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View Tree for Jonathan PratherJonathan Prather (b. 1630, d. August 21, 1680)

Jonathan Prather (son of Thomas Prater and Mary MacKay or Powell) was born 1630 in Prince George, MD, and died August 21, 1680 in Calvert, MD. He married Lyle Jane MacKay on September 12, 1666 in Prince Geroge, MD, daughter of Mr MacKay and Mrs MacKay.

 Includes NotesNotes for Jonathan Prather:
Jonathan Prather was born in VA and later moved to Maryland about 1652 to 1658. His name is recorded
in several documents and we find it spelled several different ways. As example; he assigned land he
owned, which stated that Jonathan Prather owned it but when he signed the document he signed;
Jonathan Prater. We have also found the name spelled Prater, Prator, Prether, Praither, and Prather.
Such was the level of education in those days; most people "sounded out the spellings and then spelled
them that way.

When Jonathan died his wife remarried to John Smith, a very wealthy Planter. He was very good to
Jonathan's children and when he died he willed them a plantation he called "Orphans Gift" which was
located near the city of St. Mary in Maryland. John Smith's will was proved 13 Oct 1707. Jane Prather
Smith's will was proved 7 Dec 1713.

The oldest son, JONATHAN PRATHER II, at the death of his father, JONATHAN PRATHER I, was only
14 years old. The children's mother was still a young woman. Two years after Jonathan's death Jane
married a wealthy Scots tobacco farmer named John Smith whose home was "BROOKFIELD" at
Mattapany Landing on the Patuxent River, Prince George County MD. Jane's son, Jonathan II then
received the land of Thomas Sprigg, which was called SPRIGG'S REQUEST. Jonathan also received 100
acres belonging to his mother in the same manor. John Smith had no children of his own but became a
devoted and generous stepfather to Jane's children. As each grew up and married, he gave him a
plantation and gave "THORLAND" to the daughter's of the girl.

Jane had been the wife of Jonathan Prather for 14 years, She was the wife of John Smith for 25 years
and his widow for 6. During those 31 years all of her children grew up at "BROOKFIELD" and were
married from that home. John Smith died 3 Sept 1707 and left Jane 350 acres-- - - part of
"BROOKFIELD" for life. This property passed to his nephew. John Bowie, at Jane's death in December
1713.


More About Jonathan Prather and Lyle Jane MacKay:
Marriage: September 12, 1666, Prince Geroge, MD.

Children of Jonathan Prather and Lyle Jane MacKay are:
  1. Jane Prather, b. 1664, Prince Georges Co., MD, d. date unknown.
  2. Jonathon Jr. Prather, b. September 12, 1666, d. date unknown.
  3. George Prather, b. 1668, Prince Georges Co., MD, d. July 29, 1698, Prince Georges Co., MD.
  4. +William Nathan Prather, b. 1670, Calvert Co, MD, d. 1748, Calvert Co, MD.
  5. +Thomas MacKay Prather, b. 1673, Calvert