Can we solve another Pryor mystery?
There are at least 3 descendants of Matthew Pryor who migrated from North Carolina and settled in Marion County, Tennessee who have done the latest DNA testing to confirm their relationship. For one of them the results were quite a surprise because their family name wasn’t Pryor at all! I’ve received some terrific photos and a request for help from this researcher.
Her ancestor Charlie Finley (or Findley) was born January 15, 1880 in Wright County, MO. His parents are unknown. Although he was born before the date of the 1880 Census, Charlie Finley has not yet been found on the census. Family folklore is that Charlie went to live with Erasmus Findley after his parents died. Erasmus is on the 1870 and 1880 Census in Wright Co. In 1870 Helen McCain Pryor, widow of Philip Pryor, and her sons were also living in Wright County, MO. However other than knowing they were kin to Matthew Pryor of Marion County, TN, it is unknown how or if Philip’s children were connected to Charlie Finley.
An interesting little piece of information: William Pryor, son of Matthew Pryor of Marion Co., TN was living in Finley Township, Greene Co., MO in 1850. Is this clue to the connection of the Pryors and the Finleys?
Charlie migrated from MO to Texas. He was counted on the 1900 Census in Red River County, TX:
Pct. 2., page 61b, John W. Dowell Sept 1866 33 TN MO TN
Martha wife Feb 1871 29 MS MS MS
Velma dau Sep 1891 8 TX
William son May 1894 6 TX
May dau Sep 1896 3 TX
Charlie Finley laborer Jan 1880 20 AR IA MO
Charlie married Minnie Maud Dowell on 24 Oct. 1900 in Red River Co., TX. Charlie and his family were counted on the 1910 and 1920 Census in the same county. His children were named Chester Guy, Opal, Ira, Charles, Ida
