James Prather

Other Events:

• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 5.186.01
• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

Notes:

He was listed as a Rev. War Soldier No. 25 on Richard Davis Returnes
Washington Co., Md. 1778, pg. 13, National Genealogical Soc., Quarterly, Vol.

He moved to Kentuck Parish, Lincoln Co., Va. where he bought or was granted
4000 acres near Ft. Harrod (now Ky.). He is mentioned in Collins History of
Ky., as one of the earliest of the pioneers, Indian fighters and in border
warfare.
Deeds: Washington Co., KY. Book B, p. 54 31 July, 1797.
Deposition of Basil Pather concerning entry of Thomas Prather of
2000 acres on Hardins Creek. Question asked by Thomas Freeman, guardian of
Thomas Prather concerning name of location being Indian Lick or Prathers
Lick. Wit: Philip Cleland, John Grundy, Benj. Caulk, Marcus Graham, Sam'l
Richards // Signed Basil Prather.

BOOK B, p 320 24 Mar., 1800 Prather's heirs to John Purdy;
Henry Prather agent of Theophilus Phillips and Thomas Prather, both
dec'd, erroneously located for a land warrant in Kentucky 800 acres
on Hardins Creek in name of Thomas Prather which should have been entered
in the name of Phillips on 20 Dec., 1781 which has since been assigned
to John Purdy.
Heirs of Thomas Prather dec'd of Mercer Co., Were: Margaret Prather,
now wife of Ephriam Lillard, and wife Margaret of one part and John
Purdy of Wash. Co. other part, assignee of Theophilus Phillips dec'd
of Monongahala Co., VA. Wit: Bened't Spalding, Charles Wickliff
Signed by all parties.

Thomas Prather's Will is the first Recorded in Mercer Co., Ky.

Thomas married Mary Ann Phillips 17 Jul 1776, Pa.. Mary (daughter of Theophilus Phillips, Lt Col and Ann Joanna Prather) was born Abt 1760, New Geneva, Fayette Co., Pa.; died 10 Jun 1787, ,Mercer, Ky. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 5.233.01
• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

Notes:

Mary's parents were Lt.Col. Theophilus Phillips and Ann (Prather) Phillips
She was brought to Ky. with her husband in 1776.

Other Events:

• AFN: 1MPS-73M
• Reference Number: 4.081.01
• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

Notes:

He was serving with his brother Henry in the battle of Loyalhanna (PA.)
when he was killed.
His father & brother brought his body back to Maryland and he was the first
interment in the old Prather Cem (now on the Frank Showalter farm, west of
Clear Spring, Washington Co., Md.)

Thomas Claggett Prather was in Colonial Wars and was killed in the Battle
of Loyathanna in the French and Indian War. (During an Indian ambush)
After Thomas was killed his Wife, Margaret married Thomas Freeman, Esq.of Md.
When Capt. Thomas, son of Margaret & Thomas C. Prather returned to Kentucky
his mother Margaret and his Stepfather came with him.

Thomas married Margaret Prather 09 May 1750, Maryland. Margaret (daughter of Philip Philemin Gittings Prater, I and Catherine Hunt) was born 14 Sep 1730, Queen Anne P, Prince George, Md; died 30 Jul 1820, At Home of Her Daughter in Mercer Co., Ky; was buried , Old Lillard Cem, Lawrenceburg, Anderson, Ky. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 4.103.01
• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

Notes:

Margaret was Cousin to her husband. Her Parents Phillip & Catherine(Hunt)
Prather.

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• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

Notes:

He was a close friend to George Washington.
Theophilus died at sea somewhere between New Orleans and Philadelphia.
A stone was erected for him in Geneva.
New Geneva was founded by Albert Gallatin (born Geneva, Switzerland), a true
American rennaissance man, who would serve as Secretary of State under
Jefferson, and h9old several other politically prominent positions.
Gallatin was a stron advocate for nation-building, and conceived of the great
system of canals later built to link the United States hinderland with the
ocean trade routes to Europe.
Theophilus Phillips owned a ship, or ships, for transporting the products of
his gain fields - in both solid and liquid form.
New Orleans was a primary foreign maket port of call for him. At the time of
his death he was sailing back to claim his seat in the Pennsylvania
Legislature, which then met in Philadelphia.
Theophilus Phillips was also an advocate of a weak central government, as
evidenced by his support fro the Articles of Confederation (adopted in 1777)
and against the adoption of the Constitution which replace them officially in
1789.

