From Roots of Roane County, TN, by Snyder E. Roberts, published 1981, page 45
Preston is a prominent and honored name in VA, East TN, and in the early history of Roane County. The Preston and Campbell families of VA intermarried to cement alliances of great political power in SW VA. COL. WILLIAM PRESTON (1729) was an outstanding member of the family as head of the home "Smithfield" and a 120,000-acre estate in Botetourt (later Montgomery) County, VA, as a Rev. War officer, and whose children included: A US Senator from South Carolina, a Virginia Governor, etc. In Tennessee, the name is synonymous with big banking.
GEORGE PRESTON WAS IN Roane County politics it its early years as one of the first seven City Commissioners for the Town of Kingston in 1799. On September 29, 1800, he was commissioned a Captain in the Knox County Militia Regiment "during good behavior" and on December 20, 1800, he was commissioned a Second Major in the same regiment (Sevier’s "Commission Book"). He was one of the first 12 Justices of the Peace appointed by the Governor for Roane County in 1801, and GEORGE PRESTON served as a State Senator representing Roane and Anderson counties in 1806-8. COL. JAMES PRESTON (1770-1839) was commissioned as a Captain in the Knox Regiment June 16, 1801. He was also appointed one of the Justices of the Peace in 1801, and he later served as a Captain under GEN. JOHN BROWN in the War of 1812. (possible brother)
The Honorable George Preston was born February 21, 1769 in Botetourt County, VA. He married (1787) JEAN LOONEY (1771- ) in Botetourt County. JEAN ‘s proud grandfather, ROBERT LOONEY, helped to perpetuate the name LOONEY by producing 14 sons. The name Preston became wide-spread in VA, in the Fountain City area of Knoxville, and in early Roane County. In 1798, George Preston was living on a tract of land on Third Creek in Knox County which was owned by THOMAS N. CLARK. On October 4, 1799, his name was on an ineffective petition to the Legislature to erect Roane County. His name is listed in Capt. RICHARD OLIVER’S Company of Militia (Tax Purposes) in 1802 which means that he was probably living near the TN River. George evidently moved into Kingston because in 1804, (Book B., P. 22286) he sold lot No. 20 to HUGH BEATTY, and in the meantime bought a farm on the TN River below the mouth of Hines Valley Creek. In 1804, he sold 30 acres of his farm to CUMBERLAND RECTOR (B, p. 411)
GEORGE PRESTON was active in early Roane County affairs, such as, jury duty, etc. He reached the height of his political career on September 21, 1807 when Kingston was the capital of the State of Tennessee for one day. Senator George Preston was a key figure in the meeting of the Tennessee Legislature in a building on Race Street opposite the present-day new courthouse (the building burned in 1921, but a State Historical Plaque marks the spot.
After the Senate had concluded the various organizational steps, and got down to the order of business, it was Senator George Preston who "introduced sundry resolutions entered into by the Citizens of Roane County, relative to the seat of Government, et…which were read and ordered to be sent to the House of Representatives."
The House of Representatives passed a resolution that the Legislature "adjourn forthwith from Kingston to meet on the 23rd in Knoxville." This resolution was sent to the Senate, and "on adoption of this resolution by the Senate, Senator Preston moved for the "yeas" and "nays" which were as follows: Yeas: WEAKLY, LEA, DOHERTY, WHITE, HUMPHREY, DOUGLAS, PERKINS, TIPTON. Nays: PRESTON, RUSSELL, WALTON, WILKINSON."
Apparently, Senator George Preston had given his best effort to make Kingston the permanent capital of TN, but his efforts were in vain.