Individual Details

[Webb.ged]

Silvester was a Jacobite & joined the army of James III in his abortive invasion of EnglandFrom familytreemaker.com:

Sylvester (Prophet) Proffitt was born abt. 1698 in Perth, Scotland, and died April 10, 1767 in Goochland County, Va. He married Alice Pleasant 1724 in Virginia.

Notes for Sylvester (Prophet) Proffitt:

Sylvester was a Jacobite & joined the army of James IIi in his abortive invasion of England in 1715. He was a soldier under gen. Thomas Forster in the battle of Preston, Lanchashire, England on Nov. 9, 1715. He, with 638 other soldiers were captured on Nov. 14, 1715 by the English army and were transported to the ship "Elizabeth and Ann" commanded by Edward Trafford, which left Liverpool June 29, 1716 bound for Jamaica and Virginia. He arrived in Virginia Oct. 12, 1716. These prisoners were indentured to serve a period of seven years and then be set free. No record of person to whom he was indentured has been found. He had a land grant of 300 acres along the St. James River. On March 19, 1738, Sylvester sold 150 acres of land to Mary Bashett and her son, John Tuggle for 11 pounds lawful money of Virginia. Then on March 19, 1743, Sylvester bought Messuage Plantation containing 100 acres from Martin Duncan for 10 pounds. Records also show that Sylvester worked for other men and was paid in tobacco. May 1744 he received 150 pounds of tobacco from Charles Toney for six days of work; March 1746, 400 pounds of tobacco from James Gresham for 9 days work; August 1763, Joseph Gresham of Albemarle Co. bought 100 acres of land from Sylvester Prophet for 20 pounds. Will made April 21, 1767 - Probated October 21, 1767.

[profs.ged]

Sylvester was a Jacobite and joined the army of James III in his
abortive invasion of England in 1715. He was a soldier under Gen.
Thomas FORSTER in the battle of Preston, Lancashire, England on 9
November 1715. He, with 638 other soldiers were captured on 14
November 1715 by the English army and were transported to the ship
"Elizabeth and Ann" commanded by Capt. Edward TRAFFORD, which left
Liverpool 29 June 1716 bound for Jamaica and Virginia. He arrived in
Virginia 12 October 1716. (These dates do not correspond with the
date given on the following manifest.) Some of these prisoners were
indentured, but Sylvester is on the list of unindentured on the
passenger list.

This is a list of Rebel prisoners imported by Captain Edward
Trafford, in
the Elizabeth and Ann, from Liverpole January 14th 1716 landed at
Yorktown.
These prisoners were probably some of the followers of the Pretender
captured at Preston, and condemned to be transported to the Colony in
Virginia, after having been carried to London for trial.

