Biographical Note

VARIANT SPELLINGS OF PRESSON

Presson versus Preston: Both names appear frequently in the correspondence, bills and other documents that comprise the Presson Papers. A detailed review of all the documents in the collection however evidences to the processor that the original spelling of the name was “Presson”. The name Preston seems to be primarily related to a son, William Presson, during the period that he served in the maritime industry. Correspondence, bills of lading, receipts, etc. Are usually addressed to “Captain William Preston”. It is clear that he was named William Presson at the time of his birth. A person tracing the family genealogy probably best explained the spelling of the name as follows: “Generally the more elderly people write it Presson, while the younger branches of families write it Preston.”

PERTINENT PART OF GENEALOGY

William Presson (1775-1830) married Sarah E. Parran October 22, 1803. Children by this marriage were:

William – born April 13, 1805; died at Monrovia, West Coast of Africa, May 14, 1842, unmarried

Alfred – born February 10, 1807, died October 17, 1873, married Mary A. Moore November 19, 1837

Charles Parran – born January 26, 1809, died November 6, 1868, unmarried Leonard Jarvis – born October 25, 1812, died January 5, 1864, married Caroline M. Winchester, November 25, 1833

Sarah – born November 3, 1815, died September 18, 1857, unmarried