Thomas Prater, II (Gnt.)

Other Events:

• Occupation: Plantation
• Reference Number: 1024-5.152
• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

Notes:

!He came to America on the "Providence Marie",arrived at Elizabeth Citties,VA.
in 1622-two years after the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock.

Thomas Prater was born at Eaton Water, Wiltshire, England. (Sheffield Magna).
When he was a young man, England was expanding its control and development
of the Colonies in America.
The King of England knew he could not hold control of his distant domain
without the allegiance of his subjects that went there. So keeping with
the fuedal system, he offered property to those "born of Gentry" that
would go there to claim it. By doing this he knew that the younger children
born to those who held power and/or property by the grace of the King in
England would go to the Colonies to claim land for themselves. The younger
children of "the gentry" of England generally had very little inheritance,
this was do to the practice of giving the bulk of a fathers property to the
first born son in a family. (along with any titles).
Thus the only way a younger son could gain title, position, or property
was by marriage or by the grace of the King.
This new offering of the King, to give property to anyone born of gentry, was
well accepted by the young men of England who were looking to improve their
chances for success and prosperity.
Thomas Prater, being born of Gentry, was also inticed to come to America.
He had relatives which had already made the long trip to America. John
Powell was such a person. The name Powell is a variation of the name Powelett
(also spelled Paulet) which was an allied family of the Praters for several
generations in England. (Nunney Castle was purchased from the Paulets
by the Praters in the late 1500's,(Paulets were cousins of the Praters)
the Paulets were also intermarried with the Kingstons, Carews, Delamare,
and Courtney families who also had marriages to the Praters).
Thomas Prater, being under age, indentured himself to his cousin, John Powell
and gained passage to America where he worked with John Powell for five years
before getting married to Mary (Powell or McKay ? ) at which time he recieved
his property. ( Virginia )
Thomas was the founder of more than 98% of the Prater / Prather family lines
in America today. The other 02% were founded by other members of his family
that came here at a later time. Most of these other branches continued with
the spelling of Prater here in America while the lines from Thomas have been
found to use the spellings: Prather / Prater / Prator / Praytor / Prayter /
Prayther / Pratter / Prader / Preater / Praeter / Praetor & etc.
Most of these spelling variations occured during the early establishment of
and settlement of territories in Colonial times or shortly after the Rev.
War. The spelling variations came about mainly as a result of poor levels
of education of clerks, census takers, and the public in general.

Thomas Prater was only about 18 years of age when he came to the Colonies.
It must have been a major adventure for such a young man born and raised
on a Manorial Estate in Northern Wiltshire to board a ship to a new land.
He must have experienced many hardships.
It could be compared today with boarding a rocket ship to fly to a new
settlement on the moon.

On 18 Nov., 1620 there were an estimated 1200 settlers in Va. until
22 Mar., 1621 when the indians massacred 347 white settlers.
Thomas arrived only a few months after this event. He is enumerated in
a munster role ordered by King James I, which was conducted between
20 Jan., 1624 and 7 Feb., 1624. He was recorded at age 20 years.
Arriving Elizabeth Citties, Va. on the ship Marie Providence in 1622.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

The hardships he faced on his journey to the Colonies is something that
we can not begin to imagine.
In a diary found which was written by a ship passage from England to America
a full 110 years after Thomas Prater came, describes the journey this way:

"From England there was great delays, the ship waited either to be passed
through customs or for favorable winds."
"When we weighed anchor, the real misery began for the voyage from England to
the Colonies."
Unless they have good winds, ship must sail from eight to twelve weeks, before
they reached the Colonial coast, even with the best wind, the voyage last for
seven weeks. There was much disease on board brought on largely by poor food
and lack of good drinking water and aggravated by frequent storms. Our misery
reached the climax when one gale raged for three nights and days so that every
one believed the ship would go to the bottom with all on board. As the gale
raged so that the waves were like mountain tops one above the other, and often
tumbled over the ship, one feared to go down. The ship constantly tossed from
side to side from the storm and waves, so that we could hardly walk, or sit,
or lie and the closely packed people in the berths thereby tumbled over each
other, both the sick and the well. It will be readily understood that many of
our people, none of whom haad come prepared for such hardships, suffered so
terribly that they did not survive."
He continued by reporting;"There were thirdy two children who died on the ship
during this journey." (The year; 1732)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Letters written by others who lived in James & Elizabeth Citties Counties
VA. in 1623. This will give you some insight as the hardships that Thomas
Prather (Prater) must have also suffered after arriveing at Elizabeth Citties
Co, VA.
Exerpts of Letters:

