Individual Details
Archibald PRATER Iº
(1755 - 10 Aug 1831)
He built Praters Fort which later became Salyersville, Ky
We are still reseaching Archibald and his brother Jonathan who enlisted together in the Rev. War in Henry Co., VA. on 11 Sept., 1780. It has been suggested that his parents were Thomas Prater and Joice Allen. It has also been suggested that his parents were Jonathan Prather & Elizabeth Cresap. It has also been suggested that he is the son of Philomen Gittens Prater & Margery Hunt.......... I do not believe this one is correct. Additonal research is required....... but I am more inclined to believe that Jonathan Prater and Elizabeth Cresap are his parents....... but it is NOT proven! GBP
March 26, 1997 -- The current theory as to Archibald's parents is Jonathan Prater and Elizabeth Cresap Prater. NOTE!!! THIS IS ONLY A THEORY AT THIS TIME.
From the Journal of the Magoffin County Historical Society VOL 1 Sept. 1979 No. 3 "FAMILY OF ARCHIBALD PRATER OF FLOYD COUNTY" Contributed by Martha Heinemann 705 N. Belverdere Memphis, TN 38107-5029
Many articles have been written about Archibald and Sarah Fugate Prater and their descendants. None have contained records of the Praters in Virginia although they lived there for 47 years. Public records which must be searched in order to trace the family of Archibald Prater are located in six Virginia counties, Halifax, Pittsylvania, Henry, Chesterfield, Washington, and Russell. Evidence collected so far indicates that Archibald Prater moved his residence only once - from the vicinity of Patrick and Henry Counties, Virginia, to the area which is now Tazewell County, Virginia. In 1755 when Archibald was born, Halifax County was very large. In 1766 Pittsylvania County was cut off from it. Then in 1776 Henry County was formed from part of Pittsylvania. Still later after the Praters had left the area, Patrick County was created from part of Henry. Washington County was also quite large at one time. In 1787 Russell County as formed from part of Washington, and in 1799 Tazewell County was created from the northern part of Russell.
I have included references to the Allen, Musick, and Fugate families because they migrated westward along the same route and intermarried with the Praters. Names are spelled as they were found in the individual records.
Archibald Prater, pioneer settler of Floyd County, resided near Salyersville in present-day Magoffin County. His wife was Sarah Fugate, daughter of Josiah and Elizabeth Fugate. Proof of Sarah's parents may be found in Floyd County, KY Deed book C, 413, and in the will of Josiah Fugate, which is recorded in Rails Co, MO. The names of the parents of Archibald Prater were not known [at the time of this article, but later theories suggest Thomas Prater and Josie Allen Prater or possibly Jonathan Prater and Elizabeth Cresap Prater??]
Since Pittsylvania Co had not been created from Halifax when these men were born, they probably were born in that part of Halifax which became Pittsylvania and still later Henry Co. The Statutes of the Legislature of Virginia (Hening's Statutes) contain a list of payments to residents of Halifax Co in Sept 1758, mostly for service in the militia, for hire of horses, of for provisions. On the list are Nehemiah and Ningum (Ninyon, Ninian) Prater.
In the County Court Orders of Pittsylvania Co the following names were found: 1767- Nehemiah Prater, 1768- William Prater, 1773- Nehemiah Prater, and 1778- Ninian Prater. In 1766 land was surveyed for Elexious Musick. Those names appeared later in personal property lists of Henry Co, Va: 1778 - Nehemiah, Archibald, Jonathan, and Ninion Prater ("Minar" may have been Nehemiah. His name was sometimes written "Miah."). 1780 - Nehemiah, Jonathan, William, Ninian, and Archibald Prater.
