Administrative Information

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Preferred Citation

Peter Heiskell. Deed, 1811 Dec. 6. Accession 38577, Personal papers collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Acquisition Information

Purchased 13 November 2000.

Biographical/Historical Information

Peter Heiskell was a prominent and wealthy citizen in Staunton, owning much property in the town of Staunton and many slaves. He came to Staunton from Frederick County, sometime between 1780 and 1790, and was believed to be the founder of Staunton's Washington Tavern. He conducted business at the tavern for many years and later owned and operated a mercantile business. He married Susannah Heiskell and had at least eleven children who survived into adulthood. Heiskell also was a member of the Presbyterian Church. It was reported in the Staunton Spectator and General Advertiser that he died of apoplexy (stroke) during his 83rd year on 4 November 1841. His will was proved on 22 November 1841 in Augusta County and is recorded in Augusta County Will Book 24, page 182.

John C. Sowers was born in 1779, the son of Jacob and Isabella Hampton Sowers. He, like Peter Heiskell, was also a prominent and wealthy Staunton citizen and a member of the Presbyterian Church. He served in the War of 1812 as 1st Lieutenant of the Staunton Artillery. By war's end Sowers had risen to the rank of captain. Sowers married Mary Lauck Heiskell (1784-1862) and reared at least five children. According to the Staunton Spectator and General Advertiser, he died 22 September 1843 after a prolonged illness. His will is recorded in Augusta County Will Book 25, page 304.

Jacob Peck was born 14 October 1745 in Frederick County, Virginia. He married Mary Coursey on 24 February 1778 in Orange, Orange County, Virginia. The next year he was appointed constable in Augusta County. He also served in a company of Thomas Smith's Augusta County militia during the Revolutionary War. Following the war his first wife died. He then married his second wife Elizabeth Butt on 9 March 1789 in Augusta County, Virginia. After she died Peck married a woman named Catherine (surname undetermined). Jacob Peck died 22 September 1827 in Staunton, Virginia. His will is recorded in Augusta County Will Book 16, page 103.

Scope and Content Information

Deed, 6 December 1811, for land purchased by Peter Heiskell (b. ca. 1758-1841) and John C. Sowers (1779-1843) from Jacob Peck (1745-1827), all of Staunton, Augusta County, Virginia. Recorded in Augusta County Deed Book 37, page 265.