Bazel Pitts Prater (1745 - aft. 1832)

Born 1 Jan 1745 in Prince George's County, Province of Maryland [uncertain]

Ancestors

Husband of Priscilla Elizabeth (Swearingen) Prater — married 1 Jan 1768 in Berkeley, Virginia Colony

Descendants

Died after 14 Jul 1832 after age 87 in Laurens County, South Carolina, USA

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Biography

Private Bazel Prater served with Ninety-Six District Regiment, South Carolina Militia during the American Revolution.

Bazel Prater is a DAR Patriot Ancestor, A092407.

Bazil Pitts Prather was born about 1745 in Prince George's County in Maryland, to John Josiah Prather and Abarilla Hyatt. He is named in the 1814 will of his mother Abarilla, who had remarried to Reuben Flanagan after John's death.^[1] There are variants in the spelling of his surname found in records in South Carolina, including both Prater and Prather.

Bazel was married to Priscilla. Her maiden name is claimed to be Swearingen on records in Ancestry as well as on FamilySearch. This needs to be confirmed with source evidence.

The date of their marriage is about 1768. He then moved his family to the piedmont area of South Carolina and settled in the Ninety Six District.

Royal land grants issued for the years 1731 to 1775 often pertain to the four original districts of Colleton, Craven, Berkeley, and Granville. Bazel obtained 150 acres of land on a fork between the Broad River and the Saluda on a small branch of Dunkins Creek and the waters of Enoree in South Carolina in Feb of 1772. His land was bounded by the land of Robert McCrary, Joseph Witmore, and John and Joseph Grear. The plat is recorded in Berkley District.

http://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/

The first known European in the area was John Duncan, a native of Aberdeen, Scotland, who came from Pennsylvania in 1753 and settled near the modern Newberry-Laurens County line. Duncan brought the first African-American slave and the first horse-drawn wagon to the area. Duncan's settlement grew and by the mid-1760s a church was established that became known as Duncan's Creek Presbyterian Church, the oldest church in Laurens County.^[2] In 1768, South Carolina eliminated all of the original counties and established seven new "overarching Districts," with governmental seats in each district. The Act creating these new districts was nullified by the British Parliament, but the re-introduction of the Act in 1769 was approved. From 1769 to 1785, these districts remained intact, however, the district seats did change some during that time frame.^[3]

Revolutionary War

War came to colonies and to South Carolina in April of 1775 with the news of the battles of Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts between Patriots and British Regulars. Independence was declared by the Continental Congress on the 4th of Julyh 1776.

Bazel and his family lived in the area of Duncan or Dunkin's Creek in Ninety-Six District of South Carolina during the period of the Revolutionary War. He is found listed on the 1779 census for the Ninety-Six District.^[4]

Four important Revolutionary Battles took place in what would later become Laurens District and Laurens County.

On July 15, 1776, Patriot forces defeated a combined Indian and Loyalist attack on Lyndley's Fort near Rabun Creek. At the battle of Musgrove's Mill on August 18, 1780, a force of Patriots defeated the British and Loyalist forces achieving a decisive victory in the two-day battle. On December 29, 1780, a Loyalist detachment was defeated at Hammond's Store near present-day Clinton. On November 19, 1781, at Hayes Station (eight miles southwest of Clinton), Loyalist leader Major William "Bloody Bill" Cunningham attacked a contingent of Patriots, slaughtering eighteen (18).^[5]

Military

DAR records indicate that Bazel served during the Revolutionary War in the militia in South Carolina and provided horses. Service: South Carolina Rank(s): Patriotic Service, Private Birth: c 1745 North Carolina Death: Post 7-14-1832 Laurens Dist. South Carolina Service Source: SC Arch, Accts Aud #6097, Roll #120 Service Description: 1) On Militia Duty; Furnished Horses

DAR and SAR records found on the FamilySearch profile for Bazel indicate that he was wounded in the left knee at the Battle of Camden in August of 1780. He was lame the rest of his life from this injury per that same source reference.

Life after the Revolutionary War

After the war, Old Ninety Six became the seat of government for the area, and Laurens District was created from a part of Old Ninety Six District in 1785. Bazel was living on his plantation of 150 acres in Lauren's District when the first census was recorded in 1790.^[6]

Bazel lived in Laurens District and raised his family. He is listed on the 1800 and l810 census there.

War came to America and to South Carolina again in 1812.

War of 1812

The War of 1812 had little effect on South Carolina except that people were divided in their support. Many said that the United States had withstood the insults of both England and France for years, and that no new incidences had occurred. Others agreed that the freedom of the seas should be defended. Some of the state's congressmen supported President James Madison, while others rejected his call for assistance. Recruiting teams found men eager to serve and the state contributed several important heroes to the war.