28 Mar., 1623. James City. George Sandys wrote:
I would to God, that some one of judgement and integritie whom you
trusted might bee sent out to give you a true informacion of our prceedings
and the state of this country.
New arrivals come without sufficient provisions, and the living are hardly
able to bury the dead; that "villaine Dupper" had posisoned most of the
passengers and spread the infection all over the colony with his sting bere;
the dispersal of the colony provoked unnecessary hardships; only 180 men could
be raised to encounter 1000 indians and of these 80 were fit onelie to carrie
burthens; and the colony deserved better officers than some of those it had
received.

30 Mar. 1623: James City. George Sandys wrote:
Indecision and cowardice in time of emergency, as well as lack of victuals and
munitions taxed the people in face of the enemy. It was less the execution of
the project than the project itself which was at fault. It is unjust to
upbraid the colonists with a falling off since Sir Thomas Dales time, for they
had not 500 men at their own disposure, both fed and apparreled out of England
as Sir Dale had. In fact the tenants sent on that son absurd condition of
halves, are neither able to sustaine themselves nor discharge their moyetie,
and are so delected with their scarce provisions, and finding nothing to
answer their expectation, that most give themselves over, and die of
melancholue, the rest running so farre in debt as keepes them still behind
hand, and manie (not seldome) loosseing their crops whilst they hunt for their
bellyes. The afflections of the clony has been caused by vaine glorie and
presumption at home. Having repulsed the indians so, the great King now sues
for peace. A fort was to be built upon a solid foundacion.
Until later, Good Hunting.
----------------------------------

Thomas came on the ship Marie Providence which landed at Elizabeth Citties,
Va. (near what is now Newport News). His name is recorded in various spellings
(Prater,Prether,Prator,Prather) but Prather is used more often in the Colonies
but Prater was used in England. He came to the colonies in 1622 from the
Latton / Eaton Water Estates, on the Cricklade, Wiltshire, England.

!He came to America on the "Providence Marie",arrived at Elizabeth Citties,VA. in 1622-two years after the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock.

Thomas married Mary unknown 1627, Elizabeth City, Norfolk, Va. Mary (daughter of William Powell, Capt and Magadalen Stitt) was born Abt 1606, England; died , Near Elizabeth Citties, Va.. [Group Sheet]

1. William Prater, Ensign was born , of, Rappahannock, Va; was christened , Moved to Maryland Then Returned to Eng..
2. Richard Prater was born , of, Rappahannock, Va; died 07 Feb 1661, Rappahannock Co., Va..
3. Jonathan Prather ( Prater, I was born 1630, Elizabeth City, Norfolk, Va; was christened , Eliz. Citties Co., Is Now Norfolk Co.; died Bef 21 Aug 1680, Calvert, Md; was buried 1680, Calvert, Md.
4. Samuel Prater was born Abt 1634, Elizabeth Citties, Norfolk, Va.; died Bef 12 Apr 1679, ,Dorchester, Md.
5. John Prater was born Abt 1638, Elizabeth Citties, Norfolk Co., Va.; died , Prob. Rappahannock Co., Va..

Other Events:

• Occupation: The manor of Eaton Water
• Reference Number: 2048-4.16
• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

Notes:

