Since I just wrote about one or two or three David Pryors, I thought I should mention one more. There’s a David Pryor in who appears on the 1790 Census (first US Census) in Georgetown, SC. He’s also on the 1800 and 1810 Census. I found an obituary for his daughter, Continue reading
Tag Archives: Virginia
The descendants of David Pryor of Buckingham County, VA have claimed him as the father of Mitchie Pryor who married Thomas Jefferson’s brother. I think I’m swayed to that idea… well maybe. His descendants have used him as their “Patriot” ancestor to gain admission to Continue reading
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
Remember the account of William Pryor who was murdered in Nashville in 1833? (see post) I can’t resist working on a 180 year old murder mystery. This probably goes beyond a cold case. It’s downright frozen!
I found another report of the murder. There aren’t any more details, but it’s interesting to know where it was reported: The Military and Naval Magazine of the United States, Vol. 1, from March to August 1833. It was reported under Deaths in the General Intelligence section.
At Nashville, Tenn. Mid. WILLIAM PRYOR, murdered.
If William was in the Navy, what was he doing in Nashville? I found in another version of The Military and Naval Magazine of the United States, Volumes 1-2, William Pryor was listed as a midshipman as of 11 Feb 1832 and murdered April 1833. His rank confirms he was in the Navy and the dates firm up that this is the same Pryor I wrote of earlier.
The initial report said he was from Clarksville, TN (Montgomery County). All the twists and turns. It does get to be interesting.
I’m sharing excerpts of the online records I reviewed of people who seem to be connected through the line of John Henry Pryor, Catharine Pryor Lansford, and Luke Pryor in Williamson County, TN. Maybe you have more documentation to figure out these lines back to their Virginia roots.
My apologies. I didn’t put these people in alpha-order or in order by the date of the will. They are strictly in the order I reviewed these documents in my notes.
NICHOLAS PERKINS
[Husband of Leah Pryor, daughter of John Henry Pryor of Orange Co., NC]
Will signed 10 March 1792 and proven in court January 1801 om Davidson County. Wife: Leah. Children: Peter, Hardin, Daniel, John Pryor. Wits: James Walker, Thomas Smith, John Pryor.
HENDLEY STONE
[Second husband of Eliza Perkins who first married John Pryor, a grandson of John Henry Pryor of Orange Co., NC]
Will signed 6 June 1829. Wife Mary. Children: Elizabeth Stone, John Hendley Stone, Jane Hungerfoot Stone, Virginia Stone, Agnes Jenkins, Polly Reynolds, Alfred Stone, “oldest son” Nicholas Stone, and daughter Sary Ann Stone which he described as a “cryple.” Executors: wife Mary, son-in-law Walter Jenkins. Wits: Nicholas P Stone, William H. Crews. The will was amended in 1831 with same witnesses. Estate sale dated 1834.
JOHN DABNEY SR.
[John Dabney, husband of Margaretta Smith, grand-daughter of John Henry Pryor of Orange Co., NC]
Will signed 16 Jan 1824. Wife not mentioned. Children: John, William, Charles Anderson, Elizabeth Warren, Anna Bennett, Nancy H Bond, Peggy S. McLemore, Bethenia S. McLemore. Daughter-in-law: Elizabeth Dabney wife of William. Grandchildren: (children of deceased daughter Polly Minor House) Robert McLemore House, Lemuel Smith House, Elizabeth Jenkins House. Wits: Nicholas Perkins Jr. , John P Smith, Ezekial …..? 1831 Esate inventory completed. 1833 final settlement signed by William Bond, administrator.
GEORGE REYNOLDS
[Husband of Susannah Lansford, daughter of Catherine Pryor and Henry Lansford of Pittsylvania County, VA]
Will signed 21 May 1813. Wife Susannah. Children: Richard, Pryor, George, Thomas, Elizabeth Hughes, Susannah Hughes, Joncey Bennett, Nancy, Polly, Sarah, Bethany. Son-in-law Richard Hughes. Mentions tract of land near William Stone and Pryor Reynolds. Mentions that he has right to a tract of land in Virginia known as the Charles Baker (or Parker?) old place. Wits: John Witherspoon, Hendley Stone, Edmond Warren, John T Bennett.
SUSANNAH (LANSFORD) REYNOLDS
[Daughter of Catherine Pryor and Henry Lansford of Pittsylvania County, VA]
The inventory of her estate is dated 1821. It was completed by Thomas Reynolds. Items in the estate were sold to Hendley Stone, Richard Reynolds, Nicholas T. Perkins, John House, and others.
DAVID SQUIRE
[Husband of Sarah Pryor, sister of Luke, Catherine, Susannah and John C. Pryor]
Will signed 9 November 1818. Wife Sarah. Daughter Elizabeth Lowry. Wits: Thomas Hardman, ??? Cameron, Robert Davis. Inventory dated 11 January 1819 and signed by Sarah Squire, executrix.
