Prater/Prather Genealogy* 120,000+ Family Members
Nora Prather
![Female](img/tng_female.gif)
1. Nora Prather was born , of Luther, Smith Co., Tx. (daughter of Soloman Bowden Prather and Josephine Wallis); died Oct 1889, Tx.. Other Events:
- Record Change: 12 Apr 2009
2. Soloman Bowden Prather was born 16 Mar 1852, Luther, Smith, Tx (son of Samuel Benton Prater and Nancy Tunnell); died 10 Feb 1919, Fisher Co., Tx.. Other Events:
- Occupation: Farmer
- Record Change: 12 Apr 2009
Notes:
*Soloman was a farmer all of his life, when he was 100 years old he was
interviewed by the Midland Reporter Newspaper (Midland, TX.)
Religion: He claimed to belong to "the Church of Heaven".
Politics: He was a devowed Socialist ( had contempt for Demoncratic Party)
He was in a car wreck at 91 which left him with broken ribs that failed to
mended because of age. Claimed his long life was do to him not useing "Booze",
Tobacco,or Coffee, and his trust in God.Soloman married Josephine Wallis of Luther, Smith Co., Tx.. Josephine was born , Smith Co., Tx.. [Group Sheet]
3. Josephine Wallis was born , Smith Co., Tx.. Other Events:
- Record Change: 12 Apr 2009
Notes:
*She died at age 66 years of Cancer. She was married to her husband for 49 yrs
Children:
- Samuel Bowden Prather was born , of Luther, Smith Co., Tx.; died , Tx..
- Obediah Prather, Obed was born , of Luther, Smith Co., Tx.; died , McFarland, Ca..
- Thelma Irene Prather was born , of Luther, Smith Co., Tx..
- 1. Nora Prather was born , of Luther, Smith Co., Tx.; died Oct 1889, Tx..
- Omar Prather was born , of Luther, Smith Co., Tx.; was christened , Lived in McCaulley, Tx..
- Eunice Prather was born , of Luther, Smith Co., Tx..
- Alonzo Prather, Lon was born , of Stanton, Tx..
- Della Jane Prather, Betty was born , of Luther, Smith Co., Tx.; was christened , Lived near Munday, Tx., Knott, Tx.; died Bef 2000.
- Ara Prather was born , of Luther, Smith Co., Tx.; was christened , Lived in Big Spring, Tx.; died Bef 2000.
- Walter Prather was born 12 Jul 1874, Van Zandt Co., Tx.; died 23 Apr 1953, Peoria, Az.; was buried , Resthaven Pk. Cem. Glendale, Az..
- Adolf Prather was born 04 Dec 1900, McCaulley, Tx.; died 04 Jul 1970, Amarillo, Tx.; was buried , Amarillo, Tx..
Generation: 3
4. Samuel Benton Prater was born 09 Feb 1817, Pickens Dist., S.C.; was christened , Lived Hall Co., Ga. & Guntersville, Al. (son of Joseph Prater and Mary "Polly" Boyd); died 27 Nov 1866, Rockwall, Tx.; was buried , Old City Cem., Rockwall, Tx.. Other Events:
- Occupation: Minister; Farmer
- Reference Number: 6.709.01
- Record Change: 12 Apr 2009
Notes:
Samual was born in Pickens or Pendleton Co., S.C., we are not sure which
because of the changes that took place with the boundries.
He went with his father to Hall Co., Ga. as a young man. Later with the
outbreak of the Civil War he went to Alabama where other members of the family
and allied families had established themselves. He married at Gunters Crossing
(a ferry crossing) which is now Guntersville, Al.
When he went to Alabama, his brothers Erb Boyd Prater and Thomas Prather went
with him, later they came to Jamestown, Smith Co., Texas where they
were listed as Confederate Soldiers. He was also a Minister and farmer.
His younger brother, Thomas was only 19 yrs. old when he died while living in
east Texas (Smith Co.) His other brother "E.B." (Erb Boyd) went back into
Arkansas where other Prater/Prather relatives had moved much earlier
(desendants of Phillp III Prater, their uncle and others), he later returned
to Smith Co., Tx.
Samuel spent the remainder of his life as a farmer in Jamestown,Smith Co.,Tx.
Other members of his family in Ark., Al., Ga., and Tenn. came into Texas.
Some of which were Praytors, of Sumter Co., Al., Praters/Prathers of Tenn.,
Prathers of Ga., and Praters/Prathers of Ark.-- also many others from various
other states as they made their way west.
One of his sons Riley Benton went North into Ark./Okla./Tx., another Soloman
Bowden and Samuel went into West Texas, near Midland and the other, John Ellis
went into N.Mex., near White Sands where he and his sons had large ranches.