Information Supplied by Jim Kottmair.
kottmair@flash.net (1997)

Theophilus married Ann Joanna Prather Pa.. Ann (daughter of Thomas Sprigg Prather Prater, Col and Elizabeth Clagett) was born 01 Jan 1740, ,Prince George, Md; died Bef 07 Aug 1797, New Geneva, Fayette Co., Pa.. [Group Sheet]

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• Reference Number: 4.092.12
• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

Notes:

!P-A,gives name as Joanna Ann & d.1818 in Fayette Co,PA.also is off abt.11 years
younger on all children.Geneal Prather gives d.1818 in Fayette Co.KY,and her
husband as a cousin.

!P-A,gives name as Joanna Ann & d.1818 in Fayette Co,PA.also is off abt.11 years younger on all children.Geneal Prather gives d.1818 in Fayette Co.KY,and her husband as a cousin.

Other Events:

• Ancestral File Number: 1WRT-H1H
• Occupation: Plantation
• Reference Number: 3.027.02
• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

Notes:

!He and Elizabeth had 13 kids.He is listed as Thomas Sprigg
Prather,AFN-25M1-P4.

Col. Thomas Prather, Sr. gave his son Thomas Prather, who married Elizabeth
Claggett, 166 acres of land being part of a tract of land called "Spriggs
Request", his Will was written 13 Dec., 1711.
*Liber 13, pp. 379-381, Prerogative Court (Wills) Maryland State archives,
Hall of Records, Annapolis, Md.

Martha Prather, mother of Thomas Prather that married Elizabeth Claggett,
on 29 Apr., 1719 conveyed to her son, Thomas, when he is eighteen years old,
ten pounds sterling money.
*Liber E, p. 791 Maryland Land Office Records, Mary land State Archives, Hall
of Records, Annapolis, Md.

Martha Prather (now Yoakley) named her son Thomas Prather one of the executors
of her Will written 19 Jun, 1742.
*Liber 22, pp. 524-526, Prerogative Court (Wills), Martha Yoakley, Charles
County, Md. Will written 19 June 1742 and proved 13 Nov., 1742. Maryland State
Archives, Hall of Records, Annapolis, Md.

Thomas Prather had a number of land transactions between 1741 and 1769. Thomas
sold to Martha Clagett and John Mullikin, a tract of land called "Beall's
Gift", 300 acres, in Prince George's County, Md. 28 Nov., 1741
*Liber Y, p.414 Maryland State Archives, Hall of Records, Annapolis, Md.

Thomas Prather sold to Richard Ducket, part of a tract of land called "Spriggs
Request", 111 1/4 acres, in Prince George's Co., Md. 26 Oct., 1747.
*Liber EE, p. 337-338, Maryland Land Office Records, Maryland State Archives,
Hall of Records, Annapolis, Md.

Thomas Prather, 1783 Maryland Assessments; Ringolds Mannor, pt. 214 Acres
WA Marsh p. 5 MSA S1161-11-3

Thomas Prather sold to Stephen Blunt, a tract of land called "Great hall", in
Frederick Co., Md., 17 June, 1760.
*Liber F, p.1022 Md. Land Office Records, Md. State Archives, Annapolis, Md.

Thomas Prather made a deed to Charles Prather, his son, for part of a tract of
land called "Resurvey on Choice", in Frederick Co., Md. 20 July, 1767.
*Liber K, p.1385 Md. State Archives, Annapolis, Md.

Bennet Allen conveyed to Thomas Prather & trustees of All Saints Parish,
Frederick Co., Md., 17 Jan., 1769.
* Liber M, p. 39 Md. State Archives, Annapolis, Md.

Edward Gaither sold to Thomas Prather a tract of land called "Baker's Choice,
in Frederick Co., Md. 12 Oct., 1769.
*Liber M, p.346 Md. State Archives, Annapolis, Md.

Thomas Prather's Will was proved 20 Sept., 1785.
*Liber A, p. 118, Prerogative Court (Wills) Will written 24 June, 1783
and proved 20 Sept., 1785. Maryland State Archives, Hall of Records,
Annapolis, Md.

Several letter addressed to Thomas Prather from George Washington are
in the Library of Congress; Genealogy Dept.; Sons of the American Revolution.

