traveller, sired by notable racehorse grey eagle and originally named jeff davis, was born to flora in 1857 near the blue sulphur springs, in greenbrier county, virginia (now west virginia) and was first owned and raised by james w. johnston. an american saddlebred, he was of grey eagle stock; as a colt, he took the first prize at the lewisburg, virginia fairs in 1859 and 1860. as an adult he was a sturdy horse, high and , iron gray in color with black point coloration, a long mane and a flowing tail. he was next owned by captain joseph m. broun and renamed greenbrier.