I apologise if I’m not always speedy in answering my Pryor emails and comments on the website. I received a comment that relates to the post Harris Pryor and Roane County, TN Pryors (January 11, 2011). It’s time to take another look at the Pryors in Roane and Anderson Counties and to assess their relationships.
The writer is looking for the mother of Pleasant Miller Freels. Turns out that Pleasant is the grandson of Samuel Pryor whose estate was administered in 1815 in Anderson County, TN. At the time of the estate Frances Pryor posted bond and Edward Freels was security. The researcher provided reference to an 1846 Roane County court case that involved Pleasant M. Freels and Harris Pryor, referring to Pleasant as Samuel Pryor’s grandson.
I’ve added census extractions that include Pleasant Miller Freels to the TN Pryor website (Anderson County and Roane County).
The same writer also referred to a 1927 article about Harris Pryor (read more in “A Fishing Trip”). It discusses four children that the single Harris Pryor cared for: Jane (Lockett), Fanny (Hudson), Bill Lockett, and Pleasant Freels. Harris Pryor’s 1847 will states that Jane Pryor Lockett and Frances “Fanny” Pryor Hudson were Harris’ nieces. Harris’ mother Frances Pryor pre-deceased him. In her 1846 will she refers to her son Harris Pryor, so it’s likely that she is the grandmother of Jane and Fanny.
When Samuel Pryor died in 1815, Fanny Pryor was the estate administrator and then in 1827 Fanny, William Pryor along with Harris Pryor posted additional bond. It’s possible that this is the same William Pryor who was named on several land deeds in Roane County. William’s first deed was in 1808 on Poplar Creek. He was named in deeds as late as 1817 mentioning land on Poplar Creek. When Fanny died in 1846, her will states her land was on Poplar Creek. It’s likely that Harris Pryor was living on his mother’s land when he was counted on the 1830 census– there’s an older female in his household who is probably Fanny and he was counted near John Rector and Rector is named with William Pryor in a 1811 Roane County deed.
The real “AH HA!” moment was in the Chancery Court Records
1839 Chancery Court Case
Filed about 1839 in Cumberland County, VA
Executor of Robert M Bondurant v
Executor of Robert Ferguson, et al
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Page 61 – Robert Ferguson has also departed this life having first duly published his last will and testament of which Jno W. Wilson of the County of Cumberland is executor – that by the said will Nancy Ferguson of said County the widow of said. Robert and Boler Blackburn and Lucy his wife, formerly Lucy Ferguson —– Stone and Elizabeth his wife formerly Ferguson (and which said Lucy and Elizabeth are the only children and heirs of John Ferguson deceased), Frances Pryor, Alcey Lockett, Berry Hudson and Polly his wife, Harris Pryor and William Pryor which said Alcey, Polly, Harris and William are children of the said Frances Pryor), Lucy Reynolds, Robert Reynolds, Thomas Reynolds, William Roberts and Mary his wife, formerly Mary Reynolds, harry Ames and Ellizabeth his wife, Samuel Hughes and Fanny his wife and Seymore Reynolds (the said Robert, Thomas, Mary, Elizabeth, Fanny and Seymour, are children of the said Lucy Reynolds) are entitled to that portion of the said 192 acres of land which the said testator Robert Ferguson bought as aforesaid of the said Thomas B. Randolph.
I now suspect Samuel and Fanny’s family to look something like this
Fanny (Ferguson?) Pryor born 1771-1780, married to Samuel Pryor
children:
Harris Pryor born 1801-1810, d. 1846 (Fanny’s will state’s he was her son), he never married.
William Pryor born 1801-1810 He’s on the 1830 Census in Anderson Co., TN.
Ailsey (Alice?) Pryor Lockett b. 1800, mother of Jane Lockett, possibly also the mother of Bill Lockett. Married to Benjamin Lockett.
Mary “Polly” Pryor Hudson born 1801-1810, d. about 1837, mother of Fanny Hudson, married to Berry Hudson.
Mr Pryor married to Rebecca born 1801-1810, Rebecca is on the 1830 & 1840 Census in Anderson Co., TN.
Miss Pryor married to Edward Freels, mother of Pleasant Miller Freels
