Samuel Preston (mayor)
Encyclopedia
Samuel Preston was a jurist, merchant, and mayor of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
.
He was brought up as a Quaker
. Removing from Maryland to Sussex county (now part of the state of Delaware) on the Delaware, he was sent to the legislature from the latter place in 1693, and again in 1701, and was chosen sheriff in 1695. About 1703 he took up residence in Philadelphia, where he became a merchant, and stood among the most influential of the Quakers of his day. In 1708 he was unanimously elected alderman.
During the same year James Logan
, desiring William Penn
, founder and proprietor of Pennsylvania
, to consider whom to add to the property commission, wrote to him, saying: "Samuel Preston is also a very good man, and now makes a figure, and, indeed, Rachel's husband ought particularly to be taken notice of, for it has too long been neglected, even for thy own interest." Preston's wife, Rachel Lloyd (b. January 20, 1667; m. July 16, 1688; d. August 15, 1716) was the daughter of Thomas Lloyd
, president of Penn's council. Almost immediately afterward, Preston was called to the council, on which he served until he died. He was chosen mayor of Philadelphia in 1711, and in 1714 became the treasurer of the province, retaining the office until his death. In 1726 he became a justice of the peace and of the court of common pleas, and in 1728 one of the commissioners of property, which office he held many years. He was also one of the trustees under Penn's will.
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
.
He was brought up as a Quaker
Religious Society of Friends
The Religious Society of Friends, or Friends Church, is a Christian movement which stresses the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers. Members are known as Friends, or popularly as Quakers. It is made of independent organisations, which have split from one another due to doctrinal differences...
. Removing from Maryland to Sussex county (now part of the state of Delaware) on the Delaware, he was sent to the legislature from the latter place in 1693, and again in 1701, and was chosen sheriff in 1695. About 1703 he took up residence in Philadelphia, where he became a merchant, and stood among the most influential of the Quakers of his day. In 1708 he was unanimously elected alderman.
During the same year James Logan
James Logan (statesman)
James Logan , a statesman and scholar, was born in Lurgan, County Armagh, Ireland of Scottish descent and Quaker parentage. In 1689, the Logan family moved to Bristol, England where, in 1693, James replaced his father as schoolmaster...
, desiring William Penn
William Penn
William Penn was an English real estate entrepreneur, philosopher, and founder of the Province of Pennsylvania, the English North American colony and the future Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was an early champion of democracy and religious freedom, notable for his good relations and successful...
, founder and proprietor of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, to consider whom to add to the property commission, wrote to him, saying: "Samuel Preston is also a very good man, and now makes a figure, and, indeed, Rachel's husband ought particularly to be taken notice of, for it has too long been neglected, even for thy own interest." Preston's wife, Rachel Lloyd (b. January 20, 1667; m. July 16, 1688; d. August 15, 1716) was the daughter of Thomas Lloyd
Thomas Lloyd (lieutenant governor)
Thomas Lloyd was a lieutenant-governor of provincial Pennsylvania.He was born in Dolobran, Montgomeryshire, Wales, and subsequently educated at Ruthin School. He studied law and medicine at Jesus College, Oxford, from which he was graduated in 1661...
, president of Penn's council. Almost immediately afterward, Preston was called to the council, on which he served until he died. He was chosen mayor of Philadelphia in 1711, and in 1714 became the treasurer of the province, retaining the office until his death. In 1726 he became a justice of the peace and of the court of common pleas, and in 1728 one of the commissioners of property, which office he held many years. He was also one of the trustees under Penn's will.