Sir Robert Preston, Bart

Male


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  • Name Robert Preston 
    Title Sir 
    Suffix Bart 
    Gender Male 
    Note Family and Education
    b. 21 Apr. 1740, 5th s. of Sir George Preston, 4th Bt., of Valleyfield by Anne, da. of William Cochrane of Ochiltree, Ayr. m. 27 Apr. 1790, Elizabeth, da. of George Brown of Stockton, s.p. suc. bro. Sir Charles Preston? as 6th Bt. 23 Mar. 1800.

    Offices Held
    Cdr. E.I. Co. naval service 1768.

    Elder brother, Trinity House 1781-d., dep. master 1795-1803; dir. Greenwich Hosp. ?1789-d., Sun Fire Office by 1798.

    Biography
    "Floating Bob" Preston, who rescued his family's finances with a fortune made in the naval service of the East India Company and prospered still more on his return as a London insurance broker and shipowner, was replaced as government candidate for Dover in 1790. He made a late intervention at Cirencester and was only just beaten into third place by a local man, against whose return he petitioned on the ground of the admission of illegal votes. On 9 Aug. 1790 his friend James Boswell visited him at Woodford:

    I was entertained heartily, and the strong common sense and prosperity of Preston drove away low spirits ... He told me that Pitt had broken his word to him repeatedly, but that he continued to support him for his own credit in being uniform and not swayed by interest, and he trusted that Pitt would feel how much he had been in the wrong to him, and would provide for his brother, Sir Charles. I perceived in Preston a kind of sound understanding better than talents. 
    Note 1794 
    Brought back the camellia "Rubra Plena". 
    Person ID I90  Welbank1
    Last Modified 20 Mar 2023 

    Family Elizabeth Brown, Lady Preston 
    Marriage 27 Apr 1790  St Andrew's Holborn Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • Bride & groom both from parish of Woodford, Essex.

      George Brown junior was one of the witnesses.
    Family ID F37  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 22 Nov 2020