Peter Wilson HAIRSTON

HAIRSTON.org ID#392, b. 25 November 1819, d. 17 February 1886
Father*Samuel HAIRSTON1 b. 19 Nov 1788, d. 2 Mar 1875
Mother*Agnes John Peter WILSON b. 22 Dec 1801, d. 12 Mar 1880
Birth*Peter Wilson HAIRSTON was born on 25 November 1819 in Oak Hill, Pittsylvania, Virginia.2,3,4 
He was the son of Samuel HAIRSTON and Agnes John Peter WILSON.1 
CollegeEnrolled in the University of Virginia Law School in 1837, but dropped out of school in 1839 due to illness.5 
College*Peter Wilson HAIRSTON graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1837. - The Weekly Standard, Raleigh, North Carolina, June 28, 1837, Page 3.5 
AnecdoteOn October 19, 1843, Peter Hairston and George Hairston traveled to Liverpool, England on the SS Great Western. At that time the Great Western took about 16 days to cross the Atlantic. Peter and George toured England, France and Italy for 9 months. Their departure was listed in the New-York Daily Tribune on October 21, 1843.



On their return trip they arrived in the port of Shoreham, England on 16 May 1844 returning from Le Harve, France and then returned to Boston on the RMS Britannia on July 3, 1844.


The Sun, Baltimore, Maryland, July 6, 1844, Page 1.6,7 
Marriage*He married Columbia LaFayette STUART, daughter of Archibald STUART and Elizabeth Letcher PANNILL, on 28 October 1849 in Patrick, Virginia; Minister John L. Prichard, recorded 8 November 1849.8,9 
Residence*Peter Wilson HAIRSTON lived in 1850 in Cooleemee Plantation, Davie, North Carolina. 
Census 1850*He appeared on the census of 6 September 1850 in Davie, North Carolina,


Year: 1850; Census Place: Davie, North Carolina; Roll: M432_628; Page: 418B; Image: 401.10 
Death Spouse*"DIED - On the night of 2d of August, at the residence of her husband, in Davie county, N. C., Mrs. C. L. HAIRSTON, wife of Peter W. Hairston, Esq., and daughter of the late Hon. Archibald Stuart, of Virginia, in the 27th year of her age." - Richmond Dispatch, Richmond, Virginia, Friday, August 7, 1857, page 2. Note: Her brother was General J.E.B. Stuart. 
Marriage*He married Fannie McCoy CALDWELL, daughter of David Franklin CALDWELL and Fannie ALEXANDER, on 22 June 1859 in Rowan, North Carolina.11,12,13 
Anecdote*Peter and his bride Fanny obtained a passport on August 1, 1859, signed by J. E. B. Stuart, and traveled to England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy on their honeymoon. They returned to New York on the Steamship Vanderbilt on 28 April 1860 after a voyage from Le Harve, France via Southhampton, England.6

 
Census 1860*Peter Wilson HAIRSTON appeared on the census of 14 August 1860 in Liberty, Davie, North Carolina,


Year: 1860; Census Place: Liberty, Davie, North Carolina; Roll: M653_896; Page: 72; Image: 144; Family History Library Film: 803896.12 
Military*Civilian volunteer aide-de-camp to Brig. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart (Peter's brother-in-law) from May 1861 to October 1861. Was at Battle of Manassas. He was also an aide to General Jubal Anderson Early in 1863.5

 
MilitaryWar Diary - Attached is a transcript of a portion of Peter's War Diary when he was with General Early during the months of November and December in 1863. -->
WillHe was mentioned in the will of Ruth Stovall Hairston on 7 April 1866 in Berry Hill, Pittsylvania, Virginia; Mentions: Peter W. Hairston (1819-1886), Ruth Stoval Hairston (1827-1889), Samuel Pannill Wilson (1822-1894), Alice Alcey Hairston (1830-1914), Samuel Hardin Hairston (1822-1870), Ruth H. Wilson (daughter of Samuel and Ruth Wilson), William Lash Hairston (1863-1927), Samuel Hairston (1788-1875), Agnes John Peter Wilson (1801-1880) and deceased George Hairston (1822-1866).14
Census 1870*Peter Wilson HAIRSTON was Head of Household on 21 June 1870 in Ward 11, Baltimore, Maryland,


