STEWART AND TRIGG COUNTY PRYOR FAMILY

revised October 12, 2008

The land in Stewart County, TN and in Trigg County, KY that was settled by the Pryor family is called the Land Between the Lakes. The Homeplace is an attraction open to the public with exhibits of pioneer life. Photographs of the Homeplace are located on their website. More information has been developed to explain who this Pryor family was and their place in the history of the westward migration.

Per the Land Between the Lakes Website, William Pryor was the first Pryor noted in Stewart County. William purchased land late in 1808 from John Colants.

William's presence in Stewart County and evidence that he is the William Pryor who married Betsy Trammell, is supported by a Guardian Bond filed in that county in 1812.

William sold his land in Stewart County to Robert Cooper. The 1816 Land Deed indicates that William Pryor had already left Tennessee and was residing in Clarke County, AL, which at that time was part of the Mississippi Territory. William "Prior" was recorded in Clarke County in 1816 on the Alabama Territory Census. In 1820 William's daughter Mary E. Pryor married Nathaniel Ayers in Clarke County.

William Pryor moved from Alabama to Texas as a pioneer member of Stephen F. Austin's Old 300. Pryor was first granted land in 1824 in what is known today as Waller County. The Texas General Land Office granted him land in Austin's Colony in 1828.

It's documented in the diary of Pryor's friend William Barrett Travis that William Pryor died on September 3, 1833 near San Felipe, Texas. (see will below) He may have been over sixty years old at the time of his death. There had been some kind of falling out between Pryor and his only known son Trammell Pryor as it was noted he had been turned out of the colony possibly after some sort of criminal act or immoral act. Pryor's daughters are believed to be Harriet Pryor Roberts Kemp, Stacy Pryor Barton, Rosannah Pryor Whittingham, Mary Pryor Ayers who later married John M. Hensley (see daughter's certificate below), and Elizabeth "Betsy" Pryor Roberts Harry.

The Land Between the lakes is a fascinating location, not only situated between lakes, but between states. Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake are on the boarder of Kentucky and Tennessee.

The oldest Pryor in the census records is Mary born about 1778 in Maryland. She would be a reasonable age to be the wife of the William Pryor who purchased land in 1808. I believe from the census records that she was the mother of James, whom she lived with, and William, Wesley, and Jonathan Pryor. She may have had other sons in that there was a Jane Pryor and a Mary Pryor who appear to be widows and heads of households in Stewart County, TN in 1820 and 1830.

USDA Forest Service - The Homeplace (the Pryor land)
Land Between the Lakes
Mapquest - regional map

Thank you to Cindy Earls, Special Events Coordinator at the Land Between the Lakes Association. Documentation provided by family researcher Betty Vaughn.

Guardian Bond (summary)
Stewart County Will Book A, 1812-1814 lists: "124 guardian bond by William Pryor, James Pryor, Jesse Denson, for Edith Trammell, Isabella Trammell, Jarret Trammell, James Trammell & Jacob Hollingsworth Trammell, orphans of Sampson Trammell; 8 Aug 1812" After his death, his sons were reportedly raised by his brother David Trammell.

Guardian Bond – Trammell

Document is stained on right side making some words totally unreadable or covered by stain

Know all Men by these Presents that W…… (covered by stain)
Pryor & Jesse Denson all of the County of ……………
And State of Tennessee now hold and firmly …………..
And Joshua Williams John Brighton ….
James Patterson Justices of the Court of Pleas
& Quarter sessions for the County of Stewart in
The sum of one thousand Dollars to be paid
To the said Justices or the survivor or survivors
Of them their executors or administrators in Trust
For the benefit of the orphan Children Herein
after named for the which payment will be truly
to be made no bond runable and each of us our
and each of our heirs Executors and Administrators
Jointly & Severally firmly by these presents sealed
With our Seals and Dated this 8 th day of August
1812 The Condition of the above obligation is Such
That whereas the about bounden William Pryor is
Constituted and appointed Guardian for
Edith Trammell Isabella Trammell Jarrett
Trammell James Trammell and Jacob Hollingsworth
Trammell Orphan children of Sampson
Trammell Deceased now if the Said William
Pryor shall faithfully execute his Said guardianship
By securely and improving all the Estate
Of said Sampson Trammell that shall
Be in his (hands marked out) Possession for the benefit
Of said Edith Trammell Isabella Trammell
James Trammell Jarrett Trammell & Jacob
Hollingsworth Trammell until they shall
(covered by stain) they (stain) age or he be thereto sooner
(stain) render a true and plain
(stain) said guardianship an oath
(stain) Justices of our said court and deliver
Pay or possesses the said Edith Trammell
Isabella Trammell James Trammell Jarret
Trammell & Jacob Hollingsworth Trammell
Of all such estate or Estates or they ought
To be possessed of or to such person or persons
As shall be lawfully empowered to receive the
Same & the profits arising therefore therein
This obligation to be …. otherwise to remain
In full force & virtue
Acknowledged in Open Court
August Term 1812
Test
R. Cooper Clk William Pryor {Seal}
James Pryor {Seal}
J Denson {Seal}

