From an Alabama Civil War Muster Roll of Capt. Jefferson Falkner's Company:
James L. Prather served as Corporal in the 8th AL Cavalry, Co. "B" Confederate States Army.
==========
Chambers County, AL Marriage Record Book Volume 5 Page 714-c:
James L. Prather and Ellen Gresham on September 7, 1865, by John F. Bledsoe, MG, at the home of Y.Q. Gresham.
==========
Children of James Lawrence and Ellen Gresham Prather:
1. Eugene Augusta Prather (1866-1946) married Ottie Jane Slay. Buried Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery, Lee County, Alabama.
2. James Lawrence Prather (1873-1957) married Agnes Austin. Buried Hebron Methodist Church Cemetery, Orangeburg County, South Carolina.
3. John S. Prather (Born 1874).
4. Leonard D. Prather (1876-1927) Buried Old Goshen Cemetery, Heard County, GA.
5. Charles Prather (Born 1879).
6. Ora Louise Prather (1884-1963) Married 1st J. T. Berry; 2nd J. D. Clutts; 3rd Robert N. Roberts. Buried Lakewood Memorial Park, Stanislaus County, California.
7. Sarah Frances Prather (1886-1979) Married Roscoe C. Bailey. Died in Orange County, California.
8. Robert Prather (ca. 1890-1960) Buried Tuscaloosa, AL.
9. Cleo Daisy Prather (1892-1979) Married 1st Joseph W. Winkles; 2nd Robert D. Lyon; 3rd Charles W. Cloud. Buried Valhalla Memory Gardens, Huntsville, Alabama.
==========
"The LaFayette Sun" - October 26, 1892:
Bitten by a Dog.
One day last week as Mr. James L. Prather was returning to his home from town, he was attacked by a dog and received a severe bite on the nose. Mr. Prather was afoot and says he noticed the dog trotting along towards him in a little ditch by the roadside, but never for a moment thought of the dog attacking him. So sudden was the attack Mr. Prather did not have time to defend himself. When the dog bit him it went on off in the direction it was going when it met Mr. Prather. The dog was killed by Mr. J. T. Jones, a mile below town, the next morning. It is to be hoped that nothing serious will result from the injuries inflicted by the dog upon Mr. Prather.
==========
"The LaFayette Sun" - March 15, 1893:
The Methodist Orphanage.
Editor Sun: - It is known to most of your readers that Mr. James Prather died of hydrophobia near this place, in November last. He left a wife and several children in quite dependent circumstances. Shortly after his death, his father, Mr. J. S. Prather, who now lives in Atlanta, Ga., and is 96 years of age, came to me as an old friend and informed me of the dependent condition of his daughter-in-law and children and of his inability to give them such assistance as their wants demanded, and asked my advice in the premises. He manifested great solicitude for two little girls, between seven and ten years of age. He thought his daughter-in-law could care for the other children, but for these girls she could not as their wants demanded. I at once informed him of the Methodist Orphanage, at Summerfield, Ala., and promised him my influence to get said little girls in this institution, if possible. Without delay I made known their condition to Dr. J. F. Sturdivant¸ pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church South at this place, and he made application for their admission into said orphan's home.
As soon as the necessary evidence of the condition of said orphans was made known to the trustees of said institution they informed Dr. Sturdivant they would be received without delay. When that was known the good ladies of LaFayette collected and made these little girls a sufficient amount of clothing to do them for quite a while, without their being a charge on the home for clothing for some time to come. It is due our liberal hearted merchants to say that they furnished most of the material for said clothing free of charge, while the ladies made the clothing and raised the money to bear their expenses to Selma. We learn through Mrs. L. S. Schuessler, who carried the little girls to Selma and delivered them to Col. Wood, president of the board of trustees, that the president paid quite a compliment to the people of LaFayette, by stating that the children were sent there in better condition, as to clothing, than any orphans that had been sent there. I am glad to be able to inform all friends of said children that Dr. Sturdivant received a letter dated the 9th inst. from the matron of said institution, Mrs. M. R. Andrews, informing him that said children entered school at once on their arrival, and are well and doing well and well pleased with their condition....These orphans are under the care of Mrs. Andrews, as matron, who is a mother to them all. They are kept in school, under excellent teachers, until they are large enough to support themselves by their own labor...
- E. B. Richards.
The article continues on about the orphanage but no further information about the Prather children.
