E' .'.'V,' NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES 3 3433 08071689 1 11," ' V*. I* w \ .\. \ The Pedens of America BEING A SUMMARY OF THE "Pederiy Alexander^ Morton^ Morrow T(eunion i8gg AND AN OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE ANCESTRY AN^ DESCENDANTS OF John Peden and Margaret McDill Scotland Ireland America 17^8-1900 ELEANOR M. HE IVELL, House of David. Ji.'vrv ASTOB, LeN«X A«tO > 1911 «- I • f « f » ' : DEDICATED AFFECTIONATELY AND RESPECTFULLY BY THE AUTHOR TO Captain David Dantzler Peden Acknowledged and venerated Chief of the American Pedens, with whom originated the idea of a family book, and through whose generosity it is now presesented to the PEDENS OF AMERICA. CONTENTS. PART I. PAGE. Peden-Alexander-Morton-Morrow Reunion 9 PART II. CHAPTER. I. Ancestral Pride 67 II. Side Lights From Secular Historj' 70 III. The Flitting 86 IV. Our Fore-Fathers 93 V. The Peden in the Revolution 100 VI. Migrations of the Peden 109 VII. Old Haunts and Homes 118 VIII. Fairview and the Peden 128 IX. Peden—Christian—Patriot— Soldier 139 X. The Founders of a House 178 XL House of Mary 185 XIL House of James • • • 201 XIII. House of Jane 211 XIV. House of Thomas 217 XV. House of William 237 XVI. Elizabeth Gaston 243 XVII. House of John 246 XVIII. House of Samuel 250 XIX. House of Alexander 256 XX. House of David 269 XXI. In Reminiscent Mood 289 / / 'i- ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGR. 1. Fairview Church in 1900, Frontispiece. 2. Hon. Jno. R. Harrison, Capt. D. D. Peden, Dr. H. B. Stewart, W. H. Britt 9 3. Mrs. C. A. Shannon, Mrs. D. M. Peden, Rev. M. C. Britt, A. S. Peden 13 4. Peden Monument 17 5. Fairview Church Arranged for Reunion 19 6. Eleanor M. Hewell 64 7. Rev. Mitchell Peden 157 8. Rev. Andrew G. Peden 159 9. Capt. D. D. Peden 163 10. E. A. Peden, D. D. Peden, Jr., Allen V. Peden, Edward D. Peden 165 11. Mrs. E. M. Tolbert 168 12. John S. Peden 169 13. Julia Peden 175 14. The Race to the Rescue 177 PART I, Peden, Alexander, Morton, Morrow I Reunion. Hon. John R. Harrison. C.iPT. D. D. Peden. Dr. H. B. Stewart, IV. H. Uritt. PEDEN--ALEXA\DER--MORTON--MORROW REINION. To be Held at Fairview Presbyterian Church, Greenville Co., S. C, . August 15th and i6th, 1899. All descendants of John Peden and his wife ^Margaret (Peggy) ]\IcDill, who can possibly do so, are requested to join the undersigned in a family reunion at Fairview Presby- terian church, in Greenville County, S. C, on August 15th and 1 6th, 1899. From the best information obtainable, the parents of John Peden refugeed from Scotland to the Xortli of Ireland during the time of the religious persecution in the former country. He and his family came to the United States, first landing in I'ennsylvania, settling in Bucks and Chester counties; just how long they remained there we cannot say. About the year 1768 he (John) removed to the Spartan District, South Carolina, settling near Nazareth church, in what is now Spar- tanburg County. They had ten children. Sons—James, Thomas, William, John, Samuel, Alexander and David. Daughters—Hilary, who married James Alexander, Sr.,; Jane, who married Morton, after whose death she married Samuel Mor- row; Elizabeth, who married William Gaston. (The latter left no children.) As stated above, it is our design to have a reunion of as many of their descendants as possibly can attend at the place and time stated. It is our purpose to erect a monument in Fairview cemetery to the memory of these, our venerated ancestors, John and Margaret Peden. Presuming that all of the descendants would consider it a privilege to take part in this good work, they are hereby re- lo THE REUNION. quested to forward any amount (much or little) as they may feel able to give, to Mr. Adam S. Peden, treasurer, at Foun- tain Inn, Greenville County, S. C. The amount should be forwarded at once (this week, not next), as the cost, size and design of the monument will depend upon the amounts con- tributed. As the time will soon arrive for the reunion and much work will have to be done in the meantime, prompt action is absolutely necessary. There will be a receptacle in the monument (in the nature of a corner-stone) in which will be placed a list of the names of all contributors, with amounts given by each. We also request all descendants to bring or send individual or family photographs, with their names, postofhce address, etc., plainly written on same, to be placed in the receptacle- alluded to above. This feature may prove to be of inestimable interest and pleasure to our descendants, say one hundred years from now. Also bring or send any relics