William Pratt
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William Pratt (bef. 1609 - bef. 1679)

Lt. William Pratt
Born before in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, Englandmap
Ancestors ancestors
Son of and
Brother of , , , and
Husband of — married [date unknown] in Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusettsmap
Descendants descendants
Father of , , , , , , and
Died before at about age 69 in Saybrook, New London, Connecticut Colonymap
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The Puritan Great Migration.
William Pratt migrated to New England during the Puritan Great Migration (1621-1640). (See The Directory, by R. C. Anderson, p. 271)
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Contents

Biography

This is the profile of William Pratt, a founder of Hartford Connecticut and an early settler of Saybrook Connecticut.

He was, along with his likely brother John Pratt, the original immigrant and progenitor of the Pratt family of Connecticut.

A comprehenvies biography of William, published in 1938, summarized facts documented by multiple primary records from Hartford and Saybrook.[1]

Parentage and birth

William Pratt may be the son of Rev. William Pratt of Baldock, Hertfordshire who was baptized at Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England on 6 June 1609.[2] This was the conclusion drawn by F.W. Chapman in his 1864 book The Pratt Family[3] and this shaped the thinking of some subsequent genealogical historians.[4][5][6][7] Donald Lines Jacobus, however, critiqued Chapman's work in an article written in 1952.[8]

As summarized with William's profile on the Hartford Founder's website:

"William Pratt has long been supposed to be the brother of John Pratt[9], another founder of Hartford, thought to be the sons of Rev. William Pratt of Stevenadge, Hertfordshire, England. Later genealogists objected that the baptismal date given in prior genealogies of 9 November 1620 was far too late to be the John Pratt of Hartford. However, Matthew J. Grow, in an article in the New England Historical Genealogical Record, Vol. 149 demonstrates that the correct baptismal date for John Pratt is 29 November 1607, and the baptismal date of William was 6 June 1609, making it possible for these sons of the Rev. William Pratt to be the John and William Pratts of Hartford. Mr. Grow does not assert that these are the descendants of John and William Pratt, but does assert that strong possibility."[10]

In summary, the search continues for robust evidence that William was the son of Rev. William Pratt of Baldock, Hertfordshire and/or the brother of Hartford founder John Pratt.[11]

Records of William Pratt in New England

According to De Forest et al, who comprehensively reviewed the relevant Massachusetts and Connecticut records of the period,

"...the first reference to him [i.e. the subject of this profile] anywhere in New England was at Hartford where on January 3, 1939/40 he was granted six acres and his name appears as one of 'such Inhabitants as have Right in undivided Lands'. Because he had this right it seems probably that Pratt was one of the original settlers of Hartford in 1636."[12]

His name is thus included on the Hartford Founders monument.[13] His home-lot in 1639/1640 was on the east side of the road to the cow Pasture.[13] [14] William's Hartford land holdings and land transactions were documented in town records of the period.[15]

William was one of the band that went from Hartford to fight in the Pequot War of 1636 to 1638.[16][17]. A record from February 1639/40 documented that Willam received a land grant in Soldiers Field in Hartford in recognition of his services during the Pequot War.[18]

Removed to Saybrook where he was a prominent figure

Careful review of the Hartford and Saybrook records suggests that it was about 1645 that William sold his Hartford lands and removed to Saybrook -- about 40 miles down the Connecticut river from Hartford, at its mouth on the Long Island Sound.[19] William was first mentioned in Saybrook records in 1648.[20] He susequetly acquired lands in "the Potapaug Quarter" (see attached image) which was later to become the separate town of Essex. It was here that his son Nicholas and some other children attended the Second Society church and located their own homesteads.[21]

"Only a few years after his arrival in Saybrook William Pratt began to take a conspicuous part in the affairs of the community. In 1660 he was elected a Townsman or Selectman and in this capacity he signed a letter of July 18, 1660 to Governor John Winthrop. On October 3, 1661, Pratt was 'established Lietenant to ye Band at Seaborrok'. This must have made him the commanding officeer of the local Train Band... on May 10, 1666, he was appointed Commissioner for Saybrook for a term of one year. A Commissioner was a judge of minor cases and Pratt held this office not only for Saybrook but also for Lyme until 1677. Pratt was also a Deputy from Saybrook to the Connecticut General Court and served at the sessions of [1666 to 1678[22] -- at least one session each year]. "[23]

Witnessed and was named in the Will of Joshua Uncas

William witnessed and was named as both a legatee and a trustee in the Will of Attawanhood (Joshua (Uncas) Attawanhood II (abt.1630-1676)), signed in Potapaug in 1675.[24] Attawanhood was a native American sachem of the Mohegan and allied tribes and son of the sachem Uncas, under whom the Mohegan's remained allied with New England colonists during the Pequot War and King Philip's War.[16] Attawanhood is said to have served as a guide and translator to William Pratt and William Hyde, sent by "Governor" George Fenwick of Saybrook (which then considered itself to be a separate colony), to explore the possibility of expanding the colony into the Pootapaug Quarter.[25][26]

Attawanhood's Will directed that his children should be taught English and live, for four years, with their mother, at or near Saybrook, and afterwards, "be kept at the English Schools," and "come not among any Connecticut Indians. " He entrusted the children to the special care of Capt. Chapman, Lieut. William Pratt and Mr Buckingham.[27][28] A petition of 1684 appled for funds to help support the sole surviving child Abimelech.

Marriage and children

Documentation that William married Elizabeth Clark, a daughter of John Clark, of Saybrook is provided by the Will of John Clark which names "Elizabeth Pratt" as a daughter and William as a "son" (i.e. son-in-law).[29][14] [13][16] Jacobus concluded that the marriage took place by 1641 when the first known child was born.

Saybrook Land Records document on a single page (see attached image), 7 of the 8 children born to "Will Prate".[30][31] These Saybrook records notwithstanding, based on other records it appears likely that the first two children were born in Hartford but recorded retrospectively.[32][33] In fact, there is a Hartford record of the birth of John on 23 Feb 1644.[34]

  1. Elizabeth b. 1 Feb 1641/2[35]; m. 11 May 1660 Lt. William Backus of Norwich; died in Norwich in 1730
  2. John b. 20 Feb 1644/5; d. about 1726; m. 8 Jun 1665, Sarah Jones, d/o Thomas Jones of Guilford
  3. Joseph b. 1 Aug 1648; d. 12 Aug 1703; m. (1) 1671 Margaret Parker, his stepsister; m. (2) Sept 1686 Sarah Chapman
  4. Sarah b. 1 April 1651; m. 20 April 1671 Isaac Watrous.
  5. William b. May 1653 (14, 15, 5 ?); d. 4 Mar 1718; m. 20 Feb 1678/9 Hannah Kirtland
  6. Samuel b. 6 Oct 1655; d. 1705; m. (1) c 1681 Ruth Huntington; m. (2) Dec 1686 Elizabeth Peck
  7. Lydia b. 1 Jan 1659/60; d. aft 1704; m. Nov 1679 John Kirtland
  8. Nathaniel b. about 1662[36]; d. before 10 Sep 1744; m. (1) 2 May 1688, Sarah Beamont; m. (2) 21 Jan 1718 Sarah Willard; m. (3) after Jan 1723 Rebecca _____.

Nathaniel was the only one of William's 8 children for whom there is no record of baptism or birth. While it is believed that William had a Will, this document or any transcription of it has not survived. However, in 1704 a Saybrook land record from 15 Jan 1679 (probably 1679/80 -- very soon after William's death) was transcribed into the town record book to convey lands "unto Nathanael Pratt his heirs and assigns for ever, as part of his portion, due to him from the Estate of his father, Lieut William Pratt aforesaid which Lands lyeth in Potapauge Quarter belonging to Say-Brook." [37] Another Saybrook land record of 1730 documented the laying out for Nicholas of a parcel of land which "was originally Left William Pratts' [,] father to the said Nathaneal Pratt".[38] [39] There are also Saybrook land records of 1692[40] and 1697[41] in which Nathaniel was referred to as the brother of John Pratt (1644-bef.1726) and William Pratt (1653-1718) respectively.

