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Preferred Citation

James Patton Preston Letter, Special Collections Research Center, William and Mary Libraries.

Content Description

A three page letter sent from James Patton Preston to his brother. In the letter, Preston complains that he has been ordered by Colonel Parker to stay and recruit men for the 12th and 20th regiments, a task he finds "vastly troublesome." Preston follows this by mentioning two men with whom his brother is acquainted are traveling under secrecy, and that the news Preston and his brother delivered earlier has proven to be true. News he states is "destroying the confidence of men in the integrity of their officers." It is theorized by previous owners of this document that he was referring to surrender of General William Hull to the British at Fort Detroit a month prior, but there is no solid evidence in the letter itself.

After writing of his military activities, Preston moves on to personal matters. He asks his brother to write him, and says that a Mr. Bennet Taylor visited after hearing about the death of another of Preston's siblings. The deceased brother left behind a widow and children. Mr. Taylor was going to take the woman home to stay her sister for the winter. Preston writes that he hopes the widow will consider himself as a match, as he finds her amiable and her children endearing, and he endeavors to make her happy.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• United States--History--War of 1812
• Virginia--History--19th century
• Virginia--Militia--History--War of 1812
• Virginia--Social life and customs--19th century