Peter Alston

Peter Alston
While, with his father, the notorious counterfeiter, Philip Alston, at the infamous, outlaw lair of Cave-in-Rock, Peter Alston, around 1797-1799, joined Samuel Mason and his gang of river pirates, on the Ohio River.
Born	after 1765 ?
Died	February 8, 1804 Old Greenville, Jefferson County, Mississippi Territory, present-day Greenville, Jefferson County, Mississippi
Cause of death	execution by hanging
Resting place	unknown
Nationality	American
Other names	James May, Samuel May, Isaac May
Occupation	river pirate, horse thief, burglar, highwayman, counterfeiter
Known for	Being the criminal associate of serial-killer, Wiley "Little" Harpe and his partner, in the murder of notorious outlaw gang leader, Samuel Mason. Alston was also, the son of the American 1770s counterfeiter, Philip Alston, who had connections to Cave-in-Rock, Russellville, Kentucky, and Natchez, Mississippi.
Parent(s)	Philip Alston, Temperance Smith, Mary Molly Temple, Mildred McCoy
Relatives	Solomon Alston (grandfather), Sarah Ann "Nancy" Hinton Alston (grandmother), John Alston (uncle), Philip Alston, Jr. (brother), John McCoy Alston (brother), Frances Alston (sister), Elizabeth Elise Alston (sister), James D. Dromgoole (brother-in-law), John Gilbert (brother-in-law)

Peter Alston (after 1765 - February 8, 1804) was the late 18th Century and early 19th Century counterfeiter, horse thief, highwayman, and river pirate, who was believed to be the associate of serial-killer, Little Harpe and partner, in the murder of notorious outlaw, leader Samuel Mason in 1803. Alston was also, the son of the colonial-era counterfeiter, Philip Alston, associated with Cave-in-Rock, Illinois, and Natchez, Mississippi.

Peter Alston was born, the son of the notorious counterfeiter, His mother was one of the three wives of his father; Temperance Smith, Mary Molly Temple, or Mildred McCoy. Alston had two brothers, Philip, Jr. and John McCoy and two sisters, Frances and Elizabeth Elise. His grandparents on the side of his father were Solomon Alston and Sarah Ann "Nancy" Hinton Alston. John Alston, the brother of his father, was also, a notorious counterfeiter. The Alston family had its origins in, the British Royal colony of, the Province of South Carolina, where the Alston surname was very common. the When and where he was born and where he grew up is not known, as there is scant information, on his childhood and pre-criminal activities. He may have been born in South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Natchez, West Florida, now present-day Natchez, Mississippi, Fort Nashborough, Virginia, now present-day Nashville, Tennessee, or Russellville, Virginia, now present-day Russellville, Kentucky. Having been the son of an outlaw, Peter Alston probably moved where ever his father hastily moved their family, remaining as far away from the pursuit of the law. Even as an adult, No doubt, Peter Alson was not far from his father's criminal presence and influence.