Preston Family Papers (Didier Collection)

1747-1897, ca. 180 items, Ms85-020

The Didier Collection of Preston Family Papers includes papers of James Patton, Patton's grandson William Preston, and Preston's eldest son, John Preston, all of Montgomery County, Virginia. The Preston family was important in the surveying, settlement, military affairs, and government of Southwest Virginia in the 18th and 19th centuries. Their papers consist of business and legal documents, surveys, and correspondence. Much of the collection relates to John Preston (1764-1827), treasurer of the Commonwealth of Virginia from 1810 to 1819. For further information on the Preston family, see John F. Dorman, The Prestons of Smithfield and Greenfield in Virginia (1982).

Materials relating to James Patton are in Box 1, Folders 1-4. Those relating to William Preston (1729-83) are in Box 1, Folders 5-13. John Preston materials are in Box 2, Folders 1-39, and materials relating to members of his family in Box 2, Folders 40-41. Box 3 contains miscellaneous and unidentified papers.

The Didier Collection of the Preston family papers was donated to the Montgomery County Branch of the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities by Charles Peale Didier of Tryon, North Carolina, in 1985 and deposited by the APVA in the University Libraries of Virginia Tech the same year.

Additions to the collection were donated by Anna Kenney of Blacksburg, Virginia, in March and April, 1990. These donations are designated with an asterisk.

Container List:

Box 1

Folder 1: Survey of a property [belonging to Robert Norris?] for Col. James Patton and Company; 2 March 1747.
Folder 2: Promissory note of William Pepper to James Patton. Augusta County; 18 February 1753.
Folder 2: Promissory note of John M. Colley to James Patton et al; [25 August?] 1753.
Folder 3: Land indenture between James Patton and William Leppard for 75 acres. Augusta County; undated. Fragment.
Folder 3: Land indenture between James Patton and John Cal-breath for 61 acres in Augusta County; date unclear.
Folder 3: Land indenture of James Patton for 193 acres in Augusta County. Augusta County; 3 November 17[?].
Folder 4: Judgments on James Patton's estate. Signed John Madison. Augusta County; November 1770.
Folder 5: Received of Wm. Carravan, whiskey for the use of a company of patrollers. Signed Wm. Preston; 23 July 1755.
Folder 5: Bill for goods bought by Wm. Preston. Signed Felix Gilbert; 20 October 1758.
Folder 6: List of quit rents of the Middle District of Augusta. Shows accounts insolvent and paid, 1759-60. Also includes arrears received by William Preston, 1755, 1756, 1757, and 1758; new patents, 1759; and new patents, 1760. 30 pp.
Folder 7: Bond of John McNully and Andrew Greer to Wm. Preston, Sheriff of Augusta. Augusta County; 31 January 1760.
Folder 7: Received of Wm. Preston, payment for itemized goods. Signed David Cloyd; May 1760.
Folder 7: Land indenture between Tobias Smith and Wm. Preston for 330 acres in Augusta County "included in the Greenfield Tract." Augusta County; 12 May 1760.
Folder 8: Promissory note for a sum to be paid to Messrs. Cranford and Simpson. Signed Wm. Preston; 17 December 1761.
Folder 8: Robt. Breckinridge to William Preston, a bill to be paid to James Lockart; 25 May 1762.
Folder 9: Promissory note for a sum to be paid to Robert McClenachan by Wm. Preston and Robert Breckinridge. Signed by Preston and Breckinridge. Augusta County; 26 June 1763.
Folder 9: Andrew Boyd [to William Preston?], requesting the transport of goods which arrived for Boyd from Scot-land. Fort Lewis; 17 June 1766.
Folder 9: Account of William Preston with Arch[ibald?] Buchanan containing itemized list of household goods; 30 October 1766.
Folder 10: Gabriel Jones to [William Preston?], reply to a letter. Concerns land sale accounts. 30 November 1767.