Thomas Prather was a 2nd. Lt. in Capt. A. Beals Co., 9 Oct., 1757/58.
1st. Lt. in Capt. Ware's Co., 16 June to Oct. 11, 1759.

Thomas Prather II. was in Command of the Militia in Frederick Co., Maryland
between the Potomac River nad the Pennsylvania line during the French and
Indian War.
----------------------------------

25 June, 1700
This indenture made... Between Ninian Beale of Prince George Co., in the
Province of Maryland Gent. of the one part & Thomas Prater of ye fforesaid
Province and County of the other part WITNESSETH where as the said Ninian
Beale for & in considersation of ye Sume of two Thousand pounds of Tobacco in
hand paid... by the Said Thomas Prater ... Ye Said Niniah Beale doth ...
bargaine Sell Enfeeoff & Confirme unto ye Said Thomas Prater ... a parcell of
Land Called St. Andrews scituate lying and being on the North Side of the
Western Branch of Patuxant river and in the ffreshes of ye Said River
BEGINNING att a marked Hickory in the Land Called St. andrews and running
South and by West... Then West North West to ye line of William Powell ...
Conteineing & now layd out for Six and fifty acres of Land More or Less ...
Ruth Beale, wife of Ninian, waived dower. Wit: Thom. Hollyday, R.Bradley.
---------------------------------

From "Pioneers of Old Monacacy" The Early Settlement of Frederick Co., MD.
1721-1743, by Grace L. Tracey and John P. Dem. Baltimore Gene. Pub. Co., Inc.
"The June Court of 1735 appointed THOMAS PRATHER as tobacco burner, replacing
John Nelson who was excused because of illness in his family."

NOTE: A "tobacco burner" was a person who was in charge of the curing of
tobacco in the large tobacco houses. Tobacco was cured by fire drying it.

Will of Thomas Sprigg Prather:
In the name of God, Amen I Thomas Prater of Washington Co., & State of
Maryland being of weak in body, but of sound and perfect mind and memory,
(thanks be to God)
Concerning the uncertainty of this mortal life, and that it is appointed for
all men once to die, do make and publish this my last Will and Testament in
manner & form following, (that is to say)
First and principally I recommend my soul to the Almighty God that gave it,
and my body to the dust to be deasonly buried at the discretion of my
Executors hereafter named nothing doubting but that I shall receive the Soul
again at the general Resurrection of all flesh, by the mighty power of God,
and as touching my Wordly Estate, wherewith it has pleased God to bless me.
I give and bequeath in manner and form following-imprimis.

First and principally I will that all my just debts and funeral charges be
paid.
Item... I give and bequeath to my sons Richard, Charles, and James Prather
ten shillings common current money each, and no more.
Item... I give and bequeath to my daughters Mary, Elinor, Sarah, & Ann
five Shillings current money and no more.
Item... I give and bequeath to my son Basil one negro boy called Harry, him
and his heirs and assigns forever.
Item... I give and bequeath to my youngest son Thomas one negro boy named
Jack, to him his assigns forever.
Item... I give and bequeath all the remaining part of my Estate, my whife's
third Excepted, to my sone's Basil and Thomas and daughter Elizabeth to be
equally divided amongst them.
Item... I do hereby appoint my beloved wife Jennet and my son Basil joint
Executors of this my last Will and Testament by me made, ratifying &
confirming this only to be my last Will and Testament.
In witnes whereof I have set my hand & seal this 24th day of June 1783

Served French and Indian War - he was sheriff and held many important posts -
one of which was the first Justice of the newly formed Frederick Co., in
1749 (Maryland).In the Rev.War he was Commander of the forces in that Co.
He lived at Conegocheague Manor Plantation. His wife was from the Weston
Manor Plantation where the Clagett's lived for generations and still live
there today. / He was also an Episcopal Clergyman in Williamsport, Md.

!He and Elizabeth had 13 kids.He is listed as Thomas Sprigg Prather,AFN-25M1-P4.

Thomas married Elizabeth Clagett 10 Jun 1725, "Weston", Prince Georges C, Md. Elizabeth (daughter of Thomas Clagett, Capt II and Mary Keene) was born 1707, Weston, Prince George, Md; died Bef 1754, Conecocheague M, Frederick, Md. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• AFN: 19K3-LN2
• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

Notes:

The following is the reported descendancy of the Elizabet Clagget family
as to how they are related back to King John of England.