As with the Pratt Family genealogical history and other secondary sources, Donald Lines Jacobus concluded that Nathaniel was a son of William born about 1662. Jacobus' estimate of Nathaniel's year of birth was likely based on an assumption that he was 26 years old when he married. It is unclear on what basis Jacobus concurred that William was his father. Jacobus may have seen such Saybrook land records or he may have been persuaded by Nathaniel's close association in Saybrook records with other Pratt children.[42]

Death

Per The Pratt family, William died in 1678.:

The precise date of William Pratt’s decease is not known. It appears from the Say-Brook town records that he left a will, but as estates at the time of his decease were settled at New London and the records previous to 1700 were destroyed by fire, no trace of it has been found. He attended the General Court as a Deputy the twenty-third and last time, at the session which convened at Hartford May 9, 1678. The marriage notice of his son William, the 20th of the succeeding February, speaks of him as ‘the son of Lieut. Wm. Pratt, deceased.’ This fixes the year of his decease at 1678.[43]

In summary, William Pratt died after May 9, 1678 when he attended the attended the General Court at Hartford and before 20 Feb 1678/9 when his son's marriage notice refers to him as “the son of Lieut. William Pratt, deceased.” He likely died in his hometown of Saybrook.

A land record of 31 May 1682 documents that wife Elizabeth was by that date remarried and went by "Elizabeth Parker".[44][45] It is believed that her second husband was William Parker.[46] Elizabeth Parker died before 2 April 1695 when land was laid out [in Saybrook ?] from the estate of Lieutenant Will Pratt deceased, which "fell to the Estate of Samuel Pratt, deceased, after his mother's decease".[47]

Research issues

  1. Are there any primary records from Hartford or Saybrook to document a close association between John Pratt and William Pratt ?