Thomas Prater was the 6th born child in his family. He was named after his
first born brother who had died.
Thomas was raised at Eaton Water and Stanton St. Bernard in Wiltshire.
We find him living, as an adult, at Eaton Water House, Eaton Water, on
the Cricklade, Wiltshire, England.
Thomas must have gained his position by the grace of other family members
and his wifes dowery. He was not a wealthy person but he owned his own
land at Eaton Water. His business was the woolen trade, farming, and ferrier.
(Eaton Water was located on the banks of the Thames River where he
owned a ferry) Eaton Water was also a place that people, who used the
river to transport their goods to the ports of London, could stop and
feed their livestock and find food and lodgeing for themselves.
Eaton Water was a part of the old family estates that also consisted of Latton
Manor and Inglesham Manor, all of which sat along the banks of the Thames
River in Northern Wiltshire on what is called the Cricklade.
Stanton St. Bernard Manor is located in South central Wiltshire about 50
miles south of Eaton Water Manor.
Stanton St. Bernard Manor was owned by Thomas's father Anthony Prater.
Anthony Prater, who was excommunicated, lost almost all of his property
by the time of his death in the late 1500's.
His Son Thomas, being the youngest son, had little or no inheritance.
Thomas's mother died about a year after his birth little is known about him
but we do know that he was taken, as a baby, to relatives in the families
North Wiltshire estates to be suckeled and cared for.

THE FOLLOWING IS A TYPED COPY OF THE ORIGINAL DEED WHICH THOMAS PRATER AND HIS
BROTHER WILLIAM PRATER CONVEYED (SOLD) THE MANOR OF STAUNTON ST. BERNARD TO
THEIR KINSMAN HENRY QUINTYNE. (Wiltshire Record Office #WRO492/154)

Thomas Prater and his brother William Prater of Stauntion Bernard, (Staunton
St. Bernard), Wiltshire conveyed to Henri Quintine of Cortonne, Wiltshire, all
their interest, title, possession, etc. in the farm and other premises of
Stauntion Bernard, 2 November 1601, To all trewe christian people to whome
theis presents shall come We Thomas Prater and William PDrater of Stauntion
Barnard in the countie of Wilts Gentlemen Send greeting in our lord God
everlasting Whereas we the said Thomas and William Prater have and hould for
terme of our Natural lives and for Terme of the longest Liver of us the Demyse
and Graunte of Henri Earl of Penbrooke Lord Harbert of Cardyffe and of the
most noble order of the Garter Knight All that Farme of Staunton Bernarde in
the said county of Wilts and all Houses, Edifices and buildings Lands Meadow
Leassuures Pastures, Feeding and Hereditamen5ts unto the said Farme belonging
or in any wyse appertaining as by ye deede Indented thereof more at Large and
maie doth appear. Knowe ye nowe that we the said Thomas Prater and William
Prater for dyvers good and reasonable causes and considerations us and eyther
of us now specially moving Have given graunted Bargained Sould Assigned and
Sette Over and by theis Presents do fullie clearlie and absolutlie give
graunt bargaine sell assign and set over unto Henrie Quintine of Cortonne in
the countie of Wilts, Gentlemanne. All that our Right, Interest, Title,
Possession, Claim and Demand which we or eyther of us have maie or might have,
of in and to the said Farme and other the Premisses before specified and every
or any parte and parcell thereof to gether whtih the said Deed Indented there
of made by the said Earle to have and to houlde the said Farme and all other
Premisses before theis presents mentioned to be given graunted bargained shuld
assigned and sette over with all the Singular The apprtenances and all our
and eyther of Our Rights Interest tytle possession Terme Calaime and Demaund
of in and to the same together with ye said Deed Indented to the said Henrie
Quintine his Executors and Assigned s for and During all such Estate and
intereste as one or either of us have or maie or mignt have of in or to the
same. He the said Henrie Quintine his Executors and assignes yelding paying
and doing all such Rents Duties and services as are comprised and reserved in
and by the Indenture of Lease And observing and performing all covenants
grants Articles and agreements specified in the said Deede Indented and on the
part and behalf of the said Thomas and William or eyther of them to be
Observed done and performed and farther knowe ye that we the said Thomas
Prather and jWilliam Prater have assigned made ordained and in oru stede and
place by theis presents put and constituted our wellbeloved in Christe Richard
Hunton of Bushton in thee countie of Wilts, gent and Williamk Quintyne of
Wylsfoorde in the said countie clearke our true and Lawfull attrneys Joyntlie
and severallie of us and in our names to enter into the Messuage tenement or
Farm lands of Stauton Bernarde afore sdaid with all and singular their
Apurtenances or into anie parte thereof in the name of the Whole and full and
peacable possession and Seizen for us and in our names to take, And after such
possision an seyzen soe had and taken then for us and in our names to give and
deliver possession and seyzen of and in the premisses with the appurtenanceses
and every parte thereof to the said Henrie Quintyne his Executors and assignes
to have and to hould accordintg to the tenoure purporte and true meaning
heerof. Ratyhfying allowing and confirming all and what soever the Said
Richard Hunton and William Quintyne or either of them Joyntlie and Severallie
shall doe in or about the premissses by force of theis presents In Witness
whereof we the said Thomas and William Prater haveunto sett our Hands and
Seals the second daie of November in the Three and foutheth yeare of the
Raigne of our gracious Soveraigne Ladie Elizabeth by the grace of God of
England Fraunce and Ireland Queene Defender of the faith etc.

