Moses Preston Jr. (1797 - 1868)

Born 2 May 1797 in Bedford County, Virginia, USA

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth (Haney) Preston — married 11 Jun 1818 in Lawrence, Ohio, United States

Husband of Nancy Martin (Peery) Strong — married 4 Sep 1845 in Floyd County, Kentucky, USA

Descendants

Died 28 Nov 1868 at age 71 in Paintsville, Johnson, Kentucky, USA

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Biography

Moses “Coby” Preston Jr was born on 2 May 1797 at Bedford, Virginia, 24523, USA. He was a Merchant.

He died on 28 November 1868 at Paintsville, Johnson, Kentucky, USA and was buried at Preston Family Cemetery, Kentucky, USA.^[1]FAG states he was killed by his horse’s kick while visiting his brother at Graves Shoal, Kentucky. Buried in the Preston Family Graveyard.^[2] Tombstone gives date of death as 11-23-1868- Obituary in Big Sandy News lists it as 11-29-1869? It may be that the burial was 29 November.

His first wife, Elizabeth Haney, was also his first cousin and they had 12ish children.

The 1820 Floyd Co., KY Census list Moses Preston as the head of the household aged between 16-26 living with his wife aged 16-26.^[3]

The 1850 Johnson Co., KY census lists Moses as a 53 year old Merchant living with his wife Nancy M. (38), Martin (22, Clerk), Moses Jr (20, Clerk), Franklin (14), Henry (9), and Winfield S (3).^[4]

The 1860 Johnson Co., KY census lists Moses as a 63 year old farmer-Merchant who was born in Virginia. He was living with his wife Nancy M (44, born Virginia) and children Henry (20, store Clerk), John (16), Ballard (8), Mary E (5), Nancy J (3), and Louisa (11 months).^[5]

The Big Sandy Valley

by William Ely, pages 76-81 written in 1887 (out of copyright)

Moses, or "Coby" Preston, the third son of Moses Preston and his wife, nee Miss Arthur, was one of the remarkable men whom the Sandy Valley has developed. He was born near the birth of the present century, and on coming to manhood married Elizabeth Haney, a woman of worth and great energy. She bore him a large family of children, who, following in the footsteps of their honored parents, are the foremost citizens in the Sandy Valley and in the homes they have hewn out in the far South-west.

Soon after Mr. Preston's marriage with Miss Haney, being of a restless disposition, he, with his young wife, moved to the Scioto Valley country; but, finding chills and fever as abundant as good land,they shook the dust, or mud, from the soles of their feet and hastened back to the Great Sandy country. While the move down to Scioto was attended with expense, the plain, economical ways of life which Mr. Preston adopted in early life, and kept up until the hour of his death, enabled him to return to the Sandy Valley with more material wealth than he had at starting. On his return he settled on the place known at the time as the Spencer farm, now the Kise farm, some miles below George's Creek. Here he lived many years, and prospered greatly.

Alone, and afterward with his brother-in-law, Archibald Borders, he was among the first to engage in peeling and running tan-bark to Cincinnati, floating it down in barges, constructed, often, out of lumber sawed by hand, called whip-sawing. He and his brother-in-law, Judge Borders, were as well and favorably known to the old time tanners and other business men of the Queen City as are the great timber-dealers of the present time known to the mill-men and builders in Cincinnati. He established a reputation for honesty and fair-dealing unsurpassed by no one in the business; in some instances the bark went off without being subject to measurement, so much confidence had the buyers in Mr. Preston's honesty. While tan-bark was a specialty with him, he was almost as well known as a large timber-dealer. He also sent barge-loads of hoop-poles and staves to the Cincinnati market. Dealing in bark, cooper-stuff, and saw-logs combined seems to us to be sufficient for one man's busy attention; butto one with the business foresight of "Coby" Preston this alone was insignificant, and at the same time he carried on a large general store, and cultivated many farms. By applying business rules to every department of his extended pursuits, he made money at all, and was never accused of overreaching the hireling that wrought for him.

About the time Johnson County was formed into a separate jurisdiction, which was in 1843, Mr. Preston moved up to the mouth of Paint Creek, and ever after, as long as he lived, made that place the center of his business enterprises, although he alternated his residence between the mouth of Paint and Paintsville, one-half of a mile above, having good residences at both places. Like all dwellers on the highway with a good house, he entertained the wayfaring man in a sumptuous style at this home on the river.

