Preston Family Papers, 1755-1836, 1786-1815.

Access and use

Location of collection:
College of William and Mary
Special Collections Research Center
Earl Gregg Swem Library
College of William and Mary
400 Landrum Drive
PO 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (757) 221-3090
Fax: (757) 221-5440
Restrictions:

Collection is open to all researchers.

Terms of access:

Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from the Curator of Manuscripts and Rare Books, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

Preferred citation:

Preston Family Papers, Manuscripts and Rare Books Department, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Summary

Creator:
Preston Family, William Preston, Francis Preston, John Preston, William C. Preston.
Language:
English
Abstract:
This inventory is dated primarily from 1786 to 1815, and concerns three generations of the Preston family of western Virginia. The papers reflect their involvement in the administrative and political life of Virginia and the nation, as well as family concerns on the Virginia frontier.
Preferred citation:

Preston Family Papers, Manuscripts and Rare Books Department, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Background

Scope and content:

This inventory, chiefly 1786-1815, represents three generations of the Preston family, and likewise can be divided into the following:

Items relating to William Preston (ca. 1729-1783), 1755-1782, primarily photostats of appointments to various county offices (coroner, sheriff and surveyor) and to positions in the Virginia militia; but also including original appointments, 1763 and 1776; a surveyor's entry; 1774; and letters, 1773-1782, to Preston concerning land, the Cherokee Indians and a court martial.

Items, 1785-1819, relating to William's sons, Francis Preston (1765- 1836), lawyer, member of the Virginia Legislature and the U.S. Congress; and his brother John Preston (1764-1827), member of the Virginia Assembly and long-time Treasurer of Virginia, including letters from John Preston to Francis Preston as well as correspondence of the two men with other people. Subjects covered in the letters include politics; the War of 1812; a carriage; the College of William and Mary; duels; the building of a house; and Indians. These papers also contain a certificate, 20 September 1793, of emancipation for a slave signed by Francis Preston; and his appointment of two military aides.

Items relating to the correspondence of William Campbell Preston (1764- 1860), son of Francis Preston, and a member of Congress from South Carolina, including a circular and letter, 1827, concerning protest by citizens of South Carolina of a protective tariff.

Biographical / historical:

William Preston (ca. 1729-1783) held various county offices and militia offices. His sons were John Preston (1764-1827), who was a member of the Virginia General Assembly and treasurer of Virginia, and Francis Preston (1765-1836). Francis Preston was born in Botetourt County, graduated from the College of William and Mary and practiced law in Montgomery and Washington counties. He served in the Virginia House of Delegates and State Senate and served in Congress 1793-1797. His son was William Campbell Preston (1794-1860) who attended Washington College (now Washington and Lee University) and South Carolina College (now University of South Carolina). He also studied law in Scotland and practiced in Virginia and later in South Carolina. He served in the South Carolina House of Representatives and in the United States Senate. William Campbell Preston was president of South Carolina College.

Acquisition information:
Gift: 90 items, 05/25/1940.
Arrangement:
Organization

This inventory has been organized into four Series: 1. William Preston Papers; 2. Francis Preston Papers; 3. John Preston Papers; 4. William C. Preston Papers.

Arrangement

Each folder contains the papers of their creators/persons, identified by series title. Items are then arranged chronologically by date.

Physical description:
90 items.