Archibald Prater

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Dec 14 2020, 1:17:56 UTC

changes to be made by a curator

• Name/Suffix: Sr.

brief biography

also known as Archibald Prather

a Patriot in the American Revolution for the Province of Virginia

notes

DAR Ancestor #A092390

comments

Date and place of birth have also been (erroneously?) reported to be 1755 in Halifax County, Virginia.

Date and place of death have also been (erroneously?) reported to be:

• August 10, 1831 at an unspecified location
• after August 1831 in Floyd County, Kentucky, United States

Date and place of burial have also been erroneously reported to be an unspecified date at Salyersville, Magoffin County, Kentucky, United States.

links

• https://services.dar.org/Public/DAR_Research/search_adb/?action=ful...

content to clean up

Inscription on a bench at Archibald Prater's gravesite:

Enrolled as a soldier in the Revolutionary War in Henry Co.k VA. in 1792 he lived near Cedar Bluff in Tazewell Co., VA. He appears on the 1799 tas list of Russell Co., VA. Explored Eastern Kentucky then removed to Nicholas (Bourbon) Co., KY His family was recorded on the 1810 census record of Floyd Co. KY living near Licking River, Salyersville, KY.

His home was known as Prater's Fort and was just below present day Ivy Point Hill. They moved to the Cheyenne section of Salyersville, KY.

__________________________________________

To the task at hand - here are some early North Carolina and Eastern

Kentucky records involving the Caudill Family and their ancestors. -

David Smith.

From the Minutes of the South Fork of Roaring River Baptist Church,

North Carolina.

Satterday the 12th of August [1797?]. The Church setting in order Bro.

Larrance & Bro. Johnson acquainted the Church that the Hollow Church

gave up Bro. Hammon to attend our munthly meetings. So the Church fell

to work about a Deacon and set B. Sparks forward to do the work of a

Deacon. Bro. Christopher Manor joined the Church by letter. The Church

thought proper to deny James and Mary Caudill fellowship for telling of

big storys such as the Church could not credit & them refusing to hear

the Church. Also Sister Rachael Tomson applied to the Church for a

dismission & it was granted. Also Bro. Gibson Manor & Sister Sarah his

wife joined the Church by letter.

November 28, 1809 - Floyd County Court.

On motion of Spencer Adams, Esguire, that John Kelly, John Adams Matthew

Caudill and William Webb mark road from Cumberland Mountains to Jesse

Gullett's.

On the motion of Spencer Adams, ordered that Archelaus Craft, William

Caudill, John Adams, Jr. and William Magins mark the road from Jesse

Gullett's to Moses Adams.

1810. Indian Bottom Church Organized.

- Indian Bottom Church was organized in 1810 by a Presbytery of Elders

William Salisbury, Simeon Justice, Electious Thompson and the members

that composed this church were James Webb, John Adams, Benjamin Adams,

Electious Thompson, John Dixon, Isaac Taulbee, James Haris, Stephen

Caudill, Sarah Caudill, Rachel Adams, Mathis Kelley, Amey Kelley, James

Caudill, Mary Caudill, Benjamin Caudill, Spencer Adams, Isaac Whitaker,

Archelous Craft, and Bunyard. Elder Electious Thompson was chosen

Moderator and Isaac Whitaker, Clerk... - Rufus Perrigan, Haysi, Va.,

1961 - History of Regular Baptist and their ancestors and accessors.

1810. Burning Spring Church Organized.

The Burning Spring Church of Jesus Christ of United Baptist Church was

organized in Morgan County (now Magoffin Co.) with the following members

Mason Williams, Archibald Prater, Sarah Prater, Louis Power, Elizabeth

Power, Randall Fugate, Mrs. Caleb May, Matthew Adams, Elizabeth Adams

and Margret May. The Church was organised in the year of our Lord one

thousand eight hundred ten with a presybtery of two ordained ministers

Daniel Willaims and Samuel Hanner.

"Caleb May served the chuch as Pastor until his death when Benjamin

Caudill served them until his death in the year of 1850 then Wallis

Baley served until his death in 1884 then B.M. Holbrook served as Pastor

until his death in 1897. J.R. Caudill then became Pastor until his death

in 1916. The first Minutes Book of the Burning Spring Church seems to be

lost but the above history is recorded on the first page of each

succeeding book.

"This early congregation founded this church across Licking River from

present Salyersville in what is now Dixie Addition. It stood for years,

a barn-like structure, built of rough lubmer. After the Civil War,

around 1968, a new frame building was erected in Salyersville where it

stands today.

"Charter members of this of this early (sic) church were our early

settlers Archibald and Sarah Fuget Prater, her brother Randall Fuget and

one of Archibalds daughters Elizabeth Powers. - Roy Preston, Magoffin

County Historical Society.

May Term 1815 - Floyd County Court.

James Caudill appointed surveyor of the road from Spencer Adams to the

mouth of Kingdomcome Creek. Hands on Kentucky river to assist.

October 28, 1816 - Floyd County Court.

David Bently, William Isaacs, Stephen Adams, Mathew Caudill, James

Caudill and Peter Sullivan each proved they were actually settled on the

lands they now live on and it is ordered certified to the Land Office.

AUGUST TERM OF FLOYD COUNTY, KY. COURT - MONDAY, AUGUST 18, 1817

William Pinson appointed surveyor to replace John McCoy. Isham Daniel

appointed surveyor to replace Michael Borders. Aaron Short appointed

surveyor of the road on Blain. Abner Caudill appointed surveyor of the

road on Beaver.

21 October 1820. Harlan Co., Ky.

Oven Fork Church Organized. The Ovenfork members were constituted a

church on Oct. 21, 1820 by the following persons to wit Elders John

Flannery, William Wells and Daniel Duff. Then the church set before us

Brother James Webb for a lay elder, and from examination we received

them and appointed to ordain them tomorrow, Sunday being agreeable to

appointment we ordained James Webb, Elder and William Pennington and

William Caudill Deacons, and appointed our church to be held at the home

of Matthias Kelly on the fourth Saturday in November and the church to

be called Oven Fork Church.

OCTOBER TERM 1824 [11 October 1824] - Perry County Court.

Ordered that John Caudel [Caudill], James Hogg and John Boling after

being duly sworn before some Justice of the Peace to view the road from

Jesse Boling to intersect the Grapevine road and report to next court.

Ordered that Jesse Adams, Joseph Hammons, &William Adams after being

duly sworn before some Justice of the Peace to view the road from

Stephen Caudels [Caudills] to the county line and report to next court.

SEPTEMBER 12, 1825 - Perry County, Kentucky Court.

Report of the road return leading from Stephen Caudles [Caudills] up

the Kentucky river to the head at the county line which was received and

established and Jesse Adams be and is appointed surveyor to open & keep

the same in repare as the law directs.

A list of the hands allotted to this road from Stephen Caudles

[Caudills] to the head of the river including all the branches.

March term, 1830 [8 March 1830] - Perry County, Kentucky. Court.

Ordered that the road from Stephen Caudill up to the Sandlick meeting

house be ---and that John Caudill be appointed as surveyor of the road

from Stephen Caudells [Caudills] to Sandlick meeting house and that he

call on all hands compeled by law to work on the road.

4 April 1835. Burning Spring Church Meets.

Mister Sandfords Book, Reidsville, Morgan County, Kentucky August 23

of 1837.

This church when met, after singing and prayer, chose Brother Benjamin

Caudill as Moderator. The church proceded to appoint a communion on the

first Saturday and Sunday June next [next two lines not legible] and

door being opened for reception of new members. - Sister Elizabeth

Perkins joined by ______ signed by order of the church, Wallis Baley,

Clerk. - Minutes, Book 2.

