John Preston1

b. 28 September 1834, d. 3 April 1911
FatherThomas M. Preston1 b. 14 May 1807, d. 22 Feb 1875
MotherJane Orr2,3 b. 27 May 1812, d. 26 Aug 1837
Birth28 Sep 1834 John Preston was born on 28 Sep 1834 in Washington County, Virginia.4,5,1 
Marriage8 Mar 1860 He married Elizabeth Gray, daughter of John Gray and Mary Craig, on 8 Mar 1860 in Washington County.2 
Military During the Civil War John served as a private in the Glade Spring Rifles (Co. F) of the 37th Virginia Infantry. In 1862 he was appointed quartermaster of the regiment.6,7 
Cens-18803 Jun 1880  John and Elizabeth lived in the Holston district of Washington County. In 1880 eight children were enumerated with them: Thomas (19), James (14), Carrie Jane (11), Polly (9), Louisa (8), Nancy Ann (6), Samuel (4) and Robert (1).8 
  John and Elizabeth's neighbors included John's brother Ruben, his brother William, and Cassie Preston, the widow of John's half brother Samuel. Cassie was also Elizabeth's sister. 
Widowed24 Feb 1889 Elizabeth died on 24 Feb 1889. 
Cens-190023 Jun 1900 The 1900 Washington County census recorded John as a 65 year old widower. He was still employed as a farmer. Also living with him were his son Robert, his daughter Polly and her husband, William J. Edmondson who was employed as a teacher.9 
Cens-191015 Apr 1910  By 1910 Robert had married and was listed as the head of the household. He was a physician. John, at age 76, was listed as having his "own income."10 
Death3 Apr 1911 John died on 3 Apr 1911 at age 76.4 
Burial He was buried at Rock Spring Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.4 

Related Links and Images:

John's side of the John and Elizabeth Preston monument (first photo); surrounding family stones (second photo)
Other interments in Rock Spring Cemetery

Family

Elizabeth Gray b. 10 Sep 1834, d. 24 Feb 1889
Children
Last Edited25 May 2013

Citations

  1. [S6] Thomas Colley, Washington Co. VA Marriages 1853-1880, p. 289. Abstract reads: John Preston, 26, sgl, b. & resid wCV, farmer, s/o Thomas M. & Jane Preston and Elizabeth Gray, 26, sgl, b. & resid WCV, d/o John & Mary Gray; marr: 8 March 1860.
  2. [S6] Thomas Colley, Washington Co. VA Marriages 1853-1880, p. 289. Abstract reads: John Preston, 26y, sgl, b. & resid WCV, farmer, s/o Thomas M. & Jane Preston AND Elizabeth Gray, 26, sgl, b. & resid WCV, d/o John & Mary Gray; marr: 8 Mar 1860.
  3. [S702] Moses Orr settlement (recorded 1851), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 12: 191. Record named the 3 children of Jane Preston, deceased sister of Moses Orr.
  4. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 209. Stone reported to read: John Preston, 28 Sep 1834-3 Apr. 1911.
  5. [S2123] "Thomas M. Preston Bible", The Library of Virginia (http://www.lva.lib.va.us).
  6. [S1198] Virgil Lewis, "Residents of Washington County," in Virginia and Virginians, p. 747.
  7. [S958] James L. Douthat, Civil War Records of Washington Co., Virginia, p. 12.
  8. [S165] John Preston household, 1880 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Holston district, ED 100, page 6B, dwelling 42, family 42, viewed online at www.Ancestry.com, Apr 2007, image 6 of 54. Household includes: John Preston, 46, farmer; Elizabeth, 46, wife; Thomas J., son, 19; James F., son, 14; Carrie Jane, dau, 11; Polly J., dau, 9; Louisa E., dau, 8; Nancy Ann, dau, 6; Samuel F., son, 4; Robert M., son, 1; all b. VA; all children b. VA.
  9. [S634] John Preston household, 1900 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Holston district, ED 114, sheet 15B, dwelling 273, family 275, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Apr 2007, image 30 of 34. Household includes: John Preston, 65, wd, b. Sept 1834, farmer; Robert R., son, 21, b. June 1879; William J. Edmondson, sl, 33, b. May 1867, teacher; Polly T. dau, 28, b. May 1872; all b. VA; all parents b. VA.
  10. [S237] Robert R. Preston household, 1910 U.S. cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Holston district, ED 121, sheet 1A (p. 87 stamped), dwelling 6, family 6, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Apr 2007, image 1 of 29. Household includes: Robert R. Preston, 30, marr #1, marr 4 yrs, physician; Annie M., wife, 29, marr #1, marr 4 yrs, mother of 2 children, 1 living; Evylin S., dau, 1 ?/12; John, 76, father, wid, own income; all b. VA; all parents b. VA.
  11. [S2250] "Texas State Death Certificates", database with digital images, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org : viewed Sept. 2010). Nancy Ann (Preston) Hawthorne certificate #5838 (1941); family information provided by W.J. Hawthorne.
  12. [S1020] Thomas Hockett and Shelia Steele Hunt, Smyth Co. VA Marriages 1892-1905, p. 101, recd abstracted as: Saml F. Preston, 28, wid, b. & resid Washington Co., VA, s/o John & Elizabeth, teacher AND Mary E. Cole, 24, d/o John & Aseneth; marr: 24 Aug. 1904.