William Preston (abt. 1765 - aft. 1830)

Born about 1765 in Connecticut

Ancestors

Descendants

Died after 1830 after about age 65 in Ohio

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Biography

While the "Descendants of Roger Preston" does not list a son William for Othniel Preston and Anna Love , it does state that there may have been more children in this family.

Several Preston family members have recounted a family tradition that William Preston, son of Othniel Preston and Anna Love of Washington County NY moved to Ohio. While it has not yet been been proven, there is enough document evidence to support this hypthesis to make it seem possible, or even likely.

Anna Love , widow of Othniel Preston, died before 1790 in Cambridge Township, Washington Co. NY, and in the 1790 U.S. census a William Preston (16+) is listed as head of household in Cambridge, with one son under 16. William would have been about 25 years old at this time.

William Preston's whereabouts in 1800-1810 are unknown, although family tradition says he may have lived in Canada for a while before ending up in Ohio.

In 1820 a William Preston, 45+, is listed in Cadiz Ohio.

In 1830 William Preston, age 60-69, is listed in Claridon Twp. Ohio, which is right next to Marion Twp. where William Preston's probable son Othniel Preston purchased land in 1822.

A family member has posted in a public forum that a will exists in the Ohio records (in relation to the name of Fithian) which names William Preston and Othniel Preston together. This record needs to be found, but it would seem to suggest a close connection between William and Othniel.

In light of the above it is likely that William's son Othniel Preston was named in honor of William's brother Othniel Preston.

While absolute proof is still lacking, considering all of the above it does seem possible that William Preston was the son of Othniel Preston and Anna Love , and that Othniel Preston, who lived in Ohio, Illinois and finally Iowa, was his son.

Sources

• 1790 U.S. Census lists William Preston as head of household in Cambridge Twp., Washington Co. NY.

• 1820 U.S. Census lists William Preston in Cadiz Ohio

• 1822, U.S. General Land Office Records, 1776-2015,[database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2008; Othniel Preston purchased land on 13 Nov 1822 in Marion, Ohio

• 1830 U.S. Census lists William Preston, age 60-69 in Claridon Twp. OH

• Descendants of Roger Preston of Ipswich and Salem Village", 1931, by Charles H. Preston, Essex Inst., Salem MA