[4] His mother was Anne Montgomery Lewis, and his father was John Howe Peyton, a Virginia lawyer, politician, and planter.

[12] Peyton practiced law until 1851, when he was sent by the U.S. Secretary of State Daniel Weber on special mission to England, France and Austria for the Millard Fillmore administration.

[5][1] Starting in 1861, he worked as a Confederate States Army commissioner, seeking support in Europe where he was living.

[14] Peyton wrote about various historical subjects, including his own travels and his family history.

[1] In 1964, his heir's sold the Steephill family estate to Staunton Military Academy.