During the period the names of Samuel Allen and Elexious Musick were on the lists. In Henry Co marriage records is the marriage of Sarah Prater to Simon [actually Samuel] Allen 17 Sept 1783. Soon after Archibald Prater was discharged from the service, He moved to Washington Co Va, settling in an area which is now Tazewell Co. This is proved by a land survey recorded in Russell Co. Elexious Musick entered 153 3/4 acres of land in Washington Co by warrant dated 1782. The land later lay in Russell Co and finally in Tazewell Co as these counties were established. The 1782 description of the land says that the property extended "to the line of Arch Prater." The property was located near Ceder Bluff in Present day Tazewell Co, Va.
A 1783 survey of land in Washington Co shows that Johnathan Preter acquired 110 acres on the North Fork of the Clinch River. Marriage records of Washington County include these: Thomas Prater to Millie Wheeler 27 May 1778 and William Prator to Elizabeth Fuget 26 April 1785. A 1785 Washington Co petition asking that Russell Co be formed bore the signatures Josiah, James, John, Coleby, and Zachariah Fugate; Arch, Jonathan, Thomas, and William Prater; and Elexious Musick. After Russell Co established, the names of the Praters and related families appeared there. The 1787 personal property tax list for the upper district contained the names of James, Josiah and Randolph Fugate and Arch, Jonathan, and William Prater. In 1792 Jonathan Prater's name was on the Russell Co land tax list. The entry said "Jonathan Prater, assignee of E. Musick, 100 acres." The Russell Co Court Order Book for this period confirms that Jonathan Prater died in 1795.
In 1795 Samuel Allen appeared in Russell Co. He was one of the signers asking that Tazewell Co be formed from part of Russell. The name of Archibald Prater was on the personal property tax list of Russell Co, Va, as late as 1799. According to the 1850 census of Floyd Co, his daughter Nancy was born in Va. about 1802 and his daughter Celia was born in KY in 1807. Therefore the family must have moved from Ky. to Va. between 1802 and 1807. The family of Archibald Prater was enumerated in the 1810 Census of Floyd Co. Also present in the county was Sarah Allen, the widow of Samuel Allen. William Allen, born ca 1783 in Patrick Co Va, son of Sarah and Samuel Allen, died in Breathit Co in 1854. James W. Prater, who moved from Tazewell Co VA to Morgan Co, KY sometime during the period 1840 - 1850, died in Morgan Co in 1855. His death records show he was born ca 1782 in Tazewell Co, VA son of Jonathan and Elizabeth Prater. Archibald Prater died in Floyd Co ca 1831. His will, which is now missing from the court house files, was proved in Floyd Co Court 15 August 1831. In Jan 1832, Lewis Power, Archibald's son-in-law, was made administrator of the estate. In Feb 1834, Floyd Co Deed Book C, Page 427, the other heirs of Archibald sold land to Lewis Power:
"John Prater, William Prater, Thomas Prater, Elijah Prater, Archibald Prater, Sally P. Simore or Sizemore or P'Siner, William Patrick, Hugh Patrick, and David M. Cooper of the Counties of Morgan, Floyd, and Nicholas, Kentucky To Lewis Power." The body of the deed mentions "the heirs of James Prater, deceased.
In Floyd and Pike Counties there are Praters who are not descendants of Archibald Prater. We suspect, but cannot prove, that some of these people are descendants of Jonathan Prater, who was born in 1758 and died in 1795. Others may be descended from William and Thomas Prater who were in Washington Co, VA about 1785.
[Martha acknowledges the assistance of Alice Patrick Reynolds, as descendant of Archibald Prater, who furnished family Bible records and other references. Thanks also to Connie Arnett Wireman who verified references at the Floyd Co Court House.]
[I apologize for any errors I may have inserted into this article by Martha Heinemann... they were the result of fumble fingers! psw 10/96]
It has been suggested that his parents were Thomas Prater and Joice Allen.
