This family is the oldest recorded living in County Armagh. There is a Freeholders record detailing a lease on the Richardson estate for 160 acres in 1693.  William Preston (the lessee) must have been over 21 so this gives his date of birth as before 1672, and in all probability in the mid 1660's. The family tree is not certain over the next 80 years but the voting records suggest the following:

 

FIRST GENERATION

1) William Preston (circa 1665-)

SECOND GENERATION

2) John Preston (Alive in 1737)

THIRD GENERATION

3) William Preston (Alive in 1753) Married Margaret Bell  (1777) Had at least 2 sons called John and Thomas

FOURTH GENERATION

4) Thomas Preston  (dob unknown) On voters lists 1813,1814,1832.

5) John Preston (dob unknown)

FIFTH GENERATION

6) A Dawson Preston (1834-1910) buried at St Aidan's CoI church in Kilmore. - married Annie Hall. Had one son called Thomas.

SIXTH GENERATION

7) Prof. Thomas Preston (1860-1900)  Married Katherine Mary McEwan. Had 1 son called George.

SEVENTH GENERATION

8) Prof. George Dawson Preston (1896-1972) married Margaret Crystal had 2 sons called George and Thomas

EIGHTH GENERATION

9) Prof. Thomas A Preston (b1927) married Geraldine Roper. Had 4 children

10) George D.C.Preston (b1931) married Elizabeth Rennie.