Diary of John Peake

A SOLDIER OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, WHO LATER SETTLED IN CENTRAL ILLINOIS.

Introduction and Notes by Harold F. Crookes.

So far as is actually known at the present writing, the ancestry of John Peake, the subject of this sketch, cannot be traced beyond 1650. In the will of William Peake of Truro Parish, Fairfax County, Virginia, dated January 11th, 1761, and proved February 16, 1761, he speaks of lands bought by his father and grandfather in Stafford, Prince William and Fairfax counties, Virginia, which approximately would bring the time to the first named early date. In this will he mentions five children, the eldest of whom was John. John Peake of Fairfax County, planter and landholder, married Mary, and had seven children, second of whom was John Peake, the Revolutionary War soldier.

Of him very little is known. He was born on his father's plantation in Truro Parish on the banks of the Little Hunting Creek, December 28, 1756. Without doubt he studied law, for in 1808 his name is found affixed in the capacity of attorney to sundry court records in Nelson County, Kentucky.

In the early part of 1776, twenty-six companies of cavalry were organized in Virginia, called the "Virginia Horse." Henry Lee was given command of a troop composed of fiftytwo men, among whom were the brothers, William Peake, quartermaster sergeant, and John Peake, trooper. Washington, in a letter to Congress, August 30, 1776, writes, "This minute twenty-four British prisoners arrived, taken yesterday by Captain Lee of the Light-Horse." This company was the Fifth troop of the First regiment of Light Dragoons of

the Virginia Establishment, the whole being in command of Col. Theodorick Bland. The regiment joined Washington's command in New Jersey, April, 1777, and in August of that year it was with the main army in Delaware, watching the movements of the British. It was actively engaged in the Battle of Brandywine, September 11, 1777. At the Battle of Germantown, Washington ordered Lee with his troop to act as his body-guard, a distinction of no ordinary kind, when we consider the remarkable sagacity of Washington in the choice of persons to whom he trusted any duty of an important nature. The company spent the winter at Valley Forge. William Peake was a member of the expedition against Paulus Hook when "Light Horse Harry's" troop captured the British garrison of nearly two hundred; he was wounded in the head, but continued in the service and participated in the battles of Guilford Court House and Eutaw Springs, during which battle he was so seriously wounded in both head and arms as to prevent further participation in the war, and resigned February 28, 1779. He died in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, August 16, 1816.

When Col. Bland's regiment was transferred to General Washington's command, John Peake, who had enlisted in "Light Horse Harry's" troop in Fauquier County, found that his first enlistment for six months had expired, so as he desired to remain in Virginia, he re-enlisted September, 1777, for a term of three months in Captain Benjamin Harrison's company of Major Martin Pickett's command, the Thirteenth Regiment of the Virginia line. His health was effected by the rigors of a winter campaign and at the expiration of his second enlistment, January, 1778, he did not re-enlist, but retired to recuperate.

Trace of him is lost for the next thirty years and it is not until 1808 that the writer finds his name on court records in Bardstown, Nelson County, Kentucky. According to a niece of his, Lucy Peake Pride, who died in 1899, he never married, but made a home in Bardstown for his sisters, Mary and Sarah Peake, spinsters. Following their death, prior to 1837, he came to Salisbury, Sangamon County, Illinois, to visit his brother

Thomas, who had married in Virginia, Sarah Moss, (daughter to Abednego and Hannah (Moss) Adams of Fairfax County, Virginia, and in 1825 emigrated to South Union, Logan County, Kentucky, and from there on to Springfield, Illinois, which place they reached November 30, 1830, the "winter of the deep snow." With his brother he found a pleasant home, companionable people, and an audience ever ready to listen to his stories of the Revolution. He died in Salisbury, December 21, 1841, aged 85 years, and was buried in the old Salisbury burying ground, where his grave can still be seen. The funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. Oliver of the Methodiet church from I Corr. 15:57.