It has also been suggested that his parents were Jonathan Prather & Elizabeth Cresap. It has also been suggested that he is the son of Philomen Gittens Prater & Margery Hunt.......... I do not believe this one is correct. Additonal research is required....... but I am more inclined to believe that Jonathan Prater and Elizabeth Cresap are his parents....... but it is NOT proven! 2/1997 GBP
We are still reseaching Archibald and his brother Jonathan who enlisted together in the Rev. War in Henry Co., VA. on 11 Sept., 1780. It has been suggested that his parents were Thomas Prater and Joice Allen. It has also been suggested that his parents were Jonathan Prather & Elizabeth Cresap. It has also been suggested that he is the son of Philomen Gittens Prater & Margery Hunt.......... I do not believe this one is correct. Additonal research is required....... but I am more inclined to believe that Jonathan Prater and Elizabeth Cresap are his parents....... but it is NOT proven! GBP
March 26, 1997 -- The current theory as to Archibald's parents is Jonathan Prater and Elizabeth Cresap Prater. NOTE!!! THIS IS ONLY A THEORY AT THIS TIME.
From the Journal of the Magoffin County Historical Society VOL 1 Sept. 1979 No. 3 "FAMILY OF ARCHIBALD PRATER OF FLOYD COUNTY" Contributed by Martha Heinemann 705 N. Belverdere Memphis, TN 38107-5029
Many articles have been written about Archibald and Sarah Fugate Prater and their descendants. None have contained records of the Praters in Virginia although they lived there for 47 years. Public records which must be searched in order to trace the family of Archibald Prater are located in six Virginia counties, Halifax, Pittsylvania, Henry, Chesterfield, Washington, and Russell. Evidence collected so far indicates that Archibald Prater moved his residence only once - from the vicinity of Patrick and Henry Counties, Virginia, to the area which is now Tazewell County, Virginia. In 1755 when Archibald was born, Halifax County was very large. In 1766 Pittsylvania County was cut off from it. Then in 1776 Henry County was formed from part of Pittsylvania. Still later after the Praters had left the area, Patrick County was created from part of Henry. Washington County was also quite large at one time. In 1787 Russell County as formed from part of Washington, and in 1799 Tazewell County was created from the northern part of Russell.
I have included references to the Allen, Musick, and Fugate families because they migrated westward along the same route and intermarried with the Praters. Names are spelled as they were found in the individual records.
Archibald Prater, pioneer settler of Floyd County, resided near Salyersville in present-day Magoffin County. His wife was Sarah Fugate, daughter of Josiah and Elizabeth Fugate. Proof of Sarah's parents may be found in Floyd County, KY Deed book C, 413, and in the will of Josiah Fugate, which is recorded in Rails Co, MO. The names of the parents of Archibald Prater were not known [at the time of this article, but later theories suggest Thomas Prater and Josie Allen Prater or possibly Jonathan Prater and Elizabeth Cresap Prater??]
Since Pittsylvania Co had not been created from Halifax when these men were born, they probably were born in that part of Halifax which became Pittsylvania and still later Henry Co. The Statutes of the Legislature of Virginia (Hening's Statutes) contain a list of payments to residents of Halifax Co in Sept 1758, mostly for service in the militia, for hire of horses, of for provisions. On the list are Nehemiah and Ningum (Ninyon, Ninian) Prater.
In the County Court Orders of Pittsylvania Co the following names were found: 1767- Nehemiah Prater, 1768- William Prater, 1773- Nehemiah Prater, and 1778- Ninian Prater. In 1766 land was surveyed for Elexious Musick. Those names appeared later in personal property lists of Henry Co, Va: 1778 - Nehemiah, Archibald, Jonathan, and Ninion Prater ("Minar" may have been Nehemiah. His name was sometimes written "Miah."). 1780 - Nehemiah, Jonathan, William, Ninian, and Archibald Prater.
During the period the names of Samuel Allen and Elexious Musick were on the lists. In Henry Co marriage records is the marriage of Sarah Prater to Simon [actually Samuel] Allen 17 Sept 1783. Soon after Archibald Prater was discharged from the service, He moved to Washington Co Va, settling in an area which is now Tazewell Co. This is proved by a land survey recorded in Russell Co. Elexious Musick entered 153 3/4 acres of land in Washington Co by warrant dated 1782. The land later lay in Russell Co and finally in Tazewell Co as these counties were established. The 1782 description of the land says that the property extended "to the line of Arch Prater." The property was located near Ceder Bluff in Present day Tazewell Co, Va.
