George Washington Preston1

#1251, b. circa 1807, d. 27 August 1835
Last Edited26 Aug 2017
Father*David Preston1 b. 17 Mar 1777, d. 30 Sep 1849
Mother*Nancy Jane McCann1 b. 20 Jun 1781, d. 15 Oct 1863

Family

 Elizabeth W. McCant b. b 1820
Child 1.Georgia Ann Washington Preston4 b. c 1836
Name VariationG. F.; in 1830 census seems to be G. F. Mathews 
Birth*circa 18071 
Cen-Head*1830Crawford County, Georgia, USA; "Washington Preston", male age 20-30, with a male 15-20, a male slave 10-24 and female slave 10-24.
Neighbors (same census page) John Mathews (age 40-50), Micajah Mathews (50-60), G. F. Mathews (male age 30-40)2 
Neighbor: Micajah Mathews
Neighbor: John Mathews
Neighbor: George T. Mathews
(Groom) Marriage*1 January 1835(Bride) Elizabeth W. McCant; Crawford County, Georgia, USA; George W. Preston and Elizabeth W. McCant (possibly McCants)3 
Death*27 August 1835Crawford County, Georgia, USA; The Court of Ordinary, Sept term 1835, notified Mrs. Elizabeth W. Preston of intent to enter the will of George Preston into the public record.4,1 
Witness: Elizabeth W. McCant

Citations

  1. [S35] Researcher Janet Dozier, access date 2017, http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/d/o/z/Janet-L-Dozier/index.html
  2. [S241] Census, U.S. of 1830, Crawford County, Georgia, census page 400, ancestry image 15/46, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah.
  3. [S143] Frances T. Ingmire, compiler, Crawford County Georgia Marriage Records 1823-1953 (10166 Clairmont Dr; St Louis, MO 63136: n.pub., 1985). Hereinafter cited as Marriages Crawford Co GA 1823-1853.
  4. [S461] Georgia Wills and Probate Records, Crawford County - Probate Court - Misc Records of the Inferior Court, Georgia Archives, Morrow, Georgia, USA.

Georgia Preston1

#1088, b. circa 1873
Last Edited21 Jan 2001
Father*Paul Preston1 b. c 1848
Mother*Elmeda (?)1 b. c 1848
Birth*circa 1873Alabama, USA1 
Cen-Enum*18 June 1880AL Dale Co Census 1880; Beat No. 9, Dale County, Alabama, USA; age 7, daughter of Paul, born in Alabama.1 
Witness: Paul Preston

Citations

  1. [S12] Census, U.S. of 1880, Dale Co, AL page 636D, HH12, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah.

Georgia Ann Washington Preston1

#2669, b. circa 1836
Last Edited17 Aug 2017
Father*George Washington Preston1 b. c 1807, d. 27 Aug 1835
Mother*Elizabeth W. McCant1 b. b 1820
Birth*circa 1836Crawford County, Georgia, USA; Elizabeth Preston was appointed guardian of Georgia Ann Washington Preston, orphan of Washington Preston, on 3 January, 1837.1 
Event*3 January 1837Elizabeth W. McCant; Inferior Court, Crawford County, Georgia, USA; Elizabeth Preston was appointed Guardian of Georgia Ann Washington Preston, Orphan of Washington Preston. Bond was given by Elizabeth, James A. Wright, and Allen Marshall.1 

Citations

  1. [S461] Georgia Wills and Probate Records, Crawford County - Probate Court - Misc Records of the Inferior Court, Georgia Archives, Morrow, Georgia, USA.

Gray Preston1

#2667, b. circa 1824
Last Edited13 Aug 2017
Birth*circa 1824Georgia, USA1 
(Resident) Census1 November 1850(Resident) Andrew James Preston; Division 20, household 5??, Crawford County, Georgia, USA; "A. J. Preston", male age 40, [occupation illegible, possibly merchant ] born in Georgia;
"Mary Preston", age38, born Georgia;
"Gray Preston", male age 26, planter, born Georgia [relationship unknown].
They lived in the household of Jno Andrews male age 67, a planter, born North Carolina and Hiziah Andrews, female age 68. [Possibly Mary's parents]. Another Andrews family lived adjacent.1 

Citations

  1. [S14] Census, U.S. of 1850, Crawford County, Georgia, page 419, ancestry image 77/104, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah.

Henry Preston1

#1776, b. between 1791 and 1800
Last Edited17 Aug 2003
Birth*between 1791 and 18001 
Cen-Head*1830GA Crawford Co Census 1830; Crawford County, Georgia, USA; male age 30-39, female 30-39, with males 3 u5, 1 10-14; female 1 u5. Listed slaves are males 2 u10, 1 10-24, 1 24-36; females 1 u10, 2 10-24.1 

Citations

  1. [S241] Census, U.S. of 1830, Crawford Co GA pg 398, image pg 11, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah.

James Preston1,2,3,4

#68, b. circa 1797, d. 5 December 1863
ChartsAncestors of Euel Balkcom
J Balkcom Tree (Paternal) - Ancestors of Euel Balkcom
Descendants of James Preston & Elizabeth Jane Clark
Last Edited10 Oct 2018
Relationship2nd great-grandfather of Euel E. Balkcom

Family

 Elizabeth Jane Clark b. c 1798, d. bt 1871 - 1880
Marriage*before 1826Elizabeth Jane Clark; England; Possibly England where their first child was born but no direct evidence.5,3,2 
Children 1.David Preston+3 b. 1826
 2.Nancy Ann Preston+1,2,3 b. 1828, d. Aug 1900
 3.John Washington Preston+3 b. 1830, d. 2 Oct 1906
 4.Jane Preston3 b. c 1836
Research Note*Is James Preston b. c1797 (Ireland) [person #68] who migrated to America in 1832 and who lived in Crawford County 1836-1857 a son of David and Nancy McGann Preston) [see person #2657 in this database]? See attached document for my reasoning.
Journal*Elizabeth Jane Clark; James Preston and Elizabeth Ann Clark are the earliest known Preston and Clark ancestors of the Oklahoma Balkcom/Baldwin families and are the most recent immigrant ancestors. James and Elizabeth were born in Ireland in around 1797-98. By 1826 they lived in Carlisle, England and in 1832 they emigrated to America with their children ages 6, 4, and 2, arriving at Whitehall, New York on Lake Champlain in August 1832. By 1836 they lived in Crawford County, Georgia near relatives from England and Ireland. Sometime after 1856 they moved to Dale County, Alabama where some of their adult children lived.

The earliest records found for James and Ann are Christenings of their children at Carlisle St. Mary Church (Church of England) in Carlisle, England between 1826 and 1830. While James and Ann were born in Ireland, they were Protestants and so more likely than not their parents were first or second generation English or Scot settlers in Ireland. They may be been among those encouraged or granted land, often confiscated from local Irish owners, by the English crown to settle in Ireland. 
CommentResearcher Penny Dodd published a web site at one time and included an excellent narrative on the James Preston family. I don't often cite her as a source for the information below because I have since found most of the original records, some of which I may have not encountered without her work. 
Birth*circa 1797Ireland; age 53 in 1850 census, 63 in 1860 census.1,2,3 
Marriage*before 1826Elizabeth Jane Clark; England; Possibly England where their first child was born but no direct evidence.5,3,2 
Immigration*August 1832Elizabeth Jane Clark; Whitehall, New York, USA; James and Elizabeth Preston lived in Carlisle, Cumberland, England for at least six years where they had three children. In 1832, with children ages 6, 4, and 2, they migrated to the U.S., arriving at Whitehall, New York in August of that year according to James' later oath of loyalty associated with application for U. S. citizenship. They likely went directly on to Georgia where others of the Preston family were established.

There appear to be no surviving records of immigrants arriving at Whitehall and in fact records may not have been kept. According to the Whitehall Historical Society, "Whitehall is mentioned quite often as a "port of entry" early in the 19th century but we have found no records here. ... Many immigrants stopped in Whitehall only to change transportation from lake to canal or coach on their way to other areas." It may be that immigrants listed Whitehall as the entry point because it was their first land stop in the U.S. Without knowing the specifics for the Preston family, in general Canada was a favored immigration route for families from Ireland and England who wanted to resettle in Canada or the U.S. Among other factors, the route through Canada was less expensive due to tariffs that England placed on fares to U.S. ports, intended to encourage settlement of British Canada while discouraging further U.S. settlement.

European immigrants to Canada would most often arrive at Quebec City where they would transfer to river steamboats. Several steamboat companies operated between Quebec City and Montreal, ferrying passengers to Montreal, and carrying cargo intended for export back to Quebec. One with some surviving records was the St. Lawrence Steamboat Company but a search of their records does not show Prestons traveling on their ships in 1832. From Montreal, travelers could take a coach south to the nearest navigable point on Lake Champlain on the Richeleau River at Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. There they could board a steamboat (from a company such as the Lake Champlain Steamboat Company) to Whitehall, New York at the southern tip of Lake Champlain. From Whitehall travelers could travel by stagecoach or canal boat to Albany and the Hudson River and further to New York City.

