He Burned Their Debts

 

Huntersville was the location of the superior court of Pocahontas County. It was a place where William Madison Peyton's clients would assemble when the court was in session.

Peyton's Visit to Huntersville:

• Client Apprehension: When Peyton sent notes to his clients that he would be attending the court in Huntersville, those who owed him money were filled with apprehension, fearing that he would demand immediate payment of their debts. There was a money panic at the time, causing a great deal of financial difficulty.
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• Large Assembly: When the court term began, large crowds gathered, as was common in Virginia on assize days.
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• Meeting with Clients: Peyton met with his clients in his lodgings, and then invited them to a large room where he had a censer with burning coals. He greeted them and inquired about their families before announcing his intention to retire from the bar due to ill health.
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• Burning of Bonds: Peyton then took out a tin box filled with his clients' bonds, causing many of them to shudder, as they recognized their debts. However, Peyton stated that these notes were for his professional services, though the truth was that he had rendered little to no service to many of those who owed. He then proceeded to burn all of the bonds in the censer.
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• Public Dinner Invitation: The next day, Peyton's clients invited him to a public dinner.
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• Peyton's Departure: When the committee arrived at his lodgings, they found him gone, having left early that morning on a road that did not lead to his home in Staunton. Instead, he took a route that led to the Hot Springs, a common practice for him as he often traveled off the beaten path to visit areas of scenic beauty.

Significance of the Huntersville Visit:

• The incident at Huntersville showcases Peyton's character, his generosity, and his dramatic flair. Despite having a legitimate claim to the money his clients owed him, he relieved them of their debts.
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• Peyton's actions in Huntersville demonstrate that he was not primarily motivated by financial gain and was more concerned with his reputation among the people.
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• The way Peyton left town and did not attend the dinner that was planned for him shows that he did not want any public recognition of his actions.
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• The description of this event offers a glimpse into the legal practices and financial climate of the time, while emphasizing Peyton's integrity and care for his clients.