He may have been raise by these relatives until his father remarried
or he may have stayed with these relatives until his adulthood.
Thomas lived at Eaton Water House when his son Thomas Prater ( Prather )
was born about 1604 and this Thomas came to America in 1622.
Praters still live in near by Manors today, but sadley, they know little about
their heritage. (research by Gary Benton Prather)

Thomas married Margaret Quintyne 04 Jun 1599, Clyffe Pypard, Staunton, St. Bernard, England. Margaret (daughter of Henry Quintyne and Alice) was born 1578, Rushton, Wiltshire, England; died Aft 1628, ,Wiltshire, England. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 2049
• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

Notes:

*During my visit to Clyffe Papard in 1988, I found records that stated the
only Quintyne left in the manor (villiage) (yr. 1619) was one "orphaned boy"
"half starved and living by the grace of others". This was only 20 yrs after
Margaret had married and moved to Eaton Water (Latton estates), Wiltshire.
The Quintyne family had fallen from a powerful family in Clyffe Papard. All
primary male heirs were dead. Margaret became the heir and her holdings
became her "dowery" for marriage to Thomas Prater. Gary Benton Prather

Other Events:

• Occupation: Stanton St.Bernard Manor
• Reference Number: 4096-3.2
• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

Notes:

Anthony was the 2nd born son in his family. His father was very wealthy,
thus his inheritance was substantial, but it was the custom in those times to
give most of the inheritance, titles , etc. to the 1st born son.
He inherited Stanton St.Bernard Manor which is located in south central
Wiltshire. (near the famous Stone Henge)
His older brother Richard was the heir to most of their fathers property and
titles. Richard lived at Nunney Castle located a Nunney, Somerset.
Richards holdings were vast, consisting of several manors (villiages with all
the businessess in the villiage), 40 farms with the surfs (slaves) that lived
on them and 30 farms without surfs, 4000 acres of meadow land and approx.
300 acres of timber. Richard held the title of "Esquire" and "Lord of Nunney".
Anthony was named in Richards Will as "Trustee" of the estates when Richard
died in 1580. Anthony was trustee for 6 years until Richards son (George)
became of age. (Nunney was aquired from "Lord St.John"- Sir William Paulet).
Anthony had much trouble with the family and was taken to court many times.
The Earl of Bolingbroke which Anthony "held" under wrote in the court record
that "Anthony Prater, a troublesome man". Anthony's business dealings were
often in dispute.
Anthony's wife Judith (Ivye) Prater died when her seventh son was born.
Anthony placed a stone carving in the wall of West Kingston Church above her
tomb. This stone carving shows Anthony, his Coat-of-Arms with simbols of his
wifes family Coat-of-Arms and the carving of his children and a eulogy to his
children and all people who were to read this stone carving.

OH MI DEAR CHILDREN MARKE WHAT I SAYE,
YOUR MOTHERS BONES TRULI ARE WRAPT HERE IN CLAY
HER SOULE NO DOUPTE, TO HEAVEN IS GONE THITHER
WHER WE MOST JOYFULLY SHALL MEET ALLTOGETHER
THE LORD BE YOUR GUIDE, THE LORD BE YOUR STRENGTH
AND GIVE YOU HIS SPECIAL GRACE TO DIE IN HIM AT LENGTH
YOU GENTELL READERS REMEMBER YOUR END
BE TRUE UNTO SUCH WHOM FAITHFULL YOU FIND
LET THIS BE EXAMPLE AND TELL HIT ABROAD
HOW FAITHFULLI THIS WOMAN DIED IN THE LORD

Judiths tomb is in the floor of the Ivye chapel with the above carving in the
wall just above her tomb. The following inscription was placed in the stone
which covers her tomb. It was written by Anthony as was the above inscription.
The following inscription can no long be seen because a wooden floor has
been placed in the church so that it could be properly heated, but the above
carving can still be seen.