1816 Land Deed (transcription)

The said William Pryor had bargained, sold, conveyed?... consigned, and confirmed and do by this presents do said Robert Cooper his heirs and assigns fo over one Lott in the Town of Dover ??? over and Distinguishes in the plan of said town by number one hundred and twenty, Do have the hole the aforesaid lott one all the here it …with and assaing… there unto Belonging or in anywhere ascertaining to him the said Robert Cooper his heirs and assigns forever and further more the said William Pryor do for my life my heirs Executors, and administrators Covenant and agree to and with the said Robert Cooper his heirs and assigns to warrant ___ and forever defend the right and the – of said Lott against the Lawful Claim or Claims of any person or persons Lawfully Claiming the same in Testimony were of the said William Pryor or have hereinwith Set my hand, name, and affixed my seal the Day and Date first --- written.

Teste:
Jno. Allen
Jos. Smith

(signed) William Pryor [seal]

State of Tennessee
Stewart County Court
November Term 1816, This Deed of Conveyance was proved in open Court by the oath of Joseph Smith and John Allen subscribing witnesses hereto and ordered to be Registered.
Recorded June 26 th, 1817
Teste. Robert Cooper, Clerk of Stewart County Court

This indenture beginning this herewith Day of March one thousand eight hundred and sixteen between William Pryor of Clark County said Mississippi Territory of one part and Robert Cooper of the County of Stewart and State of Tennessee of the other part witnesseth that for and in consideration of the sum of two hundred and thirty Doallars to him the said William Pryor in hand paid for the signing sealing and delivering of these presents rights whereof is hereby acknowledged.

William Pryor's Will - 1832 (transcription)
The original is in the courthouse in Bellsville, Texas.

