Figure of the Week

Yelverton Peyton (1735-c.1782) was the son of John Peyton (1691-1760) of Stony Hill.  Part of this farm is now occupied by Aquia Harbour subdivision.  Yelverton served as sheriff of Stafford County in 1776.  He married Elizabeth Heath (born c.1739), the daughter of Samuel Heath and Anne Johnston Gerard.  He seems to have resided on a tract later known as The Fleurry’s, which was likely cut from Stony Hill.  The site of the Fleurry’s house is now occupied by Aquia Town Center shopping center.  For a number of years prior to and during the American Revolution, Yelverton operated an ordinary/tavern known as Peyton’s Ordinary.  This seems to have stood in the general vicinity of modern St. William of York Catholic Church on U. S. Route 1.  Elizabeth (Heath) Peyton operated the business after her husband’s death.  In May 1783 Yelverton Peyton submitted a claim to the Stafford County Court for forage, billeting 45 soldiers, a quantity of firewood, forage for one night for 11 horses, victuals, etc. procured from him by the Continental Army that had camped on and near his property.