[2][3] Born in Montgomery County where his mother, the former Susanna Strother Madison (1780-1830) was traveling and visiting relatives, William M. Peyton was descended on both sides to several of the First Families of Virginia.

[11][12] Upon reaching legal age, Peyton inherited land and slaves in Virginia and Kentucky from his mother (that his father had managed during his minority), and became a wealthy man, and richer yet after his advantageous marriage.

[13] Despite his disinclination for legal practice and preference for traveling and the arts, Peyton followed his father's direction and began reading for the bar in 1824.

[15] Peyton returned home to his peripatetic legal practice, from which he would retire a number of years later because of continuing health problems.

He moved from Staunton to Hot Springs in Bath County, Virginia after his marriage, because his wife had inherited that lucrative and health-promoting property (which he would sell for $300,000 in 1864).

During his travels, Peyton met General Andrew Jackson, whom he would later support politically (and even stay as a guest in the White House in 1831), to his father's consternation.

[18] Peyton also declined appointment as secretary to the delegation to France led by William Cabell Rives, whom he would later support politically.

Richie supported Fleming Bowyer Miller (much to the disgust of George Mayse of Bath County) and Prichard, who defeated Peyton and Shanks.

[3] Peyton also accepted a gubernatorial appointment as the state's representative on the James River and Kanahwa Canal company, which could transport the coal to market once mines were developed.

[28] Federal spies kept watch on Peyton, who had been living and conducting coal-related business in New York City when Virginia seceded.

[29] Although his plans to escape New York for first Europe and then Mexico were foiled, after the Confederate defeats at Philippi and Rich Mountain (which led to the creation of West Virginia), Peyton managed to escape to Montreal, Quebec, Canada, from which he made his way back through Toledo, Ohio and Indiana, thence to Kentucky, East Tennessee and ultimately home to Virginia, although his health had been shattered.

[32] On January 25, 1868, Peyton arrived at the Montgomery County home of his brother in law Alexander P. Eskridge, having just witnessed the death of his son-in-law Walter Preston in Abingdon.