John T. L. Preston papers

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Military Institute Archives
Preston Library
Virginia Military Institute
345 Letcher Ave.
Lexington, VA 24450-0304
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Jeffrey S. Kozak
Phone: (540) 464-7516
Phone: (540) 464-7566
Fax: (540) 464-7089
Restrictions:

There are no restrictions.

Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.

Preferred citation:

John T. L. Preston papers, 1806-1889. MS 0240. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.

Summary

Extent:
0.69 cubic feet 1 2.5-inch legal document box and 1 5-inch legal document box
Creator:
Preston, John T. L. (John Thomas Lewis), 1811-1890
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

John T. L. Preston papers, 1806-1889. MS 0240. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

The John T. L. Preston papers consist of the personal papers of Preston, including:

  • A farm account book (1834-1887)
  • Bills
  • Deeds
  • Memoranda
  • Receipts
  • Correspondence
  • A photocopy and transcription of Preston's Civil War journal ("Jottings"), which dates from his military service at Craney Island, Virginia from late July to October 1861. The original journal is held by the Library of Congress.
  • Preston's United States passport (May 1851)
  • Franklin Society membership certificate (1851)
  • A typescript "brief historical sketch" of VMI written as a speech for the Institute's semi-centennial celebration in 1889 (the typescript contains handwritten corrections in ink; Preston's son delivered the address on behalf of his father).
The majority of the papers relate to Preston's personal, financial, and property (land) transactions and do not involve his work at VMI.

A noteable item includes a letter (dated April 24 1863) to General Stonewall Jackson (to whom Preston was related by marriage) in which Preston discusses religious and financial matters.

Biographical / historical:

John Thomas Lewis Preston (1811-1890) was one of the founders of VMI. He served at VMI as a member of the first Board of Visitors (1839) and as a Professor of Modern Languages from 1839 to 1875. During the Civil War he was on the staff of General Stonewall Jackson.

Physical location:
Manuscripts stacks