ANDREW PEYTON

 

 

     Andrew Peyton, b November 26, 1845 in Lewisburg, Virginia, d November 3,1891 in Reagan, Falls County, Texas and buried in Calvary Cemetery in Marlin, Texas - was one of nine children of Dr. Charles Lewis and Agnes (Stuart) Peyton, descendants of colonial Virginia families. Andrew attended Virginia Military Institute, enlisting in the Confederate States Army during the Civil War, in which two of four brothers who served lost their lives.

     At the close of the Civil War, Andrew came to Reagan, Texas where he became associated with Dr. James H. T. McDowell in the mercantile business, as well as farming and agricultural pursuits. The Mc- Dowell-Peyton Store was the leading business in that town. In 1874, Andrew's brother, Samuel Price Peyton, arrived from Virginia, becoming a clerk in the business. Later, two other brothers, Reverend Charles W. Peyton - who pastored Presbyterian Churches in Marlin, Robinson, and Temple, Texas - and Lilburn Peyton - who settled in Yoakum, Texas - also moved to Texas. Later. Lilburn moved to Missouri.

     On May 14, 1879 in Falls County, Texas, Andrew Peyton married Martha Caroline Stallworth, b 1858 in Falls County, d March 24, 1940 in Marlin - a daughter of Francis Marion and Lucinda (Jones) Stallworth, and a granddaughter of Churchill and Susan (Tomlin- son) Jones.

     Andrew and Martha Caroline were members of the First Presbyterian Church in Marlin, where his brother was the early pastor.

     In 1890, Dr. McDowell and Mr. Peyton began selling their partnership estate - dividing the money. McDowell moved to Marlin; and when Andrew died in 1891, his brother, Samuel Price Peyton, administered his estate and managed the property.

     Martha Caroline (Stallworth) Peyton moved her family of seven children to a she had purchased: on Anders Street, where she reared her six daughters and one son, and where they all lived their entire lives except for one daughter who lived a few years in West Virginia. The children of Andrew and Martha Caroline (Stallworth) Peyton were:

     Agnes Peyton, b May 11, 1880 at Reagan, Falls County, Texas, d October 22, 1968 in Marlin and buried in Calvary Cemetery - was one of the earliest graduates of Marlin High School. She was educated as a teacher, subsequently becoming principal of Marlin Elementary School, where she served until her retirement. A residential street in northeast Marlin was named by Mr. L. A. Robinson in honor of Miss Peyton. It is "Agnes Avenue."

     Sarah ("Sallie") Lewis Peyton, b August 29, 1881 in Reagan, d July 4,1974 in Marlin and buried in Calvary Cemetery - never married. She helped to manage the family home.

     Frances Marian Peyton, b April 22, 1884, d August 6, 1943 and buried in Calvary Cemetery - taught school in Marlin where her sister, Agnes was principal. She also taught at the Deaf and Dumb School in Austin.

     Rosa Peyton, b October 8, 1886 at Reagan, d March 4, 1957 in Marlin, and buried in Calvary Cemetery - never married. She helped to manage the family home.

     Charles Lewis Peyton, b June 11, 1888 in Reagan, d May 17, 1932 and buried in Calvary Cemetery- never married. He served as an officer in the U.S. Army during World War I. He managed the farm for the family.

     Caroline Peyton, b December 20, 1889 in Reagan, is alive in 1986 - taught school in Marlin for many years - subsequently marrying October 15, 1936 to her cousin, George R. Davis, of West Virginia, who died there. In 1954 in Lewisburg, West Virginia, Caroline (Peyton) Davis married second to Federal Judge Ben H. Rice, Jr., b December 12, 1889 in Marlin, Texas, d March 14, 1964 in Marlin, and buried in Calvary Cemetery - a son of Benjamin Herbert Rice and his wife, Mary (Carter) Rice. Judge Rice had two sons by his first marriage to Bess (Mitchell) Rice: Ben H. Rice III and William Mitchell Rice. Caroline and Judge Rice lived in the Peyton family in Marlin, where Caroline continues to reside.

     Andrew Peyton - a daughter who was born January 2, 1892 after her father's death, d August 4, 1973. She worked at the First State Bank of Marlin until her retirement. On December 27, 1933, Miss Peyton and Mr. M. V. Bradshaw, vice president of the First State Bank were taken prisoners by bank robbers, Blackie Thompson and Whitey Walker - later apprehended in Florida with $41,000.00 from the bank still intact. Mr. Bradshaw and Miss Peyton were held captives all day, but were rescued about 8:00 P.M. that night near Rogers, Bell County, Texas. Thompson and Walker both received penitentiary sentences, but both escaped and were killed later in separate robbery attempts.

     The Andrew Peyton family members continued to be active in the Presbyterian Church all their lives. There are no descendants.

 

 

Copyright Permission granted to Theresa Carhart for printing the biographies of these Falls County Families to this Web page.
"Families of Falls County", Compiled and Edited by the Falls County Historical Commission, page 352 column 1 and 2 and page 353 column 1.  
Member of Falls County Historical Commission.