==========
"The LaFayette Sun" - March 11, 1903:
The Graves of Our Dead.
The Daughters of the Confederacy have decided to mark all soldiers graves in the cemetery with marble head and foot stones, giving the name, regiment, etc. on same. Below is given a list of those whose names are now marked by private stones, as well as those which are not.
Unmarked: James Ramage, Capt. Vincent, Joe Phillips, Bevin Brooks, Mun Meadows, Orsin Dorsett, William Moore, Frank Pinkard, W. A. Marable, Dr. Frederick, Tom Griffin, JIM PRATHER, James Kellam, Lt. K. McLemore.
==========
APPLICATION
of Widows of Deceased Soldiers or Sailors of the Armies of the Confederate States or the State of Alabama
State of Alabama,
County of Chambers
To the Honorable Board of Examiners of said County:
Your petitioner, Ellen Gresham Prather, respectfully represents to your Honorable Board, that she is a citizen of Chambers County, in the State of Alabama and was such on the 1st day of January 1899; That she is the widow of James L. Prather, who served as a Private in company B of the 8th Confederate Cavalry, Alabama Volunteers; That her husband died, on the 15th day of December, 1892; That he did not desert the service of the State of Alabama, nor of the Confederate States, that she has not since remarried, that she has no children upon whom she can depend for support, that all of her property do not exceed four hundred dollars in value, and that her annual income from all sources do not exceed four hundred dollars. She therefore respectfully asks your honorable board to place her name upon the pension rolls of the State as a member of the fourth class, that she may participate in the division of the fund provided for the relief of needy Confederate soldiers and sailors, and their widows, by an act of the General Assembly of Alabama, approved February 10, 1899. Respectfully, Ellen Prather
==========
1850 Chambers County, (Dist. 19) AL Census:
#H76
John S. Prather 50M Farmer R$1,600 (3-Slaves) Born NC
Nancy Prather 42F Born GA
John S. Prather, Jr. 17M Farmer Born GA
Mary J. Prather 13F Born AL
Sarah Prather 11F Born AL
JAMES PRATHER 8M Born AL
Ann Prather 3F Born AL
James L. Williams 31M Born GA
==========
1860 Chambers County, Ala. Census:
#HH689
John S. Prather 63M Farmer R$1,000 P$5,000 1-Slave (also 3 Slaves in Trust for Sallie Carter, a minor) born NC
Nancy L. Prather 53F born GA
Sallie Prather 19F born AL
JAMES PRATHER 18M born AL
Lucy A. Prather 12F born AL
Stapleton Harris 23M Ambrotypist P$600 born AL
Mary J. Harris 22F Born AL
John W. Harris 1M Born AL
==========
1870 Chambers County, (LaFayette) AL Census:
#H192
James L. Prather 28M Farmer Born AL
Ellen Prather 25F Keeping House Born AL
Eugene A. Prather 7/12M Born AL
==========
1880 Chambers County, (LaFayette) AL Census:
#H511
James L. Prather 35M Farmer Born AL
Elen Prather 33F Wife Keeping House Born AL
Eugene Prather 10M Son Born AL
James Prather 8M Son Born AL
John S. Prather 6M Son Born AL
Leonard Prather 4M Son Born AL
Charles Prather 1M Son Born AL
==========
James L. Prather served as Corporal in the 8th AL Cavalry, Co. "B" Confederate States Army.
==========
Chambers County, AL Marriage Record Book Volume 5 Page 714-c:
James L. Prather and Ellen Gresham on September 7, 1865, by John F. Bledsoe, MG, at the home of Y.Q. Gresham.
==========
Children of James Lawrence and Ellen Gresham Prather:
1. Eugene Augusta Prather (1866-1946) married Ottie Jane Slay. Buried Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery, Lee County, Alabama.
2. James Lawrence Prather (1873-1957) married Agnes Austin. Buried Hebron Methodist Church Cemetery, Orangeburg County, South Carolina.
3. John S. Prather (Born 1874).
4. Leonard D. Prather (1876-1927) Buried Old Goshen Cemetery, Heard County, GA.
5. Charles Prather (Born 1879).
6. Ora Louise Prather (1884-1963) Married 1st J. T. Berry; 2nd J. D. Clutts; 3rd Robert N. Roberts. Buried Lakewood Memorial Park, Stanislaus County, California.
