James Patton Preston | |
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| 20th Governor of Virginia | |
| In office December 1, 1816 – December 1, 1819 | |
| Preceded by | Wilson Cary Nicholas |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr. |
| Member of theVirginia House of Delegates fromMontgomery County | |
| In office December 3, 1810 – November 30, 1812 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas Goodson |
| Succeeded by | Thomas McHenry |
| Member of theVirginia House of Delegates | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1774-06-21)June 21, 1774 |
| Died | May 4, 1843(1843-05-04) (aged 68) Smithfield Plantation,Virginia, U.S. |
| Resting place | Smithfield Plantation Cemetery Blacksburg, Virginia, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic-Republican |
| Spouse | Ann Barraud Taylor |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent | Colonel William Preston (Father)Susanna Smith (Mother) |
| Alma mater | College of William & Mary |
| Signature | .png) |
James Patton Preston (June 21, 1774 – May 4, 1843) was a U.S.political figure who served as the 20thGovernor of Virginia.
James Patton Preston was born atSmithfield Plantation, in what is nowBlacksburg, Virginia. He attended theCollege of William and Mary from 1790 to 1795 and managed his family's vast estate, which included the land that is now the campus ofVirginia Tech and large portions of its college farm. The 7,500-acre (30 km²) tract previously known as Draper's Meadow was granted sometime before 1737 byGovernor Robert Dinwiddie to Preston's great uncle and namesake,Colonel James Patton, an Irish sea captain turnedland speculator who had died in theDraper's Meadow Massacre.[1] A member of theDemocratic-Republican Party, he served for four years theVirginia State Senate, and two years in theVirginia House of Delegates.
He joined theUnited States Army for theWar of 1812, serving aslieutenant colonel and second in command of the12th Infantry Regiment. He was promoted tocolonel of the23rd Infantry Regiment in August 1813 and served until being seriously wounded at theBattle of Crysler's Farm inOntario.
After the war, Preston returned to the House of Delegates. He served as the20thGovernor of Virginia from 1816 to 1819. His term was marked by the state's payment of more than $1.5 million in debt incurred to cover expenses during the War of 1812 and the establishment of theUniversity of Virginia.
After leaving office, Preston served asPostmaster of Richmond before retiring to his estate.
He died at Smithfield Plantation on May 4, 1843, and is buried in the estate's cemetery.
Preston County, Virginia (now West Virginia) was formed in 1818 and named in his honor. Also named for him is a residence hall at William and Mary.[2]
His father wasColonel William Preston, and his mother was Susanna Smith (1739–1823).
Preston married Ann Taylor (1778–1861), with whom he had three children, William Ballard, Robert Taylor, and James Francis. Their sonWilliam Ballard Preston served as a Member of theUnited States House of Representatives andUnited States Secretary of the Navy. During theAmerican Civil War, William B. Preston was a Senator in theCongress of the Confederate States.
Sons Robert Taylor Preston and James Francis Preston both served as officers in theConfederate Army during the Civil War.
James Patton Preston was the brother-in-law ofJohn Floyd and the uncle ofJames McDowell andJohn Buchanan Floyd.
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| Preceded by | Governor of Virginia 1816–1819 | Succeeded by |
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| National | |
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