A Journey Story from Piedmont, WV to The Virginia Piedmont -Leontyne Clay Peck

Leontyne Clay Peck shares the story of her journey from Piedmont, WV to the Virginia Piedmont, better known as the land of the Presidents-Jefferson, Madison and Monroe. Since age 10, Leontyne has heard "whispers" from the ancestors and intrigued by family connections. Her fourteen year journey revealed her family connections to Senator Henry Clay of Kentucky, President Thomas Jefferson and most recently to President James Madison (with the enslaved community of Montpelier). In her research, she also discovered her connection her 3rd great grandfather, Job Gaiter, who served in the US Colored Troops. Leontyne is a native of Piedmont, WV. She is an author, speaker, educator, family historian and ancestor advocate. She is the author of, Our Mother's Dresses, Silver Children,and "Paxton Street. She received her formal education from The American University, the American University of Rome and West Virginia University. She is the recipient of a host of awards, among them, Ford Foundation African American History & Culture Scholar. She is the mother of two grown daughters. She and her husband reside outside of Charlottesville, VA.