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Emancipation certificate of John Broady, Negro servant of William Campbell, father-in-law of Francis Preston. Signed by Francis Preston.

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Letter from John Preston, Richmond, Virginia to "sister In-law," Sarah B. Preston, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mention of her domesticity; gossip of a rich widow, Mrs. Thomas Randolph, who has fallen in love with John Brown.

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Letter from John Preston, no place, to "brother," probably Francis Preston. Gives election news of senators and governor; details about a duel between General Wood and W. Thomas Madison over the election of Governor Brook which led to defamations of character.

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Letter from John Preston, no place, to Francis Preston, Congress, United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Concerning attention paid to brother William by General Wayne.

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Letter from Bishop James Madison, Botetourt County, Virgina, to Francis Preston, Washington County, Virginia. Discusses power of attorney between H. Smith and himself; and business matters dealing with land.

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Letter from John Preston, no place, to "brother," Francis Preston, Washington County, Virginia. Discusses business transactions, including buying some horses; shares feelings of wanting to be married.

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Letter from John Preston, "Smithfield," Montgomery County, Virginia, to "brother" Francis Preston, Washington County, Virginia. Discussion of business transactions with Governor Shelby.

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Letter from John Preston, "Smithfield," Montgomery County, Virginia, to "brother," Francis Preston, Washington County, Virginia. Expresses concern over their brother "Tommy" not being able to attend school due to insufficient funds, and asks if Francis might be able to help in this area; mentions William and Mary as a good choice for Tommy to study law.

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Letter from John Preston, Horse Shoe Bottom, to "brother," Francis Preston, Washington County, Virginia. Discussion about horses and John's son cutting teeth.

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Letter from John Preston, Blacksburg, Virginia, to "brother," Francis Preston, Washington County, Virginia. Family news; grandmother has died; is still looking for the book, EVirginians Millwright, sent by Francis to use as reference for their spring water problem.

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Letter from John Preston, Horseshoe Bottom, to Francis Preston, Saltworks, Washington County, Virginia. Asks him to help with E. Madison's business affairs; house is half finished; hopes to pay off all debts soon and be as "independent as a freeman ought to be."

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Letter from John Preston, Horseshoe Bottom, to Francis Preston, Washington County, Virginia. Wagon arrived satisfactorily; sent 5 bushels of hemp seed and will send more if needed; borrowed from him a bundle of "nail rods" to lay the plank floor in his home; talk of the birth of "another fine son " who is quite handsome.

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Letter from John Preston, Horseshoe Bottom, to Francis Preston, Saltworks, Washington County, Virginia. Business news; cotton and salt arrived; has sent nail rods in a different, lighter wagon.

Scope and Contents Letter from John Preston, "Smithfield," Montgomery County, Virginia, to "brother" Francis Preston. Political discussion-including the possibility of Congressional redistricting of Botetourt and Montgomery counties, the disagreements between the Federalists and the Republicans, and how redistricting would affect John when elections come again; ironworks are shorthanded and he is willing to hire out seven "of my best negroe men"; wife has had the mumps and self has had a bout with...

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Letter from David Campbell, Campbella, Tennessee, to Sarah B. Preston, Saltworks, Washington County, Virginia. Expresses joy at Mrs. Preston's recovering her health; philosophical statements concerning life; fondness toward Mrs. Preston and family; mention of who will be in school at Abingdon for the next two years, if the school stays open.

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Letter from John Preston, Horseshoe Bottom, to "brother," Francis Preston, Saltworks, Washington County, Virginia. Salt was delivered and all was in good order; family news including the birth of a son, William Ballard Preston, to their brother James P. Preston.

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Letter from John Preston, Horseshoe Bottom, to Francis Preston, Washington County, Virginia. Asks if he can send his son, Carlton Radford, to Mr. Whaley's school, since Mr. Birch's school at Fort Chizwell has broken up; has taken care of money matters; more problems with rheumatism.

Scope and Contents Letter from John Preston, Montgomery Court House Virginia, to "brother;" Francis Preston, Saltworks, Washington County, Virginia. Asks for his son, William, to be sent home since the family is free of the whooping cough; a Senate position is open, but heJohn declined since he thought that Francis wanted to run; discussion of war with Britain, and the election of a president; Virginia seems to be favoring Madison, but New York is doubtful; no plans yet for the Virginia militia to be...

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Letter from John Preston, Richmond, Virginia to "brother," Francis Preston, Abingdon, Washington County, Virginia. Business letter; alludes to wife's death; mother-in-law taking care of domestic business.

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Letter from John Tyler, Governor of Virginia, "In Council Chamber," Richmond, Virginia, to Colonel Francis Preston, Abingdon Washington County, Virginia. Cover letter for a commission for Samuel Preston, and a duplicate for the magistrates.

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Letter from John Preston, Richmond, Virginia, to "brother," Francis Preston, Washington County, Virginia. Affectionate talk of family; money matters taken care of; carriage maker in Philadelphia has put the "Family Arms and Crests" on it, and has only the painting and the spring to take care of.

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Letter from John Preston, Richmond, Virginia, to "brother," Francis Preston, Abingdon, Washington County, Virginia. Happy that he won the election, even though it was with some difficulty; discussion of the ingratitude and jealousy of the community of those who "serve the public"; money and construction matters; legal concern over the exchange of properties, the Briar Patch and Horseshoe; wife is quite ill and still grieves over the death of Louisa.

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Letter from Peter Randolph, Nottoway County, Virginia, to Colonel Francis Preston, Richmond, Virginia. Concerning the addition of Mecklenburg into the 5th Circuit, Randolph's firm opposition to the plan requested by Judge Johnston to relieve Johnston of some duties of the 13th Circuit, and Randolph's reasons against the change of duties.

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Letter from John Preston, Richmond, Virginia, to "brother," Francis Preston, Washington County, Virginia. Concern over the Blockading Squadron of Great Britain, and description of naVirginial battles in Lynnhaven Bay; wishes Congress would impose an embargo on Great Britain.

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Letter from Francis Preston, Brigadier General, 17th Brigade, 3rd Division, to John Tate. Appointment of Tate as Brigade Inspector of the 17th Brigade in the third division of the militia of the said Commonwealth. Including autograph document signed on verso by Francis Preston appointing Captain Francis Smith as his aide, 16 May 1816.