In his book American Notes, Charles Dickens journals his travels through America in 1842, and describes in some detail the trip from Montreal to Whitehall as well as his experience on a steamboat carrying immigrants from Quebec City to Montreal.3,6,7 
Immigrant: David Preston
Immigrant: Nancy Ann Preston
Immigrant: John Washington Preston
Naturalization*19 August 1836Superior Court, Crawford County, Georgia, USA; In an oath stating his intention to become a U. S. citizen, James Preston states that he is a native of Ireland and that he arrived as an immigrant at Whitehall, New York in August 1832.

Personally appeared in open court James Preston who being sworn said that he is a native of Ireland that he
arrived at White Hall in the state of New York in the month of August in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty
two. It is his bonifide intention to become a Citizen of the United States, to renounce forever all allegiance and
duty and fidelity to any foreign state or all rights and allegiance to King William Fourth the King of the Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland.

Signed
James Preston
Sworn before me
In open court this 19th August 1836
Eli Amos, Clk
8 
Comment*1840James Preston in 1840 lived near Ezekiel Mathews and Micajah Mathews. Lots of Mathews were in the area including George T. Matthews, John, Philip, Philip N., James, Samuel J, Jesse, E. J., and Joel Matthews. 
Cen-Head*1840Crawford County, Georgia, USA; James Preston, head, male age 30-39, the family, and 1 male slave age 10-24. Neighbors are Micajah Matthews and David Preston.
There are inconsistencies between this census and the known ages of James' family:
2 males under 10 (sons David and John Washington);
1 male 10-15 (unknown);
1 male 30-40 (James, age too young by at least 3 years);
2 females 5-10 (unknown); Nancy Jane age 12 unaccounted for;
2 females 20-30 (Elizabeth Jane Clark, age too young by at least 11 years, and unknown woman)]9 
Neighbor: David Preston
Neighbor: Micajah Mathews
Tax List*1840Captain Brook District, Crawford County, Georgia, USA; "James Preston" appeared on the Tax List for Crawford County District 7 Lots 229 (202 1/2 acres) and 230 (202 1/2 acres). Also for Decatur County District 19 Lot 64 (202 1/2 acres).10 
Tax List1845Captain Lowe District, Crawford County, Georgia, USA; Lots 229 and 230, 202 acres each. David Preston was nearby on lot 255.10 
Event*between 1845 and 1849David Preston; Superior Court, Knoxville, Crawford County, Georgia, USA; David Preston vs. James Preston
In the loose estate papers for Crawford County at the Georgia Archives are details associated with a suit brought in Superior Court by David Preston against James Preston. The complaint had to do with Crawford County Lot 230 in District 7, 202 acres that David said that he owned and that James had possession of from before 1838 to the then current date in 1845. Tax Lists in 1840 and 1845 show James being taxed on Lots 229 and 230, each 202 acres. David sued to have James cited for trespass on Lot 230 and to eject him. James disputed David's ownership and his attorney George R. Hunter took depositions from various parties to support his side. James also cited the statute of limitations as removing David's right to bring suit at all. A jury found in favor of David and awarded him $17.62.
I have copies of records of the case and included one paper here (click on the exhibit).11
Event*16 January 1847513th District, Crawford County, Georgia, USA; "James Preston" gave bond associated with having been elected Constable for the term of one year.11 
Occupation*1850Crawford County, Georgia, USA; Planter according to the 1850 Census, with real estate assets of $2000.3 
(Witness) Event1 July 1850William E. Mathews; Inferior Court, Crawford County, Georgia, USA; In application to the court and payment of $100 bond, 12 year old "Poor Orphan Child" of the county Josephine Warren was bound to William E. Matthews until she reached the age of 21. Josephine was the daughter of Sarah Warren. William E. Mathews and James Preston (his father-in-law) were jointly responsible for the bond and both signed.11
(Neighbor) Census2 November 1850(Head of Household) Ezekiel Mathews, GA Crawford Co Census 1850; Division No. 20, Crawford County, Georgia, USA; [poor legibility, transcriptions for initials and age are a best guess]
"E. Mathews" male age 44, planter, born in Georgia, real estate $2500;
"A. Mathews", female age 42, born Georgia [certainly wife Ilsa but initial here seems to be A.];
"J. Mathews", male age 15;
"N. Mathews", male age 14;
"A. Mathews", male age 12;
"Benj. Mathews", male age 9;
"E. Mathews", male age 5 [may be Enoch age 17 in 1860, or Ezekiel age 12 in 1860, seems likely Enoch];
"M. Mathews", female age 7;
"S. A. Mathews", female age 2;
"E. Mathews" male age 1.
All children born in Georgia.
Nearby household Ezekiel Mathews born 1806.12 
(Head of Household) Census6 November 1850Division No. 20, household 588, Crawford County, Georgia, USA; "Jas Preston" age 53, born Ireland, planter,real estate $2000;
"Elizabeth Preston" age 52, born Ireland;
"David Preston" age 23, born England, planter;
"D Preston" female age 22, born Georgia (Delphia, wife of their son David);
"Jno Preston" male age 19 (age barely legible but most likely 19), born England, planter;
"Jane Preston" age 15, born Georgia;
"R Caswell" m age 21, born Georgia [note: Possibly a hired hand. A year later, in 1851, he married Jane Preston who would then have been age 16.]
They lived next to the household of Mary Mathews.13 
Resident: Elizabeth Jane Clark
Resident: Jane Preston
Resident: David Preston
Resident: Delphia Sarah Lightfoot
Resident: John Washington Preston
Resident: Robert Knight Carswell
Neighbor: Mary (?)
(Neighbor) Census6 November 1850(Head of Household) Mary (?), GA Crawford Co Census 1850; Division No. 20, household 587, Crawford County, Georgia, USA; "Mary Mathews" age 54, born in South Carolina. She lived with her family next to the household of James Preston and Elizabeth (Clark) Preston.
James Mathews, age 24, planter, born Ga;
Benjamin Mathews age23, planter, born Ga;
M. Mathews female age 20, born Ga;
Mary Mathews age 19, born Ga;
William Mathews age 18, born Ga.14 
Tax List1851Capt Beasley District, #573, Crawford County, Georgia, USA; Jas Preston appeared on the tax list with 375 acres in District 7, lots not listed. Nancy Preston, widow of David Preston, was nearby with 664 acres.10 
Tax List1854District #573, Crawford County, Georgia, USA; James Preston appeared on the tax list with 476 acres, his lot # not listed. Nearby Lot 255 was registered to T. W. Preston, son of David Preston, deceased, as executor of his estate.10 
Tax List1856Knoxville District, #573, Crawford County, Georgia, USA; James Preston appeared on the tax list with 475 acres, his lot # not listed. Also in the district a lot was registered to T. W. Preston, son of David Preston, deceased, as executor of his estate.10 
Residence*after 1856Elizabeth Jane Clark; Echo, Dale County, Alabama, USA; Between 1856 and 1860 James and Elizabeth moved from Crawford County, Georgia.2,3 
Event*15 February 1859William E. Mathews; Knoxville, Crawford County, Georgia, USA; The death of William E. Mathews before 1859 is confirmed in legal papers before the court, untitled as to which court. James Preston, through attorney Thomas Andrews, paid bond associated with a property dispute, where a claim in Superior Court against William E. Mathews, deceased, had been held in favor of the complaining merchants Scott Carhart and Company. The property was described as a house and lot in Knoxville where William E. Mathews resided when he died. These papers imply that the earlier Superior Court decision related to debt owed by William E. Mathews and awarded the property to the complaining merchant. James Preston, father-in-law of William E. Mathews, then gave an affadavit that the house belonged to him, not to William E. Mathews, and filed these papers making a claim on the property.11 
Comment*June 1860Elizabeth (?); Dale County, Alabama, USA; Living close together in the 1860 census were families of Elizabeth Baldwin, widowed, her son W. J. Baldwin, son John C. Baldwin, James and Elizabeth Preston, their daughter Nancy Mathews, widowed, and children, and James M. Mathews. Not far away was the Wiley Balkcom family. Elizabeth Baldwin's son Bryant later married adjacent Nancy Mathews' daughter Josephine.15 
Neighbor: James Madison Mathews
Neighbor: William Sanford Preston
Neighbor: Esther M. Mashburn
Neighbor: Temperance Causby Calhoun
Neighbor: Wiley Balkcom
Neighbor: Josephine L. (Missie) Mathews
Neighbor: Nancy (?)
Neighbor: William J. Baldwin
Neighbor: Martha J. Gilmore
Neighbor: Bryant F. Baldwin
Neighbor: John Christopher Baldwin
Neighbor: Rhoda Ann Gilmore
Neighbor: James Monroe Mathews
Neighbor: Mary Jane Preston
Neighbor: William Eldridge Mathews
Cen-Head*17 July 1860Dale County, Alabama, USA; Slave Schedules - "James Preston", 1 slave house and females ages 45 and 10, males 17, 15, and 7.16 
(Head of Household) Census*18 July 1860Newton Post Office, hh#404, Dale County, Alabama, USA; "James Preston" age 63, born in Ireland;
"Elizabeth Preston", age 63, born in Ireland.
The adjacent household was their daughter Nancy Mathews. Other census details - land value $845, property $4400, reported as not reading/writing [not correct, James signed legal documents as early as 1850].17 
Resident: Elizabeth Jane Clark
Neighbor: Nancy Ann Preston
Death*5 December 1863Echo, Dale County, Alabama, USA; not found in census of 18701,4 
Witness: Elizabeth Jane Clark
Burial*Bethel Methodist Church Cemetery, Dale County, Alabama, USA; broken soapstone marker:
James Preston
d Dec 1863
(this is the extent of what I could read)18 

