Family History

Richard Preen was the youngest son of John and Hannah Preen and was baptised in Cardington in June 1807.

On 26th October 1840 Richard married Sarah King in St. Chad's church, Shrewsbury. S arah was the daughter of a labourer called William King, whilst Richard's father is listed as a stonemason.  At this time both Richard and Sarah gave "New Street" as their place of residence.

The baptisms of his first two sons in 1841 and 1842 show that he was living at Enchmarsh and working as a shoemaker.  The rest of the family were baptised in Leebotwood and Richard was described as a shopkeeper.  These baptism records indicate that Richard and his family moved into Leebotwood between June 1842 and July 1844.  After their move to Leebotwood, they would have attended Leebotwood church.

The village shop, adjoining the Pound Inn, is first recorded in 1851.  Until about1917 it was occupied by the Preen family.  The 1851 census showed the whole family in the same household and Richard gave his profession as "grocer".

Later census records show that the family occupied two households in Leebotwood.  One was the grocer's shop in Leebotwood itself (the occupier always includes "grocer" among his professions) and the other a farm at the "Old Field" in Leebotwood.  For example, both William and James Preen are listed as living at "Old Field, Leebotwood" during the 1861 census.

From 1863 until 1875 Richard Preen also ran the colliery in Leebotwood.  However, before this he had been a leessee of the colliery and as such would have had the use of the "Old Field", which was for the use of the leesee and his family.

Leebotwood churchyard contains the gravestone for Richard Preen and his wife Sarah. Since Sarah died first, her inscription occupies the upper part of the stone. The gravestone indicates that Sarah died on 18th December 1881 at the age of 68 while Richard died six years later on 25th November 1887, at the age of 79.

The inscription on the gravestone reads;

In Loving Memory of
SARAH
the beloved wife of
RICHARD PREEN
of LEEBOTWOOD
who died December 18th 1881
aged 68 years.

Also
In Loving Remembrance of
RICHARD PREEN
of LEEBOTWOOD
who died Nov. 25th 1887
aged 79 years.