6 June 1835. Burning Spring Church Meets.

Saturday. Sanford Reid appointed Deacon. Mathew Caudill joined by

letter. Sister Dicy Prater and Sister Polly Reed joined by _____.

14 October 1839. [Will of William Cornett] This indenture made and

entered in to this 14th day of October 1839 by and between the heirs of

William Cornett, deceased, of the county of Perry and state of Kentucky

of the first part and Rodger Cornett of the same county and state of the

second part. Witnesseth that the said party of the first part for and in

consideration of the sum of seven hundred dollars to us in hand paid the

receipt whereof we do hereby acknowledge, hath granted, bargained and

sold and by these presents do hereby grant, bargarin and sell and

confirm ujnto the said Rodger Cornett of the second part and his heirs

and assigns forever, a certain tract or parcel of land containing fifty

acres lying and being in the aforesaid county on the North Fork of the

Kentucky River....the same containing one hundred acres of land being

more or less with an exception of a part sold off at the lower end next

R.S. Brashears Salt Works, a line running due north and south from the

Fishing rock each way which William Cornett sold to Hugh White before he

deceased. To have and to hold the before said tracts of land with their

appurtenances unto him the said Rodger Cornett and his heirs and assigns

forever...

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set out hands and seals the day

and date above written

Robert Cornett

Joseph E. Cornett

William Campbell

Elizabeth Campbell

John Caudill

Woolery Eversole

Nathan Cornett

Archibald Cornett

William Cornett (by his attorney, R.S. Brashears and James Hogg)

John Cornett

Samuel Combs. (Perry Co. Deed Book B277)

Indian Bottom (Blackey), Letcher Co., Ky. - 1859

A river settlement 12 miles downstream of Whitesburg.

Population 50.

Mail deliverd weekly.

Businesses

Samuel Caudill, General Store

William Caudill, General Store

Jeremiah, Letcher County, Ky. 1859

Population 80. In and near the community were

Jesse Caudill, General Store

Leander Caudill, General Store

Lucas, Letcher Co., Ky. 10 miles from Whitesburg. 1859

Mail deliverd semi-weekly.

Postmaster, C. Taylor.

Population 50

Stephen Caudill, Grist Mill

Whitesburg, Letcher County, Ky. 1859

Population 350.

Postmaster Rebecca Pherigo

J.D. Caudill, General Store

Caudill & Sturgill, Flour Mill

26 September 1859. New Salem Church Minutes.

Appointed a presbytery to constitute the New Association, to wit Jordan

Ashley, B.E. Caudill, [Benjamin Everidge Caudill], and J.A. Caudill, and

called on Elders M.T. Lipps and L. Edwards to meet in convention at

Union Church, Pike County, Kentucky, Friday before the second Saturday

in November, 1859, together with the several delegates of the churches

above designated.

Archibald served in the Revolutionary War. His brother Jonathan also served in the War at the same time from Henry Co., VA.

In 1791, Prater, Ebeneazer Hanna, Clayton Cook, and perhaps a few others, went by way of Cumberland Gap and across country to the head of Licking, looking for a place to settle. The group found a place in the present Nicholas Co., then Bourbon. They stayed 4 years but later moved to a site on the upper reaches of the Licking River.

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, Archibald's 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.

Archibald and his wife Sarah were two of the few settlers of Licking Station who came forward to become members of the new Burning Springs Church in 1810. Archibald is buried on the grounds of the old Magoffin Baptist Institute site.

The family of Archibald Prater was enumerated in the 1810 Census of Floyd Co.

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."

Archibald Prater has been named as a member of the early party of Pioneers who established the first settlement - Prater's Fort or Licking Station - on the upper Licking River near what is now Salyersville, in Magoffin County, Kentucky. He was a Revolutionary War veteran, having enlisted in the Virginia Line September 11, 1780, and serving for a period of eighteen months. 

