kennedy families were exceptionally fond of both animals. John Howe Peyton rode on horseback from Montgomery Hall to the Augusta County courthouse and other courthouses in Western Virginia. He was gravely injured in a riding accident in 1838 at… Continue Reading
Richard Henry Catlett, born April 6, 1828 in Fauquier County, Virginia, was a son of Robert Catlett and Ann Clayton Tutt. He served as Quartermaster at Virginia Military Institute in Lexington between 1850-1858, was allowed to study law while on duty at VMI, and resigned his position as Treasurer there in 1861 to join… Continue Reading
Serena Chambers was born an enslaved African-American female c. 1820 in Augusta County, Virginia. John Howe Peyton sent Serena and three other enslaved African-American Americans (Aaron, Jane, and Ellen) to live with his daughter, Susan Madison Peyton, after her marriage to John Brown Baldwin in September, 1842. Peyton confirmed the transfers in ownership of… Continue Reading
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The history of the property later known as Montgomery Hall predates the Revolutionary War and from the time this land was first occupied and farmed, the land and the people living and working there have been intricately linked to the history and extended community of Staunton and Augusta County. The Reconstruction era following the Civil… Continue Reading
William Madison Peyton was the only surviving child of John Howe Peyton and his first wife, Susanna Smith Madison. He was educated at Staunton Academy, Princeton, and Yale. He married Sarah “Sallie” A. E. Taylor in 1826 and lived in Staunton, Bath County, and for many years at Elmwood (now Elmwood Park) in Roanoke County,… Continue Reading
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