Year: 1870; Census Place: Baltimore Ward 11, Baltimore, Maryland; Roll: M593_576; Page: 78A; Image: 159; Family History Library Film: 552075.15 
Will*He left a will on 30 September 1874 in Baltimore, Maryland. A copy of the 1874 will of Peter W. Hairston was filed and recorded in the Lowndes County, Mississippi Will Book 1, page 513. FSL #5835939, image 380.16
Occupation*He was a merchant in Baltimore with firm "Herbert and Hairston". in 1880.6 
Census 1880*He appeared on the census of 3 June 1880 in Sauratown, Stokes, North Carolina.17

 
Death*He died on 17 February 1886 in Baltimore, Maryland, at age 66.2 
ObituaryNEW YORK TIMES - "Peter W. Hairston, of the commission house of Herbert & Hairston, of Baltimore, died suddenly in his office about noon yesterday from a stroke of apoplexy. He was a native of Virginia, aged 65 years and embarked in business at the close of the late war in connection with the late Gen. James R. Herbert." - New York Times, February 18, 1886. 
Burial*He was buried in Berry Hill Cemetery, Pittsylvania, Virginia.2,3

 
ObituaryCAROLINA WATCHMAN - A note from Dr. J. A. Caldwell to the editors of this paper says: "Mr. P. W. Hairston died of apoplexy at his place of business, 85 South Charles street, Baltimore, at fifteen minutes to 12 o'clock, m., an hour after he was seized. He was buried at the Hairston family burial ground at Berry Hill Pittsylvania Co., Va. The deceased was held in great esteem for his kindness of heart; and such was the affection of his former slaves for him that some rode nearly forty miles to see him put away in his last resting place."
Dr. Caldwell and his niece, Miss Francis Fisher, went from this place to attend the burial.
A Baltimore paper of the 17th inst. says: "Mr. Hairston was in the office at about 11 o'oclock pleasantly conversing with Mr. Owens and several other merchants. He was observed by Mr. Owens to draw up one of his legs, and he almost immediately afterwards fell back in an unconscious condition. The usual restoratives were applied, but he died one hour after he had been stricken down.
Mr. Hairston came from Virginja sometime after the war and associated himself in business with the late Gen. James R. Herbert. The deceased was a member of the Corn and Flour Exchange. He leaves a widow (who is at present on a visit to North Carolina, where her husband owned considerable property), two sons, Frank C. and Peter Hairston, and two daughters.
He was 65 years of age. A letter from Mrs. Hairston to her husband arrived at the office just after be expired.
The death of Mr. Hairston caused much surprise, and numerous expressions of regret among his brother merchants on Charles street. His eldest son, Frank, one of the clerks employed in the establishment, was almost prostrated by the shock caused by his futher's sudden death. Mr. Hairston was a gentleman of fine physique and a genial disposition. The Fliag on the Corn and Flour Exchange was placed at half-mast out of respect to his memory. -- Carloina Watchman, Salisbury, North Carolina, Thusrady, Februray 25, 1886, Page 3.
. 
Obituary*THE WESTERN SENTINEL - MAJ. PETER W. HAIRSTON
Sudden Death of the Largest Land Ownder in North Carolina
W. S. in Danbury Reporter
Peter Wilson Hairston died suddenly at Baltimore, Thursday, 17th, inst., and was buried at Oak Hill, Pittsylvania Co., Va., where he was born in the year of 1819. He was the son of Samuel Hairston, and a grandson of Peter Hairston, who was one of the early settlers in this county. His great grand-father on his maternal side was Peter Perkins, who was associated with James Taylor in making iron in this county, as he had done before the "Troublesome Iron Works" in Guiliford county, and who received a grant, from Goerge III, to an estate Bury Hill, in Pittsylvania Co., Va., the title of which is now in the possesion of the family. He was educated at the University of Virginia; and was sometime on Gen. Stuart's staff during the war between the States. After the war he associated himself with others in establishing the commission house of Herbert, Hairston & Co., Baltimore, since which time it has been his custom to spend a portion of each year, with his household, at Baltimore, and at Sauratown his residence in this county; in this way contrasting the busy and varied scenes of city life with the seclusion on an isolated retreat -- where he dispensed a hospitality the fullness of which was only measured by the openness of his heart. He was twice married, first to Miss Stuart, of Henry Co., Va., afterward to Miss Fanny, daughter of Judge Caldwell, by whom he had issue of four children.
The pen of the writer does not attempt, in this brief announcement, to trace his tastes, sympathies, and temperament; nor to characterize, a man, whose life was duly appreciated and recognized by the judgement of his associates. Though a regular attendant at the services of the Episcopal Church it is not know to the writer that he was a member of the Church. Indeed the language of America's first orator, Edward Everett, would to our mind, aptly illustrate his religious feelings -- "In like manner, the stream of practical piety flowed through the heart and conduct of our departed friend, but fleecy clouds of silent reverence hover over the current, and a firm and rational faith was principally manifested not in sectarian professions, but in a chasened temper, a pure conversation, and an upright life."
The spirit of one who possessed much geniality of manner and grace of mind has passed from earth. - The Western Sentinel, Winston, N.C., March 4, 1886, page 1. 
Probate*His estate was probated on 10 April 1886 in Baltimore City, Maryland; On 10 April 1886, Francis C. Hairston declines to be administor of his father's will and states that he was well acquainted with Peter W. Hairston, Jr. and that Peter Jr. is 7 years old and his brother. - Baltimore City Will Books 1885-1886, page 551. FSL #4663370 image 576.
Probate*His estate was probated on 17 November 1886 in Will Book 1, page 380., Lowndes, Mississippi.16