Under Indenture

John Macintosh Tho Foster Geroge Dickenfon Jno Mackintosh

Christ Carus Arch Menzies James Macintosh James Blackwood

Danl Thompfon Duncan Clark Rob Stewart Jno Robertfon

Owen McPherfon Rob Stewart Jno Stewart Donald Shaw

Will Turner Malcom Stewart Angus Shaw James Nisbet

Jn Stewart Rob Bruce Fergus Graham Jn Stewart

John Dunbar James mackintosh Jn Kennedy Ro Smith

Frances Hume

Not Under Indenture

Jno Wite Donald Donald Stewart James
Watson
Mackgilsoray

Will Mackilway Dan Macquin Alex Stewart Willm
Maxwell

Alex Mackenzie Will Wright James Stewart Jno Finny

Will Donaldfon Jno Pitello Jno Harris Alex
Ferguson

Frances Betty Patrick Ferguson Adam Chisholm James
Ferguson

Frederick Abbot Jno Jhonfton Wm Finlay James
McKintosh

Alex Bruce James Malcum James Paterson Will
Mackruther

Rob Capland William Stroak David Arnot David
Mackintosh

Jno Peter Jno Michy James Peter Alex Kerr

Alex Wite Lawrence Ferguson Jno Ogilvy Rob
Menzies

Owen Davidfon Jno Donaldson James Watson James
Urqhuart

Malcom
Macknaughtan Wm Noble Alex Kid Jo Brown

James Robertfon Rob Grant James Lindsey Geo Lawder

David Mitchel Rob Anderfon James Johnson James
Murray

Silvester Prophet Rob Duncan Jno Shaw Wm Lyon

Jno Glendening James Ray Jno Abercromby Jno Burns

Geo Marjoribanks Rob Robertson Rob Stewart Alex Carr

Tho Allen Jno Mundell Pat Stewart Jno
Mackintosh

Alex Watt Hugh Cane Jno Stewart Willm Dun

James Wood Charles Henderfon Willm Cruster Rob Carr

Will Martin Alexander Stewart Jno Rutherford

Virginia: By his Majesty's Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief
of
this Dominion: These are to certify that the above Lift of one
hundred and
Twelve Rebel Prisoners, Imported into this Colony in the Ship
Elizabeth &
Anne, of Liverpool, Edward Trafford mafter, was taken (by my order)
upon the
arrival of the faid Ship in York River by the officer of the Cuftoms
there,
and contains the Names of all the Pifoners Imported in the s'd ship &
that
besides the said one hundred & twelve persons, the Mafter did Report
that
one other Prisoner by name Duncan Mackfale died at sea, which upon
Examination of the other Prisoners appeared to be true-- Given under
by Hand
at Williamsburgh this 14th day of January 1716.

Deposition of James Urquhart, one of the prisoners brought to
Virginia in
the ship Elizabeth & Anne from Liverpool: giving account of the means
by
which a number of fellow prisoners were allowed, by the Master of the
veffel, to escape at the Cove of Cork and elsewhere - That he himself
had
bargained for his liberty by agreeing to give the officers of the
ship a
certain sum of money in guineas, a watch and a "stone ring" but being
in
irons, the Captain was afraid the noise incident to striking them
off, might
excite suspicion on the part of the other officers .........

This is sworn to before Nash: Harrison & Ed: Berkley

Deposition of Thomas Forster, giving same account as the above: also
of Wm
Lyon to the same effect ..........

Unto his Excellencie Coll Spotiswood Governour of Virginia --- The
humble
representation of the Gentlemen, and others, Prisoners transported
aboard
the Elizabeth & Ann of Liverpoole from Brittain to York in Virginia --
-
Whereas, perfuant to the orders of the Government wee are brought to
this
place, which as is humblie conceited is all that in Law wee are
obleidged to
perform --- Notwithstanding to our great surprife wee were not only
before
our comeing off from Liverpoole, but ever Since our arrivall in this
Country, are menaced and threatened to be bound in a fervitude of a
certain
number of years, yea and a good many of us already actuallie dispofed
off.
And all this to make up a Summ of money for Sr Thomas Johnston,
Parliament
man for Liverpool ( who pretends a right to us) and some other Merch
concerned with him in this matter ----- Wherefore wee are obleidged
to apply
ourfelves in all submiffivenes to your Excellencie for Justice,
seeing wee
hunblie imagine that upon our being transported to this place, the
intent of
the Goverment to be fulfilled, and no more lyable to any furder
punifhment,
since by the known laws of Brittain, not only in the reign of the
late King
Charles, but more particularlie extended, ratified and aproven in the
eight
year of the late King William, that even in cafes of treafon and
Rebellion,
no man can be transported out of the Kingdome, unles he be first
Judiciallie
convict of the crime, and likewife give his free confent to the
transportation in open Court. Fare leff can any British Subject,
without
consenting thereto, be sold or obleidged to ferve for any space of
years
unles the former Laws were either altogether abrogate or the effect
of them
suspended for a certain time -- neither of which as wee conceive can
here be
pretended --- Wee are all of us now taken from aboard the Ship, and
the
remaining part of us imprifoned in York town (where our entertainment
is but
verry ordinary) except seven or eight of our number, who each of them
payed
the Mafter of the ship, five guineas for their pafsage, who are still
detained aboard, upon what designe wee conceive not, only two of that
number
excepted, John Stewart and William Maxwell, who upon Sunday laft were
carried from aboard, and taken up the river upon what defigne wee
know not,
It is therefore hoped your Excellencie will consider our prefent
circumstances and give fuch orders for our liberation as in Justice
you
shall see fitt, or be pleafed to call one or two of our number before
you
and hear us upon the subject ----

Copied from Calendar of Virginia State Papers and Other Manuscripts
1652 -
1781 Preserved in the Capitol at Richmond Volume I 1875 Contributed
by Phyl
Vance

In Patent Book #18 in Goochland Co., VA there is record of a Land
Patent to Sylvester from King George II. "Sylvester Prophet, 300
acres Goochland Co. on the E Branch of the Byrd and N side of the
James River, adjoining Martin DUNCAN, George SOUTHERLAND, JOHNSON,
and John GODBEE" 16 June 1738
On 19 March 1738 Sylvester sold 150 acres of land to Mary BASHETT and
her son John TUGGLE for 11 pounds lawful money of Virginia.
On 19 March 1743 Sylvester bought Messauge Plantation containing 100
acres from Martin DUNCAN for 10 pounds.
Records show that Sylvester worked for other men and was paid in
tobacco. May 1744, 150 pounds of tobacco from Charles TONEY for 6
days work; March 1746, 400 pounds of tobacco from Michael HOLLAND for
15 days work; August 1761, 225 pounds of tobacco from James GRESHAM
for 9 days work.
On 7 April 1763 Joseph GRESHAM of Albemarle Co. bought 100 acres of
land from Sylvester for 20 pounds.