Although South Carolina assembled more than 5,000 soldiers for the national war effort, raised a half million dollars for self defense, and upgraded its coastal defenses significantly, there were no battles or skirmishes within the state. The British blockaded St. Helena Sound and raided plantations on the sea islands off the coast of Beaufort District, which were a primary source for the much-valued sea-island cotton. One source claims that the British invaded Hilton Head Island and burned most of the large plantation homes near navigable waters. The British, however, did not invade the South Carolina mainland as so many Charlestonians had feared.

After the War of 1812 life resumed for the people of South Carolna and for the Prather and alllied families.

Bazel raised his family in Laurens District.

, 1820, and 1830 census for Laurens. He raised his family there. He made his final will in 1832 in Lauren's District.

Will of Bazil Pitts Prather/Prater

Abstract of 1st will of Bazel[sic] Prather (as given in Doliante, second printing)

FIRST I give and bequeath unto my wife, Priscella, all my land, houses, money, debts and moveable effects...during her natural life.

SECOND to my grandson Ephraim Prather, son of King Prather, 50 acres lying on West side of the Spring Branch, part of the tract of land I now live on and laid out by a deed of conveyance I gave to him in the year 1825, to him and his heirs.

THIRD ...to my grandson Bazel Adair all my tract of land lying on the East side of the Spring Branch which I conveyed to him in a deed in the year 1825....to him and his heirs forever...I further give my grandson William Adair a smoothbore gun.

FOURTH …I give and bequeath to my grand-daughters, Mary Adair and Jane Adair, a bed and furniture to each of them and their heirs, also I give and bequeath my son King Prather, one negro man named Tom to him and his heirs forever, Also it is my will and pleasure that after my wife's death, my household goods and moveable effects of what name or nature soever, be sold on a credit of six months...after paying mine and wife's debts, expenses, the whole residue, and remainder together with what debts may then be due, be defected between

my children whose names follow in the following manner, to wit:

To the children of my son John, deceased, one dollar

To the children of my son Josiah, one dollar

To my daughter, Verlinda Bishop, one dollar [emphasis added]

To the children of my daughter, Rutha Hare(?), one dollar

To my son-in-law, John Hare(?), I give four dollars

To the children of my daughter Abarilla Southerland, one dollar

To the children of my daughter Martha McCrary, deceased, one dollar

Bazel made a new will dated 14 July 1832. Probate Records, Box 6 1, Pck. 6, Laurens District, South Carolina Archives Department, Columbia, South Carolina:

In the name of God, Amen, I Bazel Prather of Laurens Dist. and the State of South Carolina being of sound and disposing mind and memory but weak in body and calling to mind the uncertainty of life and being desirous to dispose of all such worldly estate it hath pleased God to bless me with do make and ordain this my last Will in manner following this is to say I desire that so much of my personal estate be immediately sold after my decease to pay debts and funeral expenses I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Prisilla Prather all my real and personal estate and after the decease of my loving wife I give and bequeath unto my son heirs of my son John Prather one dollar and I give to the heirs of my daughter Abrilla Southerland one dollar to my daughter Verlinda Bishop one dollar to my son Archabal Prater one dollar my son Brice Prather one dollar the heirs of my daughter Martha McCrary one dollar and the heirs of my son Josiah Prather one dollar my son and heirs of my son Josiah Prater one dollar my son Bazel Prather one dollar the heirs of my daughter Rutha Page daughter Priscilla Riley one dollar my son Holaway Prather one dollar, and I give and bequeath unto my son King Prather one negro man named Tom to him and his heirs forever. And I give and bequeath unto my son King Prather and my daughter Hannah Adarre after the decease of my beloved wife, all my estate both real and personal to be equally divided between my son King and my daughter Hannah to them and their heirs forever and the part I give to my daughter Hannah Adare to be her and the heirs of her body. Executors administrators and assigns forever and lastly I do constitute and appoint my beloved son King Prater executor of this my last Will and my friend Martha McAvary to act with my son King Prather as executors of this my last Will and Testament hereby making all others and former wills and Testaments by me heretofore made in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 14 of July 1832. signed Bazel Prather (Seal) John Whitmore Benjamine Hill his Also refer to: James X Flinn (Probate Records Box 61 pkg 5 1832 King Prather Mark Laurens co., S.C. King Prather

The children that had received one dollar were not living near him and in some cases had moved to other states and established their own Plantations. The earliest date I find in South Carolina for Bazel PRATHER, b. ca. 174 5, son of John and Abarilla, is 1 Sept. 1767 when he got a receipt for a survey for a Royal Grant. Memorials, Vol. 8, p. 524 - Pre. Rev., Loose Plats, Folder 1539 - Royal Grant, Vol. 3-D, p. 331. Berkley County, South Carolina Archives Department, Columbia, S.C.

