Pryor Wills – Ezra, Mildred, and William of Halifax County, NC

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virginia and north carolina map

Click on map to view larger (Map courtesy Ancestry.com)

Maps really help in figuring out the Pryors.  I like this map of North Carolina because it shows neighboring counties in Virginia and South Carolina. I added my own Photoshop flair to 2 areas of the map that intrigue me when it comes migrations of Pryor families.

The map shows the proximity of Pittsylvania County, VA and Rockingham County, VA. (read more about Rockingham/Pittsylvania Pryor connections). Brunswick County, VA is also in close proximity to Halifax County, NC — the surnames Pryor, Lane, and Mabry can be found in both counties.

Transcription of the Will of Ezra Pryor, 1830 Halifax County, NC

In the name of God Amen. I Ezra Pryor being infirm in body, but possessing sound mind have concluded to make this my last will and testament. I wish my body decently interred at the discretion of my friends, my soul I recommend to God. I will and bequeath unto my beloved wife Mildred Pryor, the following property viz all my Negroes, all my stock of horses, cattle, sheep, and hogs, likewise all my carriages, and all my plantation utensils of every kind. Household and kitchen furniture and one thousand dollars, I also loan to my beloved wife during her natural life or widowhood the following tract of land commencing a the run of Bear Swamp where Harts Meadow Branch empties into said Swamp thence running west until it intersects a small Branch thence up the said Branch until it forks, thence up the left prong of said Branch to the head thence a west course (so as to miss the plantation) until it intersects the main run of Butterwood Creek. Thence down the meanders of said Creek to Bear Swamp thence up Bear Swamp to the Bridge across said Swamp. Thence on East course along William Harvey‘s line to the mouth of the long ditch at the Gate thence up said ditch until it intersects Hart’s Meadow Branch, thence down said Branch to the first station. I loan to my father William Pryor and his wife Nancy Pryor and Mrs. Susan Elmore all the tract of land that I own on Rocky Swamp, during their natural lives. I loan to Negroes George and Grace the tract of Land on which they now live adjoining the Lands of Charles Isles and others during their natural lives then to be equally divided between my three children Martha R. Pryor, Mary G. Pryor, and Eliza A. Pryor but in the event of either of my children’s dying before they arrive to the lawful age or marry it is my will that the two surviving ones inherit the property of the deceased and likewise if a second should died it is my will that the surviving one shall inherit the property. I constitute and appoint my Father William Pryor and my wife Mildred Pryor my Executors and Executrix. September 6th A. D. 1830
Witness
W W Thorne
Wm Price
John Knight

Signed Ezra Pryor [seal}
State of North Carolina, Halifax County
Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions 3rd Monday of November 1830
Then this last will and Testament of Ezra Pryor was exhibited in open Court and duly proved by the oaths of Wm Price and William W. Thorne two subscribing witnesses thereto and on motion it was ordered to be recorded. Whereupon, Mildred Pryor, the Executrix therein named came forward to qualified thereto
Teste
M. H. Pettaway, Clerk

Halifax County, NC Wills, 1825-1854, Vol. 04 [FamilySearch.org image 81]

Transcription of the Will of Mildred E. Pryor, 1834 Halifax County, NC

In the name of God amen:
I Mildred E. Pryor of the County of Halifax State of No. Carolina being of sound and disposing mind, but feeble in body, make and ordain this as my last will and Testament. Item-1st. I leave all my Household and kitchen furniture to be equally divided between my two daughters Mary R. Powell and Martha R. Brinkley. Item–2nd. I leave all the balance of my Estate consisting principally of money and slaves to John Powell in trust for the benefit of the children of his present wife my daughter Mary G. Powell. Item 3rd. I nominate and appoint John Powell executor to this my Last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 13th day of August 1834.
Mildred E. Pryor {seal}
Witness.
S. Clanton
Kinchin Deckin?
State of North Carolina
Halifax County
Court of pleas and Quarter sessions
November term 1834
Then the foregoing paper —–? was offered for Probate in open court and duly proved by the Oath of Kinchin Decken a subscribing witness thereto and on motion ordered to be recorded whereupon John Powell the Executor therein named came into Court and was duly qualified as such.
Witness M. H. Pettway clk

Halifax County, NC Wills, 1825-1854, Vol. 04 [FamilySearch.org image 127]

Transcription of the Will of William Pryor, 1836 Halifax County, NC

In the name of god Amen, I William Pryor of the county of Halifax and State of North Carolina being weak in body but of sound but of sound (sic) and perfect mind and memory do this the 19th day of August 1833 make and publish this my last will and Testament in manner following that is to say I leave to my wife and ample (?) support as long as she lives, with same Susan to wait on her she may have bee choice who it may be and at her death I wish the whole of my estate of whatsoever it may be to go to John Powell his heirs and assigns forever and I hereby make and ordain John Powell Executor of this my last will and Testament witness whereof I the said William Pryor have to this my last will and Testament set my hand and seal the day and year above written
witness
Bejamin Crawley
H. D. Crawley
signed
William Pryor
State of No Ca
Halifax County
August 6(?) 1836 then the foregoing two wills was exhibited in open court and the will of Harriet D. Eppes proved by F. L. Marshall an subscribing witness thereto and the will of William Pryor proved by the oath of H. D. Crawley and was ordered to be Recorded.
W H Pettway, Clk.

Halifax County, NC Wills, 1825-1854, Vol. 04 [FamilySearch.org image 154]

Category: North Carolina Pryors | Tags: , ,

Transcription of John Pryor Will – Signed Halifax County, NC 1769

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quillpen1Sifting through various Pryor lines to determine who is connected to my projected line and who isn’t connected. That’s what took me to Halifax County, North Carolina records.  When I looked at the will of John Pryor — husband of Lucretia, father of Luke, John and Elizabeth— and the will was witnessed by William Pryor.

Will of John Pryor, Signed 1769

In the Name of God Amen. I John Pryor of Halifax County Being in Perfect and sound Health and strength of memory thanks be to almighty God for the same do make and Ordain this my Last will and testament in manner and Form following viz first I recommend my soul to Almighty god that gave it hoping thro’ my ever blessed Redeemer to receive Salvation and my body to be Deciently buried at the Discretion of my Exers. herein after mentioned and as for what worldly goods is hath Pleased Almighty god to besto on me. I give and Bequeath in manner and Form Following first I desire all my just Debts be paid. Item my will and desire is that my Negro Peter be sold with all my year’s crop. Crop of corn —? much as my loving wife Lucresa can spar with what stock and household furniture she shall Direct to pay my just Debts. Item I lend to my Loveing wife all my whole estate be it ow what kind so ever During her Natural Life. She raising what money out of my Estate to school my Two children Jno. and Elizabeth and after her decease to be Equally Divided Between by two Children Jno. and Elizabeth. Item I give to my son Luke Pryor one bed, one Desk, three plates to him and his heirs which he hath Now in his possession. Lastly I constitute and Appoint my loving wife Lucresa whole and sole Excx. of this my last will and Testament Revoke all other former wills by me made. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Third day of September 1769.
John Pryor {seal}
Witness
William Pryor
Halifax County —-? May court 1770. Then this will was exhibited in open court and Duly proved by the oat of Wm. Pryor a witness thereto who on his oath did say that he —? the Testator Jno. Pryor signed Published and Declared the same to be his Last Will and Testament and that he subscribed his Name as a witness thereto in the presents of the Testator and his request where upon the said will was ordered to be recorded.
Test. Jos. Montfort, CoC

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Thompson Pryor of Lawrence County, TN

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Thompson Pryor of lawrence county

I found 2 interesting documents from Lawrence County, TN and I think they may shed new light on Thompson Pryor/Prior.  Thompson is probably a son of Richard and Mourning Pryor as there’s a Thompson mentioned as an heir of “Richard Prior” in an indentured filed in 1812 to settle the estate. I suspect the following is an inventory of Thompson Prior, not Thompson “Prics.”**

