CSA 1c, 5¢ olive green pair with ample margins mostly separated by scissors cut (noted by prior owner as Stone AB, not verified by me) tied by lightly struck HELENA / ARK // FEB ? 1862 cds on cover to Peyton S. Coles, Esq, North Garden, Albemarle Co, Virginia. Small stain and opening flap damage otherwise Fine, Ex Harold Brooks. Ex Clippert. $550.

Peyton Skipwith Coles was born at Estouteville, Albemarle County. Virginia, September 27, 1853, son of Peyton Skipwith and Julia Isaetta Coles. His father was a farmer, the son of John Coles 3, who was a farmer and who was the son of John Coles 2, who was a farmer and who was the son of John Coles 1, an immigrant from Ireland to Virginia, and who also was a farmer. P. S. Coles, therefore, it might be said, inherited his occupation just as he inherited his name. Mr. Coles was educated by tutors at home, followed by attendance at a school in Middleburg. Loudoun County, which in turn was followed by attendance at the school long maintained by Major Jones in Charlottesville, and finally at the University of Virginia. It may be said in passing that Major Jones was one of the great teachers in his generation. Peyton Skipwith Coles sums up his life work in five words: "A farmer all my life." He has supplemented that farming record with another Coles inheritance, that of serving as vestryman in Christ Church of St. Anne's Parish. He was a cultured and educated man, as were many farmers of his day. Military records show that he enlisted on August 9, 1861 as a Surgeon and was commissioned into Field & Staff of the 59th Virginia Infantry. It is likely that certain military records had him mixed up with Surgeon Walter Coles, as the majority of records show no medical training whatsoever. Source: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/albemarle/bios/coles41gbs.txt