Preston, Francis, 1765-1835

The second son and third child of Col. William Preston and his wife Susanna Smith, was born at "Greenfield," Botetourt County (Va.), 2 August 1765. He graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1783, and practiced law in Montgomery and Washington counties in Virginia. Preston served in the House of Delegates in 1788 and 1789. From March 1793 until March 1797, he was a member of the United States House of Representatives. Settling in Abingdon, he returned to law practice and again entered the Virginia House Delegates from 1812 until 1814. Francis Preston was commissioned Colonel of Volunteers in Virginia militia in the War of 1812. From 1816 until 1820 he was a member of the Virginia Senate. On 10 January 1793, Preston married Susan Buchanan Campbell.

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.