Decr. 3rd. 1838 Inventory of Thompson Prics decd.
2 plans, 7 head of cattle, from 6 to 13 head of sheep supposed, a Lot of Hogs number unknown, and doubtfull whether the can be got up, 3 beds, Furniture, Bed Steads, one Loom, one table, 3 spinning wheels, 1 Press, one oven, one Pot, one Sad Iron, 1 Farming tools &C some other Small artickles, some corn in the Field, some Fodder, Some wheat
F. Buchanan, Administrator

Then I found an account was filed by Dicey Prior, Thompson’s widow. This account is very odd. It was filed in the September 1843 session of court, yet Dicey had remarried in May 1843 to Payton Manuel (also spelled Peyton). Why was she not referred to by her new married name? I don’t think I’ve ever seen a mother having to present an account of expenses for her children to the court. Were these her’s and Thompson’s children? Has anyone else seen this practice done before?

Sept. Term 1843
Dicy Prior guardian for William J., John A., Martha and Angeline Prior to said Wards
April 5th 1843,
Dr. To cash received on the 5th April 1842 $12.00
To Int. on same 12 months $00.72 $12.72
Cr. by sundry articles bought for said wards and trouble of keeping them $12.72
—————————————
00.00

Finally, I’ve seen that family researchers have a death date for Thompson — 5 Nov 1838. Does anyone know the source of this date?

** There is a Lawrence County will of  a Thomas Price. This will is from 1837 and appears to be a different person that the Thompson Prics… Thomas Price’s executor was John Wasson and names wife Elizabeth and children Rebecca and Samuel who are not names associated with Thompson Pryor.  So I don’t think this is Thompson’s will under yet another misspelling of his name. Thompson Prior/Pryor probably died without a will since F. Buchanan is recorded as an administrator. F. Buchanan is on the 1840 Census living near Tripp families who were Dicey’s family and Thompson Pryor’s in-laws.

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Two Nice Tie Togethers from Williamson Co., TN Probate Records

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photo (14)I was in the Williamson County, TN probate records again, looking for another family I’m researching and I found a couple records on the Pryors.

I was reading through the accounts filed by Henly/Hendley Stone in Williamson County for the care of Green and Peter Pryor, orphans of John Pryor. The 1812 settlement is a list of expenses that make the Pryor boys sound like a couple of dandies.
linen for pantaloons
Latin book, Cicero
2 striped waistcoats
Cash for a 4th of July frolick (yes, it really said frolick!)
Money to go to Nashville
a payment to a singing master… Mr. or Ms. Brown
wool socks and corderoy
3 hanks silk
tuition paid to Blackbourn
Maj. Maury for Peter and Green’s board
Payment of taxes on their land in Wilson County and taxes on land in VA
The expenses were offset by a credit for the rent of slaves: Sukey and her 4 children, Chloe, Hannah and her 4 children, Jude and 3 children, Joe, Sam and George. Rent of land in VA.
Signed April 1813 by N. Perkins Senr. Dan’l. Perkins, Robert McLemore, and Edward Warren.
Williamson County, TN. Inventories. Inventories, Wills, 1811-1818, Vol. B, page 17

The account of 1815 expenses and income is also interesting:

5 pairs of shoes or half boots
Tax on Wilson County land
Expenses for Green to travel to VA and back
Expenses for Green to attend a ball with Agness in Franklin.
Cash to Green to go to Brother Bartons on July 11th
A hat, a ham
Feed for Green’s horse
Cash “when Green started to the Army”
Cash paid to Thos. Reynolds for Green’s gun
Tuition paid to Mr. Blackburn
Peter Pryor to hire of Sam

Any idea what this expense was? Who was William?  I think a half eagle is a gold coin “Nov. To half eagle sent to Green & William to the Army by Maj’r Reed.”

This record answers one of the Pryor riddles and whittles down the number of John Pryors we’re researching. There’s Pryor land on the 1804, 1805, and 1806 Tax Lists for Wilson County, TN. It’s recorded as owned by the heirs of John Prior/Pryor. Hurray, from these records it appears the heirs are Peter and Green Pryor. One less John and now a bushel of new questions for researchers of this line — How did these boys get land in Wilson Co.? Did John receive the land before his death? Was it a military land grant? Did he buy the land?