Citations

  1. [S11] Census, U.S. of 1870, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah.
  2. [S13] Census, U.S. of 1860, Dale County, Alabama, Echo Community, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah.
  3. [S14] Census, U.S. of 1850, Crawford County, Georgia, Division 20, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah.
  4. [S33] Researcher Penny Dodd, http://www.flash.net/~pdodd, reference date 2000.
  5. [S393] Church Records , "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/N1LZ-HV3 : accessed 17 Nov 2014), David Preston, 04 Jun 1826; citing Carlisle, Cumberland, England, reference 146; FHL microfilm 90583.
  6. [S33] Researcher Penny Dodd, citing Crawford County, Georgia Superior Court Minutes August 1836, http://www.flash.net/~pdodd
  7. [S426] Web Site - The Ships List, http://www.theshipslist.com, St. Lawrence Steamboat Co. Passenger Records. Hereinafter cited as Web Site - The Ships List.
  8. [S458] Superior Court, Crawford County Georgia, Court Minutes August Term, 1836 (microfilm record), Georgia Archives, Morrow, Georgia, USA.
  9. [S15] Census, U.S. of 1840, Crawford County GA pg 365, ancestry image 8/54, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah.
  10. [S416] Ancestry Database, ancestry.com, Ancestry.com. Georgia, Property Tax Digests, 1793-1892 [database on-line]. Provo, UT. Original data: Georgia Tax Digests [1890]. 140 volumes. Morrow, Georgia: Georgia Archives.. Hereinafter cited as Ancestry Database.
  11. [S461] Georgia Wills and Probate Records, Crawford County - Probate Court - Misc Records of the Inferior Court, Georgia Archives, Morrow, Georgia, USA.
  12. [S14] Census, U.S. of 1850, GA, Crawford Co p 419B hh 571, ancestry image 78/104, Ancestry.com.
  13. [S14] Census, U.S. of 1850, Crawford County, GA page 420B, HH 588, Ancestry.com.
  14. [S14] Census, U.S. of 1850, GA, Crawford Co p 420B hh 587, Ancestry.com.
  15. [S13] Census, U.S. of 1860, Dale County, AL page 556, Ancestry.com.
  16. [S13] Census, U.S. of 1860, Slave Schedules - Dale County, Alabama, Ancestry.com.
  17. [S13] Census, U.S. of 1860, Dale County, Alabama, vensus page 555, Ancestry.com.
  18. [S391] Find A Grave Website, http://www.findagrave.com. Hereinafter cited as Find A Grave Website.

James Preston1

#929, b. September 1866
ChartsDescendants of James Preston & Elizabeth Jane Clark
Last Edited24 Feb 2002
Relationship1st cousin 2 times removed of Euel E. Balkcom
Father*John Washington Preston1 b. 1830, d. 2 Oct 1906
Mother*Mary Faison Shine1 b. 10 Jan 1836, d. 20 Jan 1895
Birth*September 1866Alabama, USA1,2 
(Resident) Census12 July 1870John Washington Preston, Mary Faison Shine; Beat No. 11, Skipperville, pg 68, hh#179, Dale County, Alabama, USA; "John Preston", head, age 37, farmer, born in Georgia. Assets $600 real estate, $450 personal;
"Mary Preston", female age 30, keeps house, born Alabama;
"James Preston", age 4, born Alabama;
"Mary Preston", age 2, born Alabama.3 
(Resident) Census16 June 1880John Washington Preston, Mary Faison Shine; ED#56, pg 22, hh#190, Dale County, Alabama, USA; "J. W. Preston", head, age 53, farmer, born in England, both parents born in Ireland;
"Mary Preston", wife age 44, keeping house, born in North Carolina, birthplace of parents not listed. Note difference in age with 1870 census, reported then age 30;
"James T. Preston", son age 13, attending school, father born in England, mother NC;
"Robert Preston", son age 10, attending school, born in Alabama, father born in England, mother in NC;
"David Preston", son age 8, attending school, born in Alabama;
"Elen J. Preston", female age 6, born in Alabama, relationship column blank, possibly of other parents?, but this census taker left this column blank for younger children of other families;
"Nancy Preston", female age 4, born in Alabama, relationship column blank;
"Frances Preston", female age 2, born in Alabama, relationship column blank;
"Cane Preston", black female age 16, laborer, born Alabama, parents born Georgia, no read/write;
"Celey Preston", black female age 15, laborer, born Alabama, parents born Georgia, no read/write.4 
Cen-Head*9 June 1900AL Dale Co Census 1900; ED 68, Precinct 11 Skipperville, Dale County, Alabama, USA; age 33, born September 1866 in Georgia, single, father born at-sea, mother in Georgia. He was a farmer, owing his farm free of mortgage. His farm was close to that of his father John Preston.2 

Citations

  1. [S11] Census, U.S. of 1870, Dale County, AL page 253B, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah.
  2. [S77] Census, U.S. of 1900, Dale Co AL, Enum Dist 68, Precinct 11, hh 93, image 11, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah.
  3. [S11] Census, U.S. of 1870, Dale County, AL Beat No. 11, Ancestry.com.
  4. [S12] Census, U.S. of 1880, Dale Co, AL, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah.

James Preston1

#2657, b. 1799
Last Edited7 Aug 2017
Father*David Preston1 b. 17 Mar 1777, d. 30 Sep 1849
Mother*Nancy Jane McCann1 b. 20 Jun 1781, d. 15 Oct 1863
Birth*17991 

Citations

  1. [S348] The Writings of W. E. Mathews (later Preston), c1880, Ancestry.com, http://search.ancestry.com/iexec/?htx=BookList&dbid=29650&offerid=0%3a7858%3a0, transcribed from original by E. H. Hayes.

Jane Preston1

#73, b. circa 1836
ChartsDescendants of James Preston & Elizabeth Jane Clark
Last Edited11 Jul 2016
RelationshipGreat-grandaunt of Euel E. Balkcom
Father*James Preston1 b. c 1797, d. 5 Dec 1863
Mother*Elizabeth Jane Clark1 b. c 1798, d. bt 1871 - 1880
Married NameCarswell1 
Birth*circa 1836Georgia, USA; In the 1850 census Jane is listed as 15 and born in Georgia.1 
(Resident) Census6 November 1850(Head of Household) James Preston; Division No. 20, household 588, Crawford County, Georgia, USA; "Jas Preston" age 53, born Ireland, planter,real estate $2000;
"Elizabeth Preston" age 52, born Ireland;
"David Preston" age 23, born England, planter;
"D Preston" female age 22, born Georgia (Delphia, wife of their son David);
"Jno Preston" male age 19 (age barely legible but most likely 19), born England, planter;
"Jane Preston" age 15, born Georgia;
"R Caswell" m age 21, born Georgia [note: Possibly a hired hand. A year later, in 1851, he married Jane Preston who would then have been age 16.]
They lived next to the household of Mary Mathews.2 
Marriage*24 April 1851Robert Knight Carswell; Crawford County, Georgia, USA; Robert K. Carswell to Jane Preston3,1,4 
(Resident) Census*1860(Head of Household) Robert Knight Carswell; Newton, Dale County, Alabama, USA; "Robert K. Carswell", age 30, farmer, born Georgia;
"Jane Carswell", age 28, born Georgia;
"James W. Carswell", age 8;
"David C. Carswell", age 6;
"John T. Carswell", age 4;
"William E. Caswell", age 2.
All born in Georgia.5 

Citations

  1. [S14] Census, U.S. of 1850, Crawford County, Georgia, Division 20, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah.
  2. [S14] Census, U.S. of 1850, Crawford County, GA page 420B, HH 588, Ancestry.com.
  3. [S143] Frances T. Ingmire, compiler, Crawford County Georgia Marriage Records 1823-1953 (10166 Clairmont Dr; St Louis, MO 63136: n.pub., 1985). Hereinafter cited as Marriages Crawford Co GA 1823-1853.
  4. [S33] Researcher Penny Dodd, http://www.flash.net/~pdodd, reference date 2000.
  5. [S13] Census, U.S. of 1860, Newton Post Office, Dale County, Alabama, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah.