7. Sarah Frances Prather (1886-1979) Married Roscoe C. Bailey. Died in Orange County, California.
8. Robert Prather (ca. 1890-1960) Buried Tuscaloosa, AL.
9. Cleo Daisy Prather (1892-1979) Married 1st Joseph W. Winkles; 2nd Robert D. Lyon; 3rd Charles W. Cloud. Buried Valhalla Memory Gardens, Huntsville, Alabama.
==========
"The LaFayette Sun" - October 26, 1892:
Bitten by a Dog.
One day last week as Mr. James L. Prather was returning to his home from town, he was attacked by a dog and received a severe bite on the nose. Mr. Prather was afoot and says he noticed the dog trotting along towards him in a little ditch by the roadside, but never for a moment thought of the dog attacking him. So sudden was the attack Mr. Prather did not have time to defend himself. When the dog bit him it went on off in the direction it was going when it met Mr. Prather. The dog was killed by Mr. J. T. Jones, a mile below town, the next morning. It is to be hoped that nothing serious will result from the injuries inflicted by the dog upon Mr. Prather.
==========
"The LaFayette Sun" - March 15, 1893:
The Methodist Orphanage.
Editor Sun: - It is known to most of your readers that Mr. James Prather died of hydrophobia near this place, in November last. He left a wife and several children in quite dependent circumstances. Shortly after his death, his father, Mr. J. S. Prather, who now lives in Atlanta, Ga., and is 96 years of age, came to me as an old friend and informed me of the dependent condition of his daughter-in-law and children and of his inability to give them such assistance as their wants demanded, and asked my advice in the premises. He manifested great solicitude for two little girls, between seven and ten years of age. He thought his daughter-in-law could care for the other children, but for these girls she could not as their wants demanded. I at once informed him of the Methodist Orphanage, at Summerfield, Ala., and promised him my influence to get said little girls in this institution, if possible. Without delay I made known their condition to Dr. J. F. Sturdivant¸ pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church South at this place, and he made application for their admission into said orphan's home.
As soon as the necessary evidence of the condition of said orphans was made known to the trustees of said institution they informed Dr. Sturdivant they would be received without delay. When that was known the good ladies of LaFayette collected and made these little girls a sufficient amount of clothing to do them for quite a while, without their being a charge on the home for clothing for some time to come. It is due our liberal hearted merchants to say that they furnished most of the material for said clothing free of charge, while the ladies made the clothing and raised the money to bear their expenses to Selma. We learn through Mrs. L. S. Schuessler, who carried the little girls to Selma and delivered them to Col. Wood, president of the board of trustees, that the president paid quite a compliment to the people of LaFayette, by stating that the children were sent there in better condition, as to clothing, than any orphans that had been sent there. I am glad to be able to inform all friends of said children that Dr. Sturdivant received a letter dated the 9th inst. from the matron of said institution, Mrs. M. R. Andrews, informing him that said children entered school at once on their arrival, and are well and doing well and well pleased with their condition....These orphans are under the care of Mrs. Andrews, as matron, who is a mother to them all. They are kept in school, under excellent teachers, until they are large enough to support themselves by their own labor...
- E. B. Richards.
The article continues on about the orphanage but no further information about the Prather children.
==========
"The LaFayette Sun" - March 11, 1903:
The Graves of Our Dead.
The Daughters of the Confederacy have decided to mark all soldiers graves in the cemetery with marble head and foot stones, giving the name, regiment, etc. on same. Below is given a list of those whose names are now marked by private stones, as well as those which are not.
Unmarked: James Ramage, Capt. Vincent, Joe Phillips, Bevin Brooks, Mun Meadows, Orsin Dorsett, William Moore, Frank Pinkard, W. A. Marable, Dr. Frederick, Tom Griffin, JIM PRATHER, James Kellam, Lt. K. McLemore.
