Phillip Preston is recorded as having
fought in the Revolutionary War along with two of his sons, Moses &
Nathaniel. It is believed that Phillip had a total of eight
children. It is known that he married Mary Unknown but it is felt
that he may also have married Betty Richardson. The birthdates
of several of the children would have made Mary too old to be their
mother if the approximate date of her birth is 1715 as some
researchers show.
Thomas Preston
born about 1740 & married to Mary Ballard
Isaac Preston, Sr. born about 1741 & married to Margaret Unknown
Phillip Preston born about 1748
Nathaniel Preston born September 4, 1750 & married Elizabeth Vaughn
Mary Preston born about 1758 & married John Hackworth
Susan Sarah Preston born about 1761 & married William Haney
Moses Preston born July 17, 1762 & married Frances Arthur
Elizabeth Preston born about 1771 & married Garland M. Burgess
Phillip's wife Mary later married
John Doss after Phillip's death. There has been quite a bit of
confusion surrounding Phillip's wife's maiden name. She was
referred to in a deed after Phillip's death as Mary Doss spawning
the popular notion that Doss was her maiden name. It is now
generally accepted that it was derived from the marriage to her
second husband, John Doss. Some researchers think it is possible
that Mary's maiden name was Vaughn or Mead/Meade since these names
appear in several instances in connection with Phillip's family.
In the
Bedford Co., VA Court Order book 6-82 dated 24 Oct. 1774
on the motion of William Mead he is granted letters of
administration of the estate of Phillip Preston during the month of
april...then bedford co. deed book 7-10 g 495-496 28 march 1785...william
mead sold to nathan preston for sum of 5 shillings, 138 acres of
land...william mead does forever grant land premisis reserving to
said nathan prestons mother mary doss, use of said land for the use
of said mary doss during her natural life.
Later Nathan sells this same land to
John Hackworth, his brother in law, for 1000 pounds.