I like this next record because it nicely connects Peter and Green Pryor to their siblings, the children of Hendley Stone. Hendley Stone’s 1829 will names his children, but not the Pryor boys, so it’s nice to have this record to support the probability that Hendley Stone married Peter and Green’s mother.

HENDLEY STONE Receipt July Session 1817 March 17th 1817. We have received of Hendley Stone our Guardian all the Negroes belonging to us in his posession agreeable to a division made the 15th of Jan. 17999 between us and our mother and on the 11th day of June 1817 we received our part of negroes in full which is our third part, that is three Negreoes namely Stepney, Mar., and Jacob and $75 in cash in full of all demands against H’dly Stone our Guradian, the balance of our mother’s part of Negroes, namely Pat, Jane, Henry, Fanny, Easter, S’l., Simeon, and Sally and their increase is to be equally divided between our 2 sisters Agnes P. Jenkins, Mary M. Stone, and our 2 brothers Alfra Stone and N’s P. Stone, our sister Agnes Jenkins is to leave Easter and Simeon for her part valued to $625 1/6 part of the above named Negroes as witnesses we have hereto set our hands this 11th day of June 1817. Signed Peter Pryor, Green Pryor. Which rcp’t as above recited was produced in C’t. July Session 1817 and ordered to be rec’d.
Williamson County, TN. Inventories, Wills, 1811-1818, Vol. B, page 359

I’m looking at the chart at the top of the page and how George Reynolds is in the middle… does he connect up the Reynolds with the Pryors on the left side of the chart?

George Reynolds, Jr. Dec’d. Account of Sales October Session 1815–
An Invt’y of the sales of the Estate of George Reynolds, Dec’d, made Aug 5 1815.
Pryor Reynolds bought 30 barrels corn $21.25, 1 whip saw $10,d Thos. Reynolds bought 3 books .50, 1 horse whip 2.25, 1 birdle 5.50, 1 feather bed and furniture 35.50, 1 colt 2.31 1/4, Henry Cook 1 cow and calf $12, 1 steer 5.87 1/2, James Tomlin 1 steer 4.50, one ditto 5., Jas. Waddle bay horse 27.75, 1 cow and calf 12.37 1/2, Am’t for’d $145.81 1/4. James Hughes bought 1 ax .43 3/4. S’l. Core bt. 1 apron .25, Peter Pryor bought 1 heifer 4.6 1/4, Joel Hobbs bt. 1 set plain irons 3., 1 cow $8., total 161.56 1/4.
Pryor Reynolds Admr. Which acc’t of sales was produced in Court October Session 1815 and ordered Red’d
N. P. Hardeman
Williamson County, TN. Inventories, Wills, 1811-1818, Vol. B, page 173

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Butler County, AL: Tracking The Children of Francis Pryor Born in GA

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I found a 1907 Obituary for a Pryor in Florida and ended up following a line of Pryors through the South. These Pryors are a bit of a mystery (well, aren’t they all?!)– name variations, missing from census records, traveling salesmen who were counted in multiple locations on census records. The best place to start is where everyone seems to be stumped: The 1860 Census.

1860 Butler Co., AL
Pct 15, House 2 Francis PRYOR 30 farmer GA, Caroline 25 GA, M. Pryor (f) 5 AL, Geo. Pryor 3 AL, Francis Pryor 1 AL.
Pct 15, House 3 Geo. Mayes 37 GA, Susan 31 GA, N. A. (f) 14 GA, J. T. (m) 9 GA, W. G. (m) 7 GA, Martha 5 GA, G. W. (m) 1 GA
Pct 15, House 7 J. M. PRYOR 33 GA, S. Pryor (f) 26 GA, J. T. (male) 8 GA, J. R. (f) 7 AL, T. J. (male) 6 AL, W. G. PRYOR 6/12 (m) AL.

The obituary of George Pryor in 1907 helped to match up George with his brother Frank/Francis.