REST IN THE LORD MOST LOVING WIFE,
THY DAIES ARE SPENT AND GONNE,
THY HUSBAND'S RACE AND END OF LIFE
SHALL BE, GOD KNOWETH HOW SOON.
THOUGH DEATH HATH DOON THE WORST HE CAN
TO PART US TWAYN A SPACE,
YET TIME WILL COME TO MEET AGAIN
IN HEAVEN THAT JOYFULL PLACE.
WITH BITTER TEARES THY HUSBAND SPAKE
THESE WORDS UPON THY TOOMBE,
HIS HAND DID WRITE, THES VERS DID MAKE,
TO SHOW IN TIME TO CUM
HOW FAITHFULL THOU HAS BEEN TO ME,
AND HADDEST SIX CHILDREN DEAR,
WITHIN SIX YEARE A MARVELL TO SEE
ALL BORNE ONE TIME OF YEARE;
THE SEAVENTH ALSO IN LIKE MANNER,
IF DEATH HAD NOT THEM LETT,
BORNE HAD BEEN AS THE OTHER WEAR,
AT MIDSUMMER TIME DIRECT.
ALAS HOW SHOULD IT CHANCE SO BAD
TO LITTLE BABES SO YOUNG,
TO TELL IN TIME WHAT LOSSE THEY HAD
BI NATURE WHENCE THEY SPROUNG
BUT GOD IS HE WHO GIVITH LIFE,
AND HE THAT TAKES AWAY,
LET US THEREFORE AVOYD ALL STRIFE
AND GEVE OURSELVES TO PRAY.
THY CHILDREN'S NAMES IF MEN WOULD KNOW,
WHICH GOD HATH GEVEN TO THEE,
BEHOLD ARE WRITTEN HERE BELOW
IN ORDER AS THEY BEE.
THOMAS, WILLIAM, ELIZABETH, FERNDINANDO, GEORGE, THOMAS

About these verses, in the Limbe, thus: Here lieth Judeth Prator, the wife
of Anthony Prater, Gentilman, daughter unto Thomas Ivie, Esqr., Who
died the sixth day of February, Anno Domini 1578.
----------------------------------------------------------------

Anthony remarried and had at least one other child -- George Prater.
Anthony married, 2nd.Elizabeth (Winter) Ivye, the widow of his wifes
brother, Ferndinando Ivye. /

Stanton St.Bernard Manor is located about 20 miles due south of
Swindon, Wiltshire, England and about 5 miles west of the famous
Stonehenge.
Anthony's tomb is in the floor of the church at his manor of Stanton
St. Bernard, Wiltshire
His wife, Judith Ivie, rest in her tomb which is located in the Floor of
Ivye chapel in the church of West Kingston, Wiltshire.
West Kingston, Wiltshire was one of the manors "held" by Anthony Prater's
Great Grandparents, Sir Anthony Kingston.

Anthony Prater received the manor of "Hook" from his younger brother
Nicholis, who he claimed to be a lunatic. He kept and cared for his brother
for many years and claimed ownership of "Hook" as his compensation.
When Anthony's wife died, Nicholis was sent to live with their sister in
London. Shortly after he brought claim against Anthony claiming "he had
regained his former health". But the court found in Anthonys favor and
Anthony retained the manor of "Hook".
Shortly after the court found in Anthonys favor, Nicholis and "others"
went to Anthonys manor and stole 18 prize cows.
Nothing more is recorded as to the outcome of this act.
It is recorded that Anthony was later "Excommunicated from the Catholic
Church for his "extorsionate practices". He died without reconsiliation.

In order for him to have a burial place in the church, Anthony must have
taken the Kings religion, thus by joining the Church of England he was able
to secure his burial place in the church at Stanton St. Bernard.

