Francis Peyton

Francis H. Peyton (June 27, 1733) was a Virginia planter and patriot in the American Revolutionary War, and who represented Loudoun County, Virginia in the House of Burgesses, Virginia Conventions and both houses of the Virginia General Assembly. His nephew of the same name, Francis Peyton (1751 or 17641836) was a Revolutionary War captain and paymaster who became a prominent Alexandria merchant and politician (serving on its city council (1794-1797) and as mayor (1797-1798)) and corresponded with Thomas Jefferson. Early and family life Born in Prince William County in 1733 (two years after its formation) to the former Frances Linton, Francis was among the youngest sons of Col. Valentine Peyton, a planter who served in various county offices and in the House of Burgesses, as would his eldest son (this man's eldest brother) Henry (circa 1720-1781). Francis Peyton outlived not only Henry but his brothers John Peyton (1728-1774) and Craven Peyton (1732-1777). Like his brothers, Francis Peyton received a private education appropriate to his class. His eldest sister, Eleanor Peyton, married William Powell Jr., a Maryland ship captain and commissary during the American Revolutionary War who bought land in Prince William and neighboring Loudoun County, as did their son (this man's nephew), Leven Powell. Several more of this man's nephews would fight as patriots in that conflict. In April 1755, at St. Paul's church in what had become King George County, Peyton married Frances Dade (1734-1814). Her father Henry Dade was a prominent landowner, though members of that family would not win a seat in the Virginia General Assembly until 1807. Meanwhile, the couple had five daughters before the birth of their first son, Dr. Francis Peyton Jr. (who died in Leesburg in December 1808 in a duel with William Littlejohn, the son of the town's longtime Methodist minister). Thus, only their final child Townsend Dade Peyton (1774-1852), daughters and grandchildren survived their parents. Their daughters Margaret and Ann did not marry: Ann cared for her father in his final years and received the family plantation to support her in her final years. Her sister Elizabeth Peyton married William Hale, Letitia Peyton married Leven Luckett and Mary Peyton married Mr. Waugh; they all had children remembered in this man's will. Dr.