IN THE NAME OF OMNIPOTENT GOD, AMEN. I William Pryor, a native of Battertot {Botecourt] County in the state of Virginia, one of the United States of the North, and now a colonist of Austin's Colony, being by Divine providence, in sound mind, but delicate health, supplicating from the Divine and tender mercies of Our Lord and Redeemer, pardon for all my sins and faults, and that he take my soul into the beatitude of his presence, fearful of death, which is so natural and necessary to every human creature, and uncertain in its hour, to be prepared with testamentary dispositions when it arrive, to reslove with due reflexion and deliberation all matters touching my conscience, to avoid with perspicuity doubts and lawsuits, which otherwise might be excited after my descease, make, authorise and ordain my will and testament in the following manner. I commend my soul to God our Lord, that created it from nothing, and I give my body to the earth from which it was formed and will that it be interred with decency. I declare that I was legitimately married to Betsy Tramell, in which matrimony I procreated eleven children, five of whom died unmarried, and six are now living. STACY, now the wife of William Barton, TRAMMELL a son, whom I believe to be now in the United States of the North, POLLY now the wife of John Hensley, HARRIET contracted in marriage with Noel F. Roberts, ROSY, believed to be now in the United States of the North, and BETSY my youngest and only maiden daughter and a minor of whom I appoint and constitute William Barton curator ad bonam, my wife, by the providence of God being dead. Wherefore, my son TRAMMELL, despising the divine commandments, and violating in repeated instances the laws both of God and man, has wounded my feelings, stained my honor, and seized without my leive and dissipated my property and for these execrable excesses he is unworthy to be my son from this moment forward, in order that he may not remain unpunished and serve as an example to others, in the use of the authority which the law concedes to me, I withdraw him, and disinherit him from his legitimate, which after my days otherwise might come to him I deprive him of all right which he may alledge to it, whether on account of alimony or whatever other title, and will that he shall not be esteemed as my son, the same as if had never been born and I protest that I do not name him in this testament for my heir or legatee, and that this priterition, and desinheriting shall not in any time annull it. I give and bequeath to my daughter BETSY the labor of land upon which I now reside, known as labor No. 8 below the maridian line. I give and bequeath to my daughter ROSY the labor No. 9 adjoining the labor No. 8 if she return from the United States to obtain it; but if she should never return, it is my will that said labor No. 9 be divided equally between my daughters BETSY and POLLY, who will immediately receive it into possession, and hold it until her return. I give and bequeath to my daughter POLLY the labor of land No. 10 adjoining to labor No. 9. I give and bequeath to my daughter HARRIET two labors out of my league of land granted to me by the government of the state as a colonist, lying on Mill Creek and known as league No. 8, with the privilege of selecting them herself from any corner of said league. But it is my will that it be distinctly understood that said two labors and anything else given to her by me, are intended for herself and her children, and that she shall have the entire control of it, without the intervention in any respect of Noel F. Roberts to whom she is contracted, and whom I inhibit forever from the possession and enjoyment. I give and bequeath to my daughters STACY, POLLY, HARRIETT, ROSY and BETSY the balance of the above mentioned league of land, to be divided amongst them equally after deducting the two labors which are given to HARRIETT as I have expressed above, and also two hundred acres which I have sold. and it is my will that until ROSY return from the United States to claim her part, that it be divided also equally amongst the others. From my moveable and semovient property it is my will that all my debts and all calims against me, be immediately discharged. And to fulfill all that this testament contains, I appoint Doct. James B. Miller and William Barton my testamentaries, and each one in solidum, and I constitute them with ample powers, immediately at my decease to take possession of my goods, to sell them at public sale or otherwise, or so much of them as may be necessary to accomplish my dispositions in this will expressed. After the fulfillment and completion of all that is expressed in this will, of the remainder of my property, whether real, movable, semovient, rights, or actions present and future, I institute for my only and universal heirs, my above named daughters, STACY, POLLY HARRIET, ROSY and BETSY, in order that they may have and hold them according to the laws of the country, forever with the benediction of God, and with mine. And by the present I revoke and annull all the testaments, and dispositions in testaments, which I have formerly made, whether by writing or verbally, or in whatever other manner, in order that they may be of no force or value, neither judicially nor extrajudicially, except this testament, which is my will shall be esteemed and received as such, and thus it be observed and fulfilled as my last and deliberate wish. Thus I make, authorise and sign it in the presence of Horatio Chrisman, first alcalde of this jurisdiction, at my farm house in Austin's Colony, on the ninetheenth day of January, in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, being witnesses Oliver Jones, Docrt. James B. Miller, William H. Jack, William Roberts and Thomas Jefferson Chambers, settlers in this colony, and called and supplicated by me for this purpose; and I, the alcalde, certify that I know the testator. Wm. Pryor Witness: Oliver Jones " James B. Miller " Wm. H. Jack " X at the request of William Roberts " T.J. Chambers Executed in my presence: and with my authority, Horatio Chrisman. (Written 19 Jan 1832 at his farm house in Austin's Colony. Horatio Chrisman was first alcalde of the jurisdiction.)

The original copy of William Pryor's will is now in the archives of the County Court House in Bellville, TX.

The will, along with other old papers concerning William Pryor, are kept in a manila folder in the County Clerk's office and many of these papers have never been photographed and placed in the Probate records books.

Certificate of Mary Hensley Greer,
Grand-daughter of William Pryor (transcription)

State of Texas, County of Austin

I, Joseph Greer do hereby certify under oath that I was well acquainted with William Ayres now deceased and with his mother and that she never had but two children, the said William Ayres and Mary E. Hensley (now wife of Joseph C. Greer) that the mother of the said William and the said Mary E. is now deceased and that the said Mary E. is the only surviving heir of the mother of the said Wm Ayres. I have been acquainted with the said Ayres and Hensley family since the year 1833.

(signed) Joseph Greer

Sworn to and subscribed before me. To certify which thereunto set any hand and office my official seal this 7 th day of April 1854.

Jno. P. Osterhout, Notary Pub., A.C.

State of Texas, County of Austin

I Preston Pevehouse do hereby certify that I have been acquainted with Mary E. Greer (wife of Joseph C. Greer) and Wm Ayres for the last fifteen years, that the said Mary E. is surviving half sister of the said Wm Ayres decd. That the mother of the said Wm and the said Mary E. is now deceased and that the said Mary E. is the only surviving heir of the said Wm Ayers decd.

(signed) Preston Pevehouse

Sworn to and subscribed before me a notary for said county. I certify wich I hereunto set my and office my official seal this 8 th day of April 1854.

Jno. P. Osterhout, Notary Pub., A.C.