Samuel had younger brothers and sisters that continued to live in Hall Co.,Ga.
and were heirs to their father Joseph's estates, except Joseph II who moved
to Texas, Okla., and then to the State of Washington.
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File: 208 PMB: C-1/638 D/84
Smith Co., TX.:
Samuel Prather, dec'd.
Nancy Prather, surv. wf. pet. appt. of appr. of com. prop. 1/23/1867.
Prather d. 11/27/1866 Smith Co., Appr.: J.G. Browning.
Elisha Tunnell, H. Rose. Inv.: 100 acres Matilda Morris sur. $100, 400 acres
John Walling Sur. Van Zandt Co. $500. 7 and a half acres $400, 4 horses
$140, 20 cattle $80, 3 yoke oxen $110, 40 hogs $40, etc.
Smith Co., TX. census:
Prather, Samuel 33 farmer b. S.C.
Prather, Nancy 29 b. Ala.
Prather, Mahuldah C. 7 b. Ala.
Prather, John E. 5 b. Ala.
Prather Columbus R. 4 b. Ala.
Prather, Riley B. 1 b. TX.
1860 census, Smith Co., TX. (20 July, 1860) Mt. Carmel Beat. Mt.C. Ref.
Prather, Samuel 43 Farmer Real Value: 1,600
Prather, Nancy 38
Prather, John 15 Farm Labor
Prather, Columbus 13
Prather, Riley 11
Prather, Solomon 8
Prather, Texanna 5
Prather, Lynch 2
When the Civil War began, some of the series of frontier forts aligned north
and south across the center of the state were closed becasuse of army manpower
problems. The Comanches were already on the warpath and had committed a
particularly bad massacre in Montague Co. north of Smith Co., on the Red River
As indians began raiding deeper eastward into there former lands, white
settlers had to either band together and go about their farms and fields with
guns ready, or move back east.
In addition to this threat, it may have proven premature economically to raise
and market cotton and other cash crops in the blackland soil belt before the
arrival of the railroads.
Even Smith Co., where the light, acid soil was easlily worn out by continuous
planting of the same crops, cotton was not an important cash crop until a
short-lived steamboat port, Belzora, was established on the Sabine River wher
the Tyler-Hawkins road bridge is today. After the railroad came to Smith Co.,
supplanting the river as the main bulk freight route, the land was already
largely depleted - forcing farmer to again move west or to change to other
crops.
It appears that Samuel and his brothers experienced a great reduction in
their life style compared to their anscestors. This was probably due to
the out come of the Civil War, the loss of slave labor, and the hard pioneer
life experienced in east Texas. An example of his hard life can be seen by
his early death at 49 years of age. He helped to establish Jamestown,Tx. which
is now a small community. It once was a very large comunity near Lindale, Tx.Samuel married Nancy Tunnell 1841, Gunters Crossing, Ala.. Nancy (daughter of D Perry Tunnell, Rev and Catherine Self) was born 27 Sep 1821, Jefferson Co., Ala.; died 18 Jan 1894, ,Smith, Tx; was buried , Antoach, Smith Co., Tx.. [Group Sheet]
5. Nancy Tunnell was born 27 Sep 1821, Jefferson Co., Ala. (daughter of D Perry Tunnell, Rev and Catherine Self); died 18 Jan 1894, ,Smith, Tx; was buried , Antoach, Smith Co., Tx.. Other Events:
- Record Change: 12 Apr 2009
Notes:
The Tunnel name was an English variation of the French name Tonnelier.
Mr. Tunnel was a Frenchman who married a noteable English Lady. "Lady" Ann
Howard. She was descended of the Howards, Earls of Northhampton, Viscounts of
Bindon, Viscounts and Earls of Stafford in England, this family is of the most
noteable noble families in England.
Lady Ann Howard lived to be over 100 yrs. and was still addressed as Lady Ann
until her death in Tenn.
The Howards also married to other allied families that the Praters were
married to in earlier England. Example: Isabella Howard (ca. 1680's -- who
was descended from Sir William Howard, Viscount and Earl of Stafford)
married Sir John Paulet, Marquess of Winchester. John was descended from
Sir William Paulet, Lord St. John of Nunney Castle, Nunney, Somerset, England.
The Praters received Nunney Castle from their kinsman Sir William Paulet and
Richard Prater owned and lived at Nunney Castle, he died in 1580. His will
names our grandfather, Anthony Prater (his brother) as a Trustee to his
estates (which were very numerous and sizeable) for 6 yrs. until his
son and heir became of age. Richards son and heir was named after his
grandfather George Prater of Latton Manor, Latton, Wiltshire, England.
As stated before, there are many other such allied families of earlier England
that Praters/Prathers/Praytors continued to marry into.
Guillaume Tonnelier born about 1675 in France, with his wife, whose name is
unknown, and a son, settled near Scarbrrough, North Riding, Yorkshire, England
in 1702/3. The name was Anglicized to Tunnel.
