Document - Robert Preston
1750-1833
A statement of services performed by Robert Preston during and since the Revolutionary War in contradiction to a certificate given by Col. Arthur Campbell in favour of his brother Robert Campbell.
In the year 1773(?) I came to America having relations (?) in it of very respectable character. In 1774 I wrote to my Father then living in Ireland earnestly recommending to him the country of which I had lately (?) become an inhabitant. in consequence of which recommendation my parents were induced to remove and arrived in Virginia early in the year 1775 in which state they immediately became resident. from this period I became strongly attached to America, and a zealous supporter of her rights. had perhaps as much real concern for her liberty as any other man, instead (?) of evading (?) the laws of my adopted country as has been represented. I uniformly obeyed her call not only with promptitude (?), but gave all of ????? in my power for the attainment of our just rights and Independence.
In the year 1776 I served as a volunteer in the Expedition carried on by Col. William Christian against the Cherokee Indians and had the honor of being appointed commissary of Col. Shelby's regiment, the duties of which station I discharged with fidelity and to the satisfaction of my officers.
In 1777 or 1778 a law passed directing a draught of unmarried men. I then resided in the county of Botetourt and was present when said draft took place, and drew (?) for service. which service, I performed by substitute in the Continental Army. this circumstance exempted (?) me from all military duty for the term I think of three years.
In Feb. of 1780 I became an inhabitant of the county of Washington and in July of that year served in Capt. Edmonsons company in a tour of duty against the Tories in (???) Carolina which expedition was conducted by Col. Arthur Campbell in person and I was well known to him being frequently in his company. Very soon after my return from this service, perhaps in September of the same year, I was again ordered out against the British and Tories. I prepared myself and proceeded to Watago (?), the place appointed for rendezvous, but before we commenced our line of march Col. William Campbell who commanded, being well acquainted with my peculiar situation, without any application whatever discharged me saying it was unreasonable I should proceed, being only three days married --- I returned home.
In the winter of 1781 or spring of 1782 I was again ordered on an expedition against the Cherokee Indians. I immediately equipped myself and with others proceeded down Holstein river to Clouds (?) Creek, nearly an hundred miles from any settlement in the state of ?? Carolina and there remained until discharged by Capt. Hilblard (?) the then commandant (????) Lt. being found impracticable to carry on the expedition for want of necessaries (??).
About this time the American Revolution terminated and gave peace and security to our country which I enjoyed until the year 1790. When by reason of Indian ????? committed on the frontier inhabitants of this state, a part of the Militia of Washington County were ordered to be drafted, among whom I was, and performed by substitute although at the same time I was principal surveyor of the county which probably would have exempted me from the service if I had made use of it as an excuse.
Thus then from the present time to the commencement of the American Revolution I can with pleasure review my conduct having performed all the duties of a well affected citizen during that period.
The above facts are mostly proven by the affidavits and Certificates of disinterested respectable and worthy Citizens and not by the certificate of a brother---. The Honorable Board will perceive what credit is due to Col. Arthur Campbell's certificate respecting Mr. Robert Campbell and myself by glancing over the above mentioned vouchers and ?????? to the statement. The credit which ought to be given to the charge contained in ?? Robert Campbells ?????? and in Col. Arthur Campbells letter will best appear (??) by averting (??) to the order of the county-court of Washington entered into the 16th day of July 1799 and another order of September 1799.
This is my best interpretation of the handwritten document. In this period a s could appear as an f. The Carolina referred to I presume was South but the way it was written it looked like a capital A and superscript o. Another problem, periods were hard to detect and apparently new sentences were seldom started with capital letters. His spelling seemed to be very good but hand writing could have been better. Fred Preston 7/1997.
Original 7/24/97
Last updated 6/16/2003
Page by F. L. Preston
