Willliam Gray Preston1
b. 7 November 1852, d. 29 March 1929
Birth | 7 Nov 1852 | Willliam Gray Preston was born on 7 Nov 1852 in Washington County, Virginia.3,2 |
Childhood | | Willliam was the youngest child in a blended family of 11 children. His father's first wife died leaving 3 sons and his mother's first husband died leaving a young daughter. His parents added 7 children of their own although 2 of William's sisters died of dysentery in 1854 and a third sister died in 1860.4,5 |
Marriage | 27 Nov 1878 | He married Margaret McQuown, daughter of Isaac Alexander McQuown and Nancy Keys (?), on 27 Nov 1878 in Washington County.2 |
Cens-Sum | | Willliam and Margaret lived and farmed in the Holston district of the county. Census records indicate that Margaret gave birth to 8 children but by 1900 only 5 were living. There is some confusion regarding the name of one of the couple's daughters. The census records are difficult to interpret and the name may have been Willie or Nellie.6,7,8,9 |
Death | 29 Mar 1929 | Willliam died on 29 Mar 1929 according to his father's family Bible, although his headstone simply reads d. 1930.1 |
Burial | | He was buried at Rock Spring Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.1 |
Citations
- [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 209. Stone reported to read: William Gray Preston, 1852-1930.
- [S6] Thomas Colley, Washington Co. VA Marriages 1853-1880, p. 290. Abstract reads: William G. Preston, 26, sgl, b. & resid WCV, farmer, s/o Thomas M. & Eveline Preston AND Mary Margaret McQuown, 28, sgl, b. & resid WCV, s/o Isaac A. & Nancy E. McQuown; marr 27 Nov. 1878.
- [S2123] "Thomas M. Preston Bible", The Library of Virginia (http://www.lva.lib.va.us).
- [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.
- [S635] Thos Preston household, 1870 U.S. cens, Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Glade Spring township, p. 8, dwelling 84, family 88, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Apr 2007, image1 2 of 49. Household includes: Thos Preston, 63, owns real estate val at $4,000, pes. prop __, farmer; Eveline, 57; Thos, 33, farmer; Wm, 18; Nancy, 35 Emeline Widener, 21, cook; Robt Evans, 22, laborer, all b. VA.
- [S165] Wm G. Preston household, 1880 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Holston district, ED 100, page 5A (p. 243A), dwelling 39, family 39, viewed online at www.Ancestry.com, April 2007, image 5 of 54. Household includes: Wm G. Preston, 28, farmer; Margaret, 30, wife; Eva, 5/12, dau b. Jan.; Eveline, 67, mother; all b. VA; all parents b. VA except Eveline's father b. PA.
- [S634] William G. Preston household, 1900 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Holston district, ED 114, sheet 4A (p. 151 stamped), dwelling 64, family 64, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Apr 2007, image 7 of 34. Household includes: William G. Preston, 47, marr 20 yrs, b. Nov. 1852, farmer, owns farm; Margaret, wife, 45, mother of 8 children, 5 are living, b. May 185_; Eva, dau, 18, b. Apr 1882; Bertie, son, b. March 1886; Rebecca, dau, 9, b. May 1891; Willie M., dau, b. Apr 1894; Grey R., son, 5, b. May 1895; 1 servant; all b. VA.
- [S237] William G. Preston household, 1910 U.S. cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Holston district, ED 120, sheet 2B, dwelling 21, family 21, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Apr 2007, image 4 of 28. Household includes: William G. Preston, 60, marr #1, marr 31 yrs, Margarette, wife, 61, marr 31 yrs, mother of 8 children, 5 are living; Bert, son, 23, salesman at general store; Rebecca, dau, 19; Nellie, dau, 17; Robert, son, 15; all b. VA.
- [S238] William G. Preston household, 1920 U.S. cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Holston district, ED 155, sheet 9B, dwelling 182, family 182, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Apr 2007, image 18 of 21. Household includes: William G. Preston, 65, owns home free of mort, is farm; Margaret, wife, 70; __llie, dau, 25, high school teacher; Gray R., son, 24, farmer; all b. VA.
- [S1768] Fridley, "Washington Co., VA Deaths 1853-1885" online database, <www.Ancestry.com>, viewed Mar 2011: Thomas Preston, s/o William & Margaret, d. 28 Aug. 1882; b. Washington Co., VA.
- [S7] See parent's narrative.