llen Stimpson Peniston
The above animation is of my great-great-great-grandmother, Soapy Smith's grandmother, Ellen Peniston. She was born, Ellen Stimpson Peniston, March 4, 1802 in Petersburg, Virgina. Daughter of Samuel Peniston and Ariana Sleymaker. She was never able to hold her grandson in her arms, as she passed away just eleven days before he was born.
Ellen was educated in Annapolis and Baltimore, Maryland. In a letter from her sister to a niece, she is described as the “Belle of Virginia” and “the Flower of Georgia.” Another family letter boldly states that she was the most educated lady in Georgia.
Ellen was educated in Annapolis and Baltimore, Maryland. In a letter from her sister to a niece, she is described as the “Belle of Virginia” and “the Flower of Georgia.” Another family letter boldly states that she was the most educated lady in Georgia.
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| Ellen Stimpson Peniston Copied from the original tintype photograph |
Ellen married Dr. Ira Ellis Smith in Petersburg, Virginia on December 6, 1821. They had 11 children together (ten boys and one girl).
She died October 23, 1860 in Coweta County, Georgia where she rests in final peace at Oak Hill Cemetery in Newnan, Georgia. Her sermon was given by Rev. Alexander Means, DD LLD., who read from Psalms 73, verses 24 and 25. In a family bible under her name it reads, "In sure prospects of a blessed immorality."
She died October 23, 1860 in Coweta County, Georgia where she rests in final peace at Oak Hill Cemetery in Newnan, Georgia. Her sermon was given by Rev. Alexander Means, DD LLD., who read from Psalms 73, verses 24 and 25. In a family bible under her name it reads, "In sure prospects of a blessed immorality."
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| Ellen Stimpson Peniston Enhanced and colorized |
(Click image to enlarge)
In 2011 on a research trip I and two cousins took a trip to Newnan, Georgia for a presentaion I was giving to the historical society, and while there we went to the Oak Hill cemetery, hoping to find the where-abouts of the missing Smith family graves, including Ellen's. We were there with the president of the Coweta County Historical Society, hoping we might find the graves. The president brought us over to the Peniston family plots and figured the Smith's should be nearby. He happen to peek around a bush, and to our surprise there they all were. Turns out, the cemetery had changed the name and numbering system of that location many decades ago, but for some reason never thought to update the maps and records, so all this time we were looking in the wrong place.
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| The graves of Ellen Stimpston Peniston and husband Dr. Ira Ellis Smith Descendants Geri Murphy, Jeff Smith and Jeannie Schaffner |
(Click image to enlarge)
THE DUEL IN ELLEN'S HONOR
Ellen’s
brother John Gilbert Peniston tells of a duel fought on Wednesday August 9, 1820 (some accounts say September)
over eighteen-year-old Ellen. It took place in St. Petersburg,
Virginia, where Ellen found herself in the midst of two young men, Robert C. Adams and 18-year-old, James Bowe Boisseau, vying for her attention. The happiness of the day soon turned to horror as the competition took a deadly turn, one in which both gentlemen were killed.
The two young men agreed to fight a duel in a secluded church lot. Both being apparent good pistoliers, they shot and killed one another. It has been written that Ellen never completely got over the fact that she had been partly responsible for the deaths. The attending physician at the fight was Ira Ellis Smith, who within seventeen months would take Ellen as his bride.
The following, minus footnotes, is post from my book, Alias Soapy Smith: The Life and Death of a Scoundrel.
As the account goes, Adams offered Ellen a cold drink, thus offending Boisseau, who then challenged Adams to the pistol duel. Their combat took place in a secluded yard behind the Old Blandford church and cemetery. Both men were apparently adequate shots as each was killed by the other. Some blamed Ellen for the deaths, causing her great distress, and she never escaped feeling responsible. It is said that Dr. Ira Smith was the physician present when the duel took place. On December 6 (or 26), 1821, approximately a year after the duel, Ira married Ellen.
Adams and Boisseau were from prominent families. The church, cemetery, and one of the dueling pistols used in the duel may be seen at the Old Blandford Church museum on US routes 301-460 Crater Road, St. Petersburg, Virginia, but unfortunately, the museum will not allow anyone to post a photograph of the pistol, so I cannot show it here.
The following, minus footnotes, is post from my book, Alias Soapy Smith: The Life and Death of a Scoundrel.
Ira Ellis Smith’s wife Ellen, in a letter from her sister to a niece, is described as the “Belle of Virginia” and “the Flower of Georgia.” Another family letter in 1932 boldly states that she was the most educated lady in Georgia. Another letter by Ellen’s brother John Gilbert Peniston tells of a duel fought in September 1820 over the sixteen-year-old Ellen. It took place in St. Petersburg, Virginia, between R. C. Adams and James B. Boisseau. She was “Educated in Baltimore,” and
her accomplishments equaled her personal charm, so it was no wonder that she should have many lovers. Admiring friends gave her a party in her honor. During the evening one man showed her such marked attention that her escort became jealous and challenged his rival to fight a duel. The next day the word came to Ellen that both men had been killed. A sad shock to her, though she loved neither of them. … In old Blandford churchyard both men, Adams and Boisseau, were buried.