In Goochland Co. Historical Society Magazine Vol 8 #2 (Autumn 1976)
P. 15 is found the following:
Road to be cleared: Ordered that a road to be cleared from
Horseley's Bridge to the new bridge at Little Licking Hole Creek.
Arthur HOPKINS is appointed surveyor therof and the tithables of
Arthur HOPKINS, John MOSEBY, Martin DUNCAN, George SOUTHERLAND,
Sylvester Prophet, Thomas WHARTON, and John RICHARDS are ordered to
assist in clearing the same. 21 January 1734 O.S. p. 315

Will made 21 October 1766, probated 21 April 1767.
Sylvester's will:
In the Name of God Amen I Sylvester Prophet being Now very sick and
weak, Tho of Sound Memory and in proper Sences Do make and ordain
this my last will and Testament- Firstly I Recommend My Soul to God
who Gave it me, hoping by his Goodness And Mercy to Change a Life of
Misery to a State of Bliss My Body will be Left to the Discresion of
my Executors who I hope will see me Dacently Intard, at the Expence
of whats Requird out of what is Left In the lands My desire is after
my Just Debts be paid That my beloved wife Alice Prophet Shall have
the plantation whereon I now Live During her Natural Life, and that
she shall have five pounds Cash my mare Saddle and Bridle and all my
stock also one Bed and firniture and my Great Coat. The stock Lent
During as aforesaid.
Item I give and bequeath to my son James Prophet five pounds Cash.
Item I give and bequeath to my son David Prophet five pounds Cash.
Item I give and bequeath To my son John prophet my Land and Stock
after his Mothers Death also I give him my Coat and Jacket and a pair
of Stockings.
Item I give and bequeath to my son William Prophet Fourty
shillings.
Item I give and bequeath to my Daughter Ann Emmery five pounds.
Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Lucy Macormack five pounds.
Item I give and bequeath to my Grand Daughter Susan Hopper my Bed
and Furniture which I now Lie on.
Item I give all the Remainder of my Cloths to my Grandson David
Hopper.
I apoint my friend James Gresham and William Prophet to be my
Executors
And This I acknowledge to be my Last will and Testament Revoking all
other wills by me heretofore maid in witness whereof I have hereunto
Set my hand and seal this 21 Day of October In the Year of our Lord
God one thousand seven hundred and sixty six.
Signed and sealed in the presents of
James Gresham
Sylvestor Prophet
James Gresham Juner
his mark & Seal

At a Court held for Goochland County April the 21 1767
James Gresham & James Gresham Jun. proved this writing to be this the
last will & Testament of Silvestor Prophet dec. which was thereupon
ordered to be Recorded

Teste.

Val Woodward ()

Copies of Elizabeth and Ann passenger list, land grant, TUGGLE deed,
GRESHAM deed, and Sylvester's will are on file.

Data on descendants taken from Winch Genealogical Database, Edenfield
Genealogical Database, Smokey Mountain Kin, Sandie McBRIDE, and
Lorene Proffitt.

Sylvester's name may have been PROUDFOOT. This was probably changed
to Prophet/Proffitt by his English guards, or he may have changed it
to protect his family in Scotland.


Extracted from John Intorcio's (John@Intorcio.org) GEDCOM database at http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?db=jintorcio

Birth	Abt 1698	Perth, Scotland
Marriage	Bet 1722 and 1724	Henrico Co., Va - Alice Pleasant
Death	10 Apr 1767	Goochland Co., Va
Alt name		Sylvester Prophet

Spouse	Alice Pleasant (1698 - 1771)
Child	Rev. John Proffitt (1727 - 1814)
Child	Lucy Proffitt (1725 - 1758)
Child	David Proffitt (1730 - 1803)
Child	William Proffitt (1732 - 1812)
Child	James Proffitt (1734 - )
Child	Anne Proffitt (1736 - )
Child	Elizabeth Proffitt (1738 - )