History of Smithfield, (Isle of Wight County) Virginia United States of America

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Biographies:

James Patton Preston, governor of Virginia, was born in Smithfield, Va., June 21, 1774; son of Col. William (1729-1783) and Susanna (Smith) Preston. He was graduated from William and Mary college in 1795, was a farmer in Montgomery county; state senator; lieutenant-colonel of the 12th U.S. infantry, commissioned March 19, 1812; was promoted colonel for gallantry Aug. 15, 1813; commanded the 23d infantry, and was wounded in the battle of Chrystler's Field, Nov. 11, 1813, becoming permanently crippled. He was governor of Virginia, 1816-19, state senator for a second term, and was for many years post-master of Richmond. Preston county, Va., was named in his honor. He married Ann, daughter of Robert Taylor of Norfolk, Va., and had sons: William Ballard , Robert T., and James Patton, Jr., Confederate officers in the civil war. He died at Smithfield, Va., May 4, 1843.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

William Ballard Preston, cabinet officer, was born in Smithfield, Va., Nov. 25, 1805; son of Gov. James Patton and Ann (Taylor) Preston. He was a student at the University of Virginia, was admitted to the bar, and practised successfully in his native state, meantime serving as a representative in the Virginia legislature, and as a state senator. He married a Miss Redd of Virginia. He was a Whig representative from Virginia in the 30th congress, 1847-49; and secretary of the navy in President Taylor's cabinet, from March 8, 1849 to July 22, 1850. He visited France in 1858-59, as an agent from Virginia, to effect the establishment of a direct line of steamers between Norfolk and Havre, but the plan was defeated by the civil war. He was a delegate from Virginia to the Provisional Confederate congress that met at Richmond, July, 20, 1861, where he still sought to prevent war. He was elected a senator from Virginia in the first Confederate congress, which met Feb. 22, 1862, being succeeded on his death by Allen T. Caperton. He died at Smithfield, Va., Nov. 16, 1862.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor