James Patton Preston
| James Patton Preston | |
|---|---|
 |
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| 20th Governor of Virginia | |
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In office December 1, 1816 – December 1, 1819 |
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| Preceded by | Wilson Cary Nicholas |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr. |
| Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Montgomery County | |
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In office December 3, 1810 – November 30, 1812 |
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| Preceded by | Thomas Goodson |
| Succeeded by | Thomas McHenry |
| Member of the Virginia House of Delegates | |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
June 21, 1774 Montgomery, Virginia |
| Died | May 4, 1843 (aged 68) Montgomery, Virginia, USA |
| Resting place |
Smithfield Plantation Cemetery Blacksburg, Virginia, USA |
| Political party | Democratic-Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Ann Barraud Taylor |
| Alma mater | College of William & Mary |
James Patton Preston (June 21, 1774 – May 4, 1843) was a U.S. political figure who served as Governor of Virginia.
James Patton Preston was born at Smithfield Plantation, in what is now Blacksburg, Virginia. He attended the College of William and Mary from 1790 to 1795, and managed his family's estate.
A member of the Democratic-Republican Party, he served for four years the Virginia State Senate, and two years in the Virginia House of Delegates.
He joined the United States Army for the War of 1812, serving as Lieutenant Colonel and second in command of the 12th Infantry Regiment. He was promoted to Colonel of the 23rd Infantry Regiment in August 1813, and served until being seriously wounded at the Battle of Crysler's Farm in Ontario.
After the war Preston returned to the House of Delegates. He served as the 20th Governor of Virginia from 1816 to 1819, and his term was marked by the state's payment of more than $1.5 million in debt incurred to cover expenses during the War of 1812 and the establishment of the University of Virginia.
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