Arcihbald and his Brother Johnathan joined the the Rev, Forces in Henry County, VA at the Chesterfiled Couthouse in 1780. After the war they moved to Tazewell County, (TA) (?)

Archibald Prater (1755-1831) was born in Halifax Co., VA. He moved from Virginia and was a pioneer settler of Floyd Co., Kentucky. He married Sarah Fugate, daughter of Josiah and Elizabeth Fugate of Floyd Co., Kentucky. They were the parents of twelve children. Their son John (1785-1856) married Mary Brenton (1783-1866) and lived near Salyersville, KN. They were the parents of eight children. Many descendants still live at Salyersville. Several generations of descendants are given, living in Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Washington, Florida and elsewhere.

• Reference: MyHeritage Family Trees - SmartCopy: Apr 25 2017, 5:01:21 UTC

Archibald Prather (aka Prater) was born in 1755 in Halifax County, Virginia. In 1755 when Archibald was born, Halifax County was very large. In 1766 Pittsylvania County was created out of part of 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. In the County Court Orders of Pittsylvania County the following names were found: 1767- Nehemiah Prater, 1768- William Prater, 1773- Nehemiah Prater, and 1778- Ninian Prater. Those names appeared later in personal property lists of Henry County, Virgina, to wit: in 1778 - "Miah" or Nehemiah, Archibald, Jonathan, and Ninian Prater. In 1780 - Nehemiah, Jonathan, William, Ninian, and Archibald Prater/Prather. There have been discussions about the identity of Archibald Prather/Prater's parents. Two couples have been most-widely considered: Jonathan Prather (aka Prater) and his wife, Elizabeth Cresap or his cousin, Thomas Prather (Prater) and his wife, Josie Allen. The best-researched Prather/Prater genealogy by family genealogist Gary Benton Prather, says that his research favors Thomas Prater, b: 1725 in Prince George's County, Maryland and his wife, Josie "Joice" Allen, b: 1726 in Bedford County, Virginia, as the parents of Archibald Prather. He was their 4th child and 3rd son, having older brothers, James and Nehemiah, and sister Sarah Prather. When Archibald was about 5 years old, his family moved from Halifax to Amelia, Bedford County, Virginia. Unfortunately, his father died there 5 years later, at about 40 years old, in 1765. He left his wife with 9 children, all under 16 years old. She soon married a family friend, Thomas Coleman, in his 40s, from Bedford, Virginia. They then added two daughters, Margaret & Mary Coleman, to the family. The earliest public record of Archibald Prather as an American patriot is his signature on the "Oath of Allegiance to the United States" in Henry County, Virginia on January 3, 1777. All free males over 16 years of age were asked to sign this oath to show their support for the American Revolution. The list for Henry County included Archibald Prater, his younger brother, Jonathan Prater (b: 1757); their cousin, Samuel Allen; and Electious Musick. Jonathan Prather was married to Elizabeth Musick, daughter of Electious Musick. Archibald and his brother Jonathan Prather enlisted as Privates in the Virginia militia together at the Chesterfield VA Court House on September 11, 1780. Their names are next to each other on the roll, pages 53A & 53B, on file at the Virginia State Library. Their occupation was given as "Farmer" and both were listed as having been born in Pittsylvania County, residing in Henry County in 1780. Archibald's military service record described him as 25 years old, 6ft.2in Tall, with Brown Hair, Blue Eyes, Fair complexion. Archibald served in the militia for nearly 2 years. He was still single at the time. The Treaty of Paris, September 3, 1783, officially ended the American Revolution when England recognized the independence of its former 13 colonies. Hostilities had essentially ended, however, by the end of 