Preston Page

 

 

My great grandparents SAMUEL PRESTON born 14 Oct 1841 at Mavesyn Ridware, Staffs and KEZIA PRESTON (nee Brindley) born 23 Jun 1842 in Cauldon Low. The child on Samuel's knee is my grandmother Elda Ann. Kezia was a tollgate keeper.

Elda was supposed to have been christened Hilda, but her father Samuel was drunk when he registered the birth and was also unable to spell, hence the unusual name.

Elda Ann Preston was born 1.5.1881. She married Charles Cherrott (a groom) in 1903. He died of drink in his 30s. She married George Hammersley on 20.6.1912. She was Landlady of The Royal Oak when he proposed.

These are my favourite pictures of my Gran Elda Ann Preston.

 

 

Here she is, seated, with her best friend Sally Boulton.

 

This was taken when she was 19.

Note their elaborate dresses

The 1881 Census Return for SAMUEL PRESTON - (father of Samuel in family group above) shows the family resident at Bonehill, Fazeley, Staffs.

Samuel was married to Ann Weaver from Colton on 27 October 1828. From other information, his occupation is shown as High Bridge Tollgate Collector, but here he is shown as a 73 year old 'out of business' Coal Dealer born at Marchington, Staffs.

His wife at this time, Mary A Preston, age 77, must have been a 2nd wife from Tamworth.

With them was their grandson Golford Preston, born at Minworth, Warwickshire.

The 1881 Census Return for above pictured Preston family shows them resident at Netherland Green Toll House, Uttoxeter, Staffs.

This is what it looks like now.

Samuel was a 39 year old Land Drainage Contractor born at Mavesyn Ridware with his wife Keziah a 38 year old Toll Collector from Cauldon Low.

With them were their children, all born at Netherland Green - Samuel J, aged 15, a Drapers Porter, Joseph aged 12, a Spirit Merchants Porter, John aged 10 a Scholar, George H  aged 5, a Scholar and Ernest Charles aged 2.

1891 Census Return also for above pictured Preston family shows them 10 years later.

Samuel was a 49 year old contractor from Mavesyn Ridware with his 48 year old wife Keziah from Cauldon.

Still living with them are their children Joseph now 22 and Ernest Charles 12 who were both Contractors Assistants, presumably working with their father.

Also at home were Elda Ann aged 9 and Sidney aged 7, both Scholars.

Gran used to tell me about one of her brothers who seemed to be rather naughty. I remember that she said he had ginger hair. One day at a party he did something that tipped a bench over, upending all the young girls who were sat on it, and exposing their pantaloons.

She never said much about her childhood except that her mother was very strict.

I was a little short on information about the Preston's origins, but have recently traced them back to Blithbury in Staffs. More research on this line required.

Preston Line

Samuel born abt 1740 at Marchington. Married Hestor Hollins on 23.6.1760.

Samuel Preston born 1763 at Burton on Trent. Married Elizabeth.

Samuel Preston born 1808 at Marchington. Married Ann Weaver 27.10.1828.

Samuel Preston born 14.10.1841 at Mavesyn Ridware. Married Kezia Brindley on 26.1.1865.

Elda Ann Preston born 1.5.1881. Married Charles Cherrott who died of drink in his 20s. she remarried George Hammersley 20.6.1912.

Prestons Behaving Badly

At the Lent assizes, (4 1808 STS), Sarah Preston was discharged (not tried) for Larceny.

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