Basil is listed as "Basil Prator" in the,1790 head of families in the 17 90 South Carolina Index. His ancestors all had very large families, his descendants are found mostly in Tn., Ky., Ga., Ind., Okla., Tx., Mo., Ark., Ala., Ms., Mich., Ca. Some use the spelling Prater, Prator, Praytor, Prayer, and Prather. Gary Benton Prather

Family

Children of Bazel Pitts Prather and Priscilla

1. Archelaus Archibald b.
2. John James b. about 1768
3. Josiah Hyatt b.
4. Martha
5. Verlinda b. about 1772
6. Abarilla
7. Rutha
8. Brice Bazel b. about 1776
9. Holloway b. 1777
10. Mary b. 1794
11. Minerva b.
12. Bazel KIng b. 1783
13. Hanna Theres b.
14. King b. about 1790

1. Josiah Hyatt b. Abt. 1770, Laurens Co., South Carolina; d. July 04, 1825, Laurens Co., South Carolina.
2. Martha b. Abt. 1772, Laurens Co., South Carolina; d. Abt. 1829.
3. Verlinda b. Bet. 1773 - 1775, Laurens Co., South Carolina; d. Meriwether Co., Georgia.
4. Abrilla b. Bet. 1774 - 1775, Laurens Co., South Carolina; d. March 22, 1856, Park Co., Ill.
5. Rutha b. Laurens Co., South Carolina; d. Living in 1829.
6. Brice Bazel b. Abt. 1776, Laurens Co., South Carolina; d. Abt. 1850, Wayne Co., Tennessee.
7. Holloway b. January 23, 1777, Laurens Co., South Carolina; d. November 28, 1846, Fayette, Ill.
8. Mary b. March 10, 1794, Laurens Co., South Carolina; d. March 18, 1830, Fayette, Ill.
9. Minerva b. Laurens Co., South Carolina; d. May 23, 1826, Laurens Co., South Carolina.
10. Basil (Bazel) King b. July 26, 1783, Laurens Co., South Carolina; d. July 01, 1835, Lake Vandalia, Fayette Co., Ill.
11. Hanna Theresa b. Bet. 1781 - 1788, Laurens Co., South Carolina; d. August 14, 1865, Union Co., Mississippi.
12. King b. Abt. 1790, Laurens Co., South Carolina; d. Abt. 1870, Rock Mills, Randolph Co., Alabama. ^[7]

Bazil Prather. ^[8]

Bazil was born in North Carolina versus Maryland per DAR records. Laurens, Laurens, South Carolina, United States. ^[9] Probate: 1825 Laurens, South Carolina, USA. ^[10]

Burial

Bazil died in 1825 and was buried in Rehobeth United Methodist Church Cemetery, Clinton, Laurens County, South Carolina, USA according to ^[11]Find A Grave: Memorial #225208587 memorial.

Research Notes

There is another Bazil Prather that was born in 1731 and was a Lt. in the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment. He moved to Kentucky where he died in 1803. It has not been determined yet in what way he might be related to Bazel Pitts Prather/Prater.

For the benefit of all descendants of Bazil Pitts Prather there needs to be a complete revision of sources. Many sources listed on this profile are from Ancestry. Only those that have accounts with Ancestry can access these sources. There are also sources listed that the links do not work. I am a direct descendant via his son, John James Prather/Prator. I want to help improve his profile. I can help. There are many statements on this profile that need to further researched and sourced properly or removed.

Goals for research: 1. find source evidence of his marriage to Priscilla and if possible identify her maiden name. 2. find source evidence of his birth location 3. Is there a connection to Maryland and this Bazel Prater/Prather?

Event:

Type: Arrival

Place: Maryland, USA ^[12]

Occupation: Preacher, Plantationer, Rev. War Soldier, S.C. Private Basil is listed as "Basil Prator" in the,1790 head of families in the 17 90 South Carolina Index. His ancestors all had very large families, his descendants are found mostly in Tn., Ky., Ga., Ind., Okla., Tx., Mo., Ark ., Ala., Ms., Mich., Ca. Some use the spelling Prater, Prator, Praytor, Prayter, and Prather.

