William Prather, Prater Prator Praytor

Other Events:

• Occupation: Farmer
• Reference Number: 6.715.01
• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

Notes:

Soon after the death of his father William removed to Buncombe Co., N.C.

Buncombe Co., N.C. Deeds: Book #12 p 385
William Praytor to John Garland, 175 acres near Ball Mountain, 9 Mar., 1820

Book# 12 p. 423
William Praytor to Jacob Stewart, 225 acres on Brittain Mountain, 10 Mar.,
1820.

Williams brother was Middleton Praytor who moved to Sumter Co., Ala.

After selling his holding in Buncombe Co., N.C.
William went to Union Co., Ga. with the Stewarts.

William married Nancy Stewart Chatham Co., n.C.. Nancy (daughter of Edward Stewart and Mary McPherson) was born , of Surry Co., Nc; died , Union Co., Ga.. [Group Sheet]

1. Edward B. Praytor, Prater was born , Buncombe Co, n.C..
2. William Praytor, Prator was born , Buncombe Co., n.C..
3. Charles Prather, Ned Prator Praytor was born , Buncombe Co., n.C.; died 1875, Prob. Hendersonville, n.C..
4. Sarah Praytor, Prator was born , Buncombe Co., n.C..
5. Adelie J. Prather, Prater Praytor was born , Buncombe Co., n.C..
6. Martha Praytor, Prater was born , Buncombe Co., n.C..
7. Nancy Praytor, Prater was born , Buncombe Co., n.C..

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• Reference Number: 5.293.01
• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

Notes:

Will of Middleton Praytor:
Greenville, South Carolina 1812

In the name of God, Amen I, Middleton Praytor of Greenville Dist., and the
State of South Carolina, being sick and weak of body but sound of mind and
memory, do make and publish this my last well and testament in the manner and
form following (that is to say) First, I recommend my soul to God who gave it
and my body to be decently buried by my friends and those that I herafter
appoint to execute this my last will and testament.

Item 1. I give and bequeath unto my son William Praytor his heirs or assigns
forever a tract of land containing one hundred acres or there about, and runs
as follows, wo wit; beginning on a post oak John Middleton's corner on a tract
of land originally laid out for George Salmon, thence with said Salomon's line
to the upper or west corner thence with said Salmon's next to chiceroa River
thence up the meandera of said river on the west side to the mouth of the
first br4anch that runs unto said river, thence up the said branch and the
hollow therof to the head of the hollow that leads to John Middelton's Still
House thence a strait course to the head of said Mill Still house branch,
thence with the said John Middleton's line to the beginning, also one sorrel
horse, bridle and saddle, also feathers for a bed and one red cow.

Item 2. I give and bequeath unto my son Middleton Praytor, his heirs or
assigns forever, the following tract or parcel of land to-wit; Beginning on a
post oak at head of hollow near the road leading from my house to the
plantation hereby givin my son, William, thence with the road leading to the
muster graound unto a marked line that leads to a light wood corner thence
with marked line to said light wood corner, thence to a red oak corner above
the bitg spring, thence to the head of John Middleton Still House branch,
thence to the beginning, also one young bay horse, bridle and saddle.

Item 3. I give and bequeathe unto my son John Praytor his heirs and assigns
forever the balance of my land incliding the plantation where on I live,
bounded by the two9 tracts of parcels given as above by William chisom and
Joseph Cobbs and Chcherea River, the above last parcel of land mentioned not
to be at the disposal of my son John Praytor until the death of my wife,
Martha Praytor, as she has a life estate in the same.

Item 4. I lend my beloved wife Martha Praytor, during her life the balance of
my personal property except my stud hourse, black horse and sorrel colt and
one horse colt called "Black Elk" is to be soold with the other three left for
the purpose and in order to explain my meaning with respect to the 1st. item,
my black horse and sorrel colt, I willed to be sold at public sale on a credit
of twelve months and money arising from such sale after payment my de4bts to
be equally diveded between my four children that have to land left them and
the balance of my property not other-wise disposed of left to my wife during
her lifetime consisting of two horses, a bay and sorrel, my work stock of
cattle and hogs, houshold, kitchen furniture of every kin, together with my
plantation utensils to be at the disposal of my wife during her life and after
her decease to he equally divided between my four children that has no land
left them and the life estate left her in the plantation will to my son John
to be inherited by him agreeable to the third item and lastly;
I constitute and appoint my beloved wife Martha Parytor executrix and my
friedn Joseph Cobbs executor of this my last will and testament.

