History of Gallatin, (Sumner County) Tennessee United States of America

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Balie Peyton, representative, was born in Sumner county, Tenn., Nov. 26, 1803; son of John and Margaret (Hamilton) Peyton; grandson of Robert and Ann (Guffey) Peyten; great-grandson of Valentin and Frances (Harrison) Peyton, and a descendant of Henry and Ellen (Partington) Peyton. Henry Peyton was a native of London, England, and settled at Ragged Point, Westmoreland county, Va., about 1656. Balie Peyton passed his childhood with his maternal grandmother; attended Gallatin college; was admitted to the bar in 1824, and settled in practice in Gallatin. He was a Whig representative in the 23d and 24th congresses, 1833-37, and in 1837 removed to New Orleans, La. He was appointed U.S. district attorney at New Orleans, by President Harrison, in March, 1841, and was offered but declined the portfolio of war in President Tyler's cabinet. At the outbreak of the Mexican war he raised a volunteer regiment of 1200 men. Since the regiment was not accepted by President Polk, he became chief of General Worth's staff; was present at the battle of Monterey, and presented with a reward by the state of Louisiana for his gallantry in that battle; was appointed U.S. minister to Chili by President Taylor in 1849, serving, 1849-53, and practised law in San Francisco, Cal., 1853-58. He returned to Gallatin, Tenn., in 1859, and was an elector-at-large from Tennessee on the Bell and Everett ticket in 1860. He was a Unionist throughout the civil war, and a member of the Tennessee senate, 1869-70. He was married in 1830 to Ann Carr, daughter of William and Alethia (Eaton) Smith of Granville county, N.C. Their son, Balie Peyton, Jr., a lieutenant on the staff of Gen. F.K. Zollicoffer, of the Confederate army, was killed in the battle of Fishing Creek, Ky., Jan. 19, 1862. Peytonsville, Tenn., was named in honor of Balie Peyton, Sr., who died at Gallatin, Tenn., Aug. 19, 1878.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Gallatin, (Sumner County) Tennessee

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