Sources

  1. ↑ Moore and allied families; the ancestry of William Henry Moore. By De Forest et al. 1938 (https://archive.org/details/moorealliedfamil00defo/page/434/mode/2up)
  2. ↑ Grow, Matthew J. A Belated Reply: The English Origins of John and William Pratt of Connecticut, New England Historical and Genealogical Register 149: 374-378citing "Recent research at the County Records Office at Hertfordshire, England", "verified by Hertfordshire County Archivist Kathryn Thompson" Link at AmericanAncestors ($)
  3. ↑ The Pratt family: or, The descendants of Lieut. William Pratt, one of the first settlers of Hartford and Say-Brook, with genealogical notes of John Pratt, of Hartford; Peter Pratt, of Lyme; John Pratt (Taylor) of Say-Brook. By Rev. F. W. Chapman. 1864. Page 46 and following.(https://archive.org/details/prattfamilyordes00chap/page/n97/mode/2up?view=theater)
  4. ↑ Families of early Hartford, Connecticut. By Lucius Barnes Barbour. Manuscript up to 1934. Pages 465 (John) and 466 (William) (https://archive.org/details/familiesofearlyh00barb_0/page/466/mode/2up?q=Pratt) Lucius Barnes Barbour appears to have retained some uncertainty regarding the parentage of William Pratt. "William Pratt ... An original proprietor and settler, supposed to have been brother of John, his home lott in 1639 was on the east side of the road to the Cow pasture. Served in the Pequot War; in 1645 sold his land to Mathew Beckwith and removed to Saybrook; deputy from there 1666 -- 76; Lieut. in 1661."
  5. ↑ Moore and allied families; the ancestry of William Henry Moore. By De Forest et al. 1938 (https://archive.org/details/moorealliedfamil00defo/page/434/mode/2up) "Considerable work has been done in England by earlier investigators and it is gererally believed that the ancestry of William Pratt has been established. The present writers admit to some doubts as to this pedigree, considering it as probable and reasonable but by no means certain... This may well be true but is not completely convincing."
  6. ↑ Saybrook at the mouth of the Connecticut : the first one hundred years. By .Gilman Gates. 1935. Page 155.(https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/viewer/687702/?offset=0#page=171&viewer=picture&o=search&n=0&q=Pratt)
  7. ↑ Our New England Ancestors and Their Descendants, 1620-1900. By Henry Whittemore. 1900 . Biography of George Spencer, husband of Julia Pratt on page 74.(https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=iik3AAAAMAAJ&pg=GBS.PA74&hl=en)
  8. ↑ Hale, House, and related families : mainly of the Connecticut River Valley. By Donald Lines Jacobus. 1952. Pages 719 and 720.(https://archive.org/details/halehouserelated00jaco/page/718/mode/2up) "F. W. Chapman published The Pratt Family in 1864, at a time when facilities for research were poor."
  9. ↑ Hartford Founders website. Profile of John Pratt. By Timothy Lester Jacobs, SDFH Genealogist (https://www.foundersofhartford.org/the-founders/john-pratt/)
  10. ↑ Hartford Founders website. Profile of William Pratt. By Timothy Lester Jacobs, SDFH Genealogist (https://www.foundersofhartford.org/the-founders/william-pratt/) "Mr. Grow does not assert that these are the descendants of John and William Pratt, but does assert that strong possibility."
  11. ↑ Review of Hartford records has yet to locate documenation of a close association between William Pratt and John Pratt -- other than their names appearing consecutively on alphabetical listings of proprietors.
  12. ↑ Moore and allied families; the ancestry of William Henry Moore. By De Forest et al. 1938. Page 435. (https://archive.org/details/moorealliedfamil00defo/page/434/mode/2up)
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Society of the Descendants of the Founders of Hartford - William Pratt
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Chapman, F. W. (1864). The Pratt family or, The descendants of Lieut. William Pratt. Hartford p. 52 : Printed by Case, Lockwood and Company. Archive.org. Accessed: 22 Sep 2017.(View on archive.org) "The date of the marriage has not been found."
  15. ↑ Original Distribution of the Lands in Hartford Among the Settlers 1639. Collections of the Connecticut Historical Society. 1860.
    1. See page vii: "In the Town book dated 3 Janu 1639 [i.e. 1639/40] ... The proportions of these Proprietors varied from one hundred sixty acres for John Haynes down to six for William Pratt and others". (https://archive.org/details/collectionsofcon14conn/page/n15/mode/2up?q=Pratt)
    2. See page XV -- In the Secretaries Record Book, volume 1, part 1, the index assigned to the parcel of William Pratt was 20, while that assigned to John Pratt was 9. Note that William's name was not included in the listing of parcel indices in subsequent volumes and parts of volumes of the Scretarties Record Book. (https://archive.org/details/collectionsofcon14conn/page/n23/mode/2up?q=Pratt)
