Information provided by the family of Joe Nance Jr.
When the Civil War started, E. Peyton made a deal with one of his brothers to have the horses ready, and they would slip out the window and ride to Benton, KY where he could join his unit. His brother would bring the horses home and explain to his family. Ervin Peyton was a mounted calvary soldier. He was first in Company A and was captured shortly after he entered. He was supposed to be traded for a Yankee, but he didn't wait. There was a boat loaded with Confederates, and one loaded with Yankees--the trade was to take place the following morning. He walked home and stayed a few days then joined again--this time in Company C. He was sitting on his horse under a tree during the Battle of Shiloh in TN when a shell exploded into the tree killing his horse and causing him severe shock. He always had spells after that--short duration loss of reality. When the war was over, he was in prison in Columbus, Mississippi, I think.
After the war, Allen P. Nance, Ervin Peyton Nance's father, could not own any slaves. They were told they could leave, but many of them chose to stay. Lindy was given to Cynthia and Ervin Peyton Nance as a child. They raised her and she was their house maid. Cynthia was in bad health for years before she died. Lindy's brother, Pete Nance, was given to Henry Balance at Hard Money, Ky. Every August, Pete would come to visit for two weeks. The children loved Pete and Lindy.
Ervin Peyton Nance made the trip to Shiloh, TN every August as long as he could make the trip. All of the Confederate survivors tried to have a reunion here if they were able to go.
Ervin Peyton Nance owned a place about a mile from the present Oak Level Community. He raised sheep and saddle horses. His favorite horse was a blue (mouse colored) horse named LYDA. Also, he was a master carpenter and made coffins for the entire area. People would come tell him a man, woman, or child had died and he would build the coffin accordingly. He was a very conservative, no nonsense person, and he loved to read. He was the father figure for Joe E. Nance, Jr. whose father died when he just turned five years old. E. P. Nance lived with the family of Joe E. Nance, Sr. until he died. He was a Methodist through and through. Lindy went to Oak Level Methodist Church every Sunday with Ervin Peyton and Cynthia. She would sit in the back of the church and no one ever said a word--she was respected and accepted and everybody knew who she came with.
E. P. Nance was a tall straight man with a long white beard. He thought it was important to stand straight, sit still, and pick up your feet when you walk. Joe E. Nance Jr. said he was forever on to him because he couldn't sit still.
Ervin Peyton Nance Married Cynthia Radford from Elva, KY, in Graves County, KY.
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