posted 06-13-2011 02:07 PM            

"Nov 29 1791: Stephen Preston of Wall Kill, Silversmith, appeared before the Surrogate proving the will and signatures of other witnesses."

A little more poking came up with in the New Windsor, New York Precinct Records, 1763-1779:

Know all men by these presents that I, Stephen Preston of New Windsor in the County of Ulster, for and in consideration of the sum of forty five pounds current money of the State of New York, to me in hand well and truely paid by George Brown of New Cornwall in the County of Orange in the State of New York at or before the existing and delivery of these presents, the receipt whereof, I do hereby acknowledge. Have granted bargained and sell unto the said George Brown, those articles all and singular after named; one plating mill, one pair of silversmiths bellows, one stake, two bench vices, two hand vices, eight hammers, ten files, one pair of blacksmith tongs, one pair of cruseble tongs, one pair of iron flask, one pair of copper flask, two sand boxes, one gun, one red chest, one low chest, one table, four chairs, three pails, one dicsup, one fire peele, one pair of tongs, one great bed, one feather bed, 2 pair of linen sheets & blankets, two pewter platters and six pewter plates, one pewter quart pot, one tin pail, one pewter teapot and one earthen one, two bed quilts, two iron pots, one iron kettle, one tea kettle, one trammel, one frying pan, 3 bedsteads, 1 barrel rye flour, four barrels to have and to hold the aforesaid articles and all the premises herein above granted with the appurtinances unto the said George Brown his executors or administrators and assign to his own proper use, benefit and behalf for ever. And I the said Stephen Preston for myself my executors and administrators, the said articles and all other the premises or property to me belonging or herein above granted bargained and sold unto the said George Brown his executors, administrators and assigns against me the said Stephen Preston my executors, administrators and assign and against all and every other person and persons whomsoever shall and will warrant and by these presents forever defined.