==========
APPLICATION
of Widows of Deceased Soldiers or Sailors of the Armies of the Confederate States or the State of Alabama
State of Alabama,
County of Chambers
To the Honorable Board of Examiners of said County:
Your petitioner, Ellen Gresham Prather, respectfully represents to your Honorable Board, that she is a citizen of Chambers County, in the State of Alabama and was such on the 1st day of January 1899; That she is the widow of James L. Prather, who served as a Private in company B of the 8th Confederate Cavalry, Alabama Volunteers; That her husband died, on the 15th day of December, 1892; That he did not desert the service of the State of Alabama, nor of the Confederate States, that she has not since remarried, that she has no children upon whom she can depend for support, that all of her property do not exceed four hundred dollars in value, and that her annual income from all sources do not exceed four hundred dollars. She therefore respectfully asks your honorable board to place her name upon the pension rolls of the State as a member of the fourth class, that she may participate in the division of the fund provided for the relief of needy Confederate soldiers and sailors, and their widows, by an act of the General Assembly of Alabama, approved February 10, 1899. Respectfully, Ellen Prather
==========
1850 Chambers County, (Dist. 19) AL Census:
#H76
John S. Prather 50M Farmer R$1,600 (3-Slaves) Born NC
Nancy Prather 42F Born GA
John S. Prather, Jr. 17M Farmer Born GA
Mary J. Prather 13F Born AL
Sarah Prather 11F Born AL
JAMES PRATHER 8M Born AL
Ann Prather 3F Born AL
James L. Williams 31M Born GA
==========
1860 Chambers County, Ala. Census:
#HH689
John S. Prather 63M Farmer R$1,000 P$5,000 1-Slave (also 3 Slaves in Trust for Sallie Carter, a minor) born NC
Nancy L. Prather 53F born GA
Sallie Prather 19F born AL
JAMES PRATHER 18M born AL
Lucy A. Prather 12F born AL
Stapleton Harris 23M Ambrotypist P$600 born AL
Mary J. Harris 22F Born AL
John W. Harris 1M Born AL
==========
1870 Chambers County, (LaFayette) AL Census:
#H192
James L. Prather 28M Farmer Born AL
Ellen Prather 25F Keeping House Born AL
Eugene A. Prather 7/12M Born AL
==========
1880 Chambers County, (LaFayette) AL Census:
#H511
James L. Prather 35M Farmer Born AL
Elen Prather 33F Wife Keeping House Born AL
Eugene Prather 10M Son Born AL
James Prather 8M Son Born AL
John S. Prather 6M Son Born AL
Leonard Prather 4M Son Born AL
Charles Prather 1M Son Born AL
==========
From an Alabama Civil War Muster Roll of Capt. Jefferson Falkner's Company:
James L. Prather served as Corporal in the 8th AL Cavalry, Co. "B" Confederate States Army.
==========
Chambers County, AL Marriage Record Book Volume 5 Page 714-c:
James L. Prather and Ellen Gresham on September 7, 1865, by John F. Bledsoe, MG, at the home of Y.Q. Gresham.
==========
Children of James Lawrence and Ellen Gresham Prather:
1. Eugene Augusta Prather (1866-1946) married Ottie Jane Slay. Buried Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery, Lee County, Alabama.
2. James Lawrence Prather (1873-1957) married Agnes Austin. Buried Hebron Methodist Church Cemetery, Orangeburg County, South Carolina.
3. John S. Prather (Born 1874).
4. Leonard D. Prather (1876-1927) Buried Old Goshen Cemetery, Heard County, GA.
5. Charles Prather (Born 1879).
6. Ora Louise Prather (1884-1963) Married 1st J. T. Berry; 2nd J. D. Clutts; 3rd Robert N. Roberts. Buried Lakewood Memorial Park, Stanislaus County, California.
7. Sarah Frances Prather (1886-1979) Married Roscoe C. Bailey. Died in Orange County, California.
8. Robert Prather (ca. 1890-1960) Buried Tuscaloosa, AL.
9. Cleo Daisy Prather (1892-1979) Married 1st Joseph W. Winkles; 2nd Robert D. Lyon; 3rd Charles W. Cloud. Buried Valhalla Memory Gardens, Huntsville, Alabama.
==========
"The LaFayette Sun" - October 26, 1892:
Bitten by a Dog.
One day last week as Mr. James L. Prather was returning to his home from town, he was attacked by a dog and received a severe bite on the nose. Mr. Prather was afoot and says he noticed the dog trotting along towards him in a little ditch by the roadside, but never for a moment thought of the dog attacking him. So sudden was the attack Mr. Prather did not have time to defend himself. When the dog bit him it went on off in the direction it was going when it met Mr. Prather. The dog was killed by Mr. J. T. Jones, a mile below town, the next morning. It is to be hoped that nothing serious will result from the injuries inflicted by the dog upon Mr. Prather.