Their son, William Tunnel, born ca. 1702/3 in France, married Lady Ann Howard
and then in about 1736 they emigrated to the Colonies in America and settled
near Fredricksburg, Va. Later they moved to Fairfax Co.,
William Tunnel died 28 Dec., 1787. His wife Lady Ann Howard Tunnel died 18
Feb., 1814 (at 104 years old).
One of their sons, Stephen Tunnel was a Methodist Minister married Kezsia
Money in 1776 in Georgetown, Md. Stephen and Kezsia had 10 boys and one girl.
5 of the boys became ministers. One of these sons was Perry Tunnel who married
Catherine Self who was of Indian lineage, and a granddaughter to John Gunter.
In the summer of 1826, when at the age of 39, Perry attended a camp meeting in
Alabama, preached the morning sermon, started home and died before reaching
home only a few miles away.
One of Perry and Catherines children was Nancy Tunnel who married Samuel
Prather.
(a Tunnell family researcher: Wilma Brown 4100 Algerita St. Ft. Worth, TX.)
(76119 / 817-534-2468 ..... 1996.)Children:
- Columbus R. Prather was born , Smith Co., Tx.
- Mahulda Catherine Prather was born 04 Nov 1842, Gunters Crossing, Guntersville, Ala.; died 1865.
- Catherine Prather was born 04 Nov 1842, , , Al.
- John Ellis Prather, Rev was born 15 Feb 1845, ,,Al; died 1922, Alamogordo, Otero, Nm.
- Riley Benton Prather was born 10 Mar 1848, ,Smith, Tx; died 30 Apr 1918, ,Van Zandt, Tx; was buried , Providence Cem. near van, Tx..
- 2. Soloman Bowden Prather was born 16 Mar 1852, Luther, Smith, Tx; died 10 Feb 1919, Fisher Co., Tx..
- Texana Prather was born Abt 1854, , Smith, Tx.
- Cornelia Texanna Prather was born 03 Aug 1855, ,Smith, Tx; died 14 Sep 1905, Smith Co., Tx..
- Samuel Lynch Prather was born Abt 1856, ,Smith, Tx.
- Samuel Prather was born Abt 1856, , Smith, Tx.
Generation: 4
8. Joseph Prater was born 1794, Pickens, S. Carolina (son of Philip John Prater, I and Susannah Hubbard); died 04 Apr 1877, ,Hall, Ga; was buried , Alta Vista Cem, Gainsville, Ga. Other Events:
- Occupation: Plantation; Farmer
- Reference Number: 5.292.10
- Record Change: 12 Apr 2009
Notes:
RECORD:
Joseph Prater (Prather) sold to James Chapman a tract of land (57 acres)
on the waters of Eighteen Mile Creek, 25 Dec., 1819 Pendleton Co., S.C.
*Deed Book O, pp.534-535, Pendleton Co., , Ninety Six Dist., S.C.
Joseph Prater sold Henry Hendricks a tract of land (83 acres) on the waters of
Eighteen Mile Creek, Pendleton Co., S.C. 21 Dec., 1820
*Deed Book P, p.349 Pendleton Co., S.C. Ninety Six Dist.
Joseph Praters mother Susannah, widow of Philip Prater, who was to benefit
from a Certificate of Pension issued 23 Apr., 1850, was named by Mitchel
Norton, Administrator
*Pension for Phillip Prater, W9052 - Book D, Vol 2, p.383
Susanna Prater (now Hammond) requested an increase in her former husband's
pension which commenced 4 Mar., 1831 for $61.33 per annum and ended 9 Aug.,
1848 when she died. (S.C. Archives Dept., Columbia, S.C.)
Joseph Prater is listed in 1830 Hall Co., GA. census -- Roll #18 p.93
Headstone inscriptions from the graves of Joseph and Mary Prater (Prather)
located at Alta Vista Cem., Gainsville, Ga.:
Joseph Prater age 83 years, died April 4, 1877
Mary Prater age 80 years, died July 7, 1877
Gary B. Prather, (214-377-9286) of Frisco,Tx. and Sulphur,Okla./405-622-5900
has compiled extensive information on the Prather Family.
Joseph lived and had his children in Pickens Dist., S.C.
