My Genealogy Hound

Capt. Peyton H. Craig, clerk and master of the chancery court at Waynesboro, Tenn., was born in Maury County, Tenn., August 28, 1836, son of William and Amanda (Copeland) Craig, both of whom were born in North Carolina. Johnson Craig, our subject’s grandfather, came with his family to Tennessee in December, 1806, and located near Mount Pleasant, where he followed stock raising and farming, and reared a family of fifteen children, and lived to see them all married and with families of their own. He died in Lawrence County about 1845. The father was reared in Maury County and married in Williamson County. In 1853 he moved to Missouri, and died in Laclede County in 1869. The mother died in Maury County, Tenn., when Peyton H. was an infant two weeks old, leaving three other children. The father raised a family of five daughters by his second marriage. Our subject was reared on his great-uncle’s (William Blackwood) farm, and secured a good academic education. He prepared himself for teaching, which occupation he began at the age of seventeen years. In July, 1862, he abandoned domestic pursuits and enlisted as a private in Company A, Ninth Tennessee Cavalry, Confederate States Army. In 1863 he organized a company and attached it to the Twentieth Tennessee Cavalry (Col. George H. Nixon), and served as its captain until near the close of the war. He was captured at Ashland by the Federals shortly before the surrender, but was soon paroled. He farmed in Wayne County, and also taught school during the fall and winter months, and in 1873 was appointed clerk and master under Chancellor Nixon, and has served continuously, by reappointment, to the present time. It may be said to his credit that he has discharged the duties of this most important office in a highly satisfactory and efficient manner. In 1859 he wedded Martha A. Mitchell, who died in October, 1871, leaving four children: Mary A. (Mrs. G. W. Jackson), Laura B. (wife of Dr. S. A. Smith), Sallie B. and Wilton. The Captain’s second wife, Laura W. Ramsey, died in March, 1875, after less than two years of married life, leaving one child, now deceased. In 1882 he married his present wife, Miss J. Harvey, of Lawrenceburg, who has borne him one son — William Harvey. Capt. Craig is a Democrat, and takes an active interest in political affairs, not only in his county, but in the judicial circuit and State at large. He was, however, an old line Whig, as were his father and grandfather. He is a Mason of Royal Arch and Council degree, being Grand Marshal of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee. He is Secretary of the Grand Convocation of Past Masters of the State, and is High Priest of the local chapter, and Master of the lodge at Waynesboro. He is also a member of the K. of H., and he and wife are church members.