Pryors of McNairy Co., TN
researched by Nova A. Lemons
The main goal of this research is to identify the PRYORs of McNairy Co., TN and to find proof that Philip PRYOR was the father of William Jackson PRYOR and/or Lemuel M. PRYOR. Further information on William and Lemuel can be found in their articles.The birthplace of William's daughter, Elmira Rosalie PRYOR, was listed as "McNary" Co., TN on her death certificate. The informant was Rosa's brother, John (son of William), who also provided the parents' full names and father's birth place as Morgan Co., TN. Suspecting that William J. PRYOR might be an older brother of my great-great-grandfather Lemuel M. PRYOR, I feel that research on William' might provide clues or links to Lemuel, especially if both were brothers. There were only two PRYORs in Rusk Co., TX during late 1840s to 1850s who were from TN. The PRIOR group in Rusk Co., TX (a different part) were from GA. William was born 1818 and Lemuel circa 1826 (8 years later). Lemuel may have came to TX with William around 1846-47 or joined him around 1848-49. Both men fit in on the 1840 census and these two males were not on the 1850 census. Is this because they were in Texas by then? Your comments and suggestions are WELCOME!Philip PRYOR was born circa 1791 in North Carolina and first appears in McNairy Co. in 1835 when he bought 100 acres from James STEWART on 24 Dec 1835 [A:364-365]. He was not in this county on 1830 census. His wife, name unknown, was born circa 1800-10 (per 1840 McNairy Co., TN census) and died before the 1850 McNairy Co., TN census. Since their oldest known child being born circa 1817, Philip and his wife would have married around 1816 or earlier. TN state-wide marriage books by Sistler do not list a marriage for Philip PRYOR. William's birthplace was listed as Morgan Co., TN (in 1818). Robert MONTGOMERY was one of the witnesses to the STEWART-PRYOR deed (1835) and may be related to Martha Jane MONTGOMERY who married William J. PRYOR. The 1840 census shows two MONTGOMERY families, James and Robert. Robert had a female child of Martha Jane's age.
1840 McNairy Co., TN census, p. 52
PRYER, Philip - males: 2 (under 5) [Washington and Benjamin]; 1 (5-10) [Philip]; 1 (10-15) [I believe
this to be Lemuel]; 1 (15-20) [Samuel]; 2 (20-30) [Jacob and the other believed to be William J.];1 (40-50) [Philip].females: 1 (under 5) [Mary]; 1 (30-40) [wife].1850 McNairy Co., TN census (all born in TN unless otherwise noted)
p. 193 - #1341 PRYOR, Jacob 33, Elizabeth 27, Sarah 5, Jackson 3, William 7/12.
p. 193 - #1342 PRYOR, Philip 59 NC, Philip 17, Mary 15, Benjamin 12, Washington 10, Nancy
McLAUGHLIN 21.p. 194 - #1344 PRYOR, Samuel 28, Sarah 27.
On 27 Jan 1853, Jacob N. PRYOR and Samuel C. PRYOR as administrators of Philip PRYOR dec'd. handled the sale of 172 acres of Philip's property to William S. WISDOM [F:508]. This shows that Philip died between the 1850 census and January 1853.
Known and possible children of Philip PRYOR (11 heirs?):
1) Elizabeth PRYOR - married D. S. MOSS. D. S. and Elizabeth MOSS mentioned in a deed
dated 6 Aug 1855 their 1/11 part of the Philip PRYOR estate [F:19] so I suspect that she wasa daughter and that she married before the 1840 census. She may be the oldest child or she could fit in between William and Samuel or Samuel and Lemuel. Further information needed on her.2) Jacob N. PRYOR - born circa 1817 TN; married Elizabeth ______; on 1850 and 1860 McNairy
Co., TN censuses. Known children: Sarah J., Andrew Jackson, William B., Samuel J., Allin N. and Thomas.3) William Jackson PRYOR (possible son) - born 1818 TN; married Martha Jane MONTGOMERY;
went to TX circa 1846-47. See his article for more information about him and his family.4) Samuel C. PRYOR - born circa 1822 TN; married Sarah A. _______; on 1850 and 1860 McNairy
Co., TN censuses. One known child: William B.5) Lemuel M. PRYOR (possible son) - born circa 1826 TN; married Elizabeth C. HARDEGREE; went
to TX circa 1846-47 or 1848-49. See his article for more information about him and his family.6) Nancy ______ - born circa 1829 TN. She was listed as Nancy McLAUGHLIN on 1850 census and
as one of the 11 heirs of Philip PRYOR [E:560-561]. She does not fit in on the 1840 census and I do not think she was a daughter of Philip. I have not been able to find more on her.7) Philip PRYOR - born circa 1833 TN; on 1850 McNairy Co., TN census.
8) Mary PRYOR - born circa 1835 TN; on 1850 McNairy Co., TN census.
9) Benjamin PRYOR - born circa 1838 TN; on 1850 McNairy Co., TN census.
10) George Washington PRYOR - born circa 1849 TN; on 1850 and 1860 McNairy Co., TN censuses.
11) ______? [?Alfred PRYOR? was mentioned on 1855 and 1858 deeds [E:549; G:165] but I did not
find anything about him having 1/11 of the estate. He could be an older son who married before 1840 and moved away from McNairy Co. There's an Alfred PRYOR in Jackson Co., TN on 1850 census.]This nearly adds up to 11 heirs of Philip PRYOR's estate, even with William Jackson and Lemuel M. included. I could be wrong on some of the heirs. If all of McNairy Co. court records (marriages and probates) were not lost, they would have probably provided the missing information. McNairy Co. probates begin in 1866, estate settlements in 1890, and marriages in 1861. Deeds begin in 1823.