Probated Sept. 30., 1812

Note: In the Will above Middleton Praytor states that his land is devided
between his 4 children that "has no land left them!"
This does NOT mean that he only had 4 children but rather 4 children that had
no land!

He is listed in Greenville Co., S.C. in the 1810 census Roll #62 p.109

Members of his family built the Cedars Plantation in 1848 near Sumter, Sumter
county, Ala. This old home still stands today. (1992 1st. visit) (1997)
The Cedars Plantation at one time consisted of several thousand acres.
His son Middleton A. Praytor is recorded living Fayneville, Sumter Co., Ala.
in the 1850 census.

Middleton married Martha Adkins 03 Jun 1782, 96th Dist. S. Carolina. Martha was born Abt 1765, ,Dist Ninety Six, Sc; died Aft 1850, ,St Clair, Al. [Group Sheet]

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• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

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• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

Notes:

William is listed as a Rev. War Soldier by the DAR.

Revolution Books R-T Ed A.S. Salley, Jr. pg 134 listed Wm Prather as receiving
58 pounds 8 shillings and 6 pence, 3 farthings sterling for duty done in the
militia as private.

Will of Wm. Prather:

In the name of God amen; I William Prather of Laurens Co. & State of South
Carolina being very sick and weak in body but of perfect mind and memory -
thanks to almighty God; Therefore Callin to mind the Mortality of my body &
that it is appointed unto all men once to die; do make & ordain This my last
Will and Testament in mannr and from following that is to say principally &
first of all, I recommend my soul into the hand of almighty God who gave it
and m body to th eart to be duently intired at the discretion of my wife Mary
my Executrix nothing Doubting but at the general Resurrection I shall receive
the dame by the mighty power of God to blefe me I order & dispose of in a
manner & for following after payment of y funeral charges & all other just
debts imprimies I give & my loving wife Mary all my estate consisting only of
good and chattles only with this reserve a certain cow and calf with her
increase marked with two smooth crops likewise a Certain mare colt with a star
in her forehead her color black her increase belonging to my estate which I
give and bequeath unto my daughter Dorcas thereto to be kept in the hand and
care of my loving wife until she becomes of age & if she should died Minor to
be my wifes together with the rest of my estate & at her own disposal I order
& appoint my loving wife Mary Prather Executrix of this my last Will and
Testament utterly revking all former Wills by me made; In testimony whereof I
have hereunto set my hand and afixed my seal this third day of Novenber in the
year of our Lord one thousand Seven Hundred and Ninenty Eight.

Records were found which shows his name spelled Prather / Praither / Prater /
Praytor / Prator.
Marriage performed by Chas. Sullivan, Just. of the Peace 96th Dist., S.C.

William married Mary Middleton 05 Dec 1760, Greenville, Laurens Co., S. Carolina. Mary (daughter of John Middleton and Mrs Middleton) was born Abt 1741, of, Dist Ninety Six, Sc. [Group Sheet]

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• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

Notes:

She is thought to be descended from Robert Middleton of Charles and Prince
George Co., MD. ...... of an earlier American period.

There is a book about Robert Middletons family:
by J.G. Hemdon pub. 1954. A copy can be found at the New York Gene. Libr.

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 Margery Hunt 03 Dec 1737, Calvert Co., Maryland. Margery (daughter of John Hunt and Mrs Elizabeth Hunt) was born Abt 1711, of, Prince George, Md. [Group Sheet]

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• Reference Number: 129
• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

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• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

John married Mrs Middleton Abt 1740, of, Dist Ninety Six, Sc. Mrs was born Abt 1719, of, Dist Ninety Six, Sc. [Group Sheet]

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• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009