Spelling variation of his name found in the records:
Pretor, Preter, Prater, Prator, Pratero, Praytor.

Researched and photographed by:
Gary Benton Prather
Sulphur, Okla. / Frisco, TX. 1974

His wife's family held All Cannings (Can Court) which came into the Ivye
family from Judith's Great Grandmother, Isabell Canning.
This also became one of Anthony Prater's holdings through marriage to Judith.

Anthony married Judith (Ivry), (Ivry) Abt 1566, West Kingston, Wiltshire, England. Judith (daughter of Thomas Anthony Ivie, Sir and Elizabeth Malet) was born 1550, West Kingston, Wiltshire, England; was christened , (She Was Her Husbands Cousin); died 06 Feb 1578, W. Kingston Chur, Wiltshire, England; was buried , West Kingston Church, Ivye Chancel. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 4097
• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

Notes:

!She is buried in the Ivye section,South Aisle of West Kingston Church.

Anthony had a stone carving placed in the wall above Judiths tomb.
This stone has a carving of Anthony and his coat-of-arms with simbols of his
wifes families coat-of-arms.It shows her father being Thomas Anthony Ivye,
and descendancy from Delamare, and Judith as being the 4th born child.
West Kingston was the Manor of Anthony's grandparents, his grandmother was
Elene (Kingston) Prater. Anthony also had a poem carved in the cap stone
on his wifes tomb exclaiming his love, and other carvings of his children.

Other Events:

• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

Notes:

The Will of Henry Quintyne:

Henry Quintyne, of marlborough, Wilts. Co., Will dated 9 April 1624 and
proved 7 june 1625. To be furied in St. Mary's church Marlborough. To wife, -L
50 p.a., out of my leases of Corton Farm. Also to wife Alice, lease of my
house at Marlborough and all the household stuff. To my four sons, Thomas,
Giles, richard, and Edmond L- 500 each. To my three daughters, Marie,
Margaret and Dorothy 40/ each. My son William Executor, Overseers, Philip
franklyn and Steven Lawrence.

He was the heir to his fathers estates.

!GRS gives his b.abt 1547,Marlborough,Wilts.Eng. d. bef 7 Jun 1625.
!JWP Gives Bupton or Bubton as his place,which is Approx.1.25 miles south west of Clyffe Pypard,and Corton Farm and Manor are 1.5 miles southwest of Clyffe Pypard.Mentioned in his will.

Henry married Alice Abt 1577, of, Rushton, Wiltshire, Eng. Alice was born Abt 1556, of, Rushton, Wiltshire, Eng; died Bef 18 Dec 1628; was buried 02 Nov 1628, St.Mary, Marlborough, Wilts. Co., Eng.. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

Notes:

The Will of Alice Quintyne:

Alice Quintyne, widow of Mr. henry jQuintyne of marlborough, jWilts, jCo. Will
dated ........ and proved 18 Dec., 1628. To be buried in St. Mary's Church,
Marlborough. To eldest son William, a book called Mothers blessing. To dau.
Ann, 1/4d.. To the rest of my childrne, Viz., Thomas, Mary Archard, Margaret
Prater, Dorothy Langford, Richard, and Giles. L- 3 each. To Alice Archard my
grandchild living with me Trunk in the Closet and in it a cabinet with all
therein and half the plate which my son William had of me if my executor can
recover it, in all worth 14 pounds in wieght. To alice Pdrater my goddaughter,
one of my brass pans, half a dozen of pewter, Viz., 3 platters and 3
pottingers. To servant Margaret my best pot. To Thomas Clarke, Vicar of St.
Mary's 10/. ;Rest to my son edmund, my Executor. Overseers, Philip Frankline
and Mr. Steven lwrence. also to Alice Ar;chard, half the seventeen pounds due
me from my son William. Witnessed, thomas Clarke Vicar of St. Mary's, John
Fuller, Ralph Salcombe.

Other Events:

• Occupation: and others; Latton Manor
• Reference Number: 8192-2.1
• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

Notes:

!I find George of Latton co.Wilts and Richard of Eaton Water,Wilts.Latton is a
Parish,Eaton Water is a place.Visitation of Wilts 1623,when his daughter
Dorothy m.George Provender,her last name is listed as Prowse or Precy or
Prater of Latton.