Capt. Thomas Clagett & Mary Keene =
Mary Gorsuch
Richard Gorsuch
Anne Lovelace
Anne Barne
Anne Sandys
"Most Reverand" Edwin Sandys
Margaret Dixon (of London)
Anne Roos
Anne Thornborough
Rowland Thornborough
William Thornborough
Eleanor Kisgrave
Sir Richard Misgrave
Lady Joan Dacre
Lady Joan Douglas
Mareret (Countess of Mar.)
Donald (Earl of Mar.)
Gratney (Earl of Mar.)
Princess Eleanor of N. Waleem
Lady Eleanor
Princess Eleanor - daughter of Isabelle and King John
Isabelle Taillefer of angouleme, wife of King John of England.

King John of England went to the Throne in 1199 and ruled to 1216.

Claggett of Houghton, County Cambridge, England, assumed in 1104 the
Coat-of-Arms since born by the family.
Robert Claggett b. 1490 at Walling, Kent Co., England. The name of wife
unknown. His son Richard Claggett b. 1525 m a Gouder, daughter of Sirr Robert
Gouder. His son George Claggett b. 1570 was Mayor of Canterbury three times
(1609,1622,1632) Name of wife unknown. His son Col. Edward Claggett b. 1605/7
m. Margaret Adams daughter of Sir Thomas adams, Mayor of London. Sir Edward
Claggett was an ardent loyalist, he held a commission in the army of Charles
I, was imprisoned in the Tower of London by the Puritans. His son Col. Thomas
Claggett Sr. m. in England before 1635, emigrated to Maryland 1670, D. Salver
Co., Md. 1703. Lord of Godlington Manor, Kent Co., England. He m. Mrs Mary
Winter Hooper, widow of Richard Hooper, Salver Co., Md. His son Capt. Thomas
Claggett Jr. m. Marry Keen. she d. 1759. He was b. 1678 d. 1732. He lived at
Prince George Co., Md. Their daughter Elizabeth Claggett m. Thomas Prather
son of Col. Thomas Prather & Martha (Sprigg) Prather.

Other Events:

• Occupation: Plantationer
• Reference Number: 3.029.04
• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

Notes:

!Lillard says he moved with his family to NC in 1756.P-A,adds a Frederick N.
and does not have Basil.

His father gave him 166 acres of land being part of a tract of land called
"Spriggs Request", in his Will which was written 13 Dec., 1711.
*Liber 13, pp.379381, Prerogative Court (Wills), Thomas Prather, of
Prince George Co., Md. Will proved 15 Mar., 1711 (sic), Maryland State
Archives, Hall of Records, Annapolis, Md.

Martha Prather on 29 Apr., 1719 conveyed to her son Phillip, when he is
eighteen years old, ten pounds sterling money.
*Liber E, p. 791, Land Office Records, Maryland State Archives, Hall of
Records, Annapolis, Md.

In a letter, to Honorable Alexander Contee Hanson Esq., Chancellor of
Maryland, reviews the many legal transfers of a tract of land, being part of
his Lordships Manor of Concoheague in Prince George Co., Md.
Van Swearingen of Prince George Co., Md. leased, 9 Oct., 1737, of Benjamin
Tasker a tract of land, being part of his Lordships Manor of Concoheague, 99
acres, for his life and the lives of his wife Elizabeth and his dau.
Priscilla. This land remained in the possession of Van Swearingen until 8
Dec., 1739 when he assigned his rights to Phillip Prather, who wishing to
change to lease to obtain one for the land for his life and the lives of his
wife and one of his children. Phillip made application to Benjamin Tasker who
granted a new lease which include to names of Phillip Prather, Margery Prather
his wife and Elizabeth Prather his daughter. Phillip retained possession until
Sept., 1756 when he assigned his rights to Joseph Bench and with his family
moved to North Carolina.
*Folder #2617, Chancery Court Record, Maryland State Archives.

Martha Prather (now Yoakley) gives Phillip Prather, her son, all that part of
a tract of land called "Spriggs Request" & in my Lords Manor upon Collington,
belonging to me, which is now in his possession by a division made between him
and his brothers Thomas and John by virtue of their father's Will and in order
to prevent my son Thomas from claiming the same of disturbing either of them
in their peaceable possession of their parts; in her Will written 19 Jun, 1742
*Liber 22 pp.524-526 Poerogative Court (Wills), Maryland State Archives.