1820 Census Stewart Co., TN
James PRIER 12121-5001 (oldest male 26-45 yrs., oldest female 26-45 yrs.)
Mary PRYER 1201-001 (oldest male 16-26 yrs., oldest female 16-26 yrs.)

1830 Census, Trigg Co., KY
Page 8/Ancestry 13 William Pryor 10001-10001 (oldest male born 1801-1810)

1830 Census, Stewart Co., TN - Page 250, Ancestry 48
Jane PRYOR 00011-0100101 (oldest female age 40 - 49 years)
James PRYOR 0014001-00330001 (oldest male age 40 - 49 years)
(older woman b. 1781-1790, Mary Pryor? This seems likely since Mary Pryor was living with him on the 1840 and 1850 census records in Trigg Count, KY I looked to see if I could find him on the 1830 Census. There were only 4 possible candidates in TN and KY. James in Graves Co., KY was born 1791-1800 and had numerous children living in the household. I eliminated James from Overton Co., TN. I tried to find the James Pryer on the Carroll Co. census and couldn't - perhaps Ancestry is incorrect. I looked on a website that purports to have the Carroll Co. census indexed; there are no Pryors. The only James Pryor who is the correct age is James in Stewart Co., TN, which happens to be across the border from Trigg Co., KY. )
William PRYOR 10001-10001
John PRYOR 20001-011

1840 Census, Trigg Co., KY
Page 285 Wesley PRYOR 11001 - 00001
(Wesley b. 1811-1820) (This appears to be the same Wesley who is on the 1850 Census)
Page 306 James PRYOR 000011-00010101
(James b. 1801-1810, age 30 - 39 years) (Older woman living with James, born between 1781-1790, possibly Mary who was living with him on the 1850 Census. Brother Jonathan living with him on this census?)
Page 306 William PRYOR 211001-011001
(Wm b. 1801-1810 -- William born 1804 on the 1850 Census)

1850 Census, Trigg Co., KY - 2nd Dist.
House 214 William PRYOR 46 KY, Mary 42 VA, Adaline 22 KY, Delia C. 17 KY, Jonathan E. 15 KY, James R. 13 KY, William L. 10 KY, Jospeh P. 7 KY, Lucy A. 3 KY
House 215 Richard Hudson 38 NC, Hannah E. Hudson 35 TN
House 216 A. W. McCain 24 TN
House 217 James PRYOR 47 TN, Elizabeth 40 NC, Mary 72 MD, Henry Coleman 16 KY
House 218 Jonathan PRYOR 37 TN, Frances J. 21 TN. (Jonathan Pryor md. Frances. J. Campbell)
House 227 James Ladd 32 IL, Julia A 33 KY, James 2 KY
(Is this family related to C. PRYOR of Christian Co., KY who in 1860 had a James Ladd living with him?)
House 260 Wesley PRYOR 39 TN, Frances 39 VA, Sarah J. 15 KY, Frances A. 5 KY, William Grant 27 KY

1860 Census, Trigg Co., KY - Cadiz P. O. (page 165)
House 1220 S. Neely 65 NC
House 1221 S. Neely 23 TN
House 1226 J. PRYOR 47 TN, F. J. 28 VA, G.B 9 f KY, J. J. 7 m KY, J.F. 5 m KY, E.G. 3 m KY, D. A. m 1 KY.
House 1227 J. PRYOR Sr. 56 TN, E. 49 NC, M. 80 f NC, M. Heathman 32 TN.
House 1228 W. PRYOR 58 KY, Mary 50 VA, J. R. 23 m KY, W. L. 20 m KY, J. P. 18 m KY, L. A. 14 f KY,
House 1229 J. E. PRYOR 25 KY, R. 24 TN, M.W. 3 f KY, A. A. 10/12 KY.
House 1333 W. (Wesley) PRYOR 49 KY, Frances 49 VA, F. A. (f) 15, R. A. (f) 9, J. W. (m) 7, M. C. (f) 4 , G. Knight farm laborer 16.