Among the personal effects of the late Margaret (Peake) Goodman, a niece of John Peake, was found a diary of his for the year 1837. The writing is remarkably clear and unfaded and while valuable for little else than the names of persons therein mentioned, and the insight given of the relig ious spirit of the time, it is said to be the only diary of a Revolutionary War soldier buried in Illinois known to be extant. This alone enhances its worth. It is appended herewith, and following it are biographical notes on the persons therein mentioned.

Revolutionary War Records Section.
3-525.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.

BUREAU OF PENSIONS.

I. S. C.-S. File 32,439. Rev. War.

Washington, D. C., May 13, 1915.

Mr. H. F. Crookes, 1009 S. Kenilworth Ave.,

Oak Park, Illinois.

Sir: In reply to your request of May 6, received May 10, for a statement of the military history of John Peake, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you will find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau.

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment-1776 or 1777. Sept. 1777.

Length of Service-6 months; 3 months.

Rank-Private.

Officers under whom Service was Rendered-Captain Henry Lee's Company of Dragoons; Captain Benjamin Harrison; Major Martin Pickett.

State-Virginia.

Battles engaged in,

Residence of Soldier at Enlistment-Fauquier County, Virginia.

Date of Application for Pension-December 2, 1833. His claim was allowed.

Residence at date of Application-Logan County, Kentucky.

Age at date of application-Born in 1756 in Fairfax County, Virginia.

Remarks: In 1837 he resided in Sangamon County, Illinois. Respectfully,

G. M. SALTZGABER,
Commissioner.

6-2856.

DATA FROM PENSION DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C.

JOHN PEAKE.

He enlisted in Captain Henry Lee's company of Dragoons in Dumfries, Prince William County, Virginia; was stationed there throughout his service for six months. Was taken sick and disqualified for service; discharged by Captain Lee. John Bellfield was a lieutenant and Henry Peyton a cornet in the same troop. In September, 1777, having recovered his health, he volunteered in a company of militia in Fauquier County for three months' service, Captain Benjamin Harrison, Captain; John Hathway, lieutenant. They rendezvoused at Fauquier Court House and there placed in a battalion or regiment commanded by Major Martin Pickett. On September 6, 1777, he marched for headquarters of General Washington, then in the

neighborhood of Germantown. On the march they met an express, who gave them an account of the battle of the Brandywine and they reached camp at headquarters the day after the battle of Germantown. At the end of the three months' enlistment he returned with Major Pickett to Fauquier County. He was a resident of the said Fauquier County.

Henry Lee was not a Continental until March 31st, 1777. His certificate of character was signed by John Littlejohn, a clergyman, and Arthur Slaughter, of Logan County, Kentucky.

An affidavit of Sally Peake, a sister, was attached. January 1, 1834, Logan County, Kentucky. He had a written discharge from Captain Lee, which was lost. He partially recovered his health and enlisted in Pickett's company, after three months in the Continental Army he returned and was very sick and under the doctor's care for several weeks. Signed-Sally Peake.

COPY OF THE DIARY OF JOHN PEAKE, THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR SOLDIER.

(Original in possession of Harold F. Crookes.)

1837. Sunday, January 1st. I went to Mr. Carter's' to a quarterly meeting and heard Mr. Cartwright preach from Luke 1st and 33, enjoyed the happy privilege of partaking the Holy Sacrament of the Lord's Holy Supper and returned to Mr. Carter's Supped and lodged.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 5th. I devoted to writing, breakfasted and supped every day.

NOTES IN REGARD TO PERSONS MENTIONED IN THE DIARY.

It is impossible to say positively who the pioneer preachers mentioned are, but the men mentioned in the notes were noted pioneer preachers and were preaching in Sangamon County and Central Illinois at the time the diary was written (1837).

Note 1. William Brown Carter of Fairfax County, Virginia, married Mary Adams Peake, a daughter of Thomas Peake, who was born in Virginia, October 27th, 1801, and died April 16tn, 1843, at Salisbury, Illinois. There were nine children born of this union.

Note 2. Peter Cartwright, the famous pioneer preacher.