to be placed on exhibition. Kinsmen, remember the monument to honor our parents, who left us a good name is going to be erected, and if you wish to join us in the good work you must act immediately in forwarding your contribution. We take pleasure in vouching for the integrity and thorough reliability of our treasurer, Mr. Adam S. Peden, who is an elder of the old mother church (Fairview) that has done so much for the cause of Christianity for more than one hundred years. The treasurer will promptly acknowledge receipt of all amounts sent to him. Most interesting historical sketches and addresses will be heard an elaborate will ; program be arranged for the occa- sion, and copies will be sent to all who express a desire or in- tention to attend the reunion. Quite a number of the Pedens now spell their names P-a-d-e-n; of course, this invitation applies to them also; then there are a number of our kinsmen (Pedens and Padens) in the North and West, and elsewhere, they too, and all de- THE EEUNION. u scendants connected by marriage, are cordially invited to join with us in the reunion ceremonies. You are urgently requested to advise all other Peden, Alex- ander, Morton, and Morrow descendants, of your acquain- tance, of the plans set forth, invite them to attend the reunion anxl kindly ask your local papers to publish notices of this invitation, for the name of Peden is legion, and the bearers of it are widely scattered, and it is our desire that none be overlooked. Those who hear of the reunion and attend it will to be just as heartily welcomed as those known to us and whom these circulars are sent. It is very important that all who expect to attend should send their names as early as possible to Mr. A. S. Peden, Fountain Inn, S. C, so that the Arrangement Committee may provide entertainment for them. RECAPITULATION. 1st. Reunion of Peden descendants. 2nd. Place—Fairview church, Greenville County, S. C, (Railroad station, Fountain Inn, S. C.) 3rd. Time—August 15th and i6th, 1899. 4th. Contributions to be sent to A. S. Peden, Treasurer, Fountain Inn, S. C. monument. 5th. Send photographs to be placed in the 6th. Invite your descendants, and ask your local papers to print notices of the reunion. the week 7th. Importance of prompt action. Write you don't wait until next week of the week receive this notice ; after. We are respectfully your kinsmen, Hooper Alexander, Atlanta, Ga. M. C. Britt, Sparta, Ga. R. B. Morrow, Demopolis, Ala. S. M. Morrow, Somerville, Ala. Miss Emma Morton, Lancaster, Texas. Walter F. Morton, St. Paul, Minn. 12 THE EEUNION. Wm. D. Paden, Cameron, Texas. D. D. Peden, Houston, Texas. J. W. T. Peden, Van Vleet, Miss. Wm. Peden, Richburg, S. C. J. T. Peden, Graycourt, S. C. Adam S. Peden, Treasurer, Fountain Inn, S. C. >.*!?» Mrs. C. a. Shannon. ^ Mrs. D. M. Peden. Rev. M. C. Britt. ORDER OF EXERCISES. PEDEN-ALEXANDER-MORTON--MORROW REUNION To be Held August 15th and i6tli, 1899. Fairview Presbyterian Church, Fairview, Greenville County, South Carolina. COMMITTEES. Executive, On Monument, On Invitations, On Addresses, On Music, On Reception, On Badges, On Relics, On Finance, On Entertainment. On Amusement for Children. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. Dr. H. B. Stewart, Chairman. J. T. Peden. D. D. Peden. Adam S. Peden. Jno. R. Harrison. COMMITTEE ON ADDRESSES. Rev. M. C. Britt, Chairman. Dr. H. B. Stewart. M. P. Nash. Jno. T. Peden. COMMITTEE ON INVITATIONS. Hon. Hooper Alexander, Chairman. Rev. M. C. Britt. Wm. D. Peden. Rev. R. B. Morrow. J. W. T. Peden. Miss Emma Morton. Thomas Peden. D. D. Peden. J. T. Peden. A. S. Peden. 14 THE EEUNION. COMMITTEE ON MONUMENT. Capt. D. D. Peden, Chairman. W. Stewart Peden. J. Stewart Peden. L. Hayne Templeton. J. Wistar McDowell. COMMITTEE ON MUSIC. W. Hewell Britt, Chairman. Dr. H. Boardman Stewart. Miss Eugenia Dunbar Hewell. Mrs. Nannie Stewart Peden. Miss Lillie Helen Harrison. COMMITTEE ON RECEPTION. Hon. Jno. R. Harrison, Chairman. T. W. McDowell. J. Wistar Stewart. A. S. Peden. J. M. Peden. W. H. Britt. J. R. West. COMMITTEE ON BADGES. Adam S. Peden, Chairman. Dorroh D. Peden. Capt. David D. Peden. James F. Peden. COMMITTEE ON RELICS. James F. Peden, Chairman. M. White Fowler. Mrs. M. E. Britt. Mrs. E. M, Peden. G. Calvin Anderson. Jefferson D. McKittrick. COMMITTEE ON FINANCES. Adam S. Peden, Chairman. W. S. Peden. Jas. M. Peden. Jas. F. Peden. Jno. T. Peden. COMMITTEE ON AMUSEMENT FOR CHILDREN. Jones R. West, Chairman. W. S. Peden. Mrs. Calvin Anderson. Mrs. J. T. Peden. Mrs. Sue West. THE REUNION. 15 COMMITTEE ON ENTERTAINMENT. Mrs. Caroline Peden, Chairman. Mrs. A. S. Peden.