Basil Prather

A Patriot of the American Revolution for SOUTH CAROLINA with the rank of PRIVATE. DAR Ancestor # A092407

Inscription: Basil Prather, Maryland, Captain 8 PA Regiment, Revolutionary War.

Capt. Basil Prather (1731-1803) was a son of Thomas Prather & Elizabeth Claggett.

Basil had 2 marriages:

1st to Priscilla Swearingen (1734-1756).

2nd to Frances Meriwether (1770-1850). Married 1789.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/9744753/basil-prather

Capt. Thomas Prather, served in the Maryland Militia during the French and Indian War. He was one of the most conspicuous commanders of the Maryland forces, becoming a Colonel in 1756, and commander in Chief of the Frederick Militia in 1763. After the formation of the new Republic he served on the Committee of Observation. His son, Basil Prather, also served in this war.

After the war, Basil Prather came to Kentucky and was one of its earliest explorers.

In 1775, in the company of his nephew Thomas Prather and others, they explored the area near present Springfield and Harrodsburg, KY., where they staked out a claim of 3,000 acres.

Basil continued his explorations and land speculations until the outbreak of the Revolution, when he returned to Maryland in early 1776 and was commissioned as Capt. in the Militia ("By order of the Frederick County Committee of Observation, Feb., 5 1776, BASILPRATHER recommended as Captain" )

In the summer Basil Prather and a friend and fellow explorer, Van Swearingen, were commissioned in the Continental Army when the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment was formed by Congress, 15 July, 1776. Van Swearingen was made Captain and BASIL PRATHER was made First Lieutenant. Their assignment was to protect the frontier from British/Indian armies.

On 23 Nov., 1776 the 8th PA. was ordered:"To march, with all possible expedition, by the nearest route, to Brunswick, New Jersey, or to join Gen. George Washington where ever he may be." This was a grueling and ill-fated march in the deep of winter and the Regiment was greatly reduced, for at the end of it, the muster rolls reveals that out of the original number of 684 men, "36 were prisioners of war; 14 missing; 51 dead; 126 deserted." There were also many wounded and all were suffering the effects of combat and the terrible winter march.

"Quibbletown, 28 Feb., 1777 (Gen. George Washington) "I desired the doctor by all means to visit them. They were raised about the Ohio, and had traveled near 500 miles for 150 miles over the mountains, never entering a house, but building fires and in camping in the snow."

"Considerable numbers have died. A Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel among the dead." The muster rolls list 10 companies and Capt. LT. BASIL PRATHER was in command of one of them.

In the late summer of 1777 Gen. George Washington was preparing to defend against the impending approach of Burgoyne's army when he formed the famed "RANGERS" under the command of his close friend Col. Daniel Morgan. This small unit was originally conceived to be a force of picked riflemen to be used to combat the Indian units fighting under Burgoyne's command. Three companies were formed from all of the 8th PA. and detached from the Regiment to Col Morgan's command. These three companies were commanded by BASIL P'RATHER, VAN SWEARINGEN, and JOHN HARDIN.

It was this force that so decimated the British ranks in the desperate fights at Freemans Farm, in the latter days of Sept. and early Oct., so that the Continental Army had its first victory when Gen. Burgoyne surrendered on Oct., 17th. These same companies were also with Morgan, and greatly distinguished themselves in the series of actions that resulted in the surrender of Gen. Burgoyne at Saratoga."

BASIL PRATHER was also with these same companies when the 8th PA. was engaged in the battles of Brandywine and Germantown and spent the winter of 1777/1778 encamped with Gen. George Washington at Valley Forge. On 5 Mar, 1778, the 8th PA. was ordered to Pittsburgh and to once again engage in the protection of the Western frontiers. During their march to Pittsburgh they were engaged in actions against hostile Indians and continued engagements with hostiles around Pittsburgh.

BASIL PRATHER resigned from the 8th PA. and joined the forces of Virginia which were engaged along the Ohio against the British and Indians. He was placed under the command of Gen. George R. Clark.

BASIL PRATHER was made a Capt. of the VA. and by 1781 was Adjutant Gen. at Ft. Nelson, the present site of Louisville, KY.

Basil Prather received many grants of land in KY. and IN. for his services, some of which were as far south as Hickman on the Mississippi. The lands in Indiana were recorded: "To Basil Prather, for consideration of his Military Service for the Commissioners of the Illinois Grant."

Basil Prather served as a patriot throughout the Revolutionary War, declining any pay for his services.

After the Revolution, Basil Prather was engaged in the acquisition of land and traveled between his father's home in Maryland and his new home at the falls of the Ohio (near Louisville, KY.). He also maintained a residence in PA. on the Monongahela.

Basil Prather and the Fountain family founded Louisville, KY. Basil built his plantation home near Louisville and called it "Fox Hill". Basil is buried near the old home he built and which is now known as the Ben Collins Mansion. Basil is buried in the garden of his plantation home (now called Joe Creason Park and part of the Louisville Zoo complex in Louisville, KY).