==========
"The LaFayette Sun" - March 15, 1893:
The Methodist Orphanage.
Editor Sun: - It is known to most of your readers that Mr. James Prather died of hydrophobia near this place, in November last. He left a wife and several children in quite dependent circumstances. Shortly after his death, his father, Mr. J. S. Prather, who now lives in Atlanta, Ga., and is 96 years of age, came to me as an old friend and informed me of the dependent condition of his daughter-in-law and children and of his inability to give them such assistance as their wants demanded, and asked my advice in the premises. He manifested great solicitude for two little girls, between seven and ten years of age. He thought his daughter-in-law could care for the other children, but for these girls she could not as their wants demanded. I at once informed him of the Methodist Orphanage, at Summerfield, Ala., and promised him my influence to get said little girls in this institution, if possible. Without delay I made known their condition to Dr. J. F. Sturdivant¸ pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church South at this place, and he made application for their admission into said orphan's home.
As soon as the necessary evidence of the condition of said orphans was made known to the trustees of said institution they informed Dr. Sturdivant they would be received without delay. When that was known the good ladies of LaFayette collected and made these little girls a sufficient amount of clothing to do them for quite a while, without their being a charge on the home for clothing for some time to come. It is due our liberal hearted merchants to say that they furnished most of the material for said clothing free of charge, while the ladies made the clothing and raised the money to bear their expenses to Selma. We learn through Mrs. L. S. Schuessler, who carried the little girls to Selma and delivered them to Col. Wood, president of the board of trustees, that the president paid quite a compliment to the people of LaFayette, by stating that the children were sent there in better condition, as to clothing, than any orphans that had been sent there. I am glad to be able to inform all friends of said children that Dr. Sturdivant received a letter dated the 9th inst. from the matron of said institution, Mrs. M. R. Andrews, informing him that said children entered school at once on their arrival, and are well and doing well and well pleased with their condition....These orphans are under the care of Mrs. Andrews, as matron, who is a mother to them all. They are kept in school, under excellent teachers, until they are large enough to support themselves by their own labor...
- E. B. Richards.
The article continues on about the orphanage but no further information about the Prather children.
==========
"The LaFayette Sun" - March 11, 1903:
The Graves of Our Dead.
The Daughters of the Confederacy have decided to mark all soldiers graves in the cemetery with marble head and foot stones, giving the name, regiment, etc. on same. Below is given a list of those whose names are now marked by private stones, as well as those which are not.
Unmarked: James Ramage, Capt. Vincent, Joe Phillips, Bevin Brooks, Mun Meadows, Orsin Dorsett, William Moore, Frank Pinkard, W. A. Marable, Dr. Frederick, Tom Griffin, JIM PRATHER, James Kellam, Lt. K. McLemore.
==========
APPLICATION
of Widows of Deceased Soldiers or Sailors of the Armies of the Confederate States or the State of Alabama
State of Alabama,
County of Chambers
To the Honorable Board of Examiners of said County:
Your petitioner, Ellen Gresham Prather, respectfully represents to your Honorable Board, that she is a citizen of Chambers County, in the State of Alabama and was such on the 1st day of January 1899; That she is the widow of James L. Prather, who served as a Private in company B of the 8th Confederate Cavalry, Alabama Volunteers; That her husband died, on the 15th day of December, 1892; That he did not desert the service of the State of Alabama, nor of the Confederate States, that she has not since remarried, that she has no children upon whom she can depend for support, that all of her property do not exceed four hundred dollars in value, and that her annual income from all sources do not exceed four hundred dollars. She therefore respectfully asks your honorable board to place her name upon the pension rolls of the State as a member of the fourth class, that she may participate in the division of the fund provided for the relief of needy Confederate soldiers and sailors, and their widows, by an act of the General Assembly of Alabama, approved February 10, 1899. Respectfully, Ellen Prather
==========
1850 Chambers County, (Dist. 19) AL Census:
#H76
John S. Prather 50M Farmer R$1,600 (3-Slaves) Born NC
Nancy Prather 42F Born GA
John S. Prather, Jr. 17M Farmer Born GA
Mary J. Prather 13F Born AL
Sarah Prather 11F Born AL
JAMES PRATHER 8M Born AL
Ann Prather 3F Born AL
James L. Williams 31M Born GA
==========
1860 Chambers County, Ala. Census:
#HH689
John S. Prather 63M Farmer R$1,000 P$5,000 1-Slave (also 3 Slaves in Trust for Sallie Carter, a minor) born NC
Nancy L. Prather 53F born GA
Sallie Prather 19F born AL
JAMES PRATHER 18M born AL
Lucy A. Prather 12F born AL
Stapleton Harris 23M Ambrotypist P$600 born AL
Mary J. Harris 22F Born AL
John W. Harris 1M Born AL
==========
1870 Chambers County, (LaFayette) AL Census:
#H192
James L. Prather 28M Farmer Born AL
Ellen Prather 25F Keeping House Born AL
Eugene A. Prather 7/12M Born AL
==========
1880 Chambers County, (LaFayette) AL Census:
#H511
James L. Prather 35M Farmer Born AL
Elen Prather 33F Wife Keeping House Born AL
Eugene Prather 10M Son Born AL
James Prather 8M Son Born AL
John S. Prather 6M Son Born AL
Leonard Prather 4M Son Born AL
Charles Prather 1M Son Born AL
==========
James L. Prather served as Corporal in the 8th AL Cavalry, Co. "B" Confederate States Army.
==========
Chambers County, AL Marriage Record Book Volume 5 Page 714-c:
James L. Prather and Ellen Gresham on September 7, 1865, by John F. Bledsoe, MG, at the home of Y.Q. Gresham.
==========
Children of James Lawrence and Ellen Gresham Prather:
1. Eugene Augusta Prather (1866-1946) married Ottie Jane Slay. Buried Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery, Lee County, Alabama.
2. James Lawrence Prather (1873-1957) married Agnes Austin. Buried Hebron Methodist Church Cemetery, Orangeburg County, South Carolina.
3. John S. Prather (Born 1874).
4. Leonard D. Prather (1876-1927) Buried Old Goshen Cemetery, Heard County, GA.
5. Charles Prather (Born 1879).
6. Ora Louise Prather (1884-1963) Married 1st J. T. Berry; 2nd J. D. Clutts; 3rd Robert N. Roberts. Buried Lakewood Memorial Park, Stanislaus County, California.
7. Sarah Frances Prather (1886-1979) Married Roscoe C. Bailey. Died in Orange County, California.
8. Robert Prather (ca. 1890-1960) Buried Tuscaloosa, AL.
9. Cleo Daisy Prather (1892-1979) Married 1st Joseph W. Winkles; 2nd Robert D. Lyon; 3rd Charles W. Cloud. Buried Valhalla Memory Gardens, Huntsville, Alabama.
==========
"The LaFayette Sun" - October 26, 1892:
Bitten by a Dog.
One day last week as Mr. James L. Prather was returning to his home from town, he was attacked by a dog and received a severe bite on the nose. Mr. Prather was afoot and says he noticed the dog trotting along towards him in a little ditch by the roadside, but never for a moment thought of the dog attacking him. So sudden was the attack Mr. Prather did not have time to defend himself. When the dog bit him it went on off in the direction it was going when it met Mr. Prather. The dog was killed by Mr. J. T. Jones, a mile below town, the next morning. It is to be hoped that nothing serious will result from the injuries inflicted by the dog upon Mr. Prather.
==========
"The LaFayette Sun" - March 15, 1893:
The Methodist Orphanage.
Editor Sun: - It is known to most of your readers that Mr. James Prather died of hydrophobia near this place, in November last. He left a wife and several children in quite dependent circumstances. Shortly after his death, his father, Mr. J. S. Prather, who now lives in Atlanta, Ga., and is 96 years of age, came to me as an old friend and informed me of the dependent condition of his daughter-in-law and children and of his inability to give them such assistance as their wants demanded, and asked my advice in the premises. He manifested great solicitude for two little girls, between seven and ten years of age. He thought his daughter-in-law could care for the other children, but for these girls she could not as their wants demanded. I at once informed him of the Methodist Orphanage, at Summerfield, Ala., and promised him my influence to get said little girls in this institution, if possible. Without delay I made known their condition to Dr. J. F. Sturdivant¸ pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church South at this place, and he made application for their admission into said orphan's home.
