All of the original information on the Prestons of Bedford County, Virginia came from "The Preston Genealogy" by William Bowker Preston published in 1900. I have found obvious spelling errors and incorrect dates. If you have better information please share....I cannot guarantee any of this information. I have received more information from Amber Richardson. I am going to enter the new information on this page in BOLD. I just recently received information on Joel Preston, supplied by Sonia Meyer.

The Prestons of Bedford County Virginia, are more than likely related to the Walnut Grove Prestons or the Smithfield Prestons, or both. Because this line has continued to use a rather odd name, Bowker, there is speculation that they are related to the Cockerham branch of the Preston family in England. A Cockerham Preston , Robert Preston (5/29/1713) married Margaret Bowker. This is pure speculation.

The first member of this family I have is George Preston who married and had a son George Preston, Jr. b.ca.1683 and d.5-2-1720. George was born in Ingestrie, Staffs, England. George married ca. 1710 Anne Unknown. George and Anne had a son, Philip Preston, born 8-13-1711 also in Ingestrie, Staffs, England. Philip died in April 1774 in Bedford, Co., VA. He came to America in ???? and settled on the southwest side of Bedford County, Virginia. All three lines of Prestons settled in a relatively small area of western Virginia, Staunton, Bedford, Blacksburg, Abingdon and Bristol.

Philip apparently married twice but there is not much known about the spouse's names or which children are attributed to which spouse. It is said Phillip had as many as 8 children (he was apparently 60 years old when he had Elizabeth) with the two wifes, Mary Unknown and Betty Richardson. The children were as follows: