Daughter of
Joseph Waters and
Peggy Burgess Waters

Sister of
William Waters 1832
James Waters 1824
Ellen Waters 1822
Samuel Waters 1820
Sarah Waters 1817
John Waters 1809
Mary Waters 1807

Wife of
John 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

Nanny Waters was born in Compstal Bridge, Cheshire, England to Joseph and Peggy Burgess Waters. Christened on September 7, 1815 at Hyde Gee Cross, England.

Nanny married John Preston on April 25, 1831. Stockport, Cheshire, England.

She was the mother of 9 children. Caroline, James, Elizabeth, James 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.

Nanny and John 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. Nanny was listed as a house wife, but I bet she did all she could do to help John in their store and with his church duties.
John was listed in census records as 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. I think it had to take a special woman to watch 4 of her 5 sons march off to war. Only William was born in the US, and he was only a young teenage when he went off with his brothers.

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.

Nanny lost her beloved John in January 1896. Thirteen months later she passed away also. She was buried February 9, 1897 in Cedar Lawn Cemetery in Paterson. They rest together in a grave that has 5 beautiful cherry blossom trees to one side. In the spring its one of the most beautiful places to be.

Nanny lived in the USA for 55 years of her 84 years. She was the mother of 9 and grandmother of 42.

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.

Nanny is my great great grandmother.