Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1879-05-20
"A N interesting Sketch Of "a No
o.. table Lady's Life.
Norfolk Landmark.


The death of Mrs. Floyd of Abing-
don, on Wednesday, has been an
nounced. Mrs. Sally Buchanan Floyd
was the widow Of the late General
land Governor) John Buchanan Floyd.
She was the daughter Of Gen. Frank
4 Preston, of Abingdon, Va, who was
a member of the first three Congresses
s of the United States, and q citizen OF
great wealth, owning the Preston Salt
Works, near Abingdon. Mrs. Floyd
was niece Of Col. James p. Preston,
a gallant soldier of the war of 1872
and afterwards Governor Of Virginia,
who was well known in Norfolk, from
having married q sister of General
Robert e. Taylor, and by his son,
Secretary and Senator William Bal
lard Preston.
Mrs. Floyd was the last Of family
Of distinguished sisters viz; Eliza,
wife of Gen. Edward 9. Darlington, OF
Halifax Co. Va; Susan, wife OF Gov
James Mcdowell, of Lexington, Va;
Sophnisba, wife of Rev, Robert j.
Breckenride. ID. D., of Lexington,
Ky; Maria, wife Of John NJ. Preston,
of Washington county. Va; and Mar
yaret, wife OF Gsnera, {ncw senaior)
Wade Hampton. OF South Carolina
all of them women worthy OF such
men. i0ATTk 0| ..H
Mrs. Floyd was the sister OF William
g. Preston, Senator from South Caro-
lima, to which State he had emigrated,
who wns one of the most eloquent ora
tors which the country has produced
since his grand-uncle, Patrick Henry
ehe was also o sister OF Col. John .
Preston, the Commissioners OF South
Carolina to Virginia in 1861, and since
much distinguished by various pubic
orations.
The mother OF Mrs. Floyd, and OF
the distinguished persons just named,
Mrs. Sally Buchanan Preston, was the
only child of General William Camp
bell, who commanded at the battle OF
Kings Mountain In the Revolutions
nv war, where a victory was won py
his riflemen over detachment OF the
British army and drove Lord Corn
wallis into series OF Of movements
which ended In his surrender at York.
town.
The wife OF General Campbell, and
grandmother OF Mrs. Floyd, was
Elizabeth Henry, a sister OF Patrick
Henry. General Campbell died ut the
olose of tho Revolution, and Mrs.
Campbell afterwards Mrs. Russeli)
was the chief stay Of the infant Meth
odist Church of the day In Southwest
Virginia. His house was the home OF
its young missionaries, and apulpit
was a part OF the furniture In her par
lor M the Salt-works. She was her
self renowned for her eloquence In
oxhortatlon and prayer, and she was
thought 10 be equal TO her brother Pat
rick himself In strength OF mind,
brllliancy OF imagination, and silver
tonpued elocution. From this grand
mother Mrs. FloydinherIted. the fer
vent devotion TO Methodism which
characterized her life. Through the
Henrys Mre. Floyd was u near rela7
tlon OF General Joseph E. Johnston,
Senator Johnston, and the rest OF that
family OF distinguished men,. ~
Mrs. Floyd maternal aunt married
Governor John Floyd, tbeelder, whose
son, John u. Floyd, tho younger, she
married. Mrs. Floyd had no children
of her own, but oarly adopted two or
phnned relatives Of both herself and
her husband-John Preston Johnston,
Afterwards q gallannt young artillery
officer ofibc army, who was killed on
the field OF battle at Contreras, In the
Mexican war, and his sister, Mrs.
Judge Hughes, now . resident 10
Norfolk. NAN ~, "a
Mr.. Floyd died at tho ripe age OF
seventy-seyen. A few years ago she
spont a winter In Norfolk, but has
ever slncc preferred 70 remain In Alb
ingdoa and walt for death near tho
grave Of her husband, she leaves fow
behind her OF more exalted qualities
OF heart, mind, and character. g.l
II 10 we'll 10 speak OF high lineage