The wife of his youth, after sharing with him his sorrows and joys, and assisting her husband by her good counsels and domestic skill, sickened and died, leaving behind a number of sons, who, by following the good and wholesome advice given them by their mother, and walking in the footsteps of their father, have, nearly all of them, come to the front as business men and upright citizens in the vicinity where they were brought up.

After the death of his first wife, Mr. Preston married Nancy, a daughter of David Peery, of Tazewell County, Virginia. They lived in great peace until his sudden death, in 1870. He and his wife being on a visit to his brother, Arthur, at Graves' Shoal, after dinner he went to the barn to saddle the horses, to return with his wife to their home at Paintsville, when one of the animals kicked him so severely that he died almost instantly. His death was not only a sad blow to his family, but was profoundly regretted by the entire people of the valley; for in more respects that one a prince among the people had fallen when the life went out of the body of Moses, or Coby, Preston. While his death was sudden and unexpected to him and others, he had had the sagacity to make ample provision for hiswife, and had, as his sons started out in business, aided them with a liberal hand; so that no family jar rent the bonds that bound the family together, after he had left the busy haunts of men. Mr. Preston was an honest man, the noblest work of God.

Coby, or Moses, Preston took a deep interest in political affairs, although he was never an office seeker. He ignored, to some extent, Church formularies, but squared his life by the Golden Rule. His portrait will be recognized by the old-time Sandians as one of peculiar correctness.

The modern built brick mansion, the Paintsville residence of his son, Captain Frank Preston, bears testimony to the progress of architecture in the Sandy Valley. He is, in some respects, the representative of the family. He is a man of wealth, character, and enterprise, and has the confidence of the entire community in which he lives, as a merchant, a timber-dealer, a steamboatman, and general business man. He married into one of the most prominent families of the Sandy Valley, a daughter of General Daniel Hager. He sends his sons and daughters to the best colleges and schools, to receive their mental training. Himself and family are members and liberal supporters of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He, like his father, is a strong Democrat, but not an office-seeker.

James, another son, died many years ago. Greenville lives in Texas. Martin is, and has always been, a prominent business man of Paintsville, and has a son engaged in literary pursuits, besides being alawyer and preacher. Moses rose to eminence as a merchant, but died many years ago. His wife, another daughter of General Hager, after her first husband's death, married Dr. Turner, a prominent citizen of Paintsville. William and Montraville are both prosperous farmers and saving business men, living near Paintsville.

Moses is buried with both of his wives at the Old Preston Cemetery on Preston Street, Paintsville, Johnson Co., KY. The inscription on the tombstone reads: Moses Preston Sr. born May 2, 1797 and departed this life Nov. 28, 1868, 71 yrs 6 mos, 26 days; "Kind angels watch his sleeping, till Jesus comes to raise the just. Then may he wake with sweet surprise, and in his Saviour's image rise."

Marriage Note

Dates from Patti Van Hoose

Name: Moses Preston

Spouse: Elizabeth Haney

Marriage Date (Day, Month, Year): 1819

City: Floyd County

State: KY

Will and Probate

The Johnson County Will Book, Page 257 details Moses’ will:

In the Name of God, Amen.

I, Moses Preston, Sr., being weak physically but of Sound & disposing Memory, Blessed be God for that and a coconsciousness that my final desolution cannot be many years hence- by a course of Nature, I do make and publish this as my last Will and Testament. That is to say:

First, I desire that my burial and funeral expenses be paid.

Secondly: I desire that all the just debts standing against me be paid.