Jefferson Davis Preston1,2

#548, b. circa 1861
Last Edited15 Apr 2008
Father*William Sanford Preston1 b. 13 Sep 1816, d. 3 Sep 1886
Mother*Temperance Causby Calhoun1 b. 16 Jan 1824, d. 9 Jun 1908
Birth*circa 1861Alabama, USA1 
(Resident) Census28 July 1870(Head of Household) William Sanford Preston, AL Dale Co Census 1870; Beat No. 9, hh#130, Echo, Dale County, Alabama, USA; "W. S. Preston" age 53, a farmer, born in Georgia. He had real estate valued at $2160, personal estate of $1500, and lived adjacent to son Paul Preston age 22.
Household:
"T. C. Preston", female age 47, born Georgia;
"Leonidus", male age 18, working in farm, born Georgia;
"Brady" age 16, born Alabama;
"W. W.", male age 13, born Alabama;
"Patrick", age 11, born Alabama
"Davis", male age 9, born Alabama;
"Babe", male age 6 [is this Wirt Preston as one researcher has it?];
"F. A. Peacock", female age 21, domestic servant.3 
(Resident) Census25 June 1880(Head of Household) William Sanford Preston, AL Dale Co Census 1880; Beat No. 9, household 11, Dale County, Alabama, USA; "William Preston", age 63, farming, birthplace Georgia, parents' birthplace Ireland;
"Tempa Preston", wife age 57;
"William W.", son age 23;
"Patric", son age 20;
"Davis", son age 18;
"Young One", son age 15, attending school [not solidly linked to later name, probably Wirt who was age 6 in household in 1870].4 
Marriage*after 1880Elizabeth Riley 

Citations

  1. [S11] Census, U.S. of 1870, AL, Dale Co, page 227B, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah.
  2. [S12] Census, U.S. of 1880, Dale Co, AL page 643B, HH11, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah.
  3. [S11] Census, U.S. of 1870, AL, Dale Co, page 227B, ancestry.com image pg 18, Ancestry.com.
  4. [S12] Census, U.S. of 1880, Dale Co, AL page 643B, HH11, familysearch.org image 22/24, Ancestry.com.

John Preston1

#1796, b. between 1801 and 1810
Last Edited26 Aug 2017
Father*David Preston2 b. 17 Mar 1777, d. 30 Sep 1849
Mother*Nancy Jane McCann2 b. 20 Jun 1781, d. 15 Oct 1863
Birth*between 1801 and 18101 
(Buyer) Land*1832Whitakers, Crawford County, Georgia, USA; "John Preston" drew land in the 1832 Georgia Cherokee Land Lottery, Lot 102, Seventh District, Third Section, Cherokee3 
(Heir) Will13 August 1849(Testator) David Preston; Inferior Court, Crawford County, Georgia, USA; David Preston left a will (see attached photocopy). Named were wife Nancy Preston, son Thomas W. Preston (Executor), children Andrew James Preston, John Preston, William S. Preston, David Brady Preston, and Mary Mathews, wife of James Mathews.
Witnesses included Enoch Mathews and Charles H. Walker (witnesses are from a later court document, not the surviving will copy itself).
The will was proved in Inferior Court in September 1850.4

Citations

  1. [S241] Census, U.S. of 1830, Crawford Co GA pg 399, image pg 13, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah.
  2. [S35] Researcher Janet Dozier, http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/d/o/z/Janet-L-Dozier/index.html
  3. [S41] Ancestry Web Site, www.ancestry.com, Georgia Cherokee Land Lottery, 1832. Hereinafter cited as Ancestry Web Site.
  4. [S461] Georgia Wills and Probate Records, Crawford County - Probate Court - Misc Records of the Inferior Court, Georgia Archives, Morrow, Georgia, USA.

John M. Preston1

#1090, b. circa 1877
Last Edited21 Jan 2001
Father*Paul Preston1 b. c 1848
Mother*Elmeda (?)1 b. c 1848
Birth*circa 1877Alabama, USA1 
Cen-Enum*18 June 1880AL Dale Co Census 1880; Beat No. 9, Dale County, Alabama, USA; age 3, son of Paul, born in Alabama.1 
Witness: Paul Preston

Citations

  1. [S12] Census, U.S. of 1880, Dale Co, AL page 636D, HH12, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah.

John W. Preston1

#1875, b. circa 1844, d. after 1860
Last Edited15 Apr 2008
Father*William Sanford Preston1 b. 13 Sep 1816, d. 3 Sep 1886
Mother*Temperance Causby Calhoun1 b. 16 Jan 1824, d. 9 Jun 1908
Birth*circa 1844Sumter County, Georgia, USA1 
(Resident) Census20 July 1860(Head of Household) William Sanford Preston, AL Dale Co Census 1860; Newton Post Office, household 425, Dale County, Alabama, USA; "W. S. Preston" male age 42, farmer, $2000 real estate, $5000 personal assets, born in Georgia. Lived close to families of Josephine Mathews and Bryant Baldwin.
"Temperance Preston", female age 37, born in Georgia;
"John", male age 16, farm laborer, attending school, born in Georgia;
"Sarah", female age 13, attending school, born in Georgia;
"Paul", male age 10, attending school, born in Georgia;
"Leonadas", male age 9, attending school, born in Georgia (the last of the children born in Georgia);
"Braidy", male age 6, attending school, born in Alabama;
"George W.", age 3, born Alabama [is this William W. Preston age 13 in the 1870 household?];
"Winsted", age 7 months born Alabama [is this Patrick McLain Preston age 10 in the household in 1870?].1 
Death*after 1860Alabama, USA; died in Civil War, buried Mobile, AL 

Citations

  1. [S13] Census, U.S. of 1860, Dale County, Alabama, page 558, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah.

John Washington Preston1,2

#72, b. 1830, d. 2 October 1906
ChartsDescendants of James Preston & Elizabeth Jane Clark
Last Edited23 Feb 2015
RelationshipGreat-granduncle of Euel E. Balkcom
Father*James Preston1 b. c 1797, d. 5 Dec 1863
Mother*Elizabeth Jane Clark1 b. c 1798, d. bt 1871 - 1880

Family

 Mary Faison Shine b. 10 Jan 1836, d. 20 Jan 1895
Marriage*11 February 1863Mary Faison Shine; Taylor County, Georgia, USA2 
Children 1.James Preston6 b. Sep 1866
 2.Mary Preston6 b. c 1868
 3.Robert Preston7 b. c 1870
 4.David W. Preston7,17 b. c 1872
 5.Ellen Jane Preston7 b. c 1874
 6.Nancy Preston7 b. c 1876
 7.Frances S. Preston7 b. May 1879, d. 1922
Birth*1830Carlisle, Cumberland, England3,1,2 
(Immigrant) ImmigrationAugust 1832Elizabeth Jane Clark, James Preston; Whitehall, New York, USA; James and Elizabeth Preston lived in Carlisle, Cumberland, England for at least six years where they had three children. In 1832, with children ages 6, 4, and 2, they migrated to the U.S., arriving at Whitehall, New York in August of that year according to James' later oath of loyalty associated with application for U. S. citizenship. They likely went directly on to Georgia where others of the Preston family were established.

There appear to be no surviving records of immigrants arriving at Whitehall and in fact records may not have been kept. According to the Whitehall Historical Society, "Whitehall is mentioned quite often as a "port of entry" early in the 19th century but we have found no records here. ... Many immigrants stopped in Whitehall only to change transportation from lake to canal or coach on their way to other areas." It may be that immigrants listed Whitehall as the entry point because it was their first land stop in the U.S. Without knowing the specifics for the Preston family, in general Canada was a favored immigration route for families from Ireland and England who wanted to resettle in Canada or the U.S. Among other factors, the route through Canada was less expensive due to tariffs that England placed on fares to U.S. ports, intended to encourage settlement of British Canada while discouraging further U.S. settlement.

European immigrants to Canada would most often arrive at Quebec City where they would transfer to river steamboats. Several steamboat companies operated between Quebec City and Montreal, ferrying passengers to Montreal, and carrying cargo intended for export back to Quebec. One with some surviving records was the St. Lawrence Steamboat Company but a search of their records does not show Prestons traveling on their ships in 1832. From Montreal, travelers could take a coach south to the nearest navigable point on Lake Champlain on the Richeleau River at Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. There they could board a steamboat (from a company such as the Lake Champlain Steamboat Company) to Whitehall, New York at the southern tip of Lake Champlain. From Whitehall travelers could travel by stagecoach or canal boat to Albany and the Hudson River and further to New York City.