A 1783 survey of land in Washington Co shows that Johnathan Preter acquired 110 acres on the North Fork of the Clinch River. Marriage records of Washington County include these: Thomas Prater to Millie Wheeler 27 May 1778 and William Prator to Elizabeth Fuget 26 April 1785. A 1785 Washington Co petition asking that Russell Co be formed bore the signatures Josiah, James, John, Coleby, and Zachariah Fugate; Arch, Jonathan, Thomas, and William Prater; and Elexious Musick. After Russell Co established, the names of the Praters and related families appeared there. The 1787 personal property tax list for the upper district contained the names of James, Josiah and Randolph Fugate and Arch, Jonathan, and William Prater. In 1792 Jonathan Prater's name was on the Russell Co land tax list. The entry said "Jonathan Prater, assignee of E. Musick, 100 acres." The Russell Co Court Order Book for this period confirms that Jonathan Prater died in 1795.
In 1795 Samuel Allen appeared in Russell Co. He was one of the signers asking that Tazewell Co be formed from part of Russell. The name of Archibald Prater was on the personal property tax list of Russell Co, Va, as late as 1799. According to the 1850 census of Floyd Co, his daughter Nancy was born in Va. about 1802 and his daughter Celia was born in KY in 1807. Therefore the family must have moved from Ky. to Va. between 1802 and 1807. The family of Archibald Prater was enumerated in the 1810 Census of Floyd Co. Also present in the county was Sarah Allen, the widow of Samuel Allen. William Allen, born ca 1783 in Patrick Co Va, son of Sarah and Samuel Allen, died in Breathit Co in 1854. James W. Prater, who moved from Tazewell Co VA to Morgan Co, KY sometime during the period 1840 - 1850, died in Morgan Co in 1855. His death records show he was born ca 1782 in Tazewell Co, VA son of Jonathan and Elizabeth Prater. Archibald Prater died in Floyd Co ca 1831. His will, which is now missing from the court house files, was proved in Floyd Co Court 15 August 1831. In Jan 1832, Lewis Power, Archibald's son-in-law, was made administrator of the estate. In Feb 1834, Floyd Co Deed Book C, Page 427, the other heirs of Archibald sold land to Lewis Power:
"John Prater, William Prater, Thomas Prater, Elijah Prater, Archibald Prater, Sally P. Simore or Sizemore or P'Siner, William Patrick, Hugh Patrick, and David M. Cooper of the Counties of Morgan, Floyd, and Nicholas, Kentucky To Lewis Power." The body of the deed mentions "the heirs of James Prater, deceased.
In Floyd and Pike Counties there are Praters who are not descendants of Archibald Prater. We suspect, but cannot prove, that some of these people are descendants of Jonathan Prater, who was born in 1758 and died in 1795. Others may be descended from William and Thomas Prater who were in Washington Co, VA about 1785.
[Martha acknowledges the assistance of Alice Patrick Reynolds, as descendant of Archibald Prater, who furnished family Bible records and other references. Thanks also to Connie Arnett Wireman who verified references at the Floyd Co Court House.]
[I apologize for any errors I may have inserted into this article by Martha Heinemann... they were the result of fumble fingers! psw 10/96]
It has been suggested that his parents were Thomas Prater and Joice Allen.