Folder 10: John Todd to John Brown in Augusta, concerning a runaway wench Todd now wants to sell to Col. [William] Preston. 5 July [17]68.
Folder 10: Received of Alexander Ingram a payment by Wm. Lush. Witnessed and signed by Wm. Preston; 9 April 1770.
Folder 10: Bill to Joseph McMurtry on behalf of Thos. Eakins for survey of 120 acres land. Signed by McMurtry and Wm. Preston; 24 September 1770.
Folder 11: Promissory note for a sum to be paid to David Cloyd by William Preston and W. John Armstrong. Signed by Preston and Armstrong. Botetourt County; 11 February 1772. Receipt on back [1775?].
Folder 11: Christiana Davies and Benjamin Coxley to Col. William Preston in Botetourt County. Refers to Andrew Lewis being appointed to executor of William Davies' estate. Philadelphia; 17 July 1772.
Folder 11a: Letter from G. Washington to William Preston (typescript transcript copy); 28 Feb'y 1774. *
Folder 12: Survey for Lazarus Benton of 116 acres in Fincastle County. Signed Robert Preston and Wm. Preston; 12 December 1774.
Folder 12: Received of William Preston a debt paid as executor of the estate of Col. John Buchanan. Signed James Crockett; 1 August 1777.
Folder 12: Account of William Madison with Jeremiah Pate, the balance to be paid to Wm. Preston as executor of James Patton. Signed Jeremiah Pate; 25 October 1781.
Folder 12: William Preston to Henry Coleman, referring to ten dollars sent for "old Mr. Stapleton" and Preston's efforts to acquire a plough horse; 1 March 1783.
Folder 13: Susanna Preston to Mr. Champ, requesting hemp, wheat, and corn; 5 September 1790.
Folder 13: Received from E. Madison, two plots of land surveyed by William Preston. Signed Jeremiah Patrick; 22 July 1792.
Folder 13: Accounts for taxes paid by Nathaniel Hart for William Preston (deceased), 1802-06. Signed by Hart; undated.

Box 2

Folder 1: Account for claims in Montgomery County to be paid by John Preston in surveyors' fees; 20 March 1780.
Folder 1: Memorandum of a land contract between John Smith and John Preston; 11 April 1784.
Folder 1: Joseph Cloyd to Capt. John Preston. Concerns a loan; 3 September 1784.
Folder 2: Request "to Mr. Preston" for registration of 129 acres of land for John Lawrence. Signed Richard Whitt; February 1786.
Folder 2: Record of land warrants recorded by Mary Smith for Henry Smith, received from John Preston by the hand of Robt. Preston. Russell County; 16 November 1786.
Folder 2: James Beacon to John Preston in Montgomery County. Fragment. Williamsburg; 16 March 1787.
Folder 3: Col. Harvie to John Preston in Montgomery County. Requests information on a tract of land on the Kentucky River surveyed in William Preston's time; 12 August 1788.
Folder 3: Surveys of 8 pieces of property (on one sheet) in Montgomery County for various persons. Each signed J. Preston; various dates in 1780's.
Folder 4: Christley Pickle [to Capt. John Preston?]. Note withdrawing a land entry claim; 23 April 1790.
Folder 4: Deposition regarding land dealings of John and Francis Preston. Kanhawa County; 14 May 1790.
Folder 4: Alexander Breckenridge to John Preston at Smithfield, Montgomery County. Concerns a request for a loan. Beargrass, 12 June 1790.
Folder 4: Reuben Slaughter to John Preston in Montgomery County. Requests information on entries and rights of settlement for various properties. Greenbrier; 9 September 1790.
Folder 5: Certification that Wilson Ivy, a soldier in John Preston's company, is owed back pay. Signed J. Preston; 27 September 1792.
Folder 5: William Preston to "Dear Brother," Captain John Preston, in Richmond. Refers to Gen. Wayne's march from Pittsburg, William's planned trip to Richmond. Prince Edward Courthouse; 18 October 1792.