Bazil was born in 1745. He passed away in 1832.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/225208587

https://services.dar.org/Public/DAR_Research/search_adb/?action=full&p_id=A092407

Sources

1. ↑ "South Carolina Probate Records, Bound Volumes, 1671-1977," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939L-J8SN-5R?cc=1919417&wc=M6NW-ZM9%3A210903901%2C210947501 : 21 May 2014), Newberry > Wills book, 1805-1826, Vol. E > image 86 of 120; citing Department of Archives and History, Columbia.
2. ↑ https://www.carolana.com/SC/Counties/laurens_county_sc.html
3. ↑ https://www.carolana.com/SC/Counties/ninety_six_district_sc.html
4. ↑ http://files.usgwarchives.net/sc/districts/census/1779_96d.txt
5. ↑ https://www.carolana.com/SC/Counties/laurens_county_sc.html
6. ↑ https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHKN-JL9
7. ↑ http://www.2fools.net/book-0001/0003-0020.html#CHILD20
8. ↑ Source: #S350 Estate Papers, 1800-1867; General Index to Estate Papers, 1800-1931; Author: South Carolina. Probate Court (Laurens County); Probate Place: Laurens, South Carolina
9. ↑ Source: #S350 Estate Papers, 1800-1867; General Index to Estate Papers, 1800-1931; Author: South Carolina. Probate Court (Laurens County); Probate Place: Laurens, South Carolina
10. ↑ Source: #S350 Estate Papers, 1800-1867; General Index to Estate Papers, 1800-1931; Author: South Carolina. Probate Court (Laurens County); Probate Place: Laurens, South Carolina BAZEL PRATHER WILL, 1832, King Prather, Laurens County, SC Will on file in Probate records Box61 Pkg 5 1832 King Prather, Laurens Co SC In the name of God, Amen, I Bazel Prather of Laurens Dist. And the State of South Carolina being of sound and disposing mind and memory but weak in body and calling to mind the uncertainty of life and being desirous to dispose of all such worldly estate it hath pleased God to bless me with do make and ordain this my last Will in a manner following: this is to say I desire that so much of my personal estate be immediately sold after my decease to pay debts and funeral expenses. I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Prisilla Prather all my real and personal estate and after the decease of my loving wife I give and bequeath unto the heirs of my son John Prather one dollar and I give to the heirs of my daughter Abrilla Southerland one dollar to my daughter Martha McCrary one dollar and the heirs of my son Josiah Prather, one dollar, my son Bazel Prather one dollar the heirs of my daughter Rutha Page and daughter Prisilla Riley one dollar, my son Holloway Prather one dollar and I give and bequeath unto my son King Prather one negro man named Tom to him and his heirs forever. And I give and bequeath unto my son King Prather and my daughter Hannah Adare after the decease of my beloved wife, all my estate both real and personal to be equally divided between my son King and my daughter Hannah to them and their heirs forever and the part I give to my daughter Hannah Adare to be hers and the heirs of her body. Executors administrators and assigns forever and lastly I constitute and appoint my beloved son King Prater executor of this my last Will and my friend Martha McAvary to act with my son King Prater as executors of this my last Will and Testament hereby making all other and former wills and testaments by me heretofore made in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand affixed my seal this 14th day of July 1832. Signed: Bazel Prather (Seal) John Whitmore Benjamine Hill James Flinn (his mark)” [This obviously doesn’t answer all the questions raised, but perhaps it will help - J.Baugh] The children above mentioned have received their part before according to the best of my ability and then the residue of the money that will be left to be equally divided between my other children, whose names follow, to wit: To my daughter Priscilla Riley, one dollar Also, these unnamed children: ARCHELUS[emphasis added], Mary Lynch, Bazel, Hannah Adair, Holloway, Brice....to them and their heirs forever and further, appointing my son King Prather Guardian to act for my grandson Ephraim Prather til he shall arrive at the age of 20 years...Son King Prather, Executor of this my last will and testament... Dated, December 11, 1829. /s/Bazel Prather. Wit. John Whitmore, Edward Jeanes, Burgess Jeanes. [Probate Records, Box 62, Pkg. 5, dated 1832, King Prather, Exec., Laurens, SC] Second Will for Bazil Prather follows. .I desire that so much of my personal estate be immediately sold after my decease to pay my just debts and funeral expenses, after payment of my just debts and funeral expenses, I give and bequeath to my beloved wife, Priscilla Prather, all my real and personal Estate and after the deceases of my loving wife, I give and bequeath unto the heir of my son, John Prather...one dollar ...To the heirs of my daughter Abarilla Southerland, one dollar ...to my daughter Verlinda Bishop, one dollar..to my son Archelus Prather, one dollar...to my son Brice Prather, one dollar...to the heirs of my daughter Martha McCrary, one dollar...to the heirs of my son Josiah Prather, one dollar...to my son, Bazel Prather, one dollar...to the heirs of my daughter Ruth Hase [Hare?], one dollar ...to my daughter Mary Lynch, one dollar...to the heirs of my daughter Priscillar Riley, one dollar...to my son Holloway Prather, one dollar...to my son King Prather...one negro man named Tom..." "I give unto my son King Prather and my daughter Hannah Adair, after my[sic] decease of my beloved wife, all of my estate both real and personal to be equally divided between them (my son King Prather and my daughter Hannah Adair), to them and their heirs forever... and the part I give to my daughter Hannah Adair to be to her and the heirs of her body, executors, administrators, and assigns forever and lastly I do constitutes and appoint my beloved son King Prather the Executor of this my last will and testament and my friend Martha McCrary to act with my son King Prather as Executors..." Dated, July 14, 1832. /s/Bazel Prather. Wit. John Whitmore, Benjamin Hill, James Glenn (or, Flinn?), his mark. (NOTE: No administration on this Estate) [Laurens Co., SC]
11. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/225208587/bazil-prather: accessed 14 March 2023), memorial page for Bazil “Basil” Prather (1742–1825), Find a Grave Memorial ID 225208587, citing Rehobeth United Methodist Church Cemetery, Clinton, Laurens County, South Carolina, USA; Maintained by Rita Wehunt-Black (contributor 48110921).
12. ↑ Source: Place: Maryland; Page Number: 188 Original data: Filby, P. William, ed. Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s. Farmington Hills, MI, USA: Gale Research, 2012.; https://www.archives.gov/research/immigration/passenger-arrival.html