In his book American Notes, Charles Dickens journals his travels through America in 1842, and describes in some detail the trip from Montreal to Whitehall as well as his experience on a steamboat carrying immigrants from Quebec City to Montreal.1,4,5 
Birth-Alt.31 October 1833Georgia, USA; Note 1870 census lists birthplace as Georgia, 1880 census lists as England, and 1900 census lists as at-sea. Georgia is the most likely given that his father James Preston stated in his application for naturalization as a US citizen that he arrived in the US at Whitehall NY in August 1832.6,7,8,9 
(Resident) Census6 November 1850(Head of Household) James Preston; Division No. 20, household 588, Crawford County, Georgia, USA; "Jas Preston" age 53, born Ireland, planter,real estate $2000;
"Elizabeth Preston" age 52, born Ireland;
"David Preston" age 23, born England, planter;
"D Preston" female age 22, born Georgia (Delphia, wife of their son David);
"Jno Preston" male age 19 (age barely legible but most likely 19), born England, planter;
"Jane Preston" age 15, born Georgia;
"R Caswell" m age 21, born Georgia [note: Possibly a hired hand. A year later, in 1851, he married Jane Preston who would then have been age 16.]
They lived next to the household of Mary Mathews.10 
Military*27 May 1861Crawford County, Georgia, USA; Confederate Army|| summary of his service record: "Residence: Crawford County, Georgia Occupation: none listed
Service Record:
Promoted to Full Sergeant 5th Class (1862)
Enlisted as a Private on 27 May 1861
Enlisted in Company E, 6th Infantry Regiment Georgia on 27 May 1861
Wounded on 31 May 1862 at Seven Pines, VA
Wounded on 27 June 1862 at Cold Harbor, VA
Discharged because of wounds on 05 October 1862"11 
Marriage*11 February 1863Mary Faison Shine; Taylor County, Georgia, USA2 
Census*12 July 1870Mary Faison Shine; Beat No. 11, Skipperville, pg 68, hh#179, Dale County, Alabama, USA; "John Preston", head, age 37, farmer, born in Georgia. Assets $600 real estate, $450 personal;
"Mary Preston", female age 30, keeps house, born Alabama;
"James Preston", age 4, born Alabama;
"Mary Preston", age 2, born Alabama.12 
Resident: James Preston
Resident: Mary Preston
Comment*1880There are inconsistencies in the link between this 1880 person and the one I identified as the same in the 1870 census.

The 1880 census lists JW Preston as age 53; the 1870 census listed John Preston as 37, birthplace is listed as Georgia. But 1880 neighbors are the same as in 1870, and wife is Mary although Mary age is reported 4 years different between 1870 and 1880. Oldest son was James in both, consistent age, but daughter Mary doesn't show up in 1880. In 1880, Two black females age 16 (Cane) and 15 (Cely) with Preston surname also lived in the household. They were listed as born in Alabama, parents in Georgia. In household 207 nearby was Ann Preston (Black, age 60, born in Virginia, parents born in Virginia), and son Henry Preston (age 27, laborer, born in Georgia, parents born in Virginia). Also in the census in this area were the households of William Preston and W. H. Baldwin. 
Census16 June 1880Mary Faison Shine; ED#56, pg 22, hh#190, Dale County, Alabama, USA; "J. W. Preston", head, age 53, farmer, born in England, both parents born in Ireland;
"Mary Preston", wife age 44, keeping house, born in North Carolina, birthplace of parents not listed. Note difference in age with 1870 census, reported then age 30;
"James T. Preston", son age 13, attending school, father born in England, mother NC;
"Robert Preston", son age 10, attending school, born in Alabama, father born in England, mother in NC;
"David Preston", son age 8, attending school, born in Alabama;
"Elen J. Preston", female age 6, born in Alabama, relationship column blank, possibly of other parents?, but this census taker left this column blank for younger children of other families;
"Nancy Preston", female age 4, born in Alabama, relationship column blank;
"Frances Preston", female age 2, born in Alabama, relationship column blank;
"Cane Preston", black female age 16, laborer, born Alabama, parents born Georgia, no read/write;
"Celey Preston", black female age 15, laborer, born Alabama, parents born Georgia, no read/write.13 
Resident: James Preston
Resident: Robert Preston
Resident: David W. Preston
Resident: Ellen Jane Preston
Resident: Nancy Preston
Resident: Frances S. Preston
Census*9 June 1900ED#68, Precinct 11 Skipperville, Dale County, Alabama, USA; "John Preston", head, age 66, born Oct 1833 at-sea, parents born in Ireland, widowed, farmer, owned farm free of mortgage;
"Fanny S. Preston", daughter age 21, single, born May 1879 in Alabama, father born at-sea, mother North Carolina.14 
Resident: Frances S. Preston
Death*2 October 190615,16 
Burial*Bethel Methodist Church Cemetery, Dale County, Alabama, USA; Inscription: "John W. Preston, Born Oct 31, 1833, Died oct 2, 1906"16,15 

Citations

  1. [S14] Census, U.S. of 1850, Crawford County, Georgia, Division 20, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah.
  2. [S33] Researcher Penny Dodd, http://www.flash.net/~pdodd, reference date 2000.
  3. [S393] Church Records , "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/N1LZ-HV3 : accessed 17 Nov 2014), David Preston, 04 Jun 1826; citing Carlisle, Cumberland, England, reference 146; FHL microfilm 90583.
  4. [S33] Researcher Penny Dodd, citing Crawford County, Georgia Superior Court Minutes August 1836, http://www.flash.net/~pdodd
  5. [S426] Web Site - The Ships List, http://www.theshipslist.com, St. Lawrence Steamboat Co. Passenger Records. Hereinafter cited as Web Site - The Ships List.
  6. [S11] Census, U.S. of 1870, Dale County, AL page 253B, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah.
  7. [S12] Census, U.S. of 1880, Dale Co, AL page 755B. HH190, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah.
  8. [S31] Confederate Veterans Buried in Dale County Alabama, http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/1767/Homer.txt. Hereinafter cited as Confederates Buried Dale County.
  9. [S77] Census, U.S. of 1900, Dale Co AL, Enum Dist 68, Precinct 111, image 10, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah.
  10. [S14] Census, U.S. of 1850, Crawford County, GA page 420B, HH 588, Ancestry.com.
  11. [S40] Confederate Pension and Record Department. Roster of the Confederate Soldiers of Georgia 1861-1865. 7 vols., www.ancestry.com. Hereinafter cited as Confederate Pension and Record Department. Roster of the Confederate Soldiers of Georgia 1861-1865.
  12. [S11] Census, U.S. of 1870, Dale County, AL Beat No. 11, Ancestry.com.
  13. [S12] Census, U.S. of 1880, Dale Co, AL, Ancestry.com.
  14. [S77] Census, U.S. of 1900, Dale Co AL, Enum Dist 68, Precinct 11, image 10, Ancestry.com.
  15. [S367] Tombstone Inscription, Bethel Methodist Church Cemetery, Dale County Alabama, photograph or record held by Jerry Balkcom, 2010.
  16. [S31] Confederates Buried Dale County, http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/1767/Homer.txt, Bethel Methodist Church Cemetery, County Road 36, east of Ozark, Alabama.
  17. [S266] Researcher J. McCarver.

Leonidas Preston1,2

#544, b. circa 1852
Last Edited13 Aug 2017
Father*William Sanford Preston1 b. 13 Sep 1816, d. 3 Sep 1886
Mother*Temperance Causby Calhoun1 b. 16 Jan 1824, d. 9 Jun 1908
Birth*circa 1852Georgia, USA1 
(Resident) Census20 July 1860(Head of Household) William Sanford Preston, AL Dale Co Census 1860; Newton Post Office, household 425, Dale County, Alabama, USA; "W. S. Preston" male age 42, farmer, $2000 real estate, $5000 personal assets, born in Georgia. Lived close to families of Josephine Mathews and Bryant Baldwin.
"Temperance Preston", female age 37, born in Georgia;
"John", male age 16, farm laborer, attending school, born in Georgia;
"Sarah", female age 13, attending school, born in Georgia;
"Paul", male age 10, attending school, born in Georgia;
"Leonadas", male age 9, attending school, born in Georgia (the last of the children born in Georgia);
"Braidy", male age 6, attending school, born in Alabama;
"George W.", age 3, born Alabama [is this William W. Preston age 13 in the 1870 household?];
"Winsted", age 7 months born Alabama [is this Patrick McLain Preston age 10 in the household in 1870?].3 
(Resident) Census28 July 1870(Head of Household) William Sanford Preston, AL Dale Co Census 1870; Beat No. 9, hh#130, Echo, Dale County, Alabama, USA; "W. S. Preston" age 53, a farmer, born in Georgia. He had real estate valued at $2160, personal estate of $1500, and lived adjacent to son Paul Preston age 22.
Household:
"T. C. Preston", female age 47, born Georgia;
"Leonidus", male age 18, working in farm, born Georgia;
"Brady" age 16, born Alabama;
"W. W.", male age 13, born Alabama;
"Patrick", age 11, born Alabama
"Davis", male age 9, born Alabama;
"Babe", male age 6 [is this Wirt Preston as one researcher has it?];
"F. A. Peacock", female age 21, domestic servant.4 
Marriage*11 March 1879Elizabeth Johnson5 
Progeny*after 1880Ida, Leonidas N., William Irving, Early, Eva, Vera, Coleman, Johnie Mae, Flowers5 
Cen-Head*20 June 1900Precinct 9 Echo, En Dist 66 hh205, Dale County, Alabama, USA; male born November 1854, born in Alabama, parents born in GA. Wife is Lizzie, married for 21 years. Children are listed.2 