Folder 6: Francis Preston to "Dear Brother," John Preston, in Montgomery County. Concerns land warrants and their proper registration. Saltworks; 1 August 1795.
Folder 6: Received of John Preston, taxes paid on James Patton's land in Montgomery County. Signed David Cloyd; 2 November 1795.
Folder 6: J. McDowell to Col. John Preston in Richmond. Concerns a land survey by Preston; Mr. Miller has conditionally sold Preston's survey to Mr. Wolcott. Rockbridge; 11 November 1796.
Folder 7: Wm. Preston to "Dear Brother," Col. John Preston, in Montgomery County. Refers to orders requiring William to march his troops to Staunton, his planned trip to Rockbridge. Fincastle; 25 September [17]97.
Folder 7: John Breckenridge to Col. John Preston in Montgomery County. Concerns the collection of a debt owed to Breckenridge by a third party; 23 October [17]98.
Folder 7: Wm. Radford to [his son-in-law] Gen. John Preston in Montgomery County. Refers to Radford's planned trip to Kentucky, the Napoleonic Wars in Europe. Richmond; 6 June 1799.
Folder 7: Gordon Cloyd to Gen. John Preston at Smithfield. Concerns land surveys at Horseshoe. Springfield; 3 August 1799.
Folder 8: Nathaniel Hart to Gen. John Preston in Montgomery County. Concerns a delay in Mr. Radford's law suit. Franklin; 5 March 1800.
Folder 8: Francis Preston to "Dear Brother," Gen. John Preston, in Montgomery County. Inquires about arrangements made regarding the Loyal Company's holdings after George Taylor's death; 25 April 1801.
Folder 8: Thos. L. Preston to "Dear Brother," Gen. John Preston, at Horshoe Bottom, Montgomery County. Refers to Thomas's journey to [William and Mary] College. Richmond; 8 December 1801.
Folder 9: Wm. Radford to [his son-in-law] Gen. John Preston at Horseshoe Bottom, in Montgomery County. Concerns family matters, 12 April 1802.
Folder 9: Henry L. Shore [to John Preston?]. Refers to Col. Vandewall executing a deed; the recovery of Martha and Carleton Radford. Richmond; 27 July 1802.
Folder 10: Charles Taylor to Gen. Preston at Horseshoe. Concerns the prospective marriage of Taylor's son to Preston's daughter; 3 September 1803.
Folder 10: Eliza Madison to "My Dear Brother," Gen. John Preston, in Montgomery County. Concerns her two horses being stolen and her efforts to recover them; farm matters. Dumfries; 9 November 1803.
Folder 10: Francis Preston to "Dear Brother," Gen. John Preston, in Richmond. Refers to Negroes going to Horseshoe and the possibility of hiring additional ones in Richmond. Talks of Kentucky's advantages and disadvantages, and a planned trip to the springs; 28 December 1803.
Folder 11: Wm. Preston to "Dear Brother," Gen. John Preston, at Horseshoe. Refers to breeding one of William's mares, plans for traveling to Smithfield; 1 June 1804.
Folder 11: William Munford to Gen. John Preston at Horseshoe Bottom, Montgomery County. Refers to Napoleon Bonaparte's victories; family matters; land in Ohio. Richland; 12 June 1804.
Folder 12: James McDowell to [his brother-in-law] Gen. John Preston in Montgomery County. Concerns land purchases from Mr. Brown, McDowell's travel plans to Ohio. Rockbridge; 17 February 1805.
Folder 12: Bowker Preston to Gen. John Preston in Montgomery County. Concerns brandy purchased from Preston by John Hook. Montgomery Court House; 4 June 1805.
Folder 12: Wm. Radford to [his brother-in-law] Gen. John Preston. Concerns Radford's course of study at Washington Academy and planned attendance at William and Mary. Washington Academy; 1 August 1805.
