Samuel A. Preston1

b. 15 August 1775, d. 17 February 1857
FatherThomas Preston2
MotherNancy (?)2
Birth15 Aug 1775 Samuel A. Preston was born on 15 Aug 1775 in Ireland.3,4 
Migration1790  According to his headstone Samuel came to America in 1790.3 
Marriage1800 He married Abigail Montgomery, daughter of Thomas Montgomery, in 1800.5 
  Abigail appears to have died prior to the enumeration of the 1830 census. The census also suggests that Samuel and Abigail's son Thomas Preston (with his wife and infant son) may have lived with Samuel. The household included 8 slaves.6 
Marriage19 Jan 1832 Samuel married second Rebecca Snodgrass, daughter of William Snodgrass and Sarah Long, on 19 Jan 1832 in Washington County, Virginia.7,3 
  Samuel was 56; Rebecca was 35. 
Will2 Feb 1847  Samuel wrote his will in Feb. 1847. He stated that he had already given the children of his first marriage a Negro slave and other property and could not leave them more due to the expenses of raising his young family. Samuel identified the children from his first marriage as Jane Irby, Thomas M. Preston and Nancy Preston, who he also noted was now deceased but had married Samuel A. Preston and left young children.

The will made it clear that Samuel held his wife Rebecca in high regard as he left the entire control and management of the plantation in her hands. She was to decide what property if any was gifted to their children at the time of their marriage. Samuel left her the plantation on which they lived as well as several slaves; at her death everything was to pass to their 3 children: Ann, William and Elizabeth.8 
Cens-185021 Sep 1850  Three years after writing his will, Samuel and Rebecca were enumerated with two of their children on the first census to name all members of a household. Samuel was 76 and owned land valued at $3,720. Rebecca was 53. Also present were William Preston (16), Elizabeth Preston (13), Alexander Rutherford (23; a stage driver) and Margaret Rutherford (18).4 
Death17 Feb 1857 Samuel died of fever on 17 Feb 1857 in Washington County at age 81.2 
Burial He was buried at Walnut Grove Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.3 

Related Links and Images:

Samuel's will
Other interments in Walnut Grove Cemetery
The 1850 Washington Co., Virginia census listed Samuel as the head of household number 1554. Follow the link to see who lived nearby.

Family 1

Abigail Montgomery d. bef 1831
Children

Family 2

Rebecca Snodgrass b. 24 Dec 1796, d. Jun 1858
Children
  • Ann J. Preston8 (10 Nov 1832 - 12 Mar 1904)
  • William Preston8
  • Elizabeth Preston8
Last Edited4 Jan 2013

Citations

  1. [S2527] "Bill of Complaint", Nelson Beaty by his guardian and best friend vs James Beaty, C. Jones, etc., Washington Co., Virginia Ended Chancery Causes 1850-05, reel 90, Library of Virginia, 800 E. Broad St., Richmond, Virginia. The bill of complaint was undated but the summons that followed was dated 4 March 1843.
  2. [S3] Moore and Stephens, Washington Co., VA Birth and Death Records, p. 212. Record abstracted as: Samuel Preston, died 17 Feb. 1857 of fever at age 81y 6m 2d; parents: Thos and Nancy Preston; spouse: Rebecca Preston.
  3. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 377. Stone reported to read: Samuel Preston of Walnut Grove, 15 Aug. 1775-17 Feb. 1857. "Emigrated to America, 1790. Married Abijial [?] Montgomery 1800 & Rebecca Snodgrass 1832."
  4. [S367] Samuel Preston household, 1850 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., 67th District, p. 214 (added script), dwelling 1554, family 1554, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Oct. 2012. Household includes: Samuel Preston, 76, farmer, owns land worth $3,720, b. Ireland; Rebecca, 53; William, 16, farmer; Elizabeth, 13; Alexander Rutherford, 23, stage driver; Margaret _ Rutherford, 18; all b. VA.
  5. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 377. Stone reported to read: Samuel Preston of Walnut Grove, 15 Aug. 1775-17 Feb. 1857. "Emigrated to America, 1790. Married Abijial [?] Montgomery 1800 & Rebecca Snodgrass 1832."
  6. [S578] Samuel Preston household, 1830 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, p. 275 (added script), line 23, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Sept. 2012. The enumeration included: Samuel Preston, 1 male under 5; 1 male 15 to 20; 1 male 20-30; 1 male 50-60; 2 males 20-30; 8 slaves.
  7. [S4] D.E. Brown, Marriages of Washington Co., VA 1781-1853, p. 49.
  8. [S826] Samuel Preston will (recorded 1857), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 14: 125.