George Prater lived at Latton, Wiltshire which has been in existance
sense before the Roman occupation of England. There are still old Roman
ruins there today.
I believe that George was the Reeve of Nunney, Somerset, working under his
cousin Sir William Paulet. George later purchased the holdings of Nunney from
his cousin in a tax deal, which kept the Manor of Nunney in the family.
Nunney Castle was included in this transaction which was handled by a Jack
Prater. We do not know how Jack is related to the family , it is possible that
Jack was the "nick" name for John. This was a very common "nick" name that
was used in those days. Records state that Nunney was purchased out of the
estate of George's father John.
George lived during the time that King Henry VIII created the Church
of England and discontinued recognizing the Cathlic Church.
This was a harsh time for the Praters, because they were Cathlic. Most of
the christian world was Cathlic at this point in history. The Praters were
taxed heavily for their religion, but because of their high social and
politicial connections they continued to do well. Also they were related to
many other noble and titled families.
Records state that George died "enterstate". I believe that he died while
working at Nunney. He was buried in his church at Latton, Wiltshire. His tomb
is under the floor of the church in the 7th isle. People of this period in
history believed that they would surely go to heaven if they were buried in
the church. Only the wealthiest could afford a place in the church.
This accounts for the records that I was forturate to find.

*George Prater bought from Roger Yonge, in 1543, messuages and lands in
Cryklade, Chelworth Magna, Chelworth parva and Coldcott for 190 marks.

*George Prater bought from Michael Quintyne, Gentleman and Margaret his wife,
in 1559, messuages in Lydyarde Treygoose and Cancourt for 430 marks.

*George Prater was listed at Stanton St.Bernard Parish, Wiltshire with the
highest assessment of taxpayers for the benevolence of 1545 of Swanborough
Hundred.

Spelling variations of his name found in the records:
Prator, Praytor, Prater, Pretor, Preter, Praiter, Pratero, Pratellis.

The records of England are probably the best in the world when it comes to
early history. Especially if you are forturate enough to be descended from
noblity. research by Gary Benton Prather

!I find George of Latton co.Wilts and Richard of Eaton Water,Wilts.Latton is a Parish,Eaton Water is a place.Visitation of Wilts 1623,when his daughter Dorothy m.George Provender,her last name is listed as Prowse or Precy or Prater of Latton.

George married Jane Plott Shefford Magna, Wiltshire, England. Jane (daughter of Richard Plott, Sir and Alice) was born Abt 1515, Blewberye, Berkshire, Eng; died 05 Feb 1587, ,Wiltshire, Eng; was buried 05 Feb 1587, Latton Parish, Wiltshire, Eng. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Occupation: Knight, to the King; Father
• Reference Number: 8193
• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

Notes:

Jane Plott was from Blueberry Manor, Blueberry,Berks.
The manor of Blueberry (Bluebury) was once in the holdings of Gerald of
Windsor. For this reason I believe that the Plott family were descended
from the Geraldine lines.
Other Geraldine lines include Carew, Fitzgerald, Fitzsteven, Fitzwarren,
Fitzwalter, Fitzhugh, Marshall and many others.

Jane Plotts husband, George Prater came into possession of other properties
of Latton, Wiltshire from the heirs of the Earl of St.German (Ellis).
Latton,Wilts. is recorded as belonging to Reinbold de Presbyster (Prater)
the first Chancelor of England after the Norman conquest (1066).
Reinbold de Presbyter (the Elder) (Prater) was a powerful Lord who was well
established in England before the Norman conquest, he was also a priest of
Noble linage. The noble priest of this period in history were usually of a
fighting class of man who had right to hold arms and had their own army, such
was the case with Rienbold. He also held the Manor of Frome in Somerset which
was located next to the Manor of Nunney.

