John William "John Billy" Peyton diaries and account books

Access and use

Location of collection:
University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400110
160 McCormick Rd
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Brenda Gunn
Phone: (434) 924-1037
Phone: (434) 243-1776
Fax: (434) 924-4968
Restrictions:

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred citation:

MSS 4944, John W. Peyton diaries and account books, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia Library.

Summary

Extent:
0.8 Cubic Feet 3 document boxes
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

MSS 4944, John W. Peyton diaries and account books, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia Library.

Background

Scope and content:

Peyton's diaries cover the Civil War and Reconstruction periods and frequently mention conflicts, specifically the Yankees and how many people were killed on both sides of battlefields. His diary entries describe the Yankees being at his home and near his neighbors in Rapidan, Virginia. Many southern generals are mentioned including General (Stonewall Thomas) Jackson, General (J.E.B.) Stuart, and General (Richard S.) Ewell. There are also references to President (Andrew) Johnson.

Peyton writes on May 31, 1865, "The people of the South quietly awaiting to see what the Yankees are going to do with them." He also mentions enslaved people, the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, the Amendment to the Constitution, abolitionists, and the exclusion of southern representation in Congress.

Peyton starts every entry with comments about the weather, and activities of the family. He also writes about family social events and local Baptist church activities.Included in the collection are two letters from William Alexander Hill about the Baptist Church in Madison, Virginia.

In addition to the 44 small handwritten diaries of John William Peyton, there are also four account books and a bound transcription of the diaries from 1862-1865. (The diaries are fragile and not always legible.)

Biographical / historical:

John William "John Billy" Peyton’'s daily diary depicts his life in Rapidan, Virginia, during the United States Civil War. Peyton, the oldest child of William Snyder and Willianna Newman Peyton lived from 1839 to 1914 and was a postmaster in Rapidan. His father worked for the Orange and Alexandria railroad and the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad. His siblings were James Franklin, Anna Maria Genevieve ("Jennie"), George Quintus "Crooks", Francis Bradley "Bradley", Alexander Newman, "Newman," Lucy Jane, and Philip Barbour. According to Halbrook D. Swanke, editor of the published diary of John William Peyton, "Eyewitness to War in Virginia,1861-1865 The Civil War Diary of John Wiliam Peyton," Peyton

"had a close relationship with the railroads, which provided him with access to the news and military actions of the opposing forces. The operations of the railroad and the bridge over the Rapidan River were essential to the movement of troops, arms, supplies, and equipment. Peyton bought and sold quantities of sugar, apples, and tobacco. His home was used by many guests from all walks of life. From wounded soldiers and generals to doctors, lawyers, trainmen, and travelers, he was the center of local affairs in the midst of the killing fields of battle."

Swank adds that

"Peyton, physically unable to join the army, remained in Rapidan, which was a strategic location and community on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad and the Rapidan River. Within the triangle of Manassas, Orange Court House, and Fredericksburg, the Raccoon and Somerville fords would be used time and again by elements of the Union and Confederate armies. Early November 1863 was the last time Robert E. Lee would move up to or across the Rapidan River. When the armies moved away from Spotsylvania on May 21, 1864, they left behind the bloodiest ground in North American history."

Source: Peyton, John William. "Eyewitness to War in Virginia, 1861-1865: The Civil War Diary of John William Peyton" (Civil War Heritage Series, 16) Paperback – January 1, 2003, Walbrook D. Swank (Author, Editor)Shippensburg, Pa. Burd Street Press, 2003.

Acquisition information:

This collection was a gift from Alan J. Shotwell to the Small Special Collections Library at the University of Virginia Library on 15 July 2016. On December 3, 1954 and January 18, 1955 we received a deposit of these diaries from Alice Peyton Taylor and microfilmed (M-687) them and then returned them to the owner. Now they have made their way here as a gift. There is also microfilm of the diary of his brother George Quinton Peyton M-689.

A book "Eyewitness to War in Virginia, 1861-1865: the Civil War diary of John William Peyton" has also been written (using the microfilm M-687) https://search.lib.virginia.edu/sources/uva_library/items/u4021865. There are also related collections MSS 4944-a and MSS 4944-b, and M-689 George Quinton Peyton diary (brother of John William Peyton).

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