1781, after the English surrender at Yorktown, Virginia, and the Prather brothers were honorably discharged in 1782. After being released from the Militia, Archibald Prather moved to Washington County, Virginia, where he patented 153 3/4 acres of land. A 1783 survey of land in Washington Co shows that "Johnathan Preter" also acquired 110 acres nearby on the North Fork of the Clinch River. Like Halifax, Washington County was much larger in 1783 than today. Archibald's property was located near Cedar Bluff, Virginia. In 1789 that area was given to Russell County, when it was created from parts of Washington, and in 1799 it was reassigned to the newly-formed Tazewell County, where it remains today. The name "Archibald Prater" remained on the personal property tax list of Russell County as late as 1799. His brother Jonathan had died in 1795. According to the 1850 census of Floyd Co., Kentucky, Archibald's daughter Nancy was born in Virginia in 1802 while his next-younger daughter Dorcas was born in Kentucky in 1805. It can thus be inferred that he must have moved his family west to that new state, which separated from Virginia and joined the Union in 1792, between 1802 and 1805. Mention of his daughters brings up Archibald's marriage and founding of his family. He married relatively late for his time, having joined the Virginia militia at 25 years old as a single male in September 1780. When he was honorably discharged in 1782, Archibald no doubt began looking for a suitable life companion. He found her in Sarah Martha Fugate, b: July 26, 1763 in Frederick County, Virginia. She was the 19-year old daughter of Josiah and Elizabeth (Smothers) Fugate. The Fugate family were farmers/plantation owners with ties to the Prather family. Archibald and Sarah married on August 11, 1783 in Montgomery County, Virginia. They set up housekeeping on the plantation that he patented in Washington (now Tazewell) County near Cedar Bluff, Virginia. According to Gary B. Prather's "Prater/Prather Genealogy," the couple had the following 13 children: John Prater, Sr., 11 Aug 1785, Russell Co., Virginia; d: 26 Dec 1856, Morgan Co., KY (71 years)Thomas Nehemiah Prather, b. Feb. 1793, Russell Co., VA; d. 1 Aug 1856, Morgan Co., KY. (63 years)William B Prather, b. 26 Jan 1787, Russell Co., VA; d. 17 Dec 1880, Morgan, KY (93 years) Elizabeth Martha Prather, b. 28 Jul 1791, Russell Co., VA; d. 04 Mar 1876, Floyd Co., Ky. (84 years) Archibald Prather, II, b. 13 Jan 1794, Russell Co., VA; d. 01 May 1885, Fleming Co., KY (91 years) Elijah Prather, b. 01 Dec 1795, Russell Co., VA; d. 16 Sep 1839, Magoffin Co., KY. (43 years) James Meredith Prather, b. Jan. 1795, Russell Co., VA; d. 21 May 1832, Floyd (Magoffin) Co., KY (37 years) Sarah "Sally" Prather, b. 1797, Russell Co., VA; d. 1882, Salyersville, Floyd (Magoffin) Co., KY. (84 years)Nancy Prather, b. 1802, Russell Co., VA; d. 03 Sep 1864, Madison Co., Arkansas. (62 years) Dorcas Prater, b. 1805, Floyd (Magoffin) Co., KY; d: After 1825, Floyd Co., Kentucky, USACelia Sarah Prater, b. 25 Oct 1807, Salyersville, Floyd (Magoffin) Co., KY; d. 27 Apr 1844 (36 years) Mary Jane Prather, b. 1810, Salyersville, Floyd (Magoffin) Co., KY; d. Before 1880 census, Magoffin Co., KY (69 years) Josiah Prather, b. About 1812, Salyersville, Floyd (Magoffin) Co., Kentucky, USA; d: After 1831. Note: He must have been mentally-handicapped as Archibald's 1831 Will assigns his care to his older brother Thomas, who received 2 shares of the Estate.It is said that Archibald Prather (Prater) and a few other pioneers from south-west Virginia had attempted to settle in Floyd (now Magoffin) County, Kentucky, as early as 1794 but that hostile Indians had deterred them. A "First Settlement" marker (#202) near the Salyersville (Magoffin Co.), Kentucky city limits on US 460 states:

"

* Reference: WikiTree Genealogy - SmartCopy: Apr 25 2017, 5:38:09 UTC