Folder 13: Thomas Preston to "Dear Brother," Gen. John Preston, at Horseshoe, Montgomery County. Concerns goods that Thomas was to purchase for his mother in Lexington and Richmond. Lexington; 8 December 1805.
Folder 13: John Radford to [his brother-in-law] Gen. John at Horshoe Bottom, Montgomery County. Concerns land dealings in Chesmont County [Kentucky?]. Washington Township, Chesmont County; 25 September 1805.
Folder 13: John Smith to Col. John Preston in Montgomery City. Requests Smith's wife's part of the estate of her late grandfather. Fayette County, Kentucky; 21 December 1805.
Folder 14: John Lewis to Gen. John Preston at Horseshoe. Introduces Mr. Piersh[?], a Russian botanist on a botanical expedition; 4 August 1806.
Folder 14: List of taxable property owned by John Preston in Botetourt County. Signed by William Walker; 10 March 1807.
Folder 14: Thomas Preston to "Dear Brother," Gen. John Preston, in Montgomery County. Concerns John Preston's support for Thomas's schooling at Washington Academy, includes a request for additional funds. Washington Academy; 11 April 1807.
Folder 15: John Preston to Lt. Col. Henry Bowyer. Contains division orders, second regiment of Virginia Cavalry; 30 July 1807.
Folder 15: Samuel Coleman to Maj. Gen. John Preston. Order concerning state's quota of militia. Adjutant General's Office, Richmond; 18 August 1807.
Folder 15: George Pury to Gen. John Preston in Montgomery City. Concerns Pury's receipt of a subpoena from Preston and a business deal between Pury and Major Shiffy. Wythe County; 14 October 1807.
Folder 15: Francis Preston to "Dear Brother," Gen. John Preston, in Montgomery County. Refers to Mr. King hiring Gen. Preston's Negroes; a trip to Smithfield; recent elections. Abingdon; 26 February 1808.
Folder 16: John Radford to [his brother-in-law Gen. John Preston at Horseshoe Bottom, Montgomery County. Concerns his move to Ohio and acquisition of land there. Refers to bringing a slave woman with him and paying his mother $300 for her. Frankfort; 14 July 1808.
Folder 16: Nathaniel Hart to Gen. John Preston in Richmond. Refers to a debt to be paid in horses. Spring Hill [Kentucky]; 18 August 1809.
Folder 16: Gen. John Preston to John Champ at Horseshoe Bottom. Includes instructions for Champ as overseer at Horseshoe Bottom. Richmond; 9 January 1810.
Folder 17: Godfrey Brooks to "Master," Gen. John Preston, in Richmond. Reports on affairs at Greenfield. Greenfield; 20 April 1810.
Folder 17: James Breckenridge to [his cousin] Gen. John Preston in Richmond. Refers to Col. [Nicholas?] visiting the springs in the summer; includes a list of accounts as a postscript. Fincastle; 19 May 1810.
Folder 17: Carlton Radford to [his brother-in-law] Gen. John Preston in Richmond. Asks for money for college expenses. Washington Academy; 27 May 1810.
Folder 18: Promissory note for a sum to be paid for a slave. Signed Charles Taylor and J. Preston; 9 June 1810.
Folder 18: Francis Preston to [his brother] Gen. John Preston in Richmond. Encloses a power of attorney from William Trigg, executor of William King; concerns various law suits against Trigg and King. Abington 10 November 1810.
Folder 18: Carlton T. Radford to [his brother-in-law] Gen. John Preston in Richmond. Reports on problems with the hemp harvest at Horseshoe. Abingdon; 27 November 1810.
Folder 18: William Temple to Gen. J. Preston. Requests the return of a promissory note for the sum of $250; 28 December 1810.
Folder 19: Francis Preston to "Dear Brother," Gen. John Preston. Tells of a trip to Horseshoe to check on John Preston's farm; Mr. Champ's difficulties with the slaves; hiring a new person to help Champ. Wythe Courthouse; 17 January 1811.