    3. See page 177 - "Febr: Anno: dom : 1639. Severall parcells of land in Hertford vpon the River of Cannecticott belonginge to William Pratt & to his heires forever. This record is in the handwriting of the second recorder. All of the parcels are entered on the Secretary's record vol. i, part i, page 20."(https://archive.org/details/collectionsofcon14conn/page/176/mode/2up?q=Pratt)
    4. See page 377 for records of several Hartford parcels sold by William. (https://archive.org/details/collectionsofcon14conn/page/376/mode/2up?q=Pratt)
    5. See page 500 -- As late as 1665, William Pratt (along with Joh Pratt) was listed among "The Names of Such Inhabitants As Have right In undvided Lands" (https://archive.org/details/collectionsofcon14conn/page/500/mode/2up?q=Pratt)
    6. See page 528 -- Refers to a deed signed by John Pratt on 4 January 1693/3 selling "One Peice or parcell of Land ... Purchafed of John Prat of Saybrook, lying in the fouerth Divifion of Land from windsor highway westward, which said Land was an alottment unto his father W": Pratt deceafed"
    7. See pages 549 & 550 -- William was named in February 1671 as a proprietor of undivided land in Hartford. (https://archive.org/details/collectionsofcon14conn/page/550/mode/2up?q=Pratt)
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Pratt Family Biographies, database online, author: Una Pratt Giles
  17. ↑ Wikipedia article on the Pequot War (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pequot_War)
  18. ↑ Moore and allied families; the ancestry of William Henry Moore. By De Forest et al. 1938. Page 436. (https://archive.org/details/moorealliedfamil00defo/page/436/mode/2up)
  19. ↑ Moore and allied families; the ancestry of William Henry Moore. By De Forest et al. 1938. Page 436. (https://archive.org/details/moorealliedfamil00defo/page/436/mode/2up) While they bear no date there are records of Beckwith's land purchases of from Pratt: 'One psill called Coupastuer wich he bought of william pratt Contain by Estima Six acres ..."
  20. ↑ Moore and allied families; the ancestry of William Henry Moore. By De Forest et al. 1938. Page 439. (https://archive.org/details/moorealliedfamil00defo/page/n465/mode/2up) ... in 1648 Pratt and [his father-in-law] Clarke were on a committee to make a division of 'lands that lye remote' in Saybrook.""
  21. ↑ A summary of key Saybrook lands acquired and sold by William should be developed and inserted here. For this purpose, a key reference to consult, apart from Saybrook land records (which, unfortunately, can only be viewed at a genealogical library) is the Appendix to The Pratt Family. Page 839.(https://archive.org/details/prattfamilyordes00chap/page/n699/mode/2up?view=theater)
  22. ↑ See, for example, Volume III of The Public Records of the Colony of Connecticut for 9 May 1678. (https://www.cga.ct.gov/hco/books/The_Public_Records_of_the_Colony_of_Connecticut_1678-1689.pdf)
  23. ↑ Moore and allied families; the ancestry of William Henry Moore. By De Forest et al. 1938. Page 439. (https://archive.org/details/moorealliedfamil00defo/page/n465/mode/2up)
  24. ↑ Transcription from The New England Historical and Genealogical Register. Vol. 13, page 235 (1859). (https://archive.org/details/newenglandhistor013wate/page/234/mode/2up) or (https://www.bapresley.com/genealogy/hawkins/chapman/joshuauncaswill.html) "Further my Will is, that my Children be brought up the first four years henceforward with Trusty and their Mother, to teach them English and that they should live at, or near Saybrook, and at the expiration of said four years I desire my children my be kept to the English Schoole, and for their maintainance I give to them thirty and five pounds ... to be improved for clothing for my Children as they shall need. Also my Will is, that my land at Potunk, being 40 acres broke up, the rents thereof be improved for the Schooling and educating my said children. Also it is my desire that they come not amongst any Connecticut Indians, and further it is my Will, that they thirty-five pounds aforesaid and the rents of my lands at Potunk be Received by Capt Robert Chapman, Lieut. William Pratt, and Mr. Thomas Buckingham, to be disposed to my Children as aforesaid, and desire all my Legatees to have respect to my children, but especially leave them to the care of said Capt Chapman, Lieut Pratt, Mr. Buckingham, to be educated as aforesaid.... this, with what is written on the other two side, I declare and publish to be my last will and testament, in testimony whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and Seale in Potopaug, this 29 of February 1675. Signed Sealed and published in presence of us, John Denison, Gershom Palmer, William Pratt"
