Gov. James Patton PRESTON^[1]

1774 - 1843  (68 years)

• Name	James Patton PRESTON
  Title	Gov.
  Prefix	Gov.
  Birth	21 Jun 1774	Montgomery Co, Virginia Colony   [2]
  	He was born at "Smithfield Plantation" in Montgomery County, Virginia on 21 June 1774.
  Gender	Male
  anecdote	1816  [3]
  	James served as Governor of Virginia from 11 Dec 1816 until 11 Dec 1819. He was elected as a Democratic -Republican.
  Death	4 May 1843	Montgomery Co, VA   [4]
  	James died on 4 May 1843 at his home, "Smithfield Plantation", in Montgomery County, Virginia. He was 68 years old at the time of his death.
  Burial	Montgomery Co, VA   [5]
  	His body was interred at the Preston family cemetery at "Smithfield Plantation" in Montgomery County, Virginia.
  Person ID	I59174	mason
  Last Modified	22 Jul 2026

  
  

  Father	William PRESTON
  Mother	Susanna SMITH
  Family ID	F7244	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Ann Barraud TAYLOR,   b. 29 Mar 1778   d. 8 Jun 1861 (Age 83 years)
  Marriage	23 Jun 1801  [6]
  	The couple was married later that same day by Rev. James Whitehead.
  Children	1. Sarah Barraud PRESTON,   b. 26 May 1804   d. 30 Aug 1804 (Age 0 years)   2. William Ballard PRESTON,   b. 29 Nov 1805, Virginia d. 16 Nov 1862 (Age 56 years)   3. Robert Taylor PRESTON,   b. 26 May1809, Montgomery Co, Virginia d. 1880   4. James Francis PRESTON,   b. 8 Nov 1813, Virginia d. 20 Jan 1861 (Age 47 years)   5. Virginia Ann PRESTON,   b. 10 Dec 1815   6. Susannna Edmonia PRESTON,   b. 19 Oct 1818   d. 2 Apr 1835, Lexington, Rockbridge Co, VA (Age 16 years)   7. Catherine Jane Grace PRESTON,   b. 1 Feb 1821   d. 31 Jan 1852 (Age 30 years)
  Family ID	F5336	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	22 Jul 2026

  
  

• Notes

  Served in the War of 1812 as a colonel, was elected Governor of Virginia and later served as Postmaster of Richmond.

  
  

• Sources

  [S2938] George A. Hanson, Hanson, Old Kent: The Eastern Shore of Maryland, ((1876, Rpt. Baltimore: GPC, 2002)), p. 170., ISBN 0-8063-4632-9. [S5151] Emily J. Salmon & Edward D. C. Campbell, Jr, editors, Salmon & Campbell, The Hornbook of Virginia History, ((Richmond: Library of Virginia, 1994)), ISBN 0-88490-178-5. p. 226. [S5151] Emily J. Salmon & Edward D. C. Campbell, Jr, editors, Salmon & Campbell, The Hornbook of Virginia History, ((Richmond: Library of Virginia, 1994)), ISBN 0-88490-178-5. p. 110. [S4968] Bernard J. Henley, compiler, Henley Marriage & Obituary Database. Richmond Daily Whig (13 May 1842) p. 2, c. 6. [S2084] Find A Grave, online (http://www.findagrave.com). downloaded 12 August 2011. [S4968] Bernard J. Henley, compiler, Henley Marriage & Obituary Database. Norfolk Herald, marriage announcement,(25 Jun 1801) p. 3, c. 3.