SUSANNAH (PRYOR) STEPHENSON
[Sister of Luke, Catherine, Sarah, and John C Pryor]
Will signed 21 April 1854. Husband Jeremiah Stephenson. Nephews: William P. Smith, Henry B. Pryor. Niece: Mary Taylor. Grandnieces and Grandnephews: William Smith, Luke Smith, Susan Smith, Elizabeth Smith. Executor: William Harrison Sr. Wits: Isaac G Neely, P.M.W. McConnell
SAMUEL WINSTEAD
[Husband of Susannah Pryor, sister of Luke, Catherine, Sarah, and John C. Pryor]
Will signed 24 March 1845. Wife: Susannah. Brother: John Winstead (his children were heirs). Sister: Mason Wilson. Nephew: John Caing? Wits: A. B. Ewing, Isaac G Neely. Of interest in the will– Winstead willed that his slaves be set free after his death and taken to the free country of Liberia. There is another loose record (1872) where Samuel Neely (“colored”) and wife Sarah Winstead, a former slave of Samuel Winstead, brought a case for money left left to the slaves in Samuel Winstead’s will.
SARAH (PRYOR) McPHAIL
[Sister of Luke, Catherine, Susannah, and John C Pryor]
Will signed 2 May 1851. Heirs: Luke L. Smith, Mary Taylor wife of William Taylor. Executor: “friend” Gilbert Marshall. Wits: M. L. Andrews, Samuel S. House. A second will in the file names William Pryor Smith, Mary A Pryor, Rhoda A Pryor, grandchildren “of my brother John Pryor.” The estate was disputed in Chancery Court: William G. Smith and wife sued Susanna Winstead, et al. The court records state Sarah died 1851 at the house of E. G. Clouston.
DANIEL CARTER
[Husband of Sarah Pryor, sister of Luke, Catherine, Sarah, and John C Pryor]
Will signed 6 January 1841. Wife: Sarah. Children: Anderson Carter, Milton Carter, Benjamin Carter, Harriet Roland, Eliza Smith. Grandson: Daniel Carter. Wit: Robert Davis, G. W. Trimble.
JOHN TAPLEY
[Son of Lucy Pryor and Hosea Tapley, grandson of John Henry Pryor]
Account of Estate Sale dated April 1809. Only child: Polly Tapley. Debts to Robert McLemore, Thomas H. Perkins. Administrators: Thomas H Perkins, Thomas Edmonton. People who purchased items from the estate: David Squire, Peter Perkins, John Witherspoon, Robert McLemore, Nicholas T. Perkins, Amos Bullock. Also included in the file, but not easily read, a document dated 1812 from Wilkinson Co., GA.
ROBERT McLEMORE
Will signed 1822. Wife: Peggy. Children: Robert McLemore, Atkins J. McLemore, John D. McLemore, Bethenia Anne Green McLemore, John Dabney McLemore, Polly Minor McLemore, Robert Weakly McLemore, Peggy Smith McLemore. Mentions land bordering Nicholas T Perkins. “I desire that my worthy friend Daniel Perkins should be guardian to my daughter Bethenia who is also his granddaughter.” Executors: Wife Peggy, son Atkins J. McLemore, friends Charles A Dabney, Nicholas P. Smith . Wits: N. Perkins Jr., James Wrenn, John G—? (both Nicholas Perkins and Daniel Perkins are mentioned in the case of Eliza C. Perkins v. Joshua Hadley. It indicates the Perkins had purchased land near Nashville as early as the 1790’s (see case) and see Nicholas Perkins will above filed in Davidson County)
JOHN COCHRAN
Will signed 11 February 1821. Wife: Susannah. Children: Elizabeth Brown, James Cochran, Nancy Mences. The heirs of William Cochran: Sally Garner, Polly Mullen, Peggy Ireland, Nelly Cochran, John Cochran, Jane Cochran, Ammon Cochran. Acknowledges a first wife and last wife. Execs: William H. Nance, William Anthony. Wits: Luke Pryor, Elandor Pryor, Keziah Jones (she is noted on other records as Keziah P. Jones). Estate settlement dated 30 June 1827.
LUKE PRYOR
[Brother of Sarah, Catherine, Susannah, and John C Pryor]
Will date 19 August 1844. Wife: Nelly (also stated as Eleanor). Henry B Pryor, William P Smith, Pasty Smith King, Mary Taylor, Luke L Smith, Martha J King, James Talyor (Joseph Taylor’s son) . Sister: Sarah Carter. Wits: David Campbell, M L Anderson, John B McEwen. There are codicils allowing for property Luke gave away in his lifetime. The will was proved in 1848.
HENRY CHILDRESS
Estate sale dated 2 February 1814. Administrators: John Childress, William Smith. People who purchased from the estate: Edward Reynolds, Martin Smith, Pryor Reynolds, Elizabeth Childress, Nicholas Perkins, Richard Hughes, Samuel Cox, Harrison Boyd, William Shute, Angus McPhail. Wife: Elizabeth C Childress. Children: Eliza A., Margery S., Thomas M., Sally C. . Guardian Bond: Edwin H. Childress.