Citations

  1. [S11] Census, U.S. of 1870, AL, Dale Co, page 227B, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah.
  2. [S77] Census, U.S. of 1900, Dale County AL, page 250 image pg 23, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah.
  3. [S13] Census, U.S. of 1860, Dale County, Alabama, page 558, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah.
  4. [S11] Census, U.S. of 1870, AL, Dale Co, page 227B, ancestry.com image pg 18, Ancestry.com.
  5. [S35] Researcher Janet Dozier, http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/d/o/z/Janet-L-Dozier/index.html

Mary Preston1

#930, b. circa 1868
ChartsDescendants of James Preston & Elizabeth Jane Clark
Last Edited24 Feb 2002
Relationship1st cousin 2 times removed of Euel E. Balkcom
Father*John Washington Preston1 b. 1830, d. 2 Oct 1906
Mother*Mary Faison Shine1 b. 10 Jan 1836, d. 20 Jan 1895
Birth*circa 1868Alabama, USA1 
(Resident) Census12 July 1870John Washington Preston, Mary Faison Shine; Beat No. 11, Skipperville, pg 68, hh#179, Dale County, Alabama, USA; "John Preston", head, age 37, farmer, born in Georgia. Assets $600 real estate, $450 personal;
"Mary Preston", female age 30, keeps house, born Alabama;
"James Preston", age 4, born Alabama;
"Mary Preston", age 2, born Alabama.2 

Citations

  1. [S11] Census, U.S. of 1870, Dale County, AL page 253B, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah.
  2. [S11] Census, U.S. of 1870, Dale County, AL Beat No. 11, Ancestry.com.

Mary Jane Preston1,2

#1116, b. 21 March 1821, d. 8 November 1899
Last Edited26 Aug 2017
Father*David Preston3,4,2 b. 17 Mar 1777, d. 30 Sep 1849
Mother*Nancy Jane McCann2 b. 20 Jun 1781, d. 15 Oct 1863

Family

 James Madison Mathews b. 10 Oct 1816, d. 18 Jun 1884
Marriage*24 December 1843James Madison Mathews; Crawford County, Georgia, USA; Note also that William E. Mathews married Nancy Preston in 1848 in Crawford County. May be a link.5,1,4 
Children 1.William Eldridge Mathews4,5 b. 9 Nov 1844, d. a 1903
 2.Sarah Ann Mathews15 b. 30 Dec 1847
 3.Franklin Mathews15 b. Mar 1850
 4.Mary E. Mathews10 b. c 1851
 5.Melvina Mathews10 b. 27 Apr 1853
 6.James Monroe Mathews10 b. 15 Apr 1855
 7.Luvinia Mathews10 b. 14 Sep 1856
 8.John W. Mathews10 b. c 1859
 9.Laura Mathews11 b. 28 Jan 1862
 10.Lucy Mathews11 b. 2 Jan 1866
Birth*21 March 1821Crawford County, Georgia, USA5,2 
Married Name24 December 1843Mathews4,5,1 
Marriage*24 December 1843James Madison Mathews; Crawford County, Georgia, USA; Note also that William E. Mathews married Nancy Preston in 1848 in Crawford County. May be a link.5,1,4 
(Heir) Will13 August 1849(Testator) David Preston; Inferior Court, Crawford County, Georgia, USA; David Preston left a will (see attached photocopy). Named were wife Nancy Preston, son Thomas W. Preston (Executor), children Andrew James Preston, John Preston, William S. Preston, David Brady Preston, and Mary Mathews, wife of James Mathews.
Witnesses included Enoch Mathews and Charles H. Walker (witnesses are from a later court document, not the surviving will copy itself).
The will was proved in Inferior Court in September 1850.6
(Resident) Census2 August 1850James Madison Mathews, GA Crawford Co Census 1850; Division No. 20, hh#62, Crawford County, Georgia, USA; "J. M. Mathews", male head of household, age 31, planter, real estate value $600, born in SC;
"M. J. Mathews", female age 28, born in Georgia;
"Wm Mathews", male age 6, born in Georgia;
"Sarah Mathews", age 4, born in Georgia;
"Franklin Mathews", male age 5 months, born in Georgia;

Note close proximity to household of William E. Mathews #637 
(Neighbor) Census6 August 1850(Head of Household) William E. Mathews, GA Crawford Co Census 1850; Division No. 20, household 71, Crawford County, Georgia, USA; "Wm E. Mathews", male age 24, occupation grocer, real estate $110, born in Georgia. Based on occupations of nearby people they were probably living in town. Household:
"Nancy Mathews", age 20, born in England;
"Josephine Mathews", age 1, born in Georgia;
"Josephine Warren", age 10, born in Georgia.
Living nearby was the family of James Madison Mathews and Mary Jane Preston.8 
Migration*circa 1851James Madison Mathews; Dale County, Alabama, USA4 
(Neighbor) CommentJune 1860Elizabeth (?), James Preston; Dale County, Alabama, USA; Living close together in the 1860 census were families of Elizabeth Baldwin, widowed, her son W. J. Baldwin, son John C. Baldwin, James and Elizabeth Preston, their daughter Nancy Mathews, widowed, and children, and James M. Mathews. Not far away was the Wiley Balkcom family. Elizabeth Baldwin's son Bryant later married adjacent Nancy Mathews' daughter Josephine.9 
(Resident) Census19 July 1860(Head of Household) James Madison Mathews, (Enumerator) AL Dale Co Census 1860; Newton Post Office, hh 417, Dale County, Alabama, USA; "James M. Matthews", male age 42, farmer, real estate $6000, personal $1000, born in SC. In the household were wife Mary Preston, eight children, and Ed C. Riley age 24, a farm laborer, born in Alabama.
Household:
Mary J. Mathews age 39, born Georgia;
William Eldridge Mathews age 15, farm laborer, born in Georgia;
Sarah Ann Mathews age 12, attending school, born in Georgia;
Francis F. Mathews male age 10, attending school, born in Georgia;
Mary E. Mathews age 9, attending school, born in Georgia;
Melvina Mathews female age 7, born in Alabama;
James Monroe Mathews age 4, born in Alabama;
Luvinia Mathews female age 3, born in Alabama;
John W. Mathews age 1, born Alabama.10 
(Resident) Census29 July 1870James Madison Mathews, (Enumerator) AL Dale Co Census 1870; Beat No. 9, Echo Post Office, Dale County, Alabama, USA; "J. M. Mathews", age 52 farmer born in SC, $9000/$1000, with wife M. J. age 47 born in GA, and 7 children.
Household:
"M. J. Mathews" age 47, born in Georgia;
"M. E. Mathews" age 18 born in Georgia;
Melvina Mathews age 17 born in Georgia;
"J. M. Mathews" male age 15 born in Georgia;
"Luvinia Mathews" age 13 born in Georgia;
Laura Mathews age 8 born in Georgia;
Lucy Mathews age 3 born in Georgia.11 
(Resident) Census7 June 1880John W. Mathews, AL Henry Co Census 1880; Roeville Township, ED#83, Beat 8 pg 10, Henry County, Alabama, USA; household:
"John Mathews", single age 23, farmer, born AL, father NC, mother GA;
"Jane Mathews", mother age 60, widowed, keeping house, born AL, father NC, mother GA.
Lived adjacent to Thomas Mathews age 32, and wife Elizabeth age 28.12 
(Witness) Census19 June 1880(Head of Household) James Madison Mathews; Beat 9, Enum Dist 64; "James M. Matthews", age 62, farming, born South Carolina, parents born "South";
"Mary J. Matthews", age 59, wife, born Georgia, parents born Ireland;
"Mary E.", daughter age 28, born Georgia;
"Eviny", daughter age 23, born Alabama;
"Lovina", daughter age 21, born Alabama;
"Laura", daughter age 17, born Alabama, attending school;
"Lucy", daughter age 11, born Alabama, attending school.13 
Death*8 November 1899Dale County, Alabama, USA2 
Burial*Bethel Methodist Church Cemetery, Dale County, Alabama, USA; Inscription: "Mother, Mary J. Wife of Jas. M. Mathews, nee Preston, Born Mar 21, 1821, Died 8 Nov 1899"14 
Estate"... the homestead, about 1000 acres, was sold ..."4 