Phillip Prater sold to Richard Duckett part of a tract of land in Prince
George Co., Md. called "Sprigg's Request" 25 Mar., 1740 upon completion of
sale Phillip Prater moved to Concoheague Manor, Frederick Co., Md.
*Liber Y, pp. 141-142 Maryland Land Office Records, Maryland State Archives.

Phillip Prater moved to North Carolina after 2 Sept., 1756 and the first
record for him there was in the oldest court records of Orange Co., N.C.
in 1761 and he remained in Orange Co., N.C. as late as 1765 when he served on
a jury with Jesse Brashear.

Philomen "Phillip" Gittens Prater (Prather) died before 23 Sept. 1767 in what
is now Laurens Co., S.C.
Citation granted to Henerete Prather and Middleton Brashear to admin. on the
estate & effects of Phillip Prather, late of Enoree Planter Dec'd, his widow
and brother-in-law to be read in said parish church & returned certified Sept.
23, 1767.
* Journal of the Ordinary 1764-1771, back of page 58, Dist. 96, S.C.
South Carolina Archives Vol. #3.

An inventory of Phillip's estate was made, it was appraised by Charles D.
Bradford and William Barry on 14 Dec., 1767.
*Charleston Inventories, Box X pp. 259-260, Dist. 96, S.C./ S.C. Archives

Some History of Larens Co., S.C. :
"Native Americans, or American Indias, were the first known inhabitants of the
area now known as Laurens Co.
The Cherokee Indians, members of the Iroquois Nation, lived and hunted in the
western and central piedmont of South Carolina.
Many Indian artifacts have been unearthed in the areas along the Enoree river,
Bush River, and Rabon Creek.
Early settlers to the Western piedmont area of the Carolinas came down through
the backcountry of Pennsylvania, Marland and Virginia and were Scotch-Irish.
The first known white settler to arrive in what is now Laurens County was
JOHN DUNCAN in 1753.
JOHN DUNCAN... from Aberdeen, Scotland, spent a few years in Pennsylvania
before moving south. He liked the lush vegetation and abundant wildlife he
found in the area and settled around a creek in the northestern section of the
county not far from the present city of Clinton.
John Duncan built a rustic house, a few outbuildings, a distillery, and
organized a church. he brought the first African Slave and the first
horse-drawn wagon into the area. Of course, the creek near which he settled
is known today as Duncan's Creek, and the church, still in existence, is the
Duncan's Creek Presbyterian Church, the oldest church in Laurens County and
one of the oldest Presbyterian churches in the backcountry....."

Note:
Present day town of Haw River was called "Trollinger's Ford" or "Trollinger's
Crossing" back in the 1750's.
Haw River is a river that is about 131 miles long, begins in Forsythe Co.,
travels thru Guilford, Rockingham, back in to Guilford, and then runs thru
Alamance Co. down into Chatham Co. where it meets the Deep River, and they
merge into the Cape Fear River.
You must remember that the boundries of these counties were established from
other counties and the boundries of present day Orange Co. if different
from those boundries that existed in the 1700's.
The old church at Trollinger's Ford (Haw River) is still standing. (1999)

Note:
Philomen's last name is spelled Preator in court records in the 1750's in
Orange co. and spelled Prator, Praitor, Prayther, Prater in other records.
RE: Phillip Preather served in a Grand Jury in Feb., 1761 in Orange Co., N.C.

Different accounts of the family show that the Approximately (8)
Eight children listed within different family groups with Catherine or Margery
as the mother. His third wife admist. his Will for Enoree River, N.C. estate.
Phillip lived on his plantation in Canton Co., Maryland for many years then
he sold it and moved to Va. and then settled at Enoree River, N.C.
and later went to what is now Laurens Co., S.C. where died.

!Lillard says he moved with his family to NC in 1756.P-A,adds a Frederick N. and does not have Basil.

Philip married Catherine Hunt 17 Feb 1725, Prince George, Md.. Catherine (daughter of John Hunt and Elizabeth, daughter of John Hunt and Mrs Elizabeth Hunt) was born Abt 1707, ,,Md; died , ,Prince George, Md. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009