Folder 19: Moses Jackson to Gen. J. Preston. Requests that Preston intercede on his behalf with the authorities, gaining his freedom from jail. Richmond; 2 April 1811.
Folder 19: Susan McDowell to [her uncle], Gen. John Preston in Richmond. Congratulates him on his marriage to Mrs. Mayo; refers to Susan's visit to Staunton. Cherry Grove; 14 May 1811.
Folder 20: Gen. John Preston to "My dear Son," William R. Preston in Rockbridge. Requests that William return home, taking leave of his aunt, uncle, and cousins on the best of terms to begin attending Mr. Crutchfield's school in Bath County. Richmond; 16 May 1811.
Folder 20: Thomas Preston to "Dear Sir" [W. Preston Smith?] at the Treasury Office in Richmond. Concerns a note due at the bank. Lexington; 17 July 1811. On the same sheet: J. Preston to "Dear Preston" [W. Preston Smith]. Concerns a coming trip to Hot Springs because of rheumatic pain; 17 July 1811.
Folder 20: Mathias Lane to Gen. J. Preston in Richmond. Concerns squatters burning timber and selling the ashes on Preston's land in Kentucky; requests a power of attorney to remove the squatters. Glasgow, Kentucky; 5 August 1811.
Folder 20: James Preston to "Dear Brother," Gen. John Preston in Richmond. Concerns the purchase of a piece of property, for which he requests payment. Smithfield; 27 October 1811.
Folder 20a: "Extract from H. Crutchfield's Books, requested by General Preston, in Order to know precisely the Expense of his three sons for one year." Costs of John Preston's sons to go to school; lists tuition, board, lodging, shoes, clothing, etc. 1811-12.*
Folder 21: Promissory note to Robert Gamble. Signed J. Preston; 14 January 1812.
Folder 21: William R. Preston to "Dear Father," Gen. John Preston in Richmond. Concerns studies at Mr. Crutchfield's school; requests $5.00. Bath County; 16 January 1812.
Folder 21: Thomas Preston to "Dear Brother," Gen. John Preston in Richmond. Concerns a piece of property for sale; military promotions. Lexington; 16 February 1812.
Folder 22: Bill (and receipt) to John and Joseph Boyce. Treasury Office, Richmond; 20 June 1812.
Folder 22: Cornelius Brown to Gen. John Preston in Richmond. Reports on affairs at Horseshoe Bottom. Horseshoe Bottom; 11 July 1812.
Folder 22: Gr. Smith to Gen. John Preston in Richmond. Fragment; 15 July 1812.
Folder 23: Elizabeth Ann Cabell Preston to [her husband], Gen. John Preston in Richmond. Concerns family and farming matters; 22 September 1812.
Folder 23: William Preston and John Preston to "Dear Father," Gen. John Preston in Richmond. Lysander Smith to "Dear Cousin," Gen. John Preston [3 letters on 1 sheet]. Relate happenings at Mr. Crutchfield's school. Bath County; 1 October 1812.
Folder 23: Gen. John Preston to [his son] Whitley Preston at Horsehoe bottom, Montgomery County. Concerns Whitley's staying with his father during the winter. Richmond; 9 November 1812.
Folder 23: Gen. John Preston to [his son] Whitley Preston at Horseshoe Bottom, Montgomery County. Concerns farming affairs at Horseshoe Bottom; requests that Whitley come to Richmond to see the General Assembly. Richmond; 4 December 1812.
Folder 24: Bill to General Preston for coal. Signed John Potts; December 1812.
Folder 24: Received of Minor Carey, a load of coal. Signed J. Preston. Richmond; 15 December 1812.
Folder 25: Draft of a letter [from John Preston?] to an unspecified party. Concerns problems with a requested loan of public funds. Richmond; 26 March 1813.