His sons Erb Boyd, Thomas, and Samuel left S.C. for Alabama and then to
Texas while his other son Joseph Jr. remained with him and later moved
with his father to Hall Co., Ga.Joseph married Mary "Polly" Boyd South Carolina. Mary (daughter of Robert A. Boyd, II. and Mrs Robert Boyd) was born Abt 1797, South Carolina; died 07 Jul 1877, Gainsville, Hall, Ga; was buried , Alta Vista Cem, Gainsville, Ga. [Group Sheet]
9. Mary "Polly" Boyd was born Abt 1797, South Carolina (daughter of Robert A. Boyd, II. and Mrs Robert Boyd); died 07 Jul 1877, Gainsville, Hall, Ga; was buried , Alta Vista Cem, Gainsville, Ga. Other Events:
- Record Change: 12 Apr 2009
Notes:
A Boyd Family Researcher:
Susan Lemesis 9280 Nesbit Lakes Dr. Alpharetta, GA. 30202
Phone: 770-993-2858
(1997)
GLEMESIS@AOL.COM
NOTE: (Connection not known at present)
William Boyd
B: ca. 1745 County Antrim, N.Ireland
D: ca. 1800 Chester Co., S.C.
Wife: Mary Dorman
He came with his family to America between 1772 and 1776 .....
He could have been part of the English Military that came to America
defend the Colonies for the Crown... ????
The family was members of the Hopewell Associate Reformed Presbyterian
Church, near Blackstock, Chester Co., S.C.
Children:
1. Mary Boyd (dates unknown but to early to be our Mary Boyd)
2.Martha Boyd
B: ca. 1772 County Antrim, N.Ire.
D: 13 Apr., 1832 Chester Co., S.C.
Husband: Alexander Boyd (1st. Cousin)
3.Jennet Boyd
B: ca. 1776 Chester Co., S.C.
D: ?
4.Alexander Boyd
B: ca. 1780 Chester Co., S.C.
D: ca. 1825 Chester Co., S.C.
Wife: Elizabeth Allen
-------------------------------------
A Boyd researcher:
Jane Brazell Sisolak
4317 Calmont Ave.
Fort Worth, TX. 76107
817-732-1855 /// tsisolak@swbell.net (10/1999)
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Charles Boyd (cboyd1@bellsouth.net) 1999
Several Boyd families from N.GA. are looking for ancestors with the same
migration pattern as you Mary Boyd.
Several came from Halifax, VA. to that general area of S.C. then on to the
"Federal Road" across the Cherokee Nation from Hall Co., GA. through what is
not Forsyth, Cherkee, Floyd Co's. GA. into AL.
Is there any additional info. that might be a clue to which of the groups she
might belong?
My GG.Grandfather, Robert A Boyd was in Pickens Dist., S.C. in 1850, and
between 1858/60 moved to Forsyth Co., GA., then in very late 1800's on to Al.
withourt his family.
------------------------------------------Children:
- Joseph Prater, Jr was born , Gainsville, Hall Co., Ga.; was christened , Civil War Soldier; died 15 Feb 1919, Wheton Commun., Amity, Yamhill Co., Or..
- 4. Samuel Benton Prater was born 09 Feb 1817, Pickens Dist., S.C.; was christened , Lived Hall Co., Ga. & Guntersville, Al.; died 27 Nov 1866, Rockwall, Tx.; was buried , Old City Cem., Rockwall, Tx..
- William Prater was born 07 Nov 1819, ,Pendleton, Sc; was christened , Others State Birth 23 Apr., 1818.; died 17 Dec 1877, Gainsville, Hall Co., Ga.; was buried , Beside His Parents in Gainville, Ga..
- E B Robert Prater was born 01 Mar 1820, Pendleton, Nc; died 11 Feb 1901, Calhoun, Gordon, Ga; was buried 11 Feb 1901, Chandler Cem., Gordon Co., Ga..
- Thomas H Prater was born Abt 1822, of, Pickens Dist, Sc; died 30 Mar 1857, Smith Co., Tx..
- Erb Boyd Prather, Erby Prater was born Abt 1823, Pickens Dist., S. Carolina; died , Smith Co., Tx..
- Mary Prater was born Abt 1824, of, Pickens Dist, Sc.
10. D Perry Tunnell, Rev was born 1787, of Greene Co., Tn (son of Stephen Tunnell, Rev and Kezia Money); died Jun 1826, of Coosa Co., Al. Other Events:
- Record Change: 12 Apr 2009
D married Catherine Self 1807, of Greene Co., Tn. Catherine was born , of Sc; was christened , Cherokee Indian; died , Garden Valley, Smith, Tx. [Group Sheet]
11. Catherine Self was born , of Sc; was christened , Cherokee Indian; died , Garden Valley, Smith, Tx. Other Events:
- Record Change: 12 Apr 2009
Notes:
She is related to Will Rogers (the historical figure from Okla.)
Birth:
Catherine Self was 1st cousins to Mary America (Shrimsher) Rogers... will rogers mother
joe easley
joe_easley@live.comChildren:
- 5. Nancy Tunnell was born 27 Sep 1821, Jefferson Co., Ala.; died 18 Jan 1894, ,Smith, Tx; was buried , Antoach, Smith Co., Tx..