As soon as the necessary evidence of the condition of said orphans was made known to the trustees of said institution they informed Dr. Sturdivant they would be received without delay. When that was known the good ladies of LaFayette collected and made these little girls a sufficient amount of clothing to do them for quite a while, without their being a charge on the home for clothing for some time to come. It is due our liberal hearted merchants to say that they furnished most of the material for said clothing free of charge, while the ladies made the clothing and raised the money to bear their expenses to Selma. We learn through Mrs. L. S. Schuessler, who carried the little girls to Selma and delivered them to Col. Wood, president of the board of trustees, that the president paid quite a compliment to the people of LaFayette, by stating that the children were sent there in better condition, as to clothing, than any orphans that had been sent there. I am glad to be able to inform all friends of said children that Dr. Sturdivant received a letter dated the 9th inst. from the matron of said institution, Mrs. M. R. Andrews, informing him that said children entered school at once on their arrival, and are well and doing well and well pleased with their condition....These orphans are under the care of Mrs. Andrews, as matron, who is a mother to them all. They are kept in school, under excellent teachers, until they are large enough to support themselves by their own labor...
- E. B. Richards.
The article continues on about the orphanage but no further information about the Prather children.
==========
"The LaFayette Sun" - March 11, 1903:
The Graves of Our Dead.
The Daughters of the Confederacy have decided to mark all soldiers graves in the cemetery with marble head and foot stones, giving the name, regiment, etc. on same. Below is given a list of those whose names are now marked by private stones, as well as those which are not.
Unmarked: James Ramage, Capt. Vincent, Joe Phillips, Bevin Brooks, Mun Meadows, Orsin Dorsett, William Moore, Frank Pinkard, W. A. Marable, Dr. Frederick, Tom Griffin, JIM PRATHER, James Kellam, Lt. K. McLemore.
==========
APPLICATION
of Widows of Deceased Soldiers or Sailors of the Armies of the Confederate States or the State of Alabama
State of Alabama,
County of Chambers
To the Honorable Board of Examiners of said County:
Your petitioner, Ellen Gresham Prather, respectfully represents to your Honorable Board, that she is a citizen of Chambers County, in the State of Alabama and was such on the 1st day of January 1899; That she is the widow of James L. Prather, who served as a Private in company B of the 8th Confederate Cavalry, Alabama Volunteers; That her husband died, on the 15th day of December, 1892; That he did not desert the service of the State of Alabama, nor of the Confederate States, that she has not since remarried, that she has no children upon whom she can depend for support, that all of her property do not exceed four hundred dollars in value, and that her annual income from all sources do not exceed four hundred dollars. She therefore respectfully asks your honorable board to place her name upon the pension rolls of the State as a member of the fourth class, that she may participate in the division of the fund provided for the relief of needy Confederate soldiers and sailors, and their widows, by an act of the General Assembly of Alabama, approved February 10, 1899. Respectfully, Ellen Prather
==========
1850 Chambers County, (Dist. 19) AL Census:
#H76
John S. Prather 50M Farmer R$1,600 (3-Slaves) Born NC
Nancy Prather 42F Born GA
John S. Prather, Jr. 17M Farmer Born GA
Mary J. Prather 13F Born AL
Sarah Prather 11F Born AL
JAMES PRATHER 8M Born AL
Ann Prather 3F Born AL
James L. Williams 31M Born GA
==========
1860 Chambers County, Ala. Census:
#HH689
John S. Prather 63M Farmer R$1,000 P$5,000 1-Slave (also 3 Slaves in Trust for Sallie Carter, a minor) born NC
Nancy L. Prather 53F born GA
Sallie Prather 19F born AL
JAMES PRATHER 18M born AL
Lucy A. Prather 12F born AL
Stapleton Harris 23M Ambrotypist P$600 born AL
Mary J. Harris 22F Born AL
John W. Harris 1M Born AL
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1870 Chambers County, (LaFayette) AL Census:
#H192
James L. Prather 28M Farmer Born AL
Ellen Prather 25F Keeping House Born AL
Eugene A. Prather 7/12M Born AL
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1880 Chambers County, (LaFayette) AL Census:
#H511
James L. Prather 35M Farmer Born AL
Elen Prather 33F Wife Keeping House Born AL
Eugene Prather 10M Son Born AL
James Prather 8M Son Born AL
John S. Prather 6M Son Born AL
Leonard Prather 4M Son Born AL
Charles Prather 1M Son Born AL
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Inscription
Co. "B" 8th Confederate Cavalry CSA
Family Members
Siblings
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Records on Ancestry
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