The name Prater was the Angelican version of the latin word Presbyter.
Presbyter,Prater, The Elder, Praetor, Praetorian was a class of people of
early Roman times who were Magistrates, Justices, and Learned Men whose
position was usually inherited and passed down in the family.
It is beleived that a descendant of this class was attached to the Norman and
English Crowns and held their power though their connection with the Church.
Our Prater family is beleived to have descended from this class of people.
The Praters of England held such positions of power though out the country,
both of the Crown and Church.
by Gary Benton Prather

The Will of Jane Prater:

In the name of God Amen; the xviith day of January in the xxixth yeare of the
Raigne of our moste gratious Soveraigne Lady Elizabeth Quene of Englande,
France and Ireland defender of the fayth etc. I Jame Prater of latton in the
county of Wiltes Wydowe beinge of whole mynde and in good and perfitt
remembrance, laude and prayse be to god for the same, make and ordayne this my
present testament concerninge my last will in manner and forme following, (id
est) First I commende my soule unto almightie god my maker and redemer and my
bodie to be buryed in the church of Latton, Item I give to the churche of
Latton vd (5d), Item I give to the churche of Sarum xiid (12d), Item I give
unto the Cricklade St. Sampson xiid (12d), Item I give to sonne Nicholas
Prater 3 vis viiid (-L3:6:8) Item I give unto my daughter Dorothye Provender
one feather bed which now I lye one Asloe I give to Margaret Spenser one
silver Saulte parcell gilte the silver saulte in now in the keeping of my
sonne Anthony Prater alsoe I give to W8illiam Prater one golde ringe the
which ringe is nowe in the Keepinge of William Kemble, Item I give to Robert
Prater and George Prater one silver bowle parcell gilte the which bowle my
forsyed sonne anthony nowe keepeth Item I give to Mary Prater and to Jane
Prater iiii or silver spones, Item I give to George Williamses one brasse
pott, Item I give to Richard Haywarde one quarter of barley Item I give to
Jane Robertes one rede peticoate and two bushels of barley, Item I give to
Jane Ashtone and her daughter Jane one silver spoone Also I give to every
godchilde that I have xiid a peece Item I give to Joan Leinell my goune,
Item my will is that all thes my giftes shalbe delivered within one year after
my decease, I tem my will is that my son Anthony Prater shall have goveranance
and bringinge upp of William Prater and shall have the use of his stocke
untill the saide William accomplishe and come to the age of xxi yeares, soe
that the saied Anthonly will discharge my executor wholly of the saied stocke
Thae sazied Anthony now haveing on hundred poundes in his hands of the saied
alsoe my will is that my executor shall have the governance bringinge of Jane
Prater untill she accomplishe the saied age of xxi yeares and alsoe shall have
the use of her stocke, dueringe the saied terme, The rest of my goodes movable
and unmoveable not given nor bequeathed my debtes paied and funerall expenses
discharged, I give my sonne Bartholomew Prater whome I make my whole and
lawfull executro to see that this my last will and testament be well and
trewlye performed Item I make and ordaine William Kemble and George Provender
my overseers of this my will and testament, Witnessess her John Tomes, Edward
Douie, Randell Ashtone, with others.

Other Events:

• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

Notes:

!TIB #2080 Manti says b.abt 1493,changed to 1485,of West Heynton,Wilts.Eng.His father Richard Ivie{changed to Ivye} b.1455.mother Isabel Canning.His wife Elizabeth Keynes.He was bap 7 Feb 1928,end 13 Sep 1928.He m.2nd to Elizabeth Mallet.submitte d by James R Ivie,rel.

Thomas married Elizabeth Malet Abt 1549, of, Wiltshire, England. Elizabeth (daughter of Hugh Malet and Isabel Michel) was born , of Enmore and Deandon, Somerset, England. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

Other Events:

• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

Notes:

!I can't connect this group,Theophilus Quintin,ob.1682,Prebend of Bristol and Rector of Tokenham,buried at Tokenham,married Ursula who ob.1665.Had daughter Alice who married Edward Newell and had Edward who ob.
1686.Alice had a brother Theophilus,Vicar of Were,co.----crest.ob.1670?.Devizes research.

Mychall married Margaret Ivye Abt 1551, of, Rushton, Wiltshire, Eng. Margaret (daughter of Richard Ivye and Isabell Canning) was born Abt 1530, of, Rushton, Wiltshire, Eng; was buried 01 Jun 1591, ,,,Eng. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009