Folder 25: John Brockenbough [president, Bank of Virginia] to John Preston and Samuel Shepard. Concerns a loan for the Commonwealth of Virginia; 4 June 1813.
Folder 25: Promissory note to James McDowell [Moffatt?]. Signed J. Preston and James McDowell; 21 September 1813.
Folder 25: Memorandum of property at the Lower Horsehoe Bottom. Includes slaves, livestock, farm implements; 30 November 1813.
Folder 25: Memorandum of property at the Upper Horseshoe Bottom. Includes slaves, livestock, farm implements; 30 November 1813.
Folder 26: Whitley Preston to "Dear Father," Gen. John Preston, in Richmond. Refers to collecting a debt for his father from Mr. Edmundson, driving hogs and other farming affairs. Greenfield; 3 January 1814.
Folder 26: William Radford to [his brother-in-law] Gen. John Preston in Richmond. Introduces Samuel Harrison, a merchant whose business has brought him to Richmond. Lynchburg; 1 June 1814.
Folder 26: Account of Gen. John Preston with D. Madison; June 1814.
Folder 27: Thomas Arthur to Gen. John Preston in Richmond. Concerns property Arthur wishes to buy from Preston; 26 November 1814.
Folder 27: Eliza Preston to "My Dear Papa," Gen. John Preston, in Richmond. Reports on Eliza's daily activities. Montgomery County; 11 December 1814.
Folder 28: John B. Preston to "Dear Father," Gen. John Preston, in Richmond. Reports on school; requests clothes. Hanover County; 26 February 1815.
Folder 28: Francis Preston to "Dear Brother," Gen. John Preston, at Horseshoe, Montgomery County. Refers to procuring salt kettles; plaster production; the difficulty of getting white labor. Abingdon; 30 August 1815.
Folder 28: Bill to [John Preston?] for harness and coal. Signed Harmon Sifford; 1 September 1815.
Folder 29: Isaac Preston to "My Dear Uncle," Gen. John. Preston. Refers to problems with the title to a piece of property in New Market; a dinner ball given to honor Gen. Jackson; Isaac's planned move to New Orleans. Abingdon; 26 October 1815.
Folder 29: Francis Preston to "Dear Brother," Gen. John Preston. Concerns a loan Gen. Preston was to secure from the Bank of Virginia for Francis Preston; crops and holdings in Kentucky. 26 October 1815.
Folder 30: Whitley Preston to [his father], Gen. John Preston in Richmond. Concerns a tract of land in Cabell County which Whitley suggests be resurveyed. Cabell County; 8 January 1816.
Folder 30: Received of John Preston, a sum for tuition for his daughter. Signed J. A. Oswald. Richmond; January 1816.
Folder 30: Francis Preston to "Dear Brother," Gen. John Preston, in Richmond. Concerns elections in Botetourt and Montgomery Counties. Fincastle; 10 April 1816.
Folder 31: Received of John Preston, $1000 for 50 bank shares. Signed B. Peyton [?]; 11 December 1816.
Folder 31: Dr. J. Augustus Smith to John Preston in Richmond. Informs Preston of the poor conduct of his son at college. William and Mary College; 25 December 1816.
Folder 31: John Preston to Dr. Augustus Smith [at the College of William and Mary]. Reply to Smith's letter of 25 December. Draft. Richmond; 27 December 1816.
Folder 32: David French to Gen. John Preston in Richmond. Reports on French's arrival at Barboursville and his efforts to engage a surveyor; land deals in Ohio. Barboursville; 8 February 1817.
Folder 32: Randolph Ross to Gen. John Preston. Refers to Whitley Preston's visit to Havana; business matters; a trip to Philadelphia and Washington. Lexington; 7 March 1817.
Folder 32a: Bill of goods bought from Wilson & Drew by Mr. John Preston. Items purchased between December 1814-July 1816. Account settled August 1817. *
Folder 32: Promissory note of Joshua Brotherhood to Gen. John Preston for 6000 acres of land warrants. Signed Gordon Cloyd; 30 October 1817.