  25. ↑ Native Northeast Portal. Profile of Attawanhood II, - 1676(https://nativenortheastportal.com/bio/bibliography/attawanhood-ii)
  26. ↑ Uncas: First of the Mohegans. By Micahel Oberg. 2003. Page 154.
  27. ↑ Extracts from the Records of the United Colonies of New England. Edited and annotated by James Trumbull. 1859. Page 45. Petition of Robert Chapman Sen., Capt. James Fitch and Rev. Thomas Buckingham, asking that provision be made for the maintenance of Joshua's son. 1st day of the 7th month 1684. (https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=tL4SAAAAYAAJ&pg=GBS.PA44&hl=en) "Attawanhood, or Joshua, the third son of Uncass, and sachem of the western Niantics, died in May, 1676, leaving three children. He directed, in his will, that they should be taught English and live, for four years, with their mother, at or near Saybrook, and afterwards, " be kept at the English Schools" and "come not among any Connecticut Indians". " He desired that all his legatees might have respect to his children, but entrusted them to the especial care of Capt. Chapman, Lieut. Pratt and Mr Buckingham. ( Will, in Indians, I. 30. ) Only one of the children, Abimelech, was living at the date of this petition."
  28. ↑ Moore and allied families; the ancestry of William Henry Moore. By De Forest et al. 1938. Page 442. (https://archive.org/details/moorealliedfamil00defo/page/442/mode/2up)
  29. ↑ Hale, House, and related families : mainly of the Connecticut River Valley. By Donald Lines Jacobus. 1952. Page 720 (https://archive.org/details/halehouserelated00jaco/page/720/mode/2up). Jacobus provided a transcription of John Clark's Will on pages 493 to 495. (https://archive.org/details/halehouserelated00jaco/page/492/mode/2up)
  30. ↑ Saybrook Vital Records. Compilation published in 1952. Page 4. (https://archive.org/details/vitalrecordsofsa00deep/page/4/mode/2up)
    "The children of Will Prate
    1. Elizabeth born the first of February in the year 1641
    2. John prate born the 20th of February in the year [16]44
    3. Josef prate born the first of Agust in the year [16]48
    4. Sara prate born the first of April in the year [ 16]51
    5. Will prate born the 15 May in the year [16]53
    6. Samuell prate born the 6th of October in the year [16]55
    7. lidia prate born the first January in the year [16]59"
  31. ↑ Connecticut, U.S., Town Birth Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection). Saybrook Vital Records. Volume 1. Page 17. See, for example, the transcription of the record for Elizabeth on page 124.(https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/20778:1034?ssrc=pt&tid=178468330&pid=282567590618) The records for the births of the other 6 earliest births can be located by advancing forwards or backwards from this image. Only for the last born Nathaniel has no Saybrook record been found so far.
  32. ↑ Jacobus, Donald Lines. Hale, House, and Related Families, Mainly of the Connecticut River Valley (Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford, 1952) p 721
  33. ↑ Ferris, Mary. Dawes-Gates Ancestral Lines (Privately Printed, 1943) pp 680, 681
  34. ↑ Collections of the Connecticut Historical Society, by Connecticut Historical Society. 1860. Page 575. (https://archive.org/details/collectionsofcon14conn/page/574/mode/2up?q=Pratt) "John pratt sunn of william pratt was borne Febru the twenty and three one thousanth Six hundred forty and fo"
  35. ↑ Connecticut, U.S., Town Birth Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection). Saybrook Vital Records. Volume 1. Page 17. The transcription of the record for Elizabeth appears on page 124 of this volume.(https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/20778:1034?ssrc=pt&tid=178468330&pid=282567590618)
  36. ↑ Hale, House, and related families : mainly of the Connecticut River Valley. By Donald Lines Jacobus. 1952. Page 720.(https://archive.org/details/halehouserelated00jaco/page/720/mode/2up)
  37. ↑ The Pratt Family, By F. W. Chapman. 1864. Appendix. On page 375 Chapman included a transcription from Say-Brook Rec. Vol 2. Page 97.(https://archive.org/details/prattfamilyordes00chap/page/n771/mode/2up?view=theater) "Lands of Nathanael Prattin Potapogue Quarter entered Nov 22d 1704. Jan'y ye 15th 1679. Wee whose names are underwritten, being by the Honored Court appointed Administrators of the estate of Lieut William Pratt late of Say-Brook deceased, doe hereby order That These lands here following be recorded in the Records of Say-Brook, unto Nathanael Pratt his heirs and assigns for ever, as part of his portion, due to him from the Estate of his father, Lieut William Pratt afore said which Lands lyeth in Potapauge Quarter belonging to Say-Brook.... [mark of] Elizabeth Pratt; Administrators [signatures of] John Pratt [;] Joseph Pratt".
  38. ↑ The Pratt Family, By F. W. Chapman. 1864. Appendix. Page 382.(https://archive.org/details/prattfamilyordes00chap/page/n785/mode/2up?view=theater) "Left Nathanael Pratt of Say-Brook makes claim to a piece of land at or near the meadow called the little meadow in Potapaug Quarter, in the township of Say-Brook it being a part of thirty acres, which was originally Left William Pratts' father to the said Nathanael Pratt, it being part of said William Pratts first and second division, which may appear by record, in Potapaug Quarter book, and the said thirty acres was not even set out by meets and bounds, to the aforesaid Lieut William Pratt, & Lieft Nathanael Pratt ... on the 20th day of November 1730, we proceeded as followeth ..."
  39. ↑ One or another of these may be the record referred to in a 1949 family genealogical history which stated that there is a document showing that "in the distribution of his father's estate he [i.e. Nicholas] received a share as one of the sons." See The New England ancestry of Dana Converse Backus. 1949. Pages 136 and 137. (https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=wu.89062943196&view=1up&seq=158)
  40. ↑ The Pratt Family, By F. W. Chapman. 1864. Appendix. Page 374. (https://archive.org/details/prattfamilyordes00chap/page/n769/mode/2up?view=theater) "The Lands of Nathanael Pratt in Potapaug Quarter, belonging to Say-Brook, Recorded May the 30th, 1692. [:] 1. The Manor house, out house, barn and stable. His homestead, orchard and plowland being ten acres and a half, (be it more or less) being bounded northward partly upon the lands of his brother John Pratt and partly upoa the lands of Robert Lay, eastward upon the land of his brother John Pratt southward upon the Cove, westward partly upon the lands of Captain John ffenner and partly upon the highway."
  41. ↑ The Pratt Family, By F. W. Chapman. 1864. Appendix. Page 356.(https://archive.org/details/prattfamilyordes00chap/page/n733/mode/2up?view=theater) William Pratt (1653-1718), son of William Pratt (bef.1609-1670) noted in a record of March 1696/97 that "the proprietors of the sald Quarter [Oyster River Quarter ?] did appoint me William Pratt, and my brothcr Nalhanael, to lay out said land ..."
  42. ↑ Saybrook at the Mouth of Connecticut. By Gilman Gates. 1935. See page 239.(https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/viewer/687702/?offset=0#page=255&viewer=picture&o=search&n=0&q=Pratt) Saybrook records noted on "1st, 1705, a grant was made to Ensign William Pratt and Sergeant Nathaniel Pratt of liberty to erect a saw mill on Falls River." Also see page 232 (https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/viewer/687702/?offset=0#page=248&viewer=picture&o=search&n=0&q=Pratt) "The following persons were measurers of land during the years indicated: Joseph Pratt for some period previous to his death in 1704; Nath aniel Pratt, 1704-27 ; Samuel Pratt, 1714; ..." Also see page 233. (https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/viewer/687702/?offset=0#page=249&viewer=picture&o=search&n=0&q=Pratt) Note, along with Nathaniel Pratt (who had acquired Potapaug land rights from "John Birchard"), the cluster of William's documented children and in-laws who consituted most of the proprietors of Potapaug Quarter (i.e. Essex) in 1694: Joseph Pratt, William Pratt, John Clark (a nephew of the wife of the subject of this profile), Wiolliam Parker (2nd husband or steps-on of William's widow?)
  43. ↑ The Pratt family or, The descendants of Lieut. William Pratt, one of the first settlers of Hartford and Say-Brook, with genealogical notes of John Pratt, of Hartford; Peter Pratt, of Lyme; John Pratt (Taylor) of Say-Brook, by F. W. Chapman, published 1864, reference page 53
  44. ↑ Moore and allied families; the ancestry of William Henry Moore. By De Forest et al. 1938. Page 443. (https://archive.org/details/moorealliedfamil00defo/page/n442/mode/2up)
  45. ↑ New England Marriages to 1700. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2008.) Originally published as: New England Marriages Prior to 1700. Boston, Mass.: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2015. Reference Volume 2, page 1142. $Subscription
  46. ↑ Family records : Parker-Pond-Peck, by Parker, Edwin Pond, 1892. (https://archive.org/details/familyrecordspar00park/page/7/mode/1up) " He married for a second wife, prior to 1682, Elizabeth Pratt, widow of Lieut. William Pratt."
  47. ↑ Moore and allied families; the ancestry of William Henry Moore. By De Forest et al. 1938. Page 443. (https://archive.org/details/moorealliedfamil00defo/page/n442/mode/2up)

