September 7, 2023 Natchez Trail, Mississippi
Most of the travel we have undertaken the past few years has been in pursuit of family ancestry. Bear and I have traced our genealogical origins through Scotland, England, and Denmark, we walked in the footsteps of later generations in Oregon, Missouri, Iowa, and all across western Canada. We even found traces of family roots in South Africa.
We didn’t come to the American South looking for our ancestry, but as we ventured into the heart of rural Mississippi, variations of the “Paton” surname kept popping up.
In Holly Ridge Mississippi we learned that a man named Charlie Patton is considered “the Father of the Delta Blues”. Patton was a pioneer Delta Blues musician, his influence inspired generations of artists who followed.
Another notable Delta Blues musician born in Mississippi was Asie Reed Payton. Payton recorded several albums on the wonderfully named “Fat Possum Records” label.
I Love You – Asie Payton
By a bizarre coincidence, both Delta Bluesmen, Patton and Payton, are buried in the same cemetery near Holly Ridge, Mississippi.
A little further up the trail at Raymond, Mississippi there is a landmark home called Peyton House. The 200-year-old historical building was once owned by John B. Peyton, a prominent Mississippi politician and slave owner.
Peyton served two terms in the Mississippi House of Representatives. During his tenure, he cast the deciding vote on a proposal to move the state capitol from Jackson to the town of Clinton. Peyton voted against the motion, which upset Judge Isaac Caldwell of Clinton. In a heated exchange Caldwell challenged Peyton to a duel. No one was killed in the exchange of fire, but Caldwell was grazed by the ball from Peyton’s rifle.
It is highly unlikely that we have a genealogical connection with Black Delta Blues musicians or Southern gentlemen …
… Or Do We?
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