Folder 33: G. Peyton to [John Preston?]. Concerns rumors of land speculation involving the Treasurer of Virginia, Preston. Christiansburg; 7 November 1817.
Folder 33: Account of cattle taken to the range and/or bought, 1817. Signed Tilgh. H. West. Horseshoe; 10 December 1817.
Folder 33: James McDowell to [his brother-in-law], Gen. John Preston. Letter of introduction for Hiram Jennings, a prospective overseer for Preston's plantation. Cherry Grove; 28 December 1817.
Folder 33: "Articles given to the Negroes at the Horseshoe." Lists articles of clothing given to slaves. December 1817.
Folder 34: Account of Gen. Preston with Charles [Purcell?]; 25 February 1818.
Folders 34: Received of Mr. Preston, payment for pantaloons. Signed John Curry; 18 April 1818.
Folder 34: Received of Gen. Preston, payment for one great coat. Signed P. Shipard. Richmond; 16 November 1818.
Folder 35: William Radford to [his brother-in-law], Gen. John Preston. Informs Preston that Radford will become president of the Farmers Bank in Lynchburg; requests that his name be withdrawn as a candidate for director of the Bank of Virginia. Lynchburg; 20 December 1818.
Folder 35: William Norwell to John Brockenbrough in Richmond. Concerns choice of directors for the Bank of Virginia. Lynchburg; 24 December 1818.
Folder 35: Mary P. Lewis to "Dear Brother," Gen. John Preston. Requests legal advice on the acquisition of a piece of property. Sweet Springs; 7 February 1819.
Folder 35: Received of John Preston, payment for bank stock. Signed Carter B. Page. Richmond; 19 June 1819.
Folder 36: Promissory note of James G. Swann to John Preston; 20 January 1820.
Folder 36: Sarah P. Preston to "Dear Father," Gen. John Preston. Concerns school and vacation activities, family affairs. Cherry Grove; 8 May 1820.
Folder 36: John Hammet to Gen. John Preston at Greenfield. Reports on affairs at Horseshoe Bottom. Horseshoe Bottom; 4 June 1820.
Folder 36: George Munford to John B. Preston at Little Creek, Goochland County. Concerns the death of "Grandmama," who died at "Uncle William's" (William Radford). Richmond; 18 August 1820.
Folder 37: Gordon Cloyd to Gen. John Preston in Richmond. Inquiries about whether Horseshoe is still for sale. Springfield; 22 January 1821.
Folder 37: Notification that John Preston and James P. Preston, as defendants in a court case, need to appear in court. Copy. Signed J. Robertson, Attorney General; 20 June 1821.
Folder 37: Nathaniel Hart to Gen. John Preston near Fincastle, Botetourt County. Concerns property of Preston's which has apparently been taken up by someone else. Spring Hill, [Kentucky]; 20 June 1821.
Folder 37: Gen. Gordon Cloyd to Gen. John Preston. Concerns sale of steers and oxen; pasture land. Springfield; 22 September 1821.
Folder 38: Lists of directors for the Virginia Bank. [Ballots?]. Four sheets; one dated 1 January 1823.
Folder 38: Nathaniel Hart to Gen. John Preston in Fincastle. Concerns a court settlement in favor of Preston which will probably be paid with a tract of land. Spring Hill, [Kentucky]; 23 April 1824.
Folder 38: Broadside advertising land previously belonging Gen. John Preston in Giles, Cabell, and Kanawha counties for sale; 30 October 1824.
Folder 39: Transcriptions of several legal documents (on one sheet), including custody papers and power of attorney made out to John Preston by Peter McConnel. Barren County, Kentucky; 29 November 1830.
Folder 39: E[lizabeth] Madison to "Dear Brother," Gen. John Preston. Requests intercession of John on a business matter and three bushels of hemp seed. Undated.
