John Preston

John Preston (1611–1686), born at Tara, Ardsallagh, County Meath, served as Mayor of Dublin in 1653–1654. He was the son of Hugh Preston (born circa 1585), often said to be of Bolton, Lancashire, grandson of Martin Preston (born circa 1547) and the great-grandson of Jenico Preston, 3rd Viscount Gormanston. He married Mary Morris (1615–1654) on 21 May 1643 at Bolton, Lancashire, England, with whom he had three children, Mary, Phineas, and Samuel. At some stage he came to Dublin and established himself as a successful merchant in the city. Following the death of his first wife, he married Katherine Ashburnham, the widow of Sir John Sherlock MP of Littlerath, County Kildare.