Title: Descendants of de Presbyter (Prester/de Praers) Author: Steven B Prater, Publication: Prater/Walker Family Tree Location: http://www.2fools.net/book-0001/0003-0002.html Medium: Internet

• "United States Census, 1790," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHKN-JL9: accessed 9 May 2018), Bazel Prator, Laurens, South Carolina, United States; citing p. 440, NARA microfilm publication M637, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 11; FHL microfilm 568,151.
• "United States Census, 1800," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHRH-1RN: accessed 9 May 2018), Bazel Prather, Laurens District, South Carolina, United States; citing p. 25, NARA microfilm publication M32, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 50; FHL microfilm 181,425.
• "United States Census, 1810," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH2Y-9YJ: accessed 9 May 2018), Basel Prator, Laurens, South Carolina, United States; citing p. 299, NARA microfilm publication M252 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 61; FHL microfilm 181,420.
• "United States Census, 1820," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHG6-CF2: accessed 9 May 2018), Basel Prater, Laurens, South Carolina, United States; citing p. 4, NARA microfilm publication M33, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 121; FHL microfilm 162,024.
• "United States Census, 1830," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH5S-D6F: 7 September 2017), B Prator, Laurens, South Carolina, United States; citing 216, NARA microfilm publication M19, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 169; FHL microfilm 22,503.
• Source: S350 Ancestry.com South Carolina, Wills and Probate Records, 1670-1980 Publication: Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2015
• Only a note on Mary's memorial at findagrave.com family members
• Source: S41 Geni World Family Tree (MyHeritage) The Geni World Family Tree is found on <A href="http://www.geni.com" target="_blank">www.Geni.com</a>. Geni is owned and operated by MyHeritage. TID 0 Footnote Geni World Family Tree (MyHeritage) ShortFootnote Geni World Family Tree Bibliography Geni World Family Tree. MyHeritage. https://www.myheritage.com/research/record-40000-18356558/basil-pitts-prater-in-geni-world-family-tree Page https://www.myheritage.com/research/record-40000-18356558/basil-pitts-prater-in-geni-world-family-tree Basil Pitts PraterGender: MaleBirth: 1745 - Prince George's, Maryland, USADeath: July 14 1842 - Laurens, South Carolina, USAFather: <a>William Prather</a>Mother: <a>Martha Prather</a>Siblings: <a>Brice Prather</a>, <a>John Joseph Smith Prather</a>, <a>James William Prather</a>, <a>William Nathan Prather</a>, <a>Netha Prather</a>, <a>Benjamin Prather</a>, <a>Samuel Prather</a>, <a>Martha Prather</a>, <a>Zephaniah Prather</a>, <a>Nathan Prather</a>, <a>Elizabeth Prather</a>, <a>Richard Prather</a>, <a>Cassandra Prather</a>, <a>Thomas Prather</a>

Prater/Prather Genealogy[1]</>

• Wikitree Prater-696