Thomas Jefferson Papers

John H. Peyton to Thomas Jefferson, 24 February 1820

From John H. Peyton

Staunton Feby 24th 1820

Dear Sir

I have the pleasure of informing you that I have at length procured the appointment of commissioners in your suit with the Rivanna Company—They consist of the following Genl Charles Scott, John H. Cocke John Clarke, David Watson & George Fleming—The reason of the delay has been a conciliatory disposition in the chancellor who gave the counsel of the Rivanna company an opportunity of communicating with that company—The company I understand proposed several of the persons nominated by you from the persons named on both sides the chancellor has struck the five above named any three or more of whom may act—I would have sent you by this mail a copy of the decree with the blanks filled but it is not made out

I am Dr Sir with great respect yr obt Sert

John H. Peyton

RC (MHi); dateline beneath signature; endorsed by TJ as received 2 Mar. 1820 and so recorded in SJL. RC (MoSHi: TJC-BC); address cover only; with PoC of TJ to David L. Morril, 5 Apr. 1820, on verso; addressed: “Thomas Jefferson Esquire Late President U States Monticello”; franked; postmarked Staunton, 28 Feb.

The chancellor was John Brown (1762–1826). The counsel for the Rivanna Company may have been Daniel Sheffey, who had likely authored the 7 Apr. 1818 Answer of the President and Directors of the Rivanna Company to TJ’s Bill of Complaint, the latter of which is printed above at 9 Feb. 1817.

Index Entries

  • Brown, John (1762–1826); Va. superior court judge search
  • Clarke, John (1766–1844); as commissioner inJefferson v. Rivanna Company search
  • Cocke, John Hartwell (1780–1866); as commissioner inJefferson v. Rivanna Company search
  • Fleming, George; as commissioner inJefferson v. Rivanna Company search
  • Jefferson v. Rivanna Company; commissioners in search
  • Peyton, John Howe; andJefferson v. Rivanna Company search
  • Peyton, John Howe; letters from search
  • Scott, Charles A.; as commissioner inJefferson v. Rivanna Company search
  • Sheffey, Daniel; andJefferson v. Rivanna Company search
  • Watson, David (1773–1830); as commissioner inJefferson v. Rivanna Company search