After your return home, I remained several days at the Warm Springs, and after court rose, went with William, Sam'l McD. Moore, (subsequently M. C.,) and Alexander P. Eskridge, son-in-law of Judge Allen Taylor and brother-in-law of William Madison Peyton, to the Hot Springs, where we found Sally and the children, (the wife and children of Wm. M. Peyton,) and were hospitably and elegantly entertained. They all made many friendly enquiries after you, sister Sarah and Thomas.[9] On Friday I went to my plantation and procured of Mann a deed to the Mill and the land in the Falling Spring Valley. Saturday I reached Callaghan's, and thence took the stage to this place, after sending my horse back to the farm to remain till my return, a fortnight hence. Woodville arrived on yesterday and reports his wife better. As soon as he gets back to Fincastle, they intend making us a visit as he will be detained some time in Staunton attending the Chancery Court. From Staunton he will go to Culpeper on a visit to his father. Tell Thomas to stick closely to his studies, particularly Arithmetic and Algebra. The overseer should secure the corn crop and cart out the manure. Tell him to thresh fifty bushels of rye and send it to Major Summer's distillery, to be made into whiskey.
I hope Susan and John are diligently employed at school, and that the rest of our small fry are doing well.
The mildness of the season has presented my feeling any inconvenience from having no woolen shirts. Woodville joins me in love to yourself and the children, to Sarah and Thomas.
Your affectionate husband,
John H. Peyton.
same to same.
Lexington, Va., Sept. 19th, 1834.
My Dear Ann:
On the day I left home I reached here in good time, but by some misadventure took a cold which has kept me coughing ever since. The heat of the weather and my heavy clothing has caused a reaction and I hope soon to be myself again.
I found Col. Benton and his family[10] at James McDowell's, and spent some time with them very pleasantly—they will pay us a visit in October. I am stopping as usual at Taylor's, they are so pressing in their invitations and will admit of no excuses that I have fallen into the habit of making their house my home while here.
Mr. Poindexter is in Lexington, and will marry to-day the widow Lewis. The wedding is to be private, and the happy pair will leave immediately in their barouche for Eastern Virginia.