Folder 39: Joseph Fagg to Gen. John Preston at Greenfield, Botetourt County. Concerns employment as an overseer; undated.
Folder 39: Memorandum dealing with land entries in Kentucky for John Preston and Francis Preston; undated.
Folder 39: Draft of a description of an unidentified woman. Signed J. Preston on verso; undated.
Folder 40: Whitley Preston. Grammar exercise; 5 October 1811.
Folder 40: Jacob [Rudisk?] to William Preston. Refers to hiring Mat again. 25 December 1822.
Folder 40: Thomas W. Ligon to William M. Radford in Liberty, Virginia. Discusses college life at Yale. New Haven, Connecticut; 18 February 1832.
Folder 41: George Clark to William Radford in Lynchburg. Concerns land affairs in Kentucky. Lexington; 8 June 1833.
Folder 41: Elizabeth M. Preston to "My dear Brother," William W. R. Preston, at Falling Spring Valley, Bath County. Concerns family matters; Elizabeth and her sister Susanna will be attending school in Richmond. [Richmond?]; undated.
Oversize Box: Land grant to Tobias Smith, 330 acres in Augusta County. Singed Robert Dinwiddie; 10 March 1756.
Oversize Box: Land grant to Joseph Jenkins, 58 acres in Augusta County. Signed [Lord] Botetourt; 12 May 1770.

Box 3

Folder 1: Account of Col. John Buchanan [with William McClenahan?]. Signed by McClenahan; 20 November 1766.
Folder 1: Accounts of Col. Breckinridge, 1767-73. Lists accounts with various persons; undated.
Folder 1: Certificate attesting the right of Thomas Page to hold 400 acres of property in Montgomery County. Signed Jos. Cabell, N. Cabell, Gabl. Penn; 10 September 1782.
Folder 2: Received of James Boyle, payment for a survey. Signed James Desor; 18 March 1789.
Folder 2: Note concerning land holdings of John Breckenridge to be surveyed. Signed David Robinson and John Love; 30 April 178[9?].
Folder 3: Agreement for harvesting a wheat crop by William Burr. Signed Chris Champ; 8 July 1791.
Folder 3: Received of William Thompson, rations for the Wythe Rangers. Signed James [McGaruth?]; 1791.
Folder 4: Promissory note, James P. Preston to Christian Martin; 26 October 1798.
Folder 4: Note regarding hemp belonging to Capt. James Preston. Signed Robert Graham. Manchester; 23 December 1800.
Folder 4: Received from Messrs. McMurdo and Fisher, a sum resulting from a lawsuit against John Mayo by William Mayo. Signed Ben Sheppard; 10 March 1802.
Folder 5: Broadside, "Sketch of the Actions fought at San Pascal in Upper California between the Americans and Mexicans, Dec. 6th & 7th, 1846."
Folder 5: Octavia [Radford?] to her sister-in-law, "Dear Sister Susan" [Susanna Smith Preston Radford]. Refers to Octavia's new-born son and other family members. Near Lynchburg; 21 June 1852.
Folder 5: John A. Shearer to William B. Radford and Henry Bowyer, in Amsterdam, Botetourt County. Requests information on J. M. Humphreys, a prospective principal of Shearer's boys academy. Spout[?] Spring, Appomattox County; 1 June 1857.
Folder 6: A. G. Preston to [his wife] "My Dear Alice." Speaks of his illness. Buchanan; 9 March 1897.
Folder 6: Account of Col. John Buchanan; undated
Folder 6: List of repairs to be made to the Polygon, room by room. "Chris Tompkins" on back; undated.
Folder 7: Accounts [for warrants?] totaling $19,240.00; undated.
Folder 7: Draft of a letter from [?] to [?]. Refers to seeing Mr. [R.?] Preston in Williamsburg; land dealings. "Gran Smith" on top of first page; undated.
Folder 7: Draft of a letter from [?] to "My Dear Agatha." Writes of Mrs. Preston, who is dying. Undated.

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