Thomas Prather is a cousin to my husband’s William Baruch Prather. Very interesting to find his will on the first page of the first will book for Mercer County. Jonathan Prather, 1630-1680, is Baruch William Prather’s great-grandfather, my husband’s ancestor. Jonathan is Thomas Prather’s 2nd great-grandfather.
Thomas Prather was born December 16, 1757, in Frederick County, Maryland. He married Mary Phillips in 1776, in Maryland. He was just 28 years of age at his death. I could find nothing concerning why he died on July 24, 1786. Some believe him to be buried in old Fort Harrod Cemetery, but he could also have been buried on his land. His wife died the following year, June 10, 1787, at the age of 26, leaving four small children – Margaret, Eleanor, Stephen and Elizabeth.
Thomas had three warrants for land in 1781, two for 1,000 acres each, both in Jefferson County, Kentucky, and one for 769 acres in Lincoln County. The Lincoln County land, which later became Mercer County, was the home tract where Thomas lived with his family. Those early settlers adjoining his land were James Harrod, John Cowen, Joseph Early, Elijah Craig, John Briscoe and Henry Wilson. After their father’s death this land was divided among the children.
1,000 acres in Jefferson County lying on Hardin’s Creek, 3 miles south of Cartwright’s Station, Edward Bullock’s line. Sep 4, 1781
1,000 acres Thomas Prather in Jefferson County, along Bullock’s line. Sep 4, 1781
Both of the above properties would now be located in Marion County, off Hwy 55 between the cities of Springfield and Lebanon.
759 acres of land in Lincoln County, adjoining James Harrod’s land on the west, John Cowen’s line, Joseph Early’s line, Elijah Craig’s line, John Briscoe’s line, Henry Wilson’s line. April 28, 1781
This land was in Mercer County after the division of counties. Four hundred acres of this land was reserved for the children’s inheritance. I feel the rest of the land was sold for their expenses.
Letter A in George Smith’s line, Harrod’s line, Stephen Prather’s line, Eleanor Prather’s line, Samuel Banta’s line, 60 acres allotted to Ephraim Lillard in right of his wife Margaret, formerly Prather.
At K in Stephen Prather’s line, Jonathan Jenkin’s line, Joseph Willis’ line, Samuel Banta’s line and corner of Ephraim Lillard’s line, 72 acres to Eleanor Prather.
At I in Harrod’s line and corner of Ephraim Lillard’s line, corner of Thomas Prather and with his line, Mary Smith’s line to Jonathan Jenkin’s line, corner of Eleanor Prather at M, then with Eleanor and Lillard’s line to the beginning containing 100 acres and allotted to Stephen Prather.
At N at corner of Stephen Prather and Harrod’s line, John Cown’s line, Joseph Davis’s line, corner of Elizabeth Prather’s line, to Mary Smith’s line, and Stephen Prather’s corner, 102 acres, allotted for Thomas Prather. The letter O in Joseph Davis’s line, corner of Thomas Prather, Frederick Ripperton’s line, Widow Smith’s line, at corner of Thomas Prather’s line, 65 acres, allotted to Elizabeth Prather. August 14, 1795.
I could find no marriage for Elizabeth Prather. Margaret married Ephraim Lillard February 16, 1795. Eleanor married Abraham McKinney July 5, 1796.
Stephen Prather married Tamora Elizabeth Plowden, in Natchez, Mississippi, January 19, 1809, the daughter of William Plowden. He served under Gen. Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans. His son Thomas Freeman Prather was most likely named for the guardian of the four orphaned Prather children, Thomas Freeman. The guardian reports show a very generous amount of money spent on the children – shoes, stockings, bed gowns, coats, jackets, petticoats, various yards of materials, shifts, trousers, buckskin breeches, handkerchiefs, waistcoats, overalls, aprons, schooling, washing and lodging.
Thomas Prather’s Will
Mercer County Will Book One, Pages 1-3
In the name of God, Amen. I, Thomas Prather, of the Parish of Kentucky and County of Lincoln, being weak in body, but of sound mind and memory, do make this my last Will and Testament. Viz.
I will and bequeath to Theophilus Philips eight hundred acres of land which I hold by Patent, bearing date the first day of June 1782, on Warrant Number 2590 and on survey made 4th September 1781, which said 800 acres he has a right to as my partner in 2,000 acres granted to me on the same warrant and of the same date of patents, which said eight hundred acres is to be laid off to said Philips on the upper part of my upper tract on Hardin’s Creek, so as to leave my remaining two hundred acres in a convenient form adjoining to my tract of 1,000 acres which ? this land I give (but do not warrant) to the said Theophilus Philips and to his heirs and assigns forever.
I lend to my beloved wife, Mary Prather, the use of the tract of land whereon I live and all the stock and furniture and moveable estate of every kind during her widowhood for the maintenance of herself and the support and education of my children while she remains a widow.
If my said wife should marry, I give her all my household furniture and one best horse and saddle.
I will and desire that my whole estate not heretofore given shall be divided between my children, so that my son shall have
two shares and my daughters one share, that is, one son shall have twice as much as one daughter. The above division shall take place as soon as any one of my children comes of age or marries.
I appoint my wife Mary Prather to be Executrix of this my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this sixteenth day of May one thousand seven hundred and eighty-six. 1786.
Thomas Prather
Acknowledged before us – James Speed, Malcolm Worley, Thomas Speed, John Speed
Codicil to this will made 25th June 1786
I do hereby appoint James Coburn and Henry Prather to be Executors of this my last Will and Testament with my wife who is appointed Executrix. Witness my hand and seal.
Thomas Prather
Acknowledged in presence of James Speed, James Harrod, John Chiles, Jr.
At a Court held for Mercer County at the Courthouse on First day of August 1786
This last Will and Testament of Thomas Prather, deceased, was produced into Court and proved by the oaths of James Speed and John Speed, two of the assigned witnesses.
Thereto, with the codicil endorsed proved by the oaths of James Speed, which together with the said will is ordered to be recorded.
Teste. Thomas Allin, C.C.
Categories: Family Stories, Old Wills
My husband is a Prather. I will look at his tree and see if there is a connection.
Karen Prather