Thomas M. Preston1

b. 27 October 1847, d. 20 December 1922
FatherThomas M. Preston1,2 b. 14 May 1807, d. 22 Feb 1875
MotherEvaline Gray1,2 b. 2 May 1813 or 3 May 1813, d. 5 Dec 1884
Birth27 Oct 1847 Thomas M. Preston was born on 27 Oct 1847 in Washington County, Virginia.3,1 
Childhood  Thomas grew up on his father's farm in Washington County. The family included 3 half brothers and 7 full siblings, although 3 of his sisters died young.4,5 
MilitarySep 1864  Thomas enlisted in Company D of the First Virginia Cavalry 1 month before he turned 17; he served until the close of the Civil War. Thomas's brother Ruben served in the same company.1,6 
Marriage21 Oct 1874 He married Martha Alderson, daughter of Christopher Alderson and Mary Gibson, on 21 Oct 1874 in Washington County.1,7 
Cens-188018 Jun 1880 In 1880 Thomas and Martha were enumerated farming in the Glade Spring district of the county.8 
Residence  An 1888 publication describes the location of Thomas's home as on the west bank of 11 Mile Creek, near where it joins the Middle fork of the Holston River.1 
Cens-19002 Jun 1900 In 1900 the census enumeration described the location as the Abingdon district. Thomas was 52 and Martha was 48. Although they did not have children they adopted a daughter, Martha Graham.9 
Cens-191022 Apr 1910  However, in 1910 the couple's residence was described as "north of the rail road in Meadowview" and it was stated to be a house, not a farm although Thomas's occupation was listed as "truck farmer". Mattie Graham was still present but on this census was recorded as a cousin. She was 18 and worked as a public school teacher.10 
Death20 Dec 1922 Thomas died on 20 Dec 1922 at age 75.2 
Burial He was buried at Rock Spring Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.2 

Related Links and Images:

Thomas's headstone
Other interments in Rock Spring Cemetery
Last Edited12 Jul 2011

Citations

  1. [S1198] Virgil Lewis, "Residents of Washington County," in Virginia and Virginians, p. 747.
  2. [S1682] Thomas & Jane (Fleenor) Colley, Washington County, Virginia Cemetery Annotations, Vol III, p. 1022, citing Washington Co., VA death register.
  3. [S2123] "Thomas M. Preston Bible", The Library of Virginia (http://www.lva.lib.va.us).
  4. [S367] Thomas Preston household, 1850 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., 67th district, p. 137 (stamped), dwelling 1002, family 1002, viewed online at Ancestry.com, March 2007, image 139 of 289. Household includes: Thomas Preston, 41, farmer, real estate: $8,000, Eveline, 36; Samuel, 21; James, 18; John 15; Jane, 9; Rebecca, 7; Reuben, 5; Thomas, 4; Sarah J., 2; all b. VA.
  5. [S234] Thomas M. Preston household, 1860 U.S. cens, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Western district, p. 148 (script), dwelling 1102, family 1058, viewed online at Ancestry.com, March 2007, image 150 of 361. Household includes: Thomas M. Preston, 53, farmer, owns real estate: $18,125 and pers prop $8,000; Eveline, 47; Jane 18; Rebecca, 16; Reuben 15; Thomas 13; William 8; all b. VA.
  6. [S958] James L. Douthat, Civil War Records of Washington Co., Virginia, p. 55.
  7. [S2123] "Thomas M. Preston Bible", The Library of Virginia (http://www.lva.lib.va.us). No date entered.
  8. [S165] Thomas M. Preston household, 1880 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Glade Spring district, ED 94, page 71 (stamped), dwelling 316, family 319, viewed online at www.Ancestry.com, Mar 2007, image 37 of 54. Household includes: Thomas M. Preston, 33, farmer, Martha A., 27, wife; both b. VA; parents b. VA.
  9. [S634] Thomas Preston household, 1900 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Abingdon district, ED 106, sheet 1B, dwelling 16, family 16, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Apr 2007, image 2 of 23. Household includes: Thomas Preston, 52, b. Oct. 1847, marr 26 yrs, farmer; Martha A., wife, 48, b. Mar 1852, marr 26 yrs, mother no children; Martha A. Graham, adopted dau, 9, b. Jan. 1891; all b. VA; all parents b. VA.
  10. [S237] T.M. Preston household, 1910 U.S. cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Glade Spring district, ED 117, sheet 5A (p. 23 stamped), dwelling 68, family 74, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Apr 2007, image 9 of 45. Household includes: T.M. Preston, 65, marr #1, marr 37 yrs, truck farmer, resid is a home (not farm); Mattie, wife, 58, marr #1, marr 37 yrs, no children; Mattie Graham, 18, cousin, public school teacher; all b. VA; resid location given as "north of the Rail Road in Meadowview.""