Preston County was formed from Monongalia in 1818 and named for James Preston, thirteenth governor of Virginia. It is the site of a model Federal homestead project sponsored by Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, thirty-second President. Pennsylvania was named for William Penn, to whom it was granted in 1681 by Charles II. In 1682, Penn made his first settlement, Philadelphia. Early settlements had been made by Swedes in 1838. It was one of the thirteen original colonies.