Abel Peyton Urn Mourning Ring

A George III gold mourning ring, the oval bezel with amphora motif, on black and white enamel ground, with a facetted onyx border, to tapered enamelled shoulders and hoop, of a black striped design with white borders, the inside of the ring head inscribed Abel Peyton Esq. obt 6 Sept 1801, Ae 79. 

Ring Size: R

Abel Peyton (1722–1801)

Abel Peyton was born in London on 21 January 1722, the son of Richard Peyton and Hannah Harris and grandson of Abel Peyton (1653–1729). In 1748, he married Hannah Shaw (1726–1779), daughter of Samuel Shaw of Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, with whom he had nine children. Abel died in 1801, aged 79.

Their grandson, Abel Peyton (1799–1887), was involved in the construction of the Birmingham and Derby Junction Railway and later became a director of the Midland Railway.

The Peyton Family

The Peyton family traces its ancestry to William Malet de Graville, who was present at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The family took the name Peyton in the 12th century, following a grant of land to Reginald Peyton in the manors of Peyton and Boxford.

In 1622, John Peyton acquired the Cattespoole Estate in Tardebigge, Worcestershire, which remained in the family for more than 300 years.

The Peyton family crest is a griffin and the motto Patior Potior, meaning “Through Suffering I Prevail.” Branches of the family later settled in Ireland, New Zealand and the United States.