Notable Preston Countian
William G. Brown Sr.
1800–1884
A Preston County lawyer and public official who served in Congress and led the prosecution in the Elihu Gregg courthouse-arson case. He was the father of William G. Brown Jr., who has a separate profile.
Preston County connection
A Kingwood attorney and congressman whose legal work included leading the prosecution of Elihu Gregg in 1869.
Also recorded as: William G. Brown
A life through the timeline
2 linked entries. Each entry retains its own research status.
May 23, 1861 · Captured
William G. Brown is chosen to represent the district in Congress
On the day of Virginia's secession referendum, Morton reports that Preston County voters helped choose Unionist William G. Brown for Congress.
Read event and sources →July–October 1869 · Verified
Elihu Gregg is tried at Preston Academy; an appeal leads to a second trial
Following the courthouse fire, Elihu Gregg's arson case was heard at Preston Academy in Kingwood. Indicted on July 12, he was found guilty on July 19 and sentenced to hang. William G. Brown Sr. led the prosecution while prosecuting attorney Charles Hooton was ill. In August, the Supreme Court of Appeals reversed the judgment after finding that defense evidence had been improperly excluded. A second trial produced another guilty verdict, and on October 21 Gregg was again sentenced to death, with execution set for January 28, 1870. The proceedings connect the loss of Preston County's records with the Academy's temporary use as a courthouse and Brown's legal career.
Read event and sources →