As the account goes, Adams offered Ellen a cold drink, thus offending Boisseau, who then challenged Adams to the pistol duel. Their combat took place in a secluded yard behind the Old Blandford church and cemetery. Both men were apparently adequate shots as each was killed by the other. Some blamed Ellen for the deaths, causing her great distress, and she never escaped feeling responsible. It is said that Dr. Ira Smith was the physician present when the duel took place. On December 6 (or 26), 1821, approximately a year after the duel, Ira married Ellen.
Adams and Boisseau were from prominent families. The church, cemetery, and one of the dueling pistols used in the duel may be seen at the Old Blandford Church museum on US routes 301-460 Crater Road, St. Petersburg, Virginia, but unfortunately, the museum will not allow anyone to post a photograph of the pistol, so I cannot show it here.
(Click image to enlarge)
In family hands, is a letter written in 1903 by Ellen's brother, John Gilbert Peniston, pertaining to his sister Ellen and the tragic duel. The letter (see below) was deciphered and transcribed by family genealogist, Ellen Peniston Rafeedie.
(Click image to enlarge)
On the Family Tree Maker site I found the following email from A. S. Boisseau to Anne Stiller (January 1999)
Not sure I agree with the "vain and thoughtless girl" part, but we have to remember this was written from the other side of the fence and that's just the way they may have seen her. They might be correct if their statement is true that Ellen "engaged herself to two young men at the same time ..." By "engaged" do they mean "engaged" to be married or "engaged" in conversations with two men at once? Our family history states that Ellen accepted a drink from one of the young men, which enraged the other, and the duel was challenged. I am told by one historian that Regency era etiquette at a party scene as was the case when the challenge was made, is that it is expected that all party guests mingle with everyone, even if dating or promised to one man or woman. Ellen had no control or voice in the matter once the dueling challenge was made. With all that said, if a woman is the core reason for a duel, the women is blamed by society.
This James B. Boisseau was killed in the duel at Blanford Cemetery, and was reported in newspapers across the state ( I have copies from 10 or 11 different papers).
The story runs that about the year 1820, Ellen Peniston, of Petersburg, Va., engaged herself to two young men at the same time, in a spirit of harmless coquetry, but the two gentlemen took the matter seriously enough to fight a duel over it. They were named Adams and Boisseau, and the fatal encounter took place just back of the old Blandford church, in a pine grove now marked by the graves of the Hamilton family. The two former friends fell dead at the first shot, and the vain and thoughtless girl lived to mourn their hot-headed deed the rest of her life, which continued to a ripe age. (Annals of the Fowler Family Author: Glenn D.F. Arthur Call Number: CS71.F681x, p. 149) Killed in a duel at Old Blandford Church, Petersburg, VA where he fought a man named Adams for the affections of Miss Pennister[sic], a celebrated beauty. Both men, young college students, died almost simultaneously.
The story runs that about the year 1820, Ellen Peniston, of Petersburg, Va., engaged herself to two young men at the same time, in a spirit of harmless coquetry, but the two gentlemen took the matter seriously enough to fight a duel over it. They were named Adams and Boisseau, and the fatal encounter took place just back of the old Blandford church, in a pine grove now marked by the graves of the Hamilton family. The two former friends fell dead at the first shot, and the vain and thoughtless girl lived to mourn their hot-headed deed the rest of her life, which continued to a ripe age. (Annals of the Fowler Family Author: Glenn D.F. Arthur Call Number: CS71.F681x, p. 149) Killed in a duel at Old Blandford Church, Petersburg, VA where he fought a man named Adams for the affections of Miss Pennister[sic], a celebrated beauty. Both men, young college students, died almost simultaneously.
Not sure I agree with the "vain and thoughtless girl" part, but we have to remember this was written from the other side of the fence and that's just the way they may have seen her. They might be correct if their statement is true that Ellen "engaged herself to two young men at the same time ..." By "engaged" do they mean "engaged" to be married or "engaged" in conversations with two men at once? Our family history states that Ellen accepted a drink from one of the young men, which enraged the other, and the duel was challenged. I am told by one historian that Regency era etiquette at a party scene as was the case when the challenge was made, is that it is expected that all party guests mingle with everyone, even if dating or promised to one man or woman. Ellen had no control or voice in the matter once the dueling challenge was made. With all that said, if a woman is the core reason for a duel, the women is blamed by society.
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| Grave of Ellen S. Peniston |
(Click image to enlarge)
Ellen's Find-A-Grave page
Ellen Stimpson Peniston
April 16, 2010
May 22, 2011
May 23, 2011
August 2, 2011
Ellen Stimpson Peniston: pages 19-21
The duel: pages: 20-21.
"A gambler with a system must be, to a greater or lesser extent, insane."
—George Augustus Sala (1828-1895)
English writer and journalist
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