Son of
Daniel Preston and
Jane Taylor Preston

Brother of
George Preston 1814
James Preston 1816
George Preston 1819
Elizabeth Preston 1822
Mary Preston 1825

Husband of
Nanny Waters Preston

Together the parents of
Caroline A. Preston Christie 1832
James W. Preston 1834
Elizabeth Preston Hadley 1836
Daniel Burgess Preston 1838
George Albert Preston 1841
Joseph E. Preston 1843
Sarah E. Preston Burton 1846
William H. Preston 1849
Amelia M. Preston Hartley 1852

John Preston, born in Cheshire, England. Christened on June 21, 1812 at St. Michael's Church Macclesfield, Cheshire, England. The son of Daniel and Jane Taylor Preston. John married Nanny Waters on April 25, 1831 in Stockport, Cheshire, England. John and Nanny had 9 children, Caroline, James, Elizabeth, Daniel, and George, all born in England; and Joseph, Sarah, William and Amelia born in Paterson, New Jersey, USA.

The families last residence in England was in the Civil Parish Cheadle in Macclesfield, Cheshire, England. Registration district Stockport.

John and Nanny arrived with their family in New York from Liverpool England on the Ship Roscius on October 9, 1841. John was 29 years old. They settled with their 5 children on Ellison Street in Paterson. John had a confectionary at 326 Ellison Street and lived with his family at 328 Ellison. Between Summer and Carroll Streets. John was a grocer and machinist. He was also a trustee and justice of the peace, affiliated with the Swedenborgian Church of Paterson.
John and Nanny had their 4 other children in Paterson over the course of the 1843-1852 years.
Four of John and Nanny's sons enlisted in the Civil War on September 2, 1862. Daniel, George, James and William all serving in the infantry in Company C of the New Jersey 25th Infantry Regiment. Both John and Nanny had to be proud, but worried having four of their children enlist together, and to be together in the same regiment at first. Although taking some comfort that their boys were able to be there for one another, it had to be hard watching them march off to war.
During the course of John and Nanny's lives, their son Joseph was the only one that never married. He stayed home, even while his brothers were off at war to help his mother and Father. Census records show Joseph still living in the family home years after Nanny passed.

John lived in the USA for 54 years and passed at age 83 years 9 months. Father of 9, grandfather of 42.

Buried January 9th 1896. John and Nanny are buried in Cedar Lawn Cemetery directly across towards Route 20 from their grandson, Percival. Along the row of trees, fifth row from the fence. There is no stone at this time.

At the time of John and Nanny's deaths no stone was placed on their graves. The fact is, I don't believe anyone of their grandchildren, or great grandchildren even knew these pioneers were buried here. I believe most of us thought they had died in England and that their children traveled here alone. That wasn't the case. Through the love of genealogy, which seems to run in the family. John and Nanny's Great-great grandson, Ed found out the family story, he shared it with my mother and I and one day I went to see where my 2xs great grandparents were buried. To my shock I found them buried not far from my grandparents and my mom. A family cousin had passed away and I was the administrator of her estate. In looking for a place to bury my distant cousin, Sarah. I was able to bury her ashes with her great grandparents and purchase the stone for the 3 graves. I was honored to be the one to finally get them their stone after 112 years. Since that time I've share this information with all the descendants and am very proud to have a family site where all the descendants can share stories, information and findings on John and Nanny.

My great great grandfather.