Prestons of Great Britain -- Holker Park, Part 1

Christopher married secondly Miss Jephson and had issue:

1. Elizabeth Preston who married first Thomas Tildesly of Morley, by whom she had two sons, one of whom was the renowned Sir Thomas Tildesley, the celebrated loyalist, who lost his life at the battle of Wigan Lane. (Tildesley spelled also Tildesly ??) She married secondly, Thomas Latham, Esq., of Parbold. She married thirdly Thomas Weslby, Esq., of Mowbreck. She had children by both husbands but no account is available.

John Preston, 20th Generation, son of Christopher and Margaret, succeeded his father in Holker Estates. He married Mabel Benson, daughter and heiress of William Benson, Esq., of Hewgill, who brought to her husband a part of the Manor of Preston Richard which had been carried out of the Preston family some five generations before, in the time of Henry IV, by the daughter of Sir Richard Preston. John died 9-11-1597 and was buried at Cartmel. His successor and only child was George Preston.

George Preston, Esq., 21st Generation, heir to Holker Park Estates was a great benefactor to the stately church of Cartmel, Lancashire, where the remains of his grandfather and father lay buried. A record states "He also made an appointment for the apprenticing the poor people in Cartmel, and a foundation for filling several scholars for St. John's College, Oxford." George died April 1640 and was buried at Cartmel. He married first Elizabeth Ashton, sister of Sir Ralph Ashton, of Great Lever, baronet. George married second Margaret Strickland, daughter of Sir Thomas Strickland of Syzergh Castle in Westmoreland, Knight of the Bath. George Preston and his wife Elizabeth Ashton has issue:

1. Thomas Preston who married Katherine Hoghton, Baronet Hoghton Tower, and succeeded to Holker Estates.
2. Christopher Preston who was named for his grandfather, he established his family at Holker Park and died without issue.
3. Frances Preston married Robert Duckenfield, Esq., of Duckenfield, Cheschire. She had issue, Robert Duckenfield, born 1619, who became famous as a Colonel in the service of the English Parliament in the Civil War, commencing 1642 and as ancestor of the baronet family of Duckenfield.

By his second wife, Margaret Strickland, George had issue:

4. George Preston who died without issue.
5. Ann Preston who married Sir George Middleton of Leighton, Knight and Baronet, and died at Leighton Hall without issue April 12, 1705. Sir George Middleton was one of the most distinguished adherents of King Charles I. He died in 1673.
6. Elizabeth Preston who was married three times, first to John Sayer, Esq., of Yarm. Second to Nathaniel West, Esq., of Borick Hall. Third to George Laybourne, Esq., of Cunswick Park.
7. Frances Preston (another source shows Margaret Preston) who married Francis Biddulph. They had a son John Biddulph who went to Ireland.

Thomas Preston succeeded to the Holker Estates. To be continued....