Skip to main content

Preston, Susanna Smith, 1740-1823

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1740 - 1823

Biographical Note

Susanna Smith was born in Hanover County, Virginia, in 1740 to Francis and Elizabeth (Waddy) Smith. In 1761, Susanna Smith married William Preston and in 1769, they settled at Greenfield (in Botetourt County). They moved to Fincastle in 1772, and then in 1773 to Smithfield, the home William built for her in Montgomery County. Susanna and William had at least twelve children: Elizabeth Preston Madison (1762-1837), John Preston (1764-1827), Francis Smith Preston (1765-1835), Sarah Preston McDowell (1767-1841), Anne Preston (1769-1782), William Preston (1770-1821), Susanna Preston Hart (1772-1833), James Patton Preston (1774-1843), Mary Preston Lewis (1776-1821), Letitia Preston Floyd (1779-1852), Thomas Lewis Preston (1781-1812), and Margaret Brown Preston Preston (1784-1843). William Preston died in 1783, and although the historical record is lacking about Susanna, it is known that she lived at Smithfield for another 40 years, raising the younger children and managing the household and the estate (sometimes with the help of her sons, who were known to handle legal matters). Susanna died in 1823 and is buried in the Preston Cemetery at Smithfield Plantation.

Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7727619/susanna-preston. Additional information was compiled from Preston family papers in Special Collection and University Archives.

Found in 3 Collections and/or Records:

Anna Whitehead Kenney Papers

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-1991-022
Abstract

The Anna Whitehead Kenney Papers contains a collection of biographical information about local families compiled by Kenney during her time as a curator at Smithfield Plantation.

Dates: 1965 - 1972

Preston Family (Alice Preston Moore Collection) Papers

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-1962-004
Abstract

The collection consists of family papers, receipts, correspondence, and original and photocopied materials relating to the Preston family, primarily William and Susanna Smith Preston, John Preston, and William Ballard Preston, dating from the 1740s to the 1880s. Other materials include 19th and 20th century genealogy research on the Prestons.

Dates: 1749-1882, n.d.

Preston Family (Charles Peale Didier Collection) Papers

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-1985-020
Abstract

The Didier Collection of Preston Family Papers includes papers of James Patton, Patton's grandson William Preston, and Preston's eldest son, John Preston, all of Montgomery County, Virginia. The papers consist of business and legal documents, surveys, and correspondence.

Dates: 1747 - 1897