It has also been suggested that his parents were Jonathan Prather & Elizabeth Cresap. It has also been suggested that he is the son of Philomen Gittens Prater & Margery Hunt.......... I do not believe this one is correct. Additonal research is required....... but I am more inclined to believe that Jonathan Prater and Elizabeth Cresap are his parents....... but it is NOT proven! 2/1997 GBP
Events
| Birth | 1755 | Halifax Co., VA |  | ||
| Military | Bet 1780 and 1782 | Rev. War | | ||
| Marriage | 11 Aug 1783 | Montgomery Co., VA - Sarah Martha "Sally" FUGATE | |||
| Census | 1790 | Russell Co., VA | |||
| Will | 9 Feb 1831 | Floyd Co., KY | | ||
| Death | 10 Aug 1831 | Magoffin Co., KY | | ||
| Probate | 15 Aug 1831 | Floyd Co., KY | | ||
| Burial | Archibald Prater Cemetery, Magoffin Co., KY |  |
Families
| Spouse | Sarah Martha "Sally" FUGATE (1763 - 1832) |
| Child | John Lewis PRATER (1785 - 1856) |
| Child | William B. PRATER (1787 - 1880) |
| Child | Elizabeth Martha PRATER (1791 - 1876) |
| Child | Thomas [Neamiah] PRATER (1793 - 1857) |
| Child | Archibald PRATER II (1794 - 1885) |
| Child | Rev. Elijah PRATER (1795 - 1839) |
| Child | James Meridith PRATER (1796 - 1830) |
| Child | Sarah Elizabeth "Sally" PRATER (1797 - 1882) |
| Child | Nancy PRATER (1802 - 1880) |
| Child | Dorcas PRATER (1805 - ) |
| Child | Celia Sarah PRATER (1807 - 1844) |
| Child | Mary Jane PRATER (1808 - 1880) |
| Child | Josiah PRATER (1810 - 1830) |
| Father | Jonathan PRATHER (1728 - 1801) |
| Mother | Elizabeth CRESAP (1728 - 1826) |
| Sibling | Nehemiah PRATHER (1749 - 1780) |
| Sibling | Glatha PRATHER (1750 - ) |
| Sibling | William 'Thomas' PRATHER (1750 - 1796) |
| Sibling | Jonathan "John" PRATHER (1758 - 1832) |
| Sibling | William PRATHER (1760 - 1813) |
| Sibling | Nancy Elizabeth PRATHER (1765 - 1830) |
Notes
Birth
From gravestone.Military
Enlistment in VA Militia records 11 Sep 1780.Will
Will:Floyd Co, KY 9 Feb 1831 --"I, Archibald Prater of the County an State aforesaid, being weak in body but of sound mind, being well-stricken in years and in bad health, seeing that I am about to go the way of all the earth, I feel it my duty to resign my body to the grave & my spirit to the God who gave it. As to my estate both real and personal, at my death I wish it disposed of in the following manner, viz: To my son, John $1; my son William $1; daughter Elizabeth $1; son Thomas $1; son Archibald $1; son Elijah $1; son James $1; daughter Sally $1; daughter Nancy $1; daughter Celia $1; daughter Mary $1; son Josiah $1; the balance, both real & personal, I bequeath to my dearly beloved wife, Sally, and at her death, if my son Josiah is alive, I wish him put in the hands of my son Thomas as long as he lives. Also will & bequeath son Thomas 2 shares of all my estate; also to Elijah Prater & Isodore and James Picklesimer, my grandchildren, sons of daughter Sallie, I will them each $50 to be paid out of estate. The balanceof my estate, after all debts are paid, I wish to be divided among all the rest of my children with the exception of son Josiah. I don't want him to have any of my estate. Only the $1 aforementioned."In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my hand and seal this the day and date forst above written in the presence of
William H. Prater
Robert Prater Archibald Prater SEAL
Elijah Prater
Death
Gravestone shows just 1831.Probate
The forgoing will of Archibald Prater is recorded in Will Book II Page ( ) Floyd County (Kentucky) records, August term, 1831
Floyd County court August Term 1831
The last will and testament of Archibald Prater deceased was this day produced in open court and proven by the oath of William B. Prater and Elijah Prater, two of the subscribing witnesses thereto which is ordered to be recorded, which is accordingly done.
A copy attest: Jacob Mayo, C.F.C.C.
Endnotes
1. From: Find-A-Grave Online, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=14195068.