THE FUNERAL OF GEORGE W. PRYOR
Will Occur This Afternoon at 3 O’Clock, Services Being at the Home. The funeral of Geo. W. Pryor who expired at his home in New City on Friday afternoon, after an illness covering two weeks…friends of the deceased will act as pall bearers: Capt. R. M. Bushnell, J. J. Sullivan, Joe Roth, R. S. Mitchell, Lamar Howard, and W. T. Reager….Frank Pryor a brother of the deceased who resides in Nashville, reached the city yesterday afternoon.
The Pensacola Journal., February 03, 1907

I found brother Frank in 1900 in TN, 1910 in Kansas City, MO, and in 1920 in Mobile AL. On the 1860 Census he is ID’d as Francis and on all subsequent census as Frank, however the name on his death record (filed in Montgomery, AL) is Franklin Cornelius Pryor.

1900 Census, Davidson County, TN
Nashville, 6th ward, page 241, house 439 Frank C. PRYOR 8/1858 41 md 7 yrs. AL VA AL ind. life insurance agent, Sarah? R. wife 9/1862 37 no children TN TN TN

A tidbit in the same newspaper contained the ID of another brother: O. M. Pryor had come to town for George’s funeral.

… He also leaves a brother, O. M. Pryor, formerly of this city, who reached here last night acompanied by his daughter.
The Pensacola Journal, February 02, 1907, Page 7, Image 7

Obed M. Pryor is buried in the same cemetery as his brother George (see http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=25097089), so we know his full name too. You gotta love these newspaper articles because another article identifies Obed as residing in Mobile, AL and gives the name of a sister:

Mr. and Mrs. O. M. Pryor, who came over from Mobile to attend the funeral of the late Geo. W. Pryor, spent yesterday in the city. Mr. Pryor returned to Mobile last night, but Mrs. Pryor will remain here for several days. Mrs. Melissa Owen and daughter, Miss Queenie, the former being a sister of Mr. Pryor, are also in the city.
The Pensacola Journal, February 05, 1907, Page 3

However, and there always seems to be a “however” with the Pryors, I located a Melissa who was recorded as Celissa on the 1900 Census in Mobile, AL. She was born in 1855 in AL, so I suspect she’s the 5 year old female whose initial was “M” on the 1860 Census.  She appears on the 1920 Census also as Celisa/Celissa. Perhaps the 1907 newspaper was incorrect (just like they hadn’t picked up that she was then a Morris). Perhaps Melissa was an error that combined Celisa/Celissa with another name that begins with M, after all it looks like she was a “M” on the 1860 census. I wonder if “M” was for Morris… that it was a given name and the 1900 Census is incorrect.

1900 Census Mobile co., AL
Mobile, ward 5, page 308a, house 351 Monroe St., Celissa Morris  Feb 1855 45 divorced AL AL AL 4 children/4 living, Robert P. Owen son Sept 1878 21 AL AL AL, Truman C. dau married Dec 1880 19 2 children/2 living AL AL AL, Lula Owen dau Jul 1883 13 AL AL AL, Queenie V Owen dau Mar 1885 15 AL AL AL.

The name raises a lot of questions– like am I sure this is the woman referred to in the 1907 news article. Yes, because in 1920 she is recorded on the same page of the census with Sallie Pryor, widow of Obed Pryor.  Celisa/Celissa also had a grandson named Pryor Huggins living in her household.

The one thing that seems to have people stumped who are searching for this line — where is this family of Pryors in 1870? An online family tree suggests there’s a family story of Francis and Caroline killed in a buggy accident. I think I have a partial answer — I found Celisa/Celissa and her brother Francis/Frank/Franklin on the 1870 Census. They were living with Patrick Drake and his wife Martha Gellbrath Drake (they were married in Greene Co., GA in 1826):

1870 Census Butler Co., AL
Greenville, Twp. 8, page 341b, house 199 Pat’k Drake 70 farmer VA, Martha 70 GA, Celisa 15 AL, Frank 12 AL

Were the Drakes related? I don’t know. Where were George and Obed? I don’t know. Where was Francis and Caroline Pryor in 1850? I don’t know. There’s more research needed on this line of Pryors. I’d like to figure out where Francis Pryor was in 1850. Maybe someone from this line will step forward for a Y-DNA test and we’ll at least know which line of Pryors these folks connect to.

Category: Alabama Pryors | Tags: , , , , , ,
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