Thirdly: Whereas I have heretofore advanced in cash to my children, James Preston, Martin Preston, William Preston, Moses Preston, Jr., Franklin Preston, Henry Preston, Montaville Preston and Greenville Preston the sum of Five hundred Dollars each & Ruthaford Preston, Three hundred & fifty Dollars, I have also advanced to my children, in furniture, bedding and other things as follows to wit: To James Preston, The sum of Two Hundred Three Dollars, to Martin Preston, thirty five Dollars, to William Preston, Ninety Eight Dollars, to Moses Preston, Jr. One hundred and Eight Dollars, to Franklin Preston, Sixty Eight Dollars, to Henry Seventy one Dollars, to Montaville Preston One hundred Dollars, to Ruthaford Preston, Seventy two Dollars, to Greenville Preston, Fifty Three Dollars, to Anjalina Preston Three hundred & Sixty nine Dollars. Now I desire that my other children be made equal to those I have made advancements to, before there is any division of my Estate, That is to say: I desire that Ruthaford Preston have One hundred & fifty Dollars to make his cash advance equal to the others, and then that my other children to wit: John Preston, Ballard Preston, Ellen Preston, Josephine Preston, Louisa C. Preston & the two children of my daughter Anjalina Preston, to wit: Millard Preston and Therissa Preston, have five hundred Dollars each in cash, to make them Equal to those I have made advancements to. My two Grandchildren Theressa & Millard Preston only to have Five hundred Dollars between them they always only occupying the position of one heir in this Devise. Now further I before stated that some of my children has had in furniture, bedding & or various amounts. My daughter Anjalina has had the sum of Three Hundred and sixty nine Dollars. Now I desire that my other children who have had less than that be made equal to her by cash payments that James Preston has had Two Hundred and three Dollars, Martin Preston, Thirty five dollars, William Preston Ninety eight Dollars,Moses Preston One Hundred eight Dollars, Franklin Preston Sixty eight Dollars, Henry Preston Seventy one Dollars, Montaville Preston One Hundred Dollars, Ruthaford Preston Seventy two Dollars, Greenville Preston Fifty Three Dollars. Now I desire that these amounts be increased to equal Anjalina’s.

I further desire that my other children, to wit: John Preston, Ballard Preston, Ellen Preston, Josephine Preston and Louisa C. Preston have the further sum of Three Hundred Sixty nine Dollars to make then equal to my other children.

Fourthly: For the purpose of enabling my wife, Nancy M. Preston, should she outlive me, to raise and educate my four Infant children, and for her own support, I give and bequeath to her the choice of residences, either in Paintsville, north of Paint Creek, Catlettsburg, or any other property that I may possess, and all the house-hold and kitchen furniture, so long as she may live. The household and kitchen furniture to be divided or given out by my beloved wife as my children, may, marry off; to them as she deems proper & should said house-hold and kitchen furniture be destroyed by accident, then They are to have out of my general estate an amount sufficient to procure them a bed, bedding & furniture. My four infant children alluded to are, Ballard, Ellen, Josephine & Louisa C. Preston. Now it is distinctly understood that my wife, beloved wife shall have the use and control of it at least one third of my Real Estate during her life time for her support and to enable her to raise my infant children provided she remains sane and competent to transact business, and in the event of her becoming incompetent to transact business and provide for the raising & Educating of the children last aforesaid, I desire that the property desired for their benefit pass into the hands of a competent Guardian who shall execute sufficient bonds for the safe keeping & administering of the same.

Fifthly: After all the special desires herein indicated are satisfied, I desire that my whole estate, both Real, Personal and mixed, shall be equally divided between my children, both by my first & second wife, the property to be sold, debts collected and all ___ to money – Except Real property – that to remain to the heirs as they arrive at maturity.

Sixthly: I constitute & appoint my sons, Franklin Preston & Henry Preston, together with my friend, James E. Stewart to be my Executors, of this my last Will and Testament.

In Testimony Hereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal – this 6th day of February 1865.

In presence of

James E. Stewart

John M. Burns

Moses Preston

Will Proved

Johnson County: I, David Pelphrey, Clerk of the Johnson County Court do certify that the foregoing last Will and Testament of Moses Preston, Sr. was on the 7th day of December, 1868 produced in open court and proved by the oaths of James E. Stewart a subscribing witness to be the last Will and Testament of the said Moses Preston, Sr. and who also, proved this attestation of John M. Burns a subscribing witness thereto and the same was probated and ordered to be admitted – Record.

Given under my hand, this 7th day of December 1868

Daniel Pelphrey, C.C.J.C.C.

Orders Johnson County Court.

December Term, 7th day of December 1868.

This day James E. Stewart produced in open court a paper purporting to be the last Will and Testament, Moses Preston, Sr., deceased, attested by James E. Stewart and John M. Burns which was read in open court, and after proof heard it is ordered and _______ that the same be filed and ordered to be recorded. In which paper or Will, James E. Stewart Franklin Preston, Henry Preston were named and suggested as Executors – Said paper is ordered to be recorded as the last Will and Testament of Moses Preston, deceased.

