1From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 3 December 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Nov. 6. was recieved in due time. a press of business has prevented my answering sooner. I am willing to recieve William Davenport as the assignee of your lease of Shadwell. on considering the parts of the lands of the Hendersons which fall to me, I observe that it would be desireable for me to have all their shares in the three parcels on the river, but most especially in the...
2From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 25 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 16th. was recieved on the 20th. the post having departed the day before as usual. you ask what shall be done with Shadwell? there was a wish in mr Tom Esting Randolph to have rented it. mr T M Randolph can tell whether he now wishes it. if not, let it to some one tenant, if you please, subject to my approbation which can be asked in a fortnight always. I say to some one...
3From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 11 March 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
Letter from Thomas Jefferson. The following letter from the distinguished patriot and statesman Thomas Jefferson to Mr. Peyton of Washington City, was handed us a few days since for publication by Lewis Hamersly, Esq., of Lancaster City, who has the original in his possession. It is interesting from the fact that it shows that notwithstanding the pressing and important duties of the lofty...
4Thomas Jefferson To Craven Peyton, 18 September 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
The original letter from mr Morgan with the account inclosed, came to hand since I wrote to you. they have been much injured by wet on the road so as to be almost illegible. I send you the letter & account for your own keeping. it is indeed a most scandalous specimen of Orleans justice. of an inheritance of 1500.D. the lawyers get 500.D. by the approbation of the court. accept my friendly...
5Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 23 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
You sometime ago had corn for sale which you were so kind as to offer me. if you have still any to spare, I will be glad to take it at the price at which you are selling. be so good as to inform me by the bearer , and as to the quantity and price. PoC ( MHi ); on verso of reused address cover to TJ; at foot of text: “Craven Peyton esq.”; endorsed by TJ.
6From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 8 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I had yesterday paid to mr Lilly every dollar I had, more than sufficient to carry me to Washington, to enable him to make some paiments he had engaged. the only resource in my power is to draw on Gibson & Jefferson. I send you therefore a draught on them for 50. Dollars for which I am in hopes you may be able to obtain money in Milton. in my opinion there can be little doubt that the property...
7Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 23 May 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson asks the favor of mr Peyton to come and take a pea-dinner with him the day after tomorrow (Sunday) RC (Mrs. Charles W. Biggs, Lewisburg, W.Va., 1950; photocopy in MsSM ); dateline at foot of text; addressed: “ M r Peyton Monteagle .” Not recorded in SJL .
8Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 10 August 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
The sum I owe you is between five hundred and forty or fifty Dollars. I have this day written to mr Gibson that I shall draw on him for it the next month, and I will take care that it be paid there by the day you name, the 17 th of December . Accept my respects RC ( ViHi ); addressed: “Craven Peyton esq. Monteagle .” Not recorded in SJL . TJ’s
9Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 8 March 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I have never in my life been more chagrined or mortified that than I am in being obliged to inform you that my hope of pa repaying this spring one half of my debt to you becomes impossible. altho’ my crop in Bedford failed, the flour rents I recieve here authorized me to be confident in that hope. but on sending it to market it does not yield the third of the price of 3. or 4. years ago, nor...
10Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 25 August 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Will you be so good as to send me the account of mr T. E. Randolph , & the list of balances due from all persons for rent, firewood E t c of Henderson ’s lands, which were left with you the other day. they shall be returned immediately as I only wish their aid a little while in enabling me to state the whole accounts clearly. I see in your account but one charge for the taxes of the land. but...
11Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 10 September 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I have not seen mr T. E. Randolph but the moment I can see him, I will endeavor to get him to furnish me at least what will pay your balance. within a few days therefore I shall be able to write more definitely. I shall be glad to send for my sister Marks as soon as I know her readiness to return. affectionately yours RC ( Don Wartella, Woodstock, N.Y., 2018 ); addressed: “ Craven Peyton esq....
12Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 8 July 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
It is now five and forty years since I have withdrawn from the practice of the law: I have but occasionally, within that period, read any thing on it’s subjects, have rarely reflected on them with any attention, or permitted myself to form opinions with any degree of confidence, still less to oppose these opinions to those of gentlemen now of that faculty, and in dayly familiarity with the...
13Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 12 August 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
Instead of answering your letter yesterday, I desired the bearer to tell you I should see you at Monteagle to-day, being anxious also to see my sister , before I set out to Bedford , whom you mention to be still unwell. I accordingly mounted my horse just now to visit you, but found him so lame I was obliged to turn back. with respect to the fodder I had, on mr Bacon ’s suggestion, searched...
14Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 30 December 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I lent you some time ago the deed & receipt of John Henderson as to the property of the younger children of Bennet Henderson , which I must ask the favor of you now to send me as it is essential to fix the time when I begin to be accountable for rents, which matter is now immediately to be settled with Cap t Meriwether and mr Wood . have you been able to collect any testimony of the age of...
15From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 2 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved by last post your favor of Oct. 27. informing me of the purchase of the lands of Bennet Hill Henderson, Eliza Henderson, Frances Henderson, Lucy Henderson & Nancy Henderson for 650. £ and the widow’s dower for £250. certainly I am very glad to get them secured, but the paiment of £650. by the 10th. instant is utterly out of my power. from this time to February I have to pay for...
16Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 14 November 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
The last year was the only one of my life that I ever had pork to spare. this year as usual we have hardly enough for our enormously large family, being equally deficient in the carcases as well as the means of fattening. I should have been very happy to have supplied you had it been otherwise. RC ( DLC ); addressed: “Craven Peyton esq. Monteagle.” SJL entry reads “no pork to spare.”
17From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 28 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Being unacquainted with the rules of proceeding in the land office of the U.S. I am unable to say whether they will admit a patent to be made out for yourself, rather than the heir at law. I suspect it must be for the latter; leaving you to make good your claim in opposition to him in a court of law, but this is conjecture only. Perhaps if not inconvenient for you to come by, you might in...
18From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 30 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Soon after my letter of the 16th. had gone off, your contract for corn occurred to me, which I had not recollected before. I saw at once that your draught must have been founded on that; and before the reciept of your letter of the 23d. which is only this moment come to hand, I returned the draught with an acceptance to mr Higginbotham & with explanations of the cause of delay, and assurances...
19Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 10 May 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Rosson is finishing a carriage for me and has not a pair of handles left. but he has the fellow to one which he lately put to your carriage. if you can accept of the one now sent and which he says is much superior to the one you have, and can let me have that, I shall then be able to get my carriage finished for which I am waiting to set out to Bedford . I shall be thankful to you for the...
20From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 25 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 14th. must have lost a post or two somewhere, this being the first which admits an answer. with respect to the old mill it is as impossible that she should ever go again as that water should run uphill. therefore let it belong to whom it will it can never be any thing more than an insulated spot of ground surrounded by mine. the only reason for offering to purchase the old...
21From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 20 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 13th. came to hand last night: and I am happy that the postponements of paiment will be not inconvenient: and the more so as the dates I proposed were suggested by so strong a desire to fix them as early as possible, that tho’ I still trust I can comply with them, yet unforeseen emergencies might throw them forward a month. I now inclose you the deeds, bonds and reciepts...
22From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 30 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved from mr D. Carr copies of the papers in court respecting your injunction against Henderson. they give a serious aspect to the case, and render it indispensable that the whole subject should be thrown into a single bill in Chancery before the Chancellor at Richmond. there would be no end of changes to the suits which detached parts of the subject would give rise to. the bill...
23Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 6 December 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved a letter from Col o Charles Lewis now of Kentucky expressing apprehensions that 3– or 4. old domestics which he holds from you on hire, and who have been with his children from their infancy may be called for by you, in which case the family would be in infinite distress and without any aid or means of subsistence, and requesting me to speak with you on the subject. being an...
24Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 16 August 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
The titled title to the lands of Bennet Henderson having passed to yourself thro many hands & by many deeds, I wish in the preamble to the deed to state, for each part, the conveyances by which it came to you, as a matter of information in case any of his descendants should hereafter raise a question on it. I have begun it in the following way, which I know to be imperfect. ‘they (that is, the...
25From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 28 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Immediately on the reciept of your letter recieved on the 25th. I informed mr Jefferson that I would pay him for you 156.67D on the 13th. of July and 533.33D on the 10th. of August. on a rigorous attention to dates I found I was obliged to take three days more of July than you had desired. I now inclose you Bullock’s deed, & that for the parts of the warehouse owned by the three girls,...
26Enclosure: Account with Craven Peyton, [ca. 5 March 1821] (Jefferson Papers)
D 1817. Feb. 7. loan 1500 Int. to Oct. 26. 1820. 3 Y.–261 D 334. 36 1834. 36 D 1818. Dec. 1283. ℔ pork @ 8.50 D 109. 05 1820.
27From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 25 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The fifty dollars which I was to remit to mr Maddox went from here on the 12th. and were recieved by mr Bacon on the 15th. inst. which was two days before your letter was written. but I am to remit 50. D. more to him early next month, & should he not have put the former remittance into your hands, if you will get an order for the next & let me have it by return of post, I will make the...
28Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 16 July 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I returned from Poplar Forest yesterday, and now send you your papers with my opinion on them. the issue of the cause will depend mainly on the question whether you knew of the estate in remr conveyed to the daughters? Col o Lewis ’s d deposition is the only testimony that you he informed you of it; is the only testimony against you but your answer, his deed to the contrary and other...
29From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 16 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved a letter from mr Hay asking whether he shall enter an appeal? and informing me he has written to you on the subject, it would be necessary for me to know whatever has passed relative to this, & as it is important & pressing in time, I am obliged to ask a consultation with you. Accept my friendly salutations ViU .
30From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 18 February 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I find myself very much indebted for your kind agency in the purchase of the lands for me from the Henderson’s, and shall be still more so if you will take for me also Tucker Woodson’s part at the price of 500. D. proposed by him, putting off paiment till the month of June, within the course of which all the shares shall be paid for. you mention having bought mr Kerr’s part. I do not know...
31From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 8 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved the day before yesterday your favor of the 3d. inst. the post leaving this always the day before the return of the post of the preceding week prevents our neighborhood from recieving an answer from hence till the Thursday sennight after they have sent off their letter. I do not perfectly understand your statement of the additions on account of a greater quantity of forest land than...
32Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 8 October 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I do not remember that a word was said the other day on the subject of cruelty to slaves. if I said any thing it must have been of small consideration but I can assure you I never heard nor had a suspicion as to yourself on that subject. the key I touched on with Gen l Taylor was federalism, not recollecting he was a federalist. I was too hasty in offering you the horse, whom I could not part...
33Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 6 September 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
I gave notice some time ago that to mr Michie that I would take your deposition and that of mr Price at mr Watson’s in Milton the day after tomorrow at ten aclock. I must ask the favor of your attendance there, and if you will be punctual to the hour you shall not be detained. Accept my friendly respects. Thursday the 8 th of Sep. at 10. aclock in the morning was the hour appointed. P.S. after...
34From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 28 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night your letter of the 19th. and altho’ I do really consider the sum of 375. D. as double the worth of the property as stated in my letter of Sep. 8. yet for the sake of peace & to consolidate the whole title I should be willing to give that sum for it. but it is totally out of my power to do it on the short notice you give. you know I settle all my pecuniary affairs in the...
35Enclosure: Thomas Jefferson’s Account with Craven Peyton for Corn, 28 January 1804 to 25 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Craven Peyton on a contract for corn in acc t with Th: Jefferson D r
36Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 28 June 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I have your papers under consideration, and altho’ I think myself tolerably satisfied on the subject, yet, as I am about setting out to Bedford and too much pressed with preparations for that journey, I would rather keep them till my return (a fortnight hence) as both there as well as on the road I can consider it more uninterruptedly. if the letters of Col o Lewis N o 1. to 26. referred to in...
37Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 3 April 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
As I presume you will go to court tomorrow, and I shall not, I must ask the favor of you to call on me. the perseverance and hostility of Cap t Meriwether renders Hornsby’s claim a very serious thing, and he will probably endeavor to engage the other two infant claimants to refuse their confirmation also. I wish to consult you on the best means of treating with those claimants & obtaining...
38From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 7 September 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I now send you the deed, and a copy of the Virginia law made by D. Carr, which will serve to instruct your agent in Kentucky what is to be done. I think it should be made the interest of Fontrees to stay in Kentucky till a court sets, before which mrs Henderson may appear & acknolege the deed, or the witnesses be summoned & prove it. the deed being proven, he should bring it back to have it...
39From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 8 September 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I cannot consider the mill as worth either to the proprietors or myself more than the [price] of stone & the because they can never again make and I consider should not. her position, construction & condition makes her unworthy of being set to work for the dam is taken down, which will be from this time. it will till her condition is seen to be. by the [. . .]. that they will muster [more...
40From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 1 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of Oct. 8 covering a Columbia bank note for 1240 D. 27 c I recommended to you to dispose of it without delay. I had more reasons for this than would have been proper then to mention. that bank is now in a crisis which may end mortally. if that note is still in your hands or any where else so as not to have cleared us of all responsibility for it, if it be sent to me by return of...
41From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 24 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your favor of the 18th. if you can sell the lands of Henderson South of the road, I shall be very much relieved indeed by it. as to price, if I can get as much by the acre for what I sell as I gave by the acre for the whole, I shall have made a good bargain, inasmuch as I shall get the most valuable part at the average price of the whole. but any price from that down to 4....
42Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration to Craven Peyton, 22 August 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas Craven Peyton has this day executed a deed of conveyance to me for the lands of the late Bennet Henderson surrounding & adjacent to the town of Milton , which deed bears on it’s face a warranty for the parts thereof which were the property of Frances , Lucy & Nancy C. three of the daughters of the sd Bennet , whose shares have been purchased & paid for, but the sd Frances , Lucy & Nancy C.
43From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 8 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Lest you might be gone to Richmond, as mentioned in your letter of the 2d. instant , I have thought it best to send the balance you desired, to mr George Jefferson of that place; and have accordingly inclosed 140. D. this day in a letter addressed to you, sealed, and have desired him to deliver it to yourself or to your written order; so that you can apply to him on your reciept of this. in...
44From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 15 [January] 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 6th. came to hand this day, and I am much obliged to you for thinking of me on the occasion. you mention that in [91.] you purchased a share of one of the Hendersons as valued by mr Watson & Snelson and that two others have offered you their shares on the same terms. I will very gladly be the purchaser if you will be so good as to negociate it for me, but in your own name. I...
45Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 13 August 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
The deed of Sep. 10. 1805. from Charles L. Lewis to yourself is sufficient in it’s form to convey to you all the estate he then held in the lands. the circumstance of it’s not having been recorded within the 8. months prescribed by law, subjects it to a question which I understand from the gentlemen of the law, has not been settled by our courts. but this can arise only in the case of a...
46From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 20 September 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
According to the settlement of interest made by you, and mentioned in your last letter to be sixty four pounds, I now inclose you an order on Gibson & Jefferson for that sum, to wit two hundred & thirteen & a third dollars, which closes the paiments principal & interest for all the lands & interests of the Henderson family hitherto bought. it is payable in 30. days which is as early as I could...
47Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 10 January [1810] (Jefferson Papers)
You proposed to me at court the hiring one of the shoemakers of your late brother , which at that time I declined. I will now however be willing to take him and should prefer having the one which can sew the neatest. I really think the house, garden E t c at Bunker’s hill rents too low. it cannot be worth less than 50.D and I suppose that this is the time for fixing it’s rent at a proper...
48From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 2 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Jan. 21. came too late to be answered by the same post. I approve of the purchase of the property of the three youngest children of mr Henderson: but it is really not in my power to give such a sum as you mention for James Lewis’s property even were it worth it. that is to say I could not spare such a sum of money from more pressing calls. if I recollect rightly he has nothing...
49Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 8 August 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter I have just recieved from mr Hornsby in answer to one I had written his father , for I did not know of his death. it puts his claim on the land on an entire new footing, denying that the mother , or daughters ever knew of the sale, or recieved a farthing of the money. if I were stronger I would ride down to see you. as it is I can only request if your business should...
50From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 6 August 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I have consulted with mr Barber, and the conclusion is that other remedies are very dubious, but that mr Dawson may issue a supersedeas of his former judgment & call for a new jury. this he ought to do, & doubtless would do if he were satisfied there was error, or want of full evidence at the former trial. if any of the jurors would certify that they are now dissatisfied with the inquest they...