Citations

  1. [S143] Frances T. Ingmire, compiler, Crawford County Georgia Marriage Records 1823-1953 (10166 Clairmont Dr; St Louis, MO 63136: n.pub., 1985). Hereinafter cited as Marriages Crawford Co GA 1823-1853.
  2. [S35] Researcher Janet Dozier, http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/d/o/z/Janet-L-Dozier/index.html
  3. [S461] Georgia Wills and Probate Records, Crawford County - Probate Court - Misc Records of the Inferior Court, Will of David Preston, Georgia Archives, Morrow, Georgia, USA.
  4. [S348] The Writings of W. E. Mathews (later Preston), c1880, Ancestry.com, http://search.ancestry.com/iexec/?htx=BookList&dbid=29650&offerid=0%3a7858%3a0, transcribed from original by E. H. Hayes.
  5. [S14] Census, U.S. of 1850, GA, Crawford Co p 385A hh 62, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah.
  6. [S461] Georgia Probate Courts, Crawford County - Probate Court - Misc Records of the Inferior Court, Georgia Archives.
  7. [S14] Census, U.S. of 1850, Crawford County, Georgia, census page 385, ancestry.com image page 9, Ancestry.com.
  8. [S14] Census, U.S. of 1850, Crawford County, Georgia, image page 386A (11 of 104 on ancestry), Ancestry.com.
  9. [S13] Census, U.S. of 1860, Dale County, AL page 556, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah.
  10. [S13] Census, U.S. of 1860, Dale County, Alabama, page 517, Ancestry.com.
  11. [S11] Census, U.S. of 1870, Alabama Dale County, page 221A, ancestry.com pg 5, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah.
  12. [S12] Census, U.S. of 1880, Henry County, AL, Roeville township, Beat 8, ancestry image pg 10, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah.
  13. [S12] Census, U.S. of 1880, Dale County, Alabama, ancestry image 8 of 23., Ancestry.com.
  14. [S367] Tombstone Inscription, Bethel Methodist Church Cemetery, Dale County Alabama, photograph or record held by Jerry Balkcom, 2010.
  15. [S14] Census, U.S. of 1850, GA, Crawford Co p 385B hh 62, Ancestry.com.

Nancy Preston1

#1077, b. circa 1876
ChartsDescendants of James Preston & Elizabeth Jane Clark
Last Edited15 Apr 2008
Relationship1st cousin 2 times removed of Euel E. Balkcom
Father*John Washington Preston1 b. 1830, d. 2 Oct 1906
Mother*Mary Faison Shine1 b. 10 Jan 1836, d. 20 Jan 1895
Birth*circa 1876Alabama, USA1 
(Resident) Census16 June 1880John Washington Preston, Mary Faison Shine; ED#56, pg 22, hh#190, Dale County, Alabama, USA; "J. W. Preston", head, age 53, farmer, born in England, both parents born in Ireland;
"Mary Preston", wife age 44, keeping house, born in North Carolina, birthplace of parents not listed. Note difference in age with 1870 census, reported then age 30;
"James T. Preston", son age 13, attending school, father born in England, mother NC;
"Robert Preston", son age 10, attending school, born in Alabama, father born in England, mother in NC;
"David Preston", son age 8, attending school, born in Alabama;
"Elen J. Preston", female age 6, born in Alabama, relationship column blank, possibly of other parents?, but this census taker left this column blank for younger children of other families;
"Nancy Preston", female age 4, born in Alabama, relationship column blank;
"Frances Preston", female age 2, born in Alabama, relationship column blank;
"Cane Preston", black female age 16, laborer, born Alabama, parents born Georgia, no read/write;
"Celey Preston", black female age 15, laborer, born Alabama, parents born Georgia, no read/write.2 

Citations

  1. [S12] Census, U.S. of 1880, Dale Co, AL page 755B. HH190, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah.
  2. [S12] Census, U.S. of 1880, Dale Co, AL, Ancestry.com.

Nancy Ann Preston1,2

#64, b. 1828, d. August 1900
ChartsAncestors of Euel Balkcom
J Balkcom Tree (Paternal) - Ancestors of Euel Balkcom
Descendants of William E. Mathews and Ann Nancy Preston
Descendants of James Preston & Elizabeth Jane Clark
Last Edited21 Sep 2018
RelationshipGreat-grandmother of Euel E. Balkcom
Father*James Preston3,4,1 b. c 1797, d. 5 Dec 1863
Mother*Elizabeth Jane Clark1,4 b. c 1798, d. bt 1871 - 1880

Family

 William E. Mathews b. c 1826, d. b 1859
Marriage*18 May 1848William E. Mathews; Crawford County, Georgia, USA1,9,2,10 
Children 1.Josephine L. (Missie) Mathews+1 b. 1849, d. 18 Jun 1885
 2.John Thomas Mathews+4 b. 7 Feb 1851, d. 31 Aug 1916
 3.Mary Elizabeth Mathews4 b. 18 Feb 1853, d. 16 Jul 1917
Birth*1828England5,4,1,6 
(Immigrant) ImmigrationAugust 1832Elizabeth Jane Clark, James Preston; Whitehall, New York, USA; James and Elizabeth Preston lived in Carlisle, Cumberland, England for at least six years where they had three children. In 1832, with children ages 6, 4, and 2, they migrated to the U.S., arriving at Whitehall, New York in August of that year according to James' later oath of loyalty associated with application for U. S. citizenship. They likely went directly on to Georgia where others of the Preston family were established.

There appear to be no surviving records of immigrants arriving at Whitehall and in fact records may not have been kept. According to the Whitehall Historical Society, "Whitehall is mentioned quite often as a "port of entry" early in the 19th century but we have found no records here. ... Many immigrants stopped in Whitehall only to change transportation from lake to canal or coach on their way to other areas." It may be that immigrants listed Whitehall as the entry point because it was their first land stop in the U.S. Without knowing the specifics for the Preston family, in general Canada was a favored immigration route for families from Ireland and England who wanted to resettle in Canada or the U.S. Among other factors, the route through Canada was less expensive due to tariffs that England placed on fares to U.S. ports, intended to encourage settlement of British Canada while discouraging further U.S. settlement.

European immigrants to Canada would most often arrive at Quebec City where they would transfer to river steamboats. Several steamboat companies operated between Quebec City and Montreal, ferrying passengers to Montreal, and carrying cargo intended for export back to Quebec. One with some surviving records was the St. Lawrence Steamboat Company but a search of their records does not show Prestons traveling on their ships in 1832. From Montreal, travelers could take a coach south to the nearest navigable point on Lake Champlain on the Richeleau River at Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. There they could board a steamboat (from a company such as the Lake Champlain Steamboat Company) to Whitehall, New York at the southern tip of Lake Champlain. From Whitehall travelers could travel by stagecoach or canal boat to Albany and the Hudson River and further to New York City.

In his book American Notes, Charles Dickens journals his travels through America in 1842, and describes in some detail the trip from Montreal to Whitehall as well as his experience on a steamboat carrying immigrants from Quebec City to Montreal.1,7,8 
Marriage*18 May 1848William E. Mathews; Crawford County, Georgia, USA1,9,2,10 
Married Name28 May 1848Ann Nancy Mathews1 
(Neighbor) Census2 August 1850James Madison Mathews, GA Crawford Co Census 1850; Division No. 20, hh#62, Crawford County, Georgia, USA; "J. M. Mathews", male head of household, age 31, planter, real estate value $600, born in SC;
"M. J. Mathews", female age 28, born in Georgia;
"Wm Mathews", male age 6, born in Georgia;
"Sarah Mathews", age 4, born in Georgia;
"Franklin Mathews", male age 5 months, born in Georgia;