1870 Census, Roaring Springs Pct., Trigg Co., KY
Page 112A #6 Wesley PRYOR 60, farmer, KY, Nancy K. 60 VA, Frances A. 25 school teacher KY, Rebecca A. 19 KY, John W. 18 works on farm KY Margaret C. 15 KY
Page 120A #125 Elbert PRYOR 37 KY, Manerva 25 KY, Ann 11 KY, Mary W. 13 KY, Arbell (f 7 KY, Cinthia L. 5 KY, Lucy F. 5 KY, Othelia 1 KY
#130 Jonathan PRYOR 56 TN, Frances J. 40 VA, Gathelia B. 18 KY, James H. 17 KY, John F. 15 KY, Della F. 11 KY, Velivious C. (m) 9 KY, Nancy E. 6 KY, Clementine R. (f) 3 KY. Lelia V. 1 KY.
#133 William PRYOR 64 TN, Mary 63 VA
#134 James PRYOR 60 TN, Mary C. 41 TN,
#137 William L. PRYOR 30 KY, Mary A. 24 KY
Page 358A John PRYOR Sr. 66 TN TN NC, Frances wife 50 KY TN VA, Braddie 29 dau KY, James 28 son KY, John 26 son KY, Della 20 dau KY, Willie 18 son KY, Nancie 15 dau KY, Cleman 12 son KY, Lealia 10 dau KY, Joseph Cammel 8 nephew KY. (Clem I. Pryor d. 25 Jan 1950 in Trigg Co. Certif. No. 3704, age 83)
Page 359C Fannie PRYAR 70 VA VA VA, John son 28 KY, Emerline wife 25 KY, Sallie dau 4 KY, Margaret other 25 boarder KY, Martha other 2 KY (Frances/Fannie is the widow of Wesley Pryor)
Page 359C James PRYAR 37 farmer KY TN TN, Haner Hudson other female 61 TN NC NC, Thomas Hudson other 23 KY NC TN. (Hannah and her husband Richard Hudson were living near the Pryors on earlier Trigg Co. census records.)
Page 362B Joe PRYOR 36 farmer KY KY KY, Emilie wife 26 KY NC KY, Ozella dau 7 KY, Albie dau 5 KY, Oscar son 3 KY.
Page 362B William PRYAR 40 farmer KY KY KY, Bell wife 30 KY KY KY, Cath Davenport female 50 KY KY KY housekeeper.

1880 Census, Trigg Co., KY. Long Hollow
Page 357D Elbert PRYOR 46 KY KY KY, Manerva wife 37 KY KY KY, Mary dau 23 KY, Ann dau 20 KY, Arbell dau 16 KY, Lucie dau 14 KY, Ofedia dau 11 KY, Charlie son 9 KY, Thomas son 7 KY, Incice dau 5 KY, Leema dau 2 KY. (Jonathan Elbert Pryor died 14 Dec. 1919 in Trigg Co. Death Certif No. 33895, age 89. Elbert married Minerva Hargrove).

1900 Census Stewart Co., TN
Dist 3 Sheet 7, John W. PRYOR May/1851 49 (25), KY KY VA miller, Emaline wife Jan/1855 55 (25) 6 children/4 living KY TN KY, Joe W. son 2/1886 14 KY labor at mill, Hattie B. dau 9/1889 10 TN, Margaret C. sister Jun/1855 44 single KY KY VA. (Wesley Pryor of Trigg Co., KY>John W. & sister Margaret C. Pryor.)

1910 Census Stewart Co., TN
Dist. 3, page 11A Chris W. Joiner 40 (12) KY KY VA odd jobs, Ozetta wife 37 (12) 3 children/1living KY KY KY, Emily D. daughter 7 4/12 KY, Joseph P. PRYOR father in law 67 widow KY KY KY (1880 Census page 362B Trigg Co., KY Joe Pryor 36 KY KY KY, Emily 26 KY NC KY, Ozella dau 7 KY, Albie dau 5 KY, Oscar son 3 KY)
page 12A Will Hillsboro 31 (10) TN TN TN, Rose A. wife 26 (10) 4 children/3 living TN KY KY, Homer B. son 9 TN, Geneva dau 6 TN, Grace dau 3 TN, Raymus? I. PRYOR brother in law 16 single TN KY KY.
Bumpas Mill Rd. Dist 4, page 8B, Joseph W. PRYOR 24 (2) TN TN TN sawmill, Bessie E. wife 21 (2) 2 children/2living TN TN TN, Holland M. son 1 5/12 TN, William W. son 5/12 TN (Wesley Pryor of Trigg Co., KY>John W. Pyor>Joseph W. Pryor)

1920 Census Stewart Co., TN
Dist. 3 John W. PRYOR 67 KY KY VA, Emma L wife 64 KY KY KY, Jim Matthis brother in law 78 widow KY KY KY
Dist. 4 Joe W. PRYOR 34 TN TN KY, Bessie G. (Wallace) wife 20 TN TN TN, William W. son 10 TN, Vera L. dau 7 TN, Eva E. dau 5 TN (Wesley Pryor of Trigg Co., KY, John W. Pryor>Joe W. Pryor)