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Images: 5
Hartford in 1640 prepared from the original records by vote of the town and drawn by William S. Porter. Image by The Connecticut Historical Society
Hartford in 1640 prepared from the original records by vote of the town and drawn by William S. Porter. Image by The Connecticut Historical Society
Founders of Hartford Monument : West Face
Founders of Hartford Monument : West Face
William Pratt Image 1
William Pratt Image 1
William Pratt Image 2
William Pratt Image 2
Saybrook lands & (7 of 8) children of William Pratt
Saybrook lands & (7 of 8) children of William Pratt


Comments: 16

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McClain-3310 Scott McClain
I have removed two cenotaph images previously attached to Pratt-14290 that were copied from Find a Grave to comply with WikiTree's copyright policy.
posted by Scott McClain
Blair-4489 David Blair
Hello Scott, I do believe that the following would apply, although I have contacted the prior persons that have posted the photos to findagave.com.

The “Fair Use Doctrine” is found in Title 17, Section 107 of the United States Code, “Limitations on Exclusive Rights.”

An article can be found on this subject for findagrave.com at: https://civilwar.gratzpa.org/2011/03/the-fair-use-doctrine-and-pictures-found-on-find-a-grave/

posted by David Blair
Blair-4489 David Blair
I just received the Ok to copy the photos from the manager of the profile on findagrave.com Eternal Peace
posted by David Blair
Bonnet-244 Marcia (Bonnet) Benjamin
Hi David! I believe according to wikitree policy if you have permission from the person who owns the copyright to the picture you can use it. Personally, I'd get it in writing. I'm sure Scott will have a better grasp on what is admissable and what is not in this case.
posted by Marcia (Bonnet) Benjamin
McClain-3310 Scott McClain
If you received permission from the copyright owner, it's OK. The Fair Use claim is debatable but WikiTree takes a very conservative approach on this and asks members not to upload photos downloaded from other websites like Find a Grave without obtaining express permission from the copyright owner.
posted by Scott McClain
Blair-4489 David Blair
Eternal Peace on 30 Oct 2022

RE: Uses of photo on Lieut William Pratt memorial Pictures are to share with everyone. You are welcome to use any I post.

This is the copy from findagrave.com David Blair

posted by David Blair
Blair-4489 David Blair
Pratt-14290 and Pratt-601 appear to represent the same person because: These are the same person: date and wife are the same
posted by David Blair
Hill-11959 S (Hill) Willson
Removed incorrect spouse, Elizabeth Clarke. See the comments below for information and sources supporting that Elizabeth Clark is his correct and only spouse.
posted by S (Hill) Willson
Hill-11959 S (Hill) Willson
Do other PMs have any objection to removing Elizabeth Clarke as his spouse. William only married once, and his wife, Elizabeth (Clark) Pratt was named as John Clark's daughter in his will in 1673/4: https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=wu.89066151523&view=1up&seq=516 The incorrect Elizabeth Clarke was most likely born in Virginia, judging by where her parents bios say they were married and where one of her older brothers were born; her parents both died in Virginia per their bios.
posted by S (Hill) Willson
Chris Hoyt
I would say disconnect her, it appears that Elizabeth's father John Clark died in Virginia in 1644.
posted by Chris Hoyt
Hill-11959 S (Hill) Willson
He was only married once according to the bio as well as quality sources. The marriage in 1655 is unsourced, and incorrect. I recommend Clarke-1575 be removed as his spouse.

The Elizabeth Clark who married William Pratt was the daughter of Elder John Clark, who died 1673/4 at New Haven (Ref Hale, House and Related Families by Jacobus: https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=wu.89066151523&view=1up&seq=518)

posted by S (Hill) Willson
edited by S (Hill) Willson
Wetzold-1 Christine (Wetzold) Durant
Pratt-601 and Pratt-1214 appear to represent the same person because: Adopted this abandoned profile, updated it and realized that this person already had a profile. So, could we merge them, please? Thanks!
posted by Christine (Wetzold) Durant
Adams-17399 Gene Adams
Pratt 1214 should also be merged into Pratt 601, as the information on birth and death are incorrect, but other information is identical such as spouse and locations.
posted by Gene Adams
Hill-11959 S (Hill) Willson
UPDATE: I've added the documentation on his death date, along with the source to his bio.

Is there source documentation for the death date shown in this profile? There is support for the 1678 date as I posted on November 24, but perhaps there is contrary supporting documentation for 1670 date. Since the two profiles appear to be the same person, perhaps one date could be listed, and the other could be listed as an "alternate death date possibility" (or similar) in the bio...?

posted by S (Hill) Willson
[Living Kennedy]
Pratt-1014 and Pratt-601 are not ready to be merged because: death dates do not match
posted by [Living Kennedy]
Hill-11959 S (Hill) Willson
I'm not sure if you have source data for William's death, but this source offers a year of death of 1678 based on facts pertaining to attendance at General Court and the marriage notice of his son, Willilam: "The Pratt family : or the descendants of Lieut. William Pratt, one of the first settlers of Hartford and Say-Brook", by F.W. Chapman, page 53
posted by S (Hill) Willson

Rejected matches › William Pratt (abt.1840-) › William Pratt (abt.1835-1873) › William John Pratt (1859-1936) › William Henry Pratt (1843-)

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