Note close proximity to household of William E. Mathews #6311 
(Resident) Census6 August 1850(Head of Household) William E. Mathews, GA Crawford Co Census 1850; Division No. 20, household 71, Crawford County, Georgia, USA; "Wm E. Mathews", male age 24, occupation grocer, real estate $110, born in Georgia. Based on occupations of nearby people they were probably living in town. Household:
"Nancy Mathews", age 20, born in England;
"Josephine Mathews", age 1, born in Georgia;
"Josephine Warren", age 10, born in Georgia.
Living nearby was the family of James Madison Mathews and Mary Jane Preston.12 
(Witness) Deathbefore 1859(Deceased) William E. Mathews; Knoxville, Crawford County, Georgia, USA; William E. Mathews said deceased in a court matter 15 February 185913 
Residence*1860Echo, Dale County, Alabama, USA; In this census Nancy is widowed and living with her three children.4 
Occupation*1860Echo, Dale County, Alabama, USA; seamstress4 
(Neighbor) Census18 July 1860(Head of Household) James Preston; Newton Post Office, hh#404, Dale County, Alabama, USA; "James Preston" age 63, born in Ireland;
"Elizabeth Preston", age 63, born in Ireland.
The adjacent household was their daughter Nancy Mathews. Other census details - land value $845, property $4400, reported as not reading/writing [not correct, James signed legal documents as early as 1850].14 
Census*19 July 1860AL Dale Co Census 1860; Newton Post Office, Dale County, Alabama, USA; "Nancy Matthews", census head, age 29, seamstress, born in England, living with her three children on a property next to that of her parents, James and Elizabeth Preston. [She was widowed at this time by the death of her husband William a couple of years earlier.] No real estate assets were listed, implying she lived on the property of her parents. She had $200. in personal estate;
Household:
"Josephine Matthews" age 11, born in Georgia, attended school within the year;
"John T. Matthews" age 9, born in Georgia, attended school within the year;
"Mary E. Matthews" age 7, born in Georgia.15 
Resident: Josephine L. (Missie) Mathews
Resident: John Thomas Mathews
Resident: Mary Elizabeth Mathews
(Head of Household) Census*1866(Enumerator) AL Dale Co Census 1860; Township 6N, Range 25E, Dale County, Alabama, USA; "Nancy Matthews" appeared on the state census with 2 white males ages 10 - 20, 1 female 10-20 (possibly 17 year old Josephine although she married in 1865), and 1 female over 20 (Nancy).16 
Cen-Agr*1870Dale County, Alabama, USA; "Nancy Mathews" appeared as landowner in the agricultural census. 60 acres improved land, 320 acres woodland. 2 mules, 2 milch cows, 4 other cattle, 20 swine. 200 bushels indian corn, 90# rice. 2 bales cotton, 10 bushels beans and peas, 20 gallons molasses. Value of home manufactuies $30, animals slaughtered or sold for slaughter $80.17 
(Head of Household) Census*28 July 1870AL Dale Co Census 1870; Echo, Dale County, Alabama, USA; Nancy was living with 19 year old J.T. Matthews (assume this is her son) and M.E. Lisenby (assume this is her daughter Mary E. who is listed as 17) and Mary's husband Joshua Lisenby aged 18. Also living in the house is Elizabeth Preston (Nancy's mother) born in Ireland. Nancy was listed with real estate valued at $200. and personal assets of $400. Birthplace was listed as England, and blocks were checked for her father and mother being of foreign birth.18 
Resident: John Thomas Mathews
Resident: Mary Elizabeth Mathews
Resident: Joshua Lisenby
Resident: Elizabeth Jane Clark
Death*August 1900Dale County, Alabama, USA2 
Burial*Bethel Methodist Church Cemetery, Dale County, Alabama, USA; tombstone inscription:
"Nancy, Wife of W. E. Mathews, Died August 1900", identified by submitter as as "Ann Clark "Nancy" Preston Mathews"19 

Citations

  1. [S14] Census, U.S. of 1850, Crawford County, Georgia, Division 20, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah.
  2. [S33] Researcher Penny Dodd, http://www.flash.net/~pdodd, reference date 2000.
  3. [S11] Census, U.S. of 1870, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah.
  4. [S13] Census, U.S. of 1860, Dale County, Alabama, Echo Community, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah.
  5. [S393] Church Records , "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/N1LZ-HV3 : accessed 17 Nov 2014), David Preston, 04 Jun 1826; citing Carlisle, Cumberland, England, reference 146; FHL microfilm 90583.
  6. [S33] Researcher Penny Dodd, Baptismal record from St. Mary's Church, Carlisle, Cumbria County, England, http://www.flash.net/~pdodd
  7. [S33] Researcher Penny Dodd, citing Crawford County, Georgia Superior Court Minutes August 1836, http://www.flash.net/~pdodd
  8. [S426] Web Site - The Ships List, http://www.theshipslist.com, St. Lawrence Steamboat Co. Passenger Records. Hereinafter cited as Web Site - The Ships List.
  9. [S19] Marriage record for William E. Matthews and Nancy Preston, from Early American Marriage Collections, online www.familysearch.org, Family History Library.
  10. [S143] Frances T. Ingmire, compiler, Crawford County Georgia Marriage Records 1823-1953 (10166 Clairmont Dr; St Louis, MO 63136: n.pub., 1985). Hereinafter cited as Marriages Crawford Co GA 1823-1853.
  11. [S14] Census, U.S. of 1850, Crawford County, Georgia, census page 385, ancestry.com image page 9, Ancestry.com.
  12. [S14] Census, U.S. of 1850, Crawford County, Georgia, image page 386A (11 of 104 on ancestry), Ancestry.com.
  13. [S461] Georgia Wills and Probate Records, Crawford County - Probate Court - Misc Records of the Inferior Court, Georgia Archives, Morrow, Georgia, USA.
  14. [S13] Census, U.S. of 1860, Dale County, Alabama, vensus page 555, Ancestry.com.
  15. [S13] Census, U.S. of 1860, Dale County, Alabama, census page 556, Ancestry.com.
  16. [S362] Alabama State Census 1866, www.ancestry.com, Dale County, Alabama. Hereinafter cited as Alabama State Census 1866.
  17. [S11] Census, U.S. of 1870, Non-Population Schedule, Agricultural, Dale County, Alabama Beat #9, Ancestry.com.
  18. [S11] Census, U.S. of 1870, AL, Dale Co, page 220A, ancestry.com image pg 3, Ancestry.com.
  19. [S391] Find A Grave Website, http://www.findagrave.com, submitter Christine Thacker, Photograph by Don Atwell, Find A Grave Memorial #9023346. Hereinafter cited as Find A Grave Website.

Patrick McLain Preston1,2

#547, b. December 1859
Last Edited15 Apr 2008
Father*William Sanford Preston1 b. 13 Sep 1816, d. 3 Sep 1886
Mother*Temperance Causby Calhoun1 b. 16 Jan 1824, d. 9 Jun 1908
Birth*December 1859Alabama, USA1 
Name Variation1860Winsted Preston; Census of 1860 shows child born in 1859 as Winsted. Later census has him as Patrick.3 
(Resident) Census20 July 1860(Head of Household) William Sanford Preston, AL Dale Co Census 1860; Newton Post Office, household 425, Dale County, Alabama, USA; "W. S. Preston" male age 42, farmer, $2000 real estate, $5000 personal assets, born in Georgia. Lived close to families of Josephine Mathews and Bryant Baldwin.
"Temperance Preston", female age 37, born in Georgia;
"John", male age 16, farm laborer, attending school, born in Georgia;
"Sarah", female age 13, attending school, born in Georgia;
"Paul", male age 10, attending school, born in Georgia;
"Leonadas", male age 9, attending school, born in Georgia (the last of the children born in Georgia);
"Braidy", male age 6, attending school, born in Alabama;
"George W.", age 3, born Alabama [is this William W. Preston age 13 in the 1870 household?];
"Winsted", age 7 months born Alabama [is this Patrick McLain Preston age 10 in the household in 1870?].3 
(Resident) Census28 July 1870(Head of Household) William Sanford Preston, AL Dale Co Census 1870; Beat No. 9, hh#130, Echo, Dale County, Alabama, USA; "W. S. Preston" age 53, a farmer, born in Georgia. He had real estate valued at $2160, personal estate of $1500, and lived adjacent to son Paul Preston age 22.
Household:
"T. C. Preston", female age 47, born Georgia;
"Leonidus", male age 18, working in farm, born Georgia;
"Brady" age 16, born Alabama;
"W. W.", male age 13, born Alabama;
"Patrick", age 11, born Alabama
"Davis", male age 9, born Alabama;
"Babe", male age 6 [is this Wirt Preston as one researcher has it?];
"F. A. Peacock", female age 21, domestic servant.4 
(Resident) Census25 June 1880(Head of Household) William Sanford Preston, AL Dale Co Census 1880; Beat No. 9, household 11, Dale County, Alabama, USA; "William Preston", age 63, farming, birthplace Georgia, parents' birthplace Ireland;
"Tempa Preston", wife age 57;
"William W.", son age 23;
"Patric", son age 20;
"Davis", son age 18;
"Young One", son age 15, attending school [not solidly linked to later name, probably Wirt who was age 6 in household in 1870].5 
Marriage*Elizabeth Childtree2 
Progeny*Elizabeth Childtree; Erin, Sam2 

Citations

  1. [S11] Census, U.S. of 1870, AL, Dale Co, page 227B, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah.
  2. [S35] Researcher Janet Dozier, http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/d/o/z/Janet-L-Dozier/index.html
  3. [S13] Census, U.S. of 1860, Dale County, Alabama, page 558, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah.
  4. [S11] Census, U.S. of 1870, AL, Dale Co, page 227B, ancestry.com image pg 18, Ancestry.com.
  5. [S12] Census, U.S. of 1880, Dale Co, AL page 643B, HH11, familysearch.org image 22/24, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah.