Posted By:	Wesley E. Pippenger
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	Subject:	Correction re: Col. Francis Peyton family of Alexandria and Fairfax Co., Va.
	Post Date:	November 23, 2005 at 07:45:11
	Message URL:	http://genforum.genealogy.com/peyton/messages/1415.html
	Forum:	Peyton Family Genealogy Forum
	Forum URL:	http://genforum.genealogy.com/peyton/

I have a perhaps controversial point about the Peyton family that I thought I would share. This stems from the research of Julian H. Sorenson on the Minor and West families, in his 1990 private publication "Minor-West." SARAH WEST, b. Fairfax Co., Va., d. 17 JAN 1837 in Clarke Co., Va., m. (1) Valentine Peyton (chancery suit Gunnell v. Whiting, Fredericksburg). Valentine Peyton is listed as heir and executor in the will of John Peyton, executed 19 AUG 1774, and prov. 7 NOV 1774 in a court held for Prince William Co., Va. (Land Causes, 1754-1811, Prince William Co.). He was probably the first husband of Sarah West. Sarah, widow of Henry Gunnell, went to live in Clarke Co., to be with her daughter, Mary Ann (Gunnel) Hooe. Sarah (West) Peyton Gunnell is buried in the Hooe Family cemetery in Clarke Co., Va. Sarah m. (2) to Henry Gunnell, 10 AUG 1786, who was b. 30 JUL 1758, d. 14 JAN 1822, s/o Henry and Catherine O'Daniel Gunnell. The Daily National Intelligencer, Washington, D.C., for 18 JAN 1822, announces the death of Maj. Henry Gunnell, in his 64th year. The D.A.R. Patriot Index of 1966, p. 530, lists a Francis Peyton, married to Sarah Foushee, while the Virginia Genealogies of the Peyton Family, by the Rev. Horace Edwin Hayden, states that Francis Peyton married Sarah West, and that Sarah (West) Peyton, married second, Henry Gunnell. A chancery suit, Gunnell v. Whiting, Fredericksburg, indicates that Sarah West married first a Val Peyton, and NOT Francis Peyton, as was concluded by the Rev. Hayden. An examination of the records in Fairfax Co., Alexandria, and Fredericksburg, seem to bear out a conclusion that Francis Peyton DID NOT MARRY Sarah West; but indeed may have married Sarah Foushee (will dated 12 NOV 1848, Will Bk. 5, County Court, 1847-1851, Alexandria Co., Va.). Sarah "Sally" (West) Peyton Gunnell, d. 17 JAN 1837, leaving a will dated 25 MAY 1830, and prov. 24 APR 1837 (Will Bk. A, p. 7, Clarke Co.). This will pre-dates the will of Sarah Peyton, widow and relict of the late Col. Francis Peyton of Alexandria Co., subscribed 12 NOV 1848, published in Will Book 5, County Court, 1847-1851, Alexandria Co., Va., and appears to substantiate other evidence that Sarah West was not the wife of Col. Francis Peyton. The Gunnell v. Whiting chancery suit in Fredericksburg, proceedings 1816, shows parties Henry Gunnell and wife Sarah, Edward Adams and wife Jemima, survivors of William Deneal and wife Sybil, against Carlyle Fairfax Whiting, admin. of Charles Little, dec., who was the surviving executor of George West, dec.; with Carlyle F. Whiting and wife Sarah, late Sarah Little, only daughter and representative of Charles Little, dec., def. On page 13 of the suit, is found "That some time in the year after Sarah Peyton, now Sarah Gunnell (above mentioned) was married to her first husband Vaul Peyton [sic] …" Thus, it appears that genealogies and family group sheets that have Sarah West, daughter of Hugh, as the wife of Col. Francis Peyton of Alexandria, are in error. Wesley E. Pippenger