Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 4.djvu/424

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VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

est in 1887. Since 1889 he has devoted him- self entirely to his newspaper, which he has placed in the front rank of live progressive Virginia journals. He was chairman of the Democratic county committee of Rockbridge county, in the stirring campaigns of 1884 and 1889, and a delegate to the Democratic national convention at Chicago, 1892.

He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and has been interested in societies and organizations of his town, including Camp Frank Paxton, Sons of Confederates (named for his father), of which he was chosen the first commandant. He is also a member of the fraternities, Alpha Tau Omega and Phi Beta Kappa, both of Wash- ington and Lee University.

Mr. Paxton married. November 29, 1893, Mary Louisa Hopkins, born in Lexington. Virginia. January 19. 1863, daughter of David L. and Louisa (Wade) Hopkins. Children: Elisha Franklin (2). born August 23. 1895. ^^^^ December 15, 1896; David Hopkins, born November 21, 1896. died July I. 1898; Matthew White (2). born in Lex- ington. June 13, 1898.

Charles Everett Carter Peyton, M. D. The name Peyton is derived from "Peyton Hall." a township and manor in Suffolk county. England, granted to the founder of the fam- ily by "The Conqueror." Arms : Sable a cross engrailed or, in the quarter a mullet ar. Crest: A griffith sejeant. Motto: Patcor potior (I labor, T secure).

The original settlers of the family in the colony of \'irginia were John and Robert Peyton, both of ancient Isleham Peyton stock, which sprung from Reginald de Pey- ton, a nephew of William de Malet, one of the great barons who accompanied William the Conqueror to England and was the king's mace bearer at the battle of Hastings. From him sprang Sir Robert Peyton de Ufiford. who was summoned to parliament as a baron in 1308 and was so distinguished in the wars of Gascony in the reigns of Ed- ward H. and III. that he was granted the town and castle of Oxford in SutYolk. He was created by Edward HI., earl of Suffolk, and was sent on an embassy to treat for peace with David Bruce. King of Scotland. From him came Robert de Peyton, the lord chief justice of Ireland, and many famous iMiglislimcn, ancestors of the Virginia fam- il\-. In X'irginia the familv has won honored

position in church and state, Peytons ap- as county and state. The army has claimed many of her sons in every war, while the legal history of the state has been enriched by their learning and eloquence. The state has ever benefitted by their patriotic state- manship and prospered under the scholarly guidance of a Peyton. By intermarriages they are connected with the principal early Virginia families, particularly in Stafford county, and no name stands higher in Vir- ginia than that of Peyton. From the Vir- ginia family there has gone out many sons who in other states have won eminent posi- tion in their several communities, the potency of the family motto: "I labor I secure." being in no wise lessened by the lapse of years. From such illustrious Pey- ton forbears and from Colonel John Green, captain of Culpeper county, Virginia, "Minute ]\Ien" and colonel on General Wash- ington's staff, descends Dr. Charles E. C. Peyton, of Pulaski, Virginia, grandson of (jeneral Bernard Peyton and Julia Arundel, his wife, daughter of General Moses Green, of Fauquier county, Virginia.
 * )earing in every page of Virginia's history

Dr. Peyton is a son of Colonel Moses Green Peyton, B. A., C. E., born at "Liberty Hall," the famJly estate in Culpeper county, Virginia, January 6, 1826, died April 16, 1897. His brilliant military career as a Con- federate officer was eclipsed by his career as a civilian and as the honored proctor of the University of Virginia he exercised an influence over the lives of thousands of young men, who during the two terms of office were students of the university. At the outbreak of the war between the states he enlisted in a regiment recruited in Albe- marle county and was commissioned lieu- tenant. Later he was commissioned major and attached to the staff of General Rhodes. He was by that general's side when he re- ceived his death wound and caught him in his arms as he was falling. Later he was transferred to General Gordon's staff and rendered valorous service, serving as chief of staff and ranking as colonel. After the war he was appointed proctor of the Uni- versity of Virginia, but after many year's service resigned and for a time was cashier of the Bank of Albemarle. Later he was again appointed proctor of the university and held that office until his death. Colonel l'e}ton married Martha Champ Carter, born