DAR Ancestor #: A092407

In 1718, Seth obtained a deed to a tract of land called "Maiden's Fancy" in Prince George County, Maryland. Then in 1726 he inherited his father's plantation "Tewksbury", half of which he sold to his brother William before his death in 1750.

Military duty prior to reduciton at Charlestown, reimbursed 165 pounds for horse lost in service

DAR PATROIT INDEX, 1966, Natl. Society DAR, page 545 - ref. code RBTXZGK

Bazel's death is proved by his second will dated 14 July 1832. Probate Records, Box 61, Pck. 6, Laurens District, S.C. South Carolina Archives Department, Columbia, S.C.

Father: John PRATER\PRATHER b: ABT 1721 in Prince George Co.Md Mother: Abrilla HYATT

Marriage 1 Priscilla SWEARINGEN b: ABT 1741 in Md

Children

   Has Children Brice Bazel PRATER\PRATHER b: ABT 1776 in Laurens Co.S.C

   Has No Children John PRATER\PRATHER b: ABT 1768 in Laurens Co.S C

Basil Pitts PRATER Given Name: Basil Pitts Surname: Prater Sex: M Birth: 1745 in Prince George's Co, MD Death: 14 Jul 1842 or 1832 in Laurens Co, SC Will: 11 Dec 1829 Laurens Co, SC Will: 14 Jul 1832 Occupation: Laurens Co, SC Change Date: 6 Jun 2004

Father: John Joseph PRATER b: 1721 in Prince George's Co, MD Mother: Abarilla HYATT b: 1719 in Frederick Co, MD

Marriage 1 Priscilla SWEARINGEN b: 1749

   Married: 1 Jan 1768

   Note: CHAN6 Jun 2004

Children

    Brice Bazel PRATER b: 1776 in Laurens Co, SC

Catherine (Prophit) Demers> caprophitdemers@sbcglobal.net 2006-02-26 23:39:40

• ******BAZIL PRATHER, Revolutionary War Soldier******* 1780 SC Archives acct. of private/patriot AA6097 Military duty prior to reduciton at Charlestown, reimbursed 165 pounds for horse lost in service DAR PATROIT INDEX,1966,Natl.SocietyDAR, p545 - ref.code RBTXZGK
  • *****1790 U.S. CENSUS******* home: Not Stated, Laurens, SC household: Bazel Prator = over 16 male age group ..................... wife = female group (Priscilla) ..................... son = (John James) ..................... son = (Brice Bazel) ..................... son = (Holloway) ..................... son = (Basil King) ..................... daughter = (Verlinda) ..................... daughter = (Abrilla) ..................... daughter = (Rutha) ..................... daughter = (Hannah Thresa) [other Prather households in 1790 Lauren Co.,SC = Joseph,Buri,John,John,+Mary]
    • ****1800 U.S. CENSUS******* home: not stated, Lauren, South Caroline household: Bazel Prather = >45 age group ..................... wife = >45 age group (Priscilla) ..................... MALE = 16-25 age group (?) ..................... son = 10-15 age group (Basil King) ..................... daughter = 10-15 age group (Hannah Thresa) ..................... son = <10 age group (King) ..................... daughter = <10 age group (Mary Matilda) ..................... daughter = <10 age group (Minerva Priscilla) [other Prather households in 1800 Lauren Co.,SC =Holoway,John,Josiah,Josiah,+William]
      • ***1810 U.S. CENSUS******* home: not stated, Lauren, South Caroline household: Basel Prator = >45 age group ..................... wife = >45 age group (Priscilla) ..................... daughter = 16-25 age group (Minerva) ..................... MALE/son or son-N-law = 16-25 age group (?) ..................... FEMALE/daughter or dau-N-law = 16-25 age group (?) ..................... grandson = <10 age group (?) [other Prather households in 1810 Lauren Co.,SC = Josiah,Josiah,+Thomas]
        • **1820 U.S. CENSUS******* home: not stated, Lauren, South Caroline household: Basdel Prater = >45 age group ..................... wife = >45 age group (Priscilla) [other Prather households in 1820 Lauren Co.,SC = John,Jos,Josiah,Josiah,King,Thomas,Thomas]
          • *1830 U.S. CENSUS******* home: not stated, Lauren, South Caroline household: B Prator = 80-90 age group ..................... wife = 70-80 age group (Priscilla) ..................... FEMALE = 20-30 age group (?) [other Prather households in 1830 Lauren Co.,SC = Achy,Ann,Eliz,Francis,+Thos]
            • DNA SURNAME PROJECT******* Website: www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/p/pratt/

Description: The Pratt Family Project is open to all who are interested in working together to find their common heritage through sharing of information and dna testing. All variant spellings are welcome. If your Surname is missing and should be included, we'll be glad to add it. Please visit our website and add your family to the Patriarch Page.

Surnames in Project: Prat, Prater, Prather, Pratt, Prouty, Pruett, Pruitt

So far only one test kit is listed for the Prather Surname. It is a 37 marker kit. The Y chromosome is tested because it is past from father to son. Basically if there is only one or no differences in the 1st 12 numbers with another kit, it means that the two individuals share common SURNAME ancesters. Besides markers, the Haplo Group indicates where the family geographically originated.

Ancestor's....Haplo ....Name.........Group GB Prather...R1b = 13 24 14 10 11 14 12 12 12 14 13 30-16 9 10 11 11 25 15 20 26 15 15 17 17-11 11 19 22 15 14 20 17 35 36 12 12 1 Jan 1745 in Prince George's, Maryland, United States _APID: 7836::976024 1 Name: Basil Pitts Prater _APID: 7836::976024 1 Death: 14 Jul 1842 in Laurens, South Carolina, United States Sex: M 2 2 2

Father: John Prather b: 1721 in Prince Georges,,Maryland,USA Mother: Abarilla Hyatt b: 1719 in Hyattsville,Prince Georges,Maryland,USA

Marriage 1 Priscilla Swearingen b: 1747 in Maryland, United States

   Married: 1 Jan 1768 in Prabably, Maryland, United States

Children

    Archelus Archibald Prater b: 1766 in Pendleton, Anderson, South Carolina, United States

   Verlinda Prater b: 1773 in Of, Laurens, South Carolina, United States

    Holloway Prather b: 23 Jan 1777 in Laurens, Laurens, South Carolina, United States

    Hannah Thresa Prater b: 1788 in ,Laurens,South Carolina,USA

Sources:

   Repository:

Title: U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900

   Author: Yates Publishing

   Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004.Original data - This unique collection of records was extracted from a variety of sources including family group sheets and electronic databases. Originally, the information was deriv

   Note:

Page: Source number: 802.000; Source type: Electronic Database; Number of Pages: 1; Submitter Code: RBM.

   Text: Birth date: 1747Birth place:

   Repository:

Title: Public Member Trees

   Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2006.Original data - Family trees submitted by Ancestry members.Original data: Family trees submitted by Ancestry members.

   Note:

   This information comes from 1 or more individual Ancestry Family Tree files. This source citation points you to a current version of those files. Note: The owners of these tree files may have removed or changed information since this source citation was created.

   Page: Ancestry Family Trees

   Text: http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=5779164&pid=... 

: Basil Pitts Prater Sex: M Birth: 1748 in ,,Md 1 2 Death: 1832 in ,Laurens,Sc 1 2 2 _RIN: 3246 3 Change Date: 25 NOV 2001 at 14:47:24

Father: John Smith Prater b: 1721 in ,,Md Mother: Avarilla Hyatt b: Abt 1719 in Maryland

Marriage 1 Priscilla Swearingen b: 1747 in ,,Md

   Married: 1 JAN 1768 in ,,Md 2 3

Children

   Has Children Archelus Archibald Prater b: 1766 in ,Laurens,Sc

   Has Children John Prater b: 1768 in ,Laurens,Sc

   Has No Children Josiah Prater b: 1770 in ,Laurens,Sc

   Has No Children Martha Prater b: 1772 in ,Laurens,Sc

   Has No Children Verlinda Prater b: 1773 in ,Laurens,Sc

   Has No Children Abrilla Prater b: 1774

   Has No Children Rutha Prater b: 1775

   Has Children Brice Bazel Prater b: 1776 in ,Laurens,Sc

   Has Children Hollaway Prater b: 23 JAN 1777 in ,Laurens,Sc

   Has Children Bazel Prater b: 29 JUL 1783

   Has Children Hannah Thresa Prater b: 1788

   Has Children King Prater b: 1790

   Has Children Mary Prater b: 10 MAR 1795 in ,Laurens,Sc

   Has No Children Priscilla Prater b: 1797 in ,Laurens,Sc

Sources:

   Title: World Family Tree Vol. 20, Ed. 1

   Author: Broderbund Software, Inc.

   Publication: Release date: March 13, 1998

   Abbrev: World Family Tree Vol. 20, Ed. 1

   Note:

   Customer pedigree.

   Repository:

Title: World Family Tree Vol. 48, Ed. 1

   Author: Genealogy.com, LLC

   Publication: Release date: December 1999

   Abbrev: World Family Tree Vol. 48, Ed. 1

   Note:

   Customer pedigree.

Source Media Type: Family Archive CD

   Title: GEDCOM File : RoperAck.ged

   Author: L. David Roper

   Abbrev: L. David Roper

   Abbrev: GEDCOM File : RoperAck.ged

   Note:

   1001 Auburn Drive SW

   Blacksburg, VA 24060-8123

   540-951-7047

   roperld@vt.edu

   Date: 23 JUL 2002