[9] The late Major Thomas Preston Lewis, the youngest son of Major John Lewis, of the Sweet Springs, a man of many noble traits of character, who died unmarried in Augusta county in 1877, deeply regretted. I hope Susan and John are diligently employed at school, and that the rest of our small fry are doing well. The mildness of the season has presented my feeling any inconvenience from having no woolen shirts. Woodville joins me in love to yourself and the children, to Sarah and Thomas. Your affectionate husband, JOHN H. PEYTON. SAME TO SAME. Lexington, Va., Sept. 19th, 1834. _My Dear Ann_: On the day I left home I reached here in good time, but by some misadventure took a cold which has kept me coughing ever since. The heat of the weather and my heavy clothing has caused a reaction and I hope soon to be myself again. I found Col. Benton and his family[10] at James McDowell's, and spent some time with them very pleasantly--they will pay us a visit in October. I am stopping as usual at Taylor's, they are so pressing in their invitations and will admit of no excuses that I have fallen into the habit of making their house my home while here. [10] Hon. Thomas H. Benton, U. S. Senator for Missouri, and author of "_Thirty Years' View; or, a history of the working of the American Government for thirty years, from 1820 to 1850_." Colonel Benton married Miss McDowell, a sister of Governor James McDowell, a cousin of Mrs. J. H. Peyton. Mr. Poindexter is in Lexington, and will marry to-day the widow Lewis. The wedding is to be private, and the happy pair will leave immediately in their barouche for Eastern Virginia. James McDowell and wife have just gone to a meeting of the Preston family in Abingdon with a view to the adjustment of your grandfather and grandmother's estates, and though your mother will not be represented in this meeting her claim, while the claims of others is adjusted, cannot be overlooked. I hope therefore, when they return to hear something satisfactory. Nath'l Hart, of Kentucky, has been chiefly instrumental, I understand, in bringing about this meeting. Write me on Monday addressed to the Warm Springs and let me hear how you all are. Give my love to my mother and the children. I am your affectionate husband, JOHN H. PEYTON. SAME TO SAME. Norfolk, Dec. 19, 1835. _My dear wife_: