William Campbell Preston Breckenridge

William married Lucretia H Clay on 17 Mar 1859. Lucretia was born about 1837; died after 1860. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Robert Jefferson Breckinridge (March 8, 1800 ? December 27, 1871) was a politician and Presbyterian minister. He was a member of the Breckinridge family of Kentucky, the son of Senator John Breckinridge.

A restless youth, Breckinridge was suspended from Princeton University for fighting, and following his graduation from Union College in 1819, was prone to engage in a lifestyle of partying and revelry. Nevertheless, he was admitted to the bar in 1824 and elected to the Kentucky General Assembly in 1825. A serious illness and the death of a child in 1829 prompted him to turn to religion, and he became an ordained minister in 1832.

Breckinridge accepted the call to pastor the Second[a] Presbyterian Church of Baltimore, Maryland in 1832. While at the church, he became involved in a number of theological debates. During the Old School-New School controversy within the Presbyterian Church in the 1830s, Breckinridge became a hard-line member of the Old School faction, and played an influential role in the ejection of several churches in 1837. He was rewarded for his stances by being elected moderator of the Presbyterian Church's General Assembly in 1841.

After a brief stint as president of Jefferson College in Pennsylvania, Breckinridge returned to Kentucky, where he pastored the First Presbyterian church of Lexington, Kentucky and was appointed superintendent of public education by Governor William Owsley. The changes he effected in this office brought a tenfold increase in public school attendance and led to him being called the father of the public school system in Kentucky.[1] He left his post as superintendent after six years to become a professor at Danville Theological Seminary in Danville, Kentucky.

As the sectional conflict leading up to the Civil War escalated, Breckinridge was put in the unusual position of being a slaveholder who opposed slavery. His support of Abraham Lincoln for president in the election of 1860 put him at odds with his nephew, John C. Breckinridge. The tragic scenario of brother against brother literally played out in Breckinridge's family, with two of his sons joining each side during the war. Following the war, Breckinridge retired to his home in Danville, where he died on December 27, 1871.

Robert Breckinridge was born March 8, 1800 at Cabell's Dale near Lexington, Kentucky. He was the third son born to John and Mary Hopkins (Cabell) Breckinridge. Senator Breckinridge died in 1806, leaving his wife to tend the family's large plantations. Robert soon earned a reputation of misbehaving. In one instance, he and his brother John had a physical altercation because Robert put salt in a blind cousin's coffee; in another, his mother gave him a "tremendous whipping" for beating an old slave.[2]

(Wikipedia)

Robert married Anna Sophonisba Preston on 11 Mar 1823 in Abingdon, Washington Co, Virginia. Anna (daughter of General Francis Smith Preston and Sarah Buchanan Campbell) was born on 09 Apr 1803 in "Salt Works," Washington Co, Virginia; died on 20 Dec 1844 in Baltimore, Maryland; was buried in Lexington Cem, Lexington, Fayette Co, Kentucky. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

She was the dau. of Gen. Francis Smith Preston and Sarah Buchanan Campbell.
"Sophy" married Dr. Robert Jefferson Breckinridge in Abingdon, VA on 11 Mar 1823. They had eleven children. In 1844 just three short months after giving birth to her last child (Charles Henry Breckinridge), Sophy died from a "terrible infection". She was 44 years old, when she left her husband and eight young children behind. Cherished and loved by all of her family.
Her grave marker lies at the base of a memorial she shares with her husband in the Lexington Cemetery, in the Breckinridge family plot.
(findagrave)

Notes:

On March 11, 1823, Breckinridge married his cousin, Ann Sophonisba Preston at the bride's home in Abingdon, Virginia; the couple had eleven children. Ann's political heritage rivaled that of her husband. A grandniece of Patrick Henry, she was also a sister to Senator William Campbell Preston and a sister-in-law to South Carolina governor Wade Hampton III, and Virginia governors John B. Floyd and James McDowell.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Other-Begin: 18 Feb 1784, Mercer Co, Kentucky; McAfee namesake
• Residence: 1792, Cabell Dale, Iron Works Pike, Lexington, Kentucky

Notes:

Spelled his name "Breckinridge"

US public official, born near Staunton, Virginia. Entered William and Mary College in 1778; elected Member of the House of Delegates, 1780 at age 19, until 1785; admitted to the Bar, 1785; elected to the Third Congress 1793; moved to Kentucky, 1793; appointed Attorney General of the new State, 1795, holding that office until 1798; Member of the Legislature, 1798-1801; United States Senator, 1801-1805; United States Attorney General, 1805-1806, Jefferson's administration. He died while in office. Breckenridge County, Kentucky was named after him. His grandson John Cabell Breckinridge became Vice-President under President Buchanan.

Other-Begin:
General Robert Breckinridge McAfee
Birth: Feb. 18, 1784
Mercer County
Kentucky, USA
Death: Mar. 12, 1849
Mercer County
Kentucky, USA

Son of Robert and Anne (McCoun) McAfee, married Mary "Polly" Cardwell, October 14, 1807, Mercer County, Kentucky.
----------------
"I was the eighth child of my mother and a second son by the name of Robert, a brother of the same name having died only twelve days previous, viz., on the 6th day of February 1784, and my father despaired of having any more sons was anxious for a man, it was immediately bestowed on me with the addition of the letter 'B' for his friend, John Breckinridge, afterward a celebrated lawyer in Kentucky and at his death in 1806 attorney General of the United States under President Jefferson."

The Life and Times of Robert B. McAfee and His Family and Connections.
Written by Himself.

John married Mary "Polly" Hopkins Cabell on 28 Jun 1785. Mary (daughter of Joseph Cabell and Mary Hopkins) was born on 22 Feb 1769 in Virginia; died on 26 Mar 1858 in Fayette Co, Kentucky. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

US Army Brigadier General, US Congressman. Born in Botetourt, Virginia, he was a successful lawyer in practice when he was elected a member of the State Senate of Virginia in 1783. In 1793, he was elected as a Republican to the Third Congress, reelected to the Fourth Congress, serving until 1797, when he declined to be a candidate for re-nomination. Resuming the practice of law, he was elected a member of the Virginia State House of Delegates, serving (1812-14). With the advent the War of 1812, he was commissioned a Colonel in the Virginia Volunteers and was later promoted a US Army Brigadier General. After the war, he served in the Virginia State Senate, (1816-20). He died at age 70 in Columbia, South Carolina. (bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith)
(findagrave)

Francis married Sarah Buchanan Campbell on 10 Jan 1793 in Washington, Virginia. Sarah (daughter of General William Campbell and Elizabeth Henry) was born on 21 Apr 1778 in Virginia; died on 23 Jul 1846 in Virginia; was buried in Aspenvale Cem, Seven Mile Ford, Smyth Co, Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

daughter of General William Campbell and Elizabeth Henry Campbell.
Sarah was the wife of General Francis Preston
Francis was the 2nd son of COL William PRESTON of Smithfield (VA).
She had at least 6 daughters & 4 sons.

She inherited (at least) 13,056 acres as described in the book -
Virginia Soldiers of 1776 in Washington County, VA circa Mar & Apr 1834 -
pages 1071 thru 1073, and as recorded in Book 3, page 330.

The two large blocks of property came from GEN William CAMPBELL.
The one property he received from his father, Charles CAMPBELL, who
helped map out and explore the large land grant. He received property
near the Buffalo Lick (aka Salt Lick) which passed to his wife, Elizabeth (HENRY) CAMPBELL.

General William CAMPBELL & Elizabeth (HENRY) had at least two children, with the son the expected heir. When General CAMPBELL died, the VA legislature voted a large grant to his son. I thought the son was named William CAMPBELL ("Jr"), but the following book makes it sound like his name might have been George William CAMPBELL.

Sarah's brother died young, so the property the VA government had earmarked to him wound up going to Sarah. I believe this is the property talked about in the following book link. It amounts to at least 13,056 acres on Warrant No 7591 issued 11 Apr 1834 to George William Campbell's heir, namely, Sarah B. Preston, wife of Thomas Preston. Recorded in Book 3, page 330 (of Washington County, Virginia) records.

The land granted by VA was apparently for William CAMPBELL's service from June 1775 to the close of the war (circa 1783) and/or the death of the General, possibly Dec 1783.

The resolutions were signed 14 Apr 1834.
There is a reference to the Dec 1783.

http://books.google.com/books?ei=GXoOTaL1OYSs8Aay7Ym2Dg&ct=
result&id=GHErAQAAIAAJ&dq=Sarah+Preston+%22William+
Campbell%22+Richmond+OR+Fire&q=Sarah+Preston#search_anchor



According to this source,
http://books.google.com/books?id=E2DWAAAAMAAJ&q=Sarah+B.+Campbell+Richmond+Fire+
Preston&dq=Sarah+B.+Campbell+Richmond+Fire+Preston&hl
=en&ei=A4EOTYikBcqr8AaF6InyDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct
=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDEQ6AEwAg

Sarah Buchanan (CAMPBELL) PRESTON had ten children: 6 daughters & 4 sons. It appears to go on to list them.


Memoranda of the Preston Family - by Orlando BROWN pg 17?
Children:
1) William Campbell PRESTON, distinguished lawyer and Senator in Congress from SC, m1) Miss COULTER of that State (SC), after her death, m2) Miss DAVIS (of SC). His only child, Sally Campbell PRESTON, unmarried.
2) Eliza PRESTON mar. Gen Edward CARRINGTON of Halifax, VA. They had children (minors as of the book?)
3) Susan PRESTON mar. cousin James M'DOWELL and they have nine children.
3.1 -- 3.9
4) Sarah PRESTON mar. cousin John B. BLOYD - no children (as of this book)
5) Sophonisba PRESTON mar. Rev Robert J. BRECKINRIDGE
and they had 6 children: Mary, Sally, Robert, Maria, William, and Sophonisba.
6) Maria PRESTON, (deceased as of the Preston Family papers), mar. John M. PRESTON of Abingdon, formerly of Kentucky. They had 2 sons, minors.
7) Charles PRESTON mar. Miss BEALL and has left no children.
8) John S. PRESTON mar. Miss HAMPTON, dau. of Gen Wade HAMPTON of SC
with 5 children, minors (as of history of Preston Family.
9) Thomas L. PRESTON mar. Wade HAMPTON Jr., grandson of Gen Wade HAMPTON. Together, they had one son, a minor. (as of the Preston Family papers.)
(findagrave)

Other Events and Attributes:

• Immigration: 1728, Pennsylvania
• Residence: Bef 1740, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Other-Begin: 22 May 1740, Orange Co, Virginia
• Property: Between 1742 and 1747, Beverley Manor SW, Augusta Co, Virginia; "Early Settlers of Augusta"
• Other-Begin: 23 Sep 1755, Augusta Co, Virginia
• Other-Begin: 12 Mar 1771, Botetourt Co, Virginia
• Other-Begin: 14 Mar 1771, Botetourt Co, Virginia
• Other-Begin: 15 Mar 1771, Botetourt Co, Virginia

Notes:

Residence:
1740, 22 May: Alexander BRECKENRIDGE made oath that he had imported himself and John, George, Robert, Smith and Letitia BRECKENRIDGE from Ireland to Philadelphia, and from thence to VA, at his own charges.


Other-Begin:
Orange Co Offspring: 1734 > Frederick 1743 > Augusta 1745 > Culpeper 1749 > Greene 1838

Headrights of Orange Co., Virginia

Headrights were grants of 50 acres of land per "head" - or
per white male over the age of 16 who transported himself to the colonies. They appear in the Court of Common Pleas in the county in which the land was granted. The attached file includes the headrights copied from the Orange Co., Va Court of Common Pleas in the 18th Century. These headrights function as the only real immigration record for English, Scot or Irish immigrants in that time period. The headright identifies the country of origin and generally the port of entry in the colonies.
May 1740
Alexander Brackenridge, Jane, John, George, Rober, James Smith, Jane & Letitia Brackenridge
(from Ireland)
http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/orange/deeds/orangehe.txt

--------------

HISTORIC FAMILIES OF KENTUCKY:
On the 22nd day of May in 1740, fourteen heads of families appeared in the Orange County, Virginia Court House (Augusta County, Virginia not having been then established, and the territory being embraced in that of Orange) to `prove their
importation.' The first of these was Alexander Breckenridge, who made oath that he had imported himself and John, George, Robert, Smith and Letitia Breckenridge, from Ireland to Philadelphia, and from thence to this colony (Virginia), at his own charges.

---------------
Early in 1740, or shortly before, there was a great influx of population into the Valley. On the 22d of May, 1740, fourteen heads of families appeared at Orange Court to "prove their importation." The first order of the series is as follows:
"Alexander Breckenridge came into Court and made oath that he imported himself, and (blank), John, George, Robert, (blank), Smith, (blank), and Letitia Breckenridge from Ireland to Philadelphia, and from thence to this colony, at his own charges, and this is the first time of proving his and their rights in order to obtain land, which is ordered to be certified." He, however, acquired by purchase from Beverley 245 acres, on March 24, 1741.

The blanks above indicate names which are illegible in the record book. (these blanks would be Adam, Sarah, and James.)

http://archive.org/stream/annalsofaugusta00wadd/annalsofaugusta00wadd_djvu.txt

Property:
George Breckenridge & Robert Breckenridge (Beverley Manor SW, 761 acres, 1742, corner of land of George Breckenridge (540 acres acquired in 1747)) George Breckenridge and Col. Robert Breckenridge were brothers, both sons of Alexander Breckenridge and Jane Preston.

http://www.werelate.org/wiki/Early_Settlers_of_Augusta_County,_Virginia_-_Surnames_A-E


Other-Begin:
Annals of Augusta County, Virginia p 117
In several letters, Governor Dinwiddie expressed disapprobation of the conduct of Captain Dickinson, of the Augusta rangers, in allowing certain Indians to slip out of his hands. They were called '' praying Indians," because they professed to be Christianized, but were supposed to be partisans of the French. Some friendly Cherokees were expected at Staunton to be employed against the Shawnees, and the Governor wrote to David Stuart and Robert McClanahan to treat these allies well.

A letter written by Robert McClanahan, dated September 23, 1755, relating to supplies for rangers and Indian allies, was found among the papers in an old suit. The name of the person to whom it was addressed, does not appear; but circumstances indicate that it was either William Preston or Robert Breckinridge. The writer speaks of one hundred and fifty Cherokees who were expected, and inquires when and to whom the supplies should be delivered. He says that Capt. Dickinson and his company had "a small scrimmage" with nine Indians, in which one white man and one Indian were killed, and "two small Indian boys belonging to the Cherokees, being captives, were released." The boys were at Fort Dinwiddie, and the Governor had been written to in regard to them. If the Cherokees were informed about the boys, "perhaps it might exasperate them against our enemies," says the writer.


Other-Begin:
Botetourt County Court Minutes March 1771

Annals Of S W Virginia
Written: March 1771

At a Court held for Botetourt County the 12th day of March, 1771.

Present: Robert Breckenridge, Benjamin Hawkins, Francis Smith & Andrew Woods,
Gentlemen Justices.
--




http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/botetourt/court/minutes26gwl.txt

Other-Begin:
At a court held for Botetourt County fourteenth of March, one thousand seven hundred and seventy one.

On motion made by Israel Christian, it is ordered William Preston, Robert Breckenridge and Andrew Woods do value the additional five acres of land conveyed by the said Christian to the County for the use thereof and make report
thereof to the next court.
---

Ord. that Joseph Cloyd, Michael Cloyd & John Neeley, Junr., being first
sworn, do view the road from Thomas Madison's Mill to Robert Breckenridge's Mill
and report the conveniences & inconveniences thereof to the next court.

http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/botetourt/court/minutes26gwl.txt



Other-Begin:
At a court contd. & held for Botetourt County the 15th day of March, 1771.

Present: Robert Breckenridge, Isral Christian, John Howard & Stephen Trigg, Gent.

Peter Wright, John Robinson and Edward McMullin being sworn to view the way from the said Wright's up Dunlop's Creek to the Sweet Springs and make report
thereof to the court.
Ord. that this court be adjd. till court in course.
The minutes of these proceedings were signed by
Robert Breckenridge
http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/botetourt/court/minutes26gwl.txt

Robert married Letita Preston, (Immigrant) on 10 Jul 1758, and was divorced after 1772. Letita (daughter of Colonel John Preston, (Immigrant) and Elizabeth Patton, (Immigrant)) was born in 1725 in Ireland; died in 1798 in Kentucky. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Joseph married Mary Hopkins on 28 Oct 1752. Mary was born in Jan 1734/35; died on 12 Jul 1811. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Property: 1749, Beverley Manor NE, Augusta Co, Virginia; "Early Settlers of Augusta"
• Other-Begin: 23 Sep 1755, Augusta Co, Virginia
• Residence: 1770, Botetourt Co, Virginia; James John Floyd
• Other-Begin: 13 Mar 1771, Botetourt Co, Virginia
• Other-Begin: 14 Mar 1771, Botetourt Co, Virginia

Notes:

Soldier, Surveyor. He was a Captain of a Company of Rangers of Augusta County, Virginia in the French and Indian War. He was a Burgess for Augusta County in 1765 and 1766-1768 and for Botetourt County in 1769-1771. He was County Lieutenant, Sheriff and Surveyor of Fincastle County, Virginia 1772-1776 which included the present State of Kentucky. In 1773 he purchased land at Draper's Meadows in present day Montgomery County, Virginia and established a plantation known as "Smithfield". He was County Lieutenant, Justice, and Surveyor for Montgomery County from 1776 until his death. He served as a Colonel of the Virginia State Militia in the Revolutionary War from Montgomery County. He died while attending a muster of the Montgomery County Militia.

The historical marker in Blacksburg, Virginia pictured at the right reads as follows: "One mile west is "Smithfield", old home of Col. Wm. Preston, who materially guided the destiny of the Virginia frontier from the French and Indian War through the Revolution. On this estate two Virginia Governors were born: James P. Preston, 1816-19; John B. Floyd, 1848-52, the latter was the son of another Virginia Governor, John Floyd, 1830-34, who while in office advocated before the Legislature abolition of slavery in Virginia."

Most of the papers of William Preston were collected by Lyman Draper and are portion of the Draper Manuscripts known as the William Preston Papers. His biography, "William Preston and the Allegheny Patriots" was published by Patricia Givens Johnson in 1976. The inventory of his estate included 273 books. His was one of the largest libraries in Virginia.
(findagrave)


Other-Begin:
Annals of Augusta County, Virginia p 117
In several letters, Governor Dinwiddie expressed disapprobation of the conduct of Captain Dickinson, of the Augusta rangers, in allowing certain Indians to slip out of his hands. They were called '' praying Indians," because they professed to be Christianized, but were supposed to be partisans of the French. Some friendly Cherokees were expected at Staunton to be employed against the Shawnees, and the Governor wrote to David Stuart and Robert McClanahan to treat these allies well.

A letter written by Robert McClanahan, dated September 23, 1755, relating to supplies for rangers and Indian allies, was found among the papers in an old suit. The name of the person to whom it was addressed, does not appear; but circumstances indicate that it was either William Preston or Robert Breckinridge. The writer speaks of one hundred and fifty Cherokees who were expected, and inquires when and to whom the supplies should be delivered. He says that Capt. Dickinson and his company had "a small scrimmage" with nine Indians, in which one white man and one Indian were killed, and "two small Indian boys belonging to the Cherokees, being captives, were released." The boys were at Fort Dinwiddie, and the Governor had been written to in regard to them. If the Cherokees were informed about the boys, "perhaps it might exasperate them against our enemies," says the writer.


Residence:
At the age of 18 he married Matilda Burford, daughter of Daniel Burford, sheriff of Amherst County, but she died a year later during the birth of their daughter, Mourning Floyd.[2] In 1770, at the age of 20, Floyd moved to Botetourt County, Virginia to seek employment.[2] He worked as a teacher while living in the home of Col. William Preston.[3] Preston, a prominent frontier Virginian, was the surveyor for the western part of Virginia then known as Fincastle County, Virginia, which stretched as far as the Mississippi River.
Wikipedia




Other-Begin:
William Preston, Executor of John Buchanan, deceased, proved certificates for two thousand three hundred and twenty seven pounds of hemp, which is ord. to be certfd.
Ord. that this court be adjd. till tomorrow morning, eight o'clock.
The minutes of these proceedings were signed.
Andrew Lewis

http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/botetourt/court/minutes26gwl.txt


Other-Begin:
At a court held for Botetourt County fourteenth of March, one thousand seven hundred and seventy one.

On motion made by Israel Christian, it is ordered William Preston, Robert Breckenridge and Andrew Woods do value the additional five acres of land conveyed by the said Christian to the County for the use thereof and make report
thereof to the next court.
http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/botetourt/court/minutes26gwl.txt

William married Susanna Smith on 17 Jan 1761 in Newtown Limavady, Limavady, Co Londonderry, Ireland. Susanna (daughter of Francis Smith and Elizabeth Waddy) was born on 23 Jan 1740 in Hanover Co, Virginia; died on 19 Jun 1823 in Montgomery Co, Virginia; was buried in Preston Cem, Smithfield Plantation, Blacksburg, Montgomery Co, Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

She was 3rd wife.

Notes:

Soldier, Commander Battle of Kings Mountain. General William Campbell was born in 1745 in Augusta County, Virginia. Following his fathers death, he moved with his mother and four sisters to the Holston Valley of Virginia where they established the family home called Aspenvale south of present day Marion, Virginia. In 1774 he became a Captain in the Militia and served in Col. Christians regiments in the campaign against the Shawnee. In 1777, he returned to Aspenvale where he served as Justice of the Peace and was made a Lt. Colonel in the militia. In September 1780, he lead his regiment on a march from Southwest Virginia to Kings Mountain, North Carolina. There on October 7, 1780, Col. Campbell lead his regiments in the Battle of Kings Mountain, defeating the British Forces lead by Major Patrick Ferguson. The victory by Col. Campbell destroyed the left wing of Cornwallis?s Army and forced the British to retreat from Charlotte into South Carolina. In March 1781 Col. Campbell joined General Nathanael Green at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. After a term in the legislature he was made a brigadier-general in the militia, and served under Lafayette in the battle of Jamestown. Shortly after the battle General Campbell fell ill and died at Rocky Mills, which was the home of his half-brother, Col. John Syme, Jr, in Hanover County, Virginia. He was originally buried at Rocky Mills, but in 1823, relatives moved his remains to his old home of Aspenville on the Holston, and laid him to rest next to his mother (Margaret Buchanan), His widow Elizabeth Henry Campbell, (the sister of Patrick Henry, the orator) his young son and other relatives. The Aspenvale Cemtery is located on private property on the north side of Seven Mile Ford Road, south of Marion in Smyth County, Virginia. (bio by: S.G. Thompson)
findagrave

William married Elizabeth Henry about 1804. Elizabeth (daughter of John Henry and Sarah Wilson) was born in 1749 in Hanover Co, Virginia; died in 1825 in Chilhowie, Smythe Co, Virginia; was buried in Aspenvale Cem, Seven Mile Ford, Smyth Co, Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Elizabeth Henry Campbell Russell, sister of Patrick Henry, was born in Hanover County, VA in 1749. She was married to General William Campbell, "the hero of King's Mountain". They made their home in Aspenvale near Seven Mile Ford, Virginia. After General Campbell's death, she married General William Russell, a prominent military person and a member of the State Legislature of Virginia. In 1788, the Russell's moved to Saltville, Virginia to a home located beside the spot where the Madam Russell Memorial United Methodist Church now stands. The Russell's attended the first Methodist Conference on waters that did not flow into the Atlantic Ocean. Mrs. Russell was converted and her home in Saltville became the meeting place for traveling ministers. In 1812, Mrs. Russell moved to another log home near Chilhowie to be nearer the Great Road. In 1824, a Methodist Church was dedicated in her name-The Elizabeth Chapel. Land was given for use as a public cemetery and it still bears her name-the Elizabeth Cemetery in Saltville, Virginia. Madam Russell is credited with bringing Methodism to this part of the country.
findagrave