William Berry Prater

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• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

William married Mary Norton, Nannie of Blount Co., Tn. Mary was born , of Blount Co., Tn. [Group Sheet]

1. Carrie Prater was born 24 Jun 1888, of Blount Co., Tn; died , Near Rockwood, Tn..

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• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

James married Artie Almyra Abernathy, Atta 14 Apr 1859, Blount Co., Tn.. Artie was born 13 Jan 1843, District ten, Blount Co., Tn; died 16 Jun 1908, Tn.; was buried , Holston College Cem., Blount Co., Tn.. [Group Sheet]

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• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

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• Occupation: M.D.; Farmer/Businessman
• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

Notes:

William was a M.D.

William married Mary H. Leeper, Blair 28 Jul 1836, Blount Co., Tn.. Mary (daughter of Hugh B Leeper and Malinda) was born 07 Aug 1815, Shelby Co., Tn.; was christened , Hugh B. & Malinda Leeper of Leeper, Va.; died 15 Jul 1890, Knox Co., Tn.; was buried , Prater Cem.. [Group Sheet]

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• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

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• Occupation: Plantation (90 slaves)
• Reference Number: 6.013.01
• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

Notes:

!This is the line of Tracy Prater and Sarah Louise Mott,Tracy's brothers
G W & Jim.AFN-15VC-97K

With the death of his mother and the marriage of his sister, Benjamin Franklin
Prater along with his brother and father left Stokes Co, North Carolina for
the Tennessee territory. Benjamin's father, William is said to have died
between Dandridge and Knoxville and his sons continued on the route west to
Knoxville's Campbell's Station and then proceeded South to the Holston River
(now Tenn. River) about five miles south of Martel, Tn. Here Benjamin and his
broth Thomas settled and farmed until their deaths. Thomas died unmarried in
1813, and was the first to be buried in the family cemetery which is located
on top of a hill about 1/4 mile southwest of Benjamin's home.
In about 1797 Benjamin began building his beautiful brick mansion amidst the
vast 1854 acres he owned on the Holston River. It is said to have taken one
hundred slaves two years to construct the original from part of the house
using brick made on the site. (the exterior walls are 3 bricks thick and the
interior walls are 2 bricks thick).
Today many of the architectural features of the house are original to the
structure. The grandiose appearance of the house is achieved by the placement
of the house on a high foundation with a full cellar underneath which was
typical of residential architecture built during the time. The corbeled
chimneys are another detail of interest as well as the unigue brick cornice
used around the entire house. Also worth of notice are the wooden windows put
together with wooden pegs. Equal to,if not exceeding the gracious character of
the exterior of the house are the many interior details which still exist.
There was a fireplace in every room in the house, however four of the eight
have been covered over. Upstairs in both front bedrooms are mantles original
to the house. The intire house has hardwood floors which were cut the width
of the room so there are no borards pieced together. The doors in the house
are original, however those in the ell structure were of course added later
when this part of the house was built. It is interesting to note the variety
of doors used in the house and some of the beatiful etched copper hardware.
It is in this house that Benjamin and Nancy raised 8 children.
Benjamins grandson Hugh G. Prater continued living in the home after Benjamins
death. Then later, Hugh's son Oscar Blaine remained after his fathers
death.
During the period that Hugh and Oscar lived there (1851-1900) is when the ell
structure was added to the rear of the house which now contains the dining
room and kitchen downstairs and the two garret bedrooms upstairs.
After his fathers death,Oscar Blaine Prater remained in the house despite many
financial problems causing multiple trust deeds to be drawn against the
property before it was finally taken from him in 1900, by John McReynolds.
Subsequently, in 1909, R.N. Calloway purchesed the house and he and his family
lived there until 1915, when H.M. Milligan bought the house and lived until
1951. From 1951-1956, the Kinser family, who added the current front porch and
columns, owned and lived in the house. In 1956, Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Carr bought
the house and completed the renovation of the house including the addition of
the sunroom to the back, in Nov. of 1992 Dr. Thomas M. Koenig
purchased the house and also made renovations.
This beautiful home continues to survive and all that have lived there have
added to its interesting history.
The Prater Plantation home is located at the end of Beals Chapel Rd. about
5 miles N.E. of Lenior City, Tn. overlooking a beautiful lake which at one
time was part of the bend in the river which the house was built facing.

I have visited the home many times over the past few years.
It pleases me when I am able to visit this wonderful home and see the
continueing beauty of the home, grounds, and beautiful lake that surrounds
it on two sides. Gary Benton Prather (1992)

NOTE: Indians lived accross the river from Benjamins home.
There are people who claim to be descended from Benjamin through a
"base born" child and/or children of an indian woman.
I have not researched this family group at this date. GBPrather

!This is the line of Tracy Prater and Sarah Louise Mott,Tracy's brothers G W & Jim.AFN-15VC-97K

Benjamin married Nancy Elizabeth Layne, Lane 06 Nov 1798, Jefferson Co., Tn.. Nancy was born 1777, ,Jefferson, Tn; died 03 Jun 1838, Lenoir City, Roane Co., Tn.; was buried , Prater Cem. on Her Husbands Plantation. [Group Sheet]

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• Ancestral File Number: 15VC-98R
• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

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• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

Hugh — Malinda. [Group Sheet]

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• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009