COLONEL WILLIAM PRESTON.
Son of John Preston, of Augusta county. Born in Ireland 1730, and died
at Smithfield, now Blacksburg, 1783. One of the first trustees of Staunton.
Member the House of Burgesses from Augusta county 1766-1768, and from
Botetourt county 1769. Commanded a company of Rangers in the French-Indian
war 1754-1763. On the formation of Botetourt county, 1769, he
was appointed colonel of the militia, coroner, escheator and county surveyor.
Upon the formation of Fincastle county he was appointed sheriff
and surveyor. He was engaged with Colonels Campbell and Christian in
their expeditions against the Cherokees in the year 1776. Was at the battles
of Whitsill's Mills and Guilford Courthouse, 1781, and was actively engaged
throughout the Revolution. He was a member of the Committee of
Safety of Fincastle county, and assisted in the preparation of the Fincastle
Resolutions. He left eleven children, all of whom, both male and female,
became distinguished in the history of our country. His five sons were
John, Francis, James, William and Thomas, and his six daughters were
Mrs. Thomas Madison, Mrs. Thomas McDowell, Mrs. Hart, Mrs. Thomas
Lewis and Mrs. John Floyd. One son and one of his sons-in-law became
governors of Virginia.