State of Kentucky

County of Johnson

I, W. P. Davis, Clerk of the County Court for the County aforesaid, certify that at the December Term, 1868 of same Court the last Will and Testament of Moses Preston was produced in open court, proven by the oath of James E Stewart a subscribing witness thereto and who also proved the attestation of John M. Burns the other subscribing witness, said Will was admitted to probate and ordered to be recorded, which is done accordingly, together with the Order of Probate and this Certificate.

This second record is made because the original entry did not contain the Order of Probate.

Witness my hand as Clerk of the Court aforesaid, This 27 day of April 1908.

W. P. Davis C. J. C.

He was the son of Moses Preston and Frances Fanny Arthur.

Family links

Parents:

Moses Preston (1762 - 1842)

Husband of Elizabeth Haney (1797 - 1845)

Father of James, Greenville, William, Redford, Martin, Moses, Judea, Anjaline, Montaville, Franklin, Henry, John, and Thomas Preston.

Children:

James Coby Preston (1819 - 1860)

Greenville Preston (1821 - 1902)

William Darby Preston (1823 - 1896)

Martin Preston (1828 - 1891)

Anjaline Preston Preston (1833 - 1858)

Montaville Preston (1835 - 1906)

Franklin Preston (1837 - 1890)

Henry Preston (1839 - 1881)

John Duncan Preston (1844 - 1925)

His second wife was Nancy Martin Peery (1814 - 1883)

Their children were Winfield, George, Mary, Unnamed Twins, Nancy, Louisa, Henry, and John Preston.

Winfield Scott Preston (1848 - 1858)

George Ballard Preston (1851 - 1889)

Mary Ellen Preston Brown (1854 - 1902)

Sources

1. ↑ Johnson Co. KY Cemeteries Vol. 1, Pages 113-116
2. ↑ FAG
3. ↑ 1820 Floyd Co., KY Census
   

   Head- Preston, Moses

   1 Male Age 16-26

   1 Male Under Age 10

   1 Female Age 16-26

   0 Slaves

   0 Free Persons of Color.

4. ↑ 1850 Johnson Co., KY census
   

   Moses=53 (Merchant),

   Nancy M.=38,

   Martin=22 (Clerk),

   Moses, Jr.=20 (Clerk),

   Franklin=14,

   Henry=9 and

   Winfield S.=3

5. ↑ 1860 Johnson Co., KY census
   

   Moses=63 born VA (farmer-merchant),

   Nancy M.=44 born VA.,

   Henry=20 (store clerk),

   John=16,

   Ballard=8,

   Mary E.=5,

   Nancy J.=3 and

   Louisa=11/12.

• Walter Family Vol. 1 - Descendants of Isreal Walter By Theodore Walter, Page 99

• Early Families of Eastern & Southeastern Kentucky By William C. Kozee, Page 520

• Author: Roger D. Osborne Title: Osborne Web Site Text: MyHeritage.com family tree CONT Family site: Osborne Web Site CONT Family tree: 8297854-1 Media: 445563-1 Type: Smart Matching Record ID Number: MH:SC1267 Page: Moses Preston Event: Smart Matching Role: 1000361 Data: Date: 11 JUL 2013 Text: Added by confirming a Smart Match Quality or Certainty of Data: 3

• Author: Sheryl Meek-Crocker Title: my family sheryl louvene price meek crocker Web Site Text: MyHeritage.com family tree CONT Family site: my family sheryl louvene price meek crocker Web Site CONT Family tree: Sheryl LouVene Price Meek Crocker Media: 126664941-2 Type: Smart Matching Record ID Number: MH:SC947 Page: Moses Preston Event: Smart Matching Role: 2000177 Data: Date: 27 APR 2013 Text: Added by confirming a Smart Match Quality or Certainty of Data: 3

Acknowledgments

Thank you to TinaSue Friel for creating WikiTree profile Preston-1824 through the import of My Family Tree - 2013-01-04 13-20-43.ged on Jul 12, 2013. Click to the Changes page for the details of edits by TinaSue and others.

• Confirmed by Frances Preston Brackett, DAR