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.
From the guide to the Preston Family Papers, 1755-1836, 1786-1815., (Special Collections, College of William and Mary)