Family 1

Columbia LaFayette STUART b. 28 May 1830, d. 2 Aug 1857
Children

Family 2

Fannie McCoy CALDWELL b. 29 Aug 1834, d. 24 Jun 1907
Children
ChartsDescendant Chart (#1)
Descendant Chart (#2)
Descendant Chart Box

Sources (www.HAIRSTON.org)

  1. [S24] Hall, Wm. Kearney 1918-2011. Descendants of Nicholas Perkins of Virginia. 1957 Ann Arbor, Michigan., Hathi Trust Digital Library.
  2. [S14] Berry Hill Plantation Cemetery, Pittsylvania County, Virginia.
  3. [S257] Obituary.
  4. [S3812] Bible of Peter Hairston - Saura Town Hill, Dan River, Stokes, North Carolina. The Holy Bible Inclusinf The Old and New Testaments, and the Apocrypha..., London: Printed for C. G. J. and I. Robinson, Pater-Noster Row. 1793., Library of Virginia.
  5. [S30] Trout, Robert J., They Followed the Plume The Story of J.E.B. Stuart and His Staff, Stackpole Books, Mechanicsburg, PA, 1993, Personal Collection - printed book.
  6. [S32] Peter Wilson Hairston Papers, Manuscripts Department, Library of the University of North Carolina
    at Chapel Hill.
  7. [S228] England, Alien Arrivals, 1810-1811, 1826-1869,. The National Archives (TNA), London, England.
  8. [S70] Marriages of Patrick County, Virginia 1791-1850, Lela C. Adams, (Bassett, VA 1972).
  9. [S3062] Bible - Stuart Family 1795-1877, Virginia Historical Society, Richmond, Virginia.
  10. [S1850] 1850 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  11. [S176] North Carolina, Marriage Records, 1741-2011 - Provo, Utah, Ancestry.com.
  12. [S1860] 1860 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  13. [S3840] A History of Rowan County, North Carolina : containing sketches of prominent families and distinguished men, with an appendix / by Jethro Rumple, Hathi Trust Digital Library.
  14. [S3673] Will of Ruth Stovall Hairston - 7 April 1866 - Will was written in Pittsylvania County, Virginia in 1866 and Ruth died in same county. Copies were also filed in Stokes County, North Carolina and Haywood County, Tennessee. PDF copy of Stokes County, NC filing is attached. Haywood County, Tennessee Will Book I, page 336. FamilySearch IGN: 00477660, image 205-207.
  15. [S1870] 1870 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  16. [S3520] Will of Peter W. Hairston 1874, Lowndes County, MS 1886 - Mississippi Probate Records, 1781-1930," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99Q6-RXXL : 21 May 2014), Lowndes > Wills 1847-1889 vol 1 > image 303 of 341; county courthouses and public libraries, Mississippi., Lowndes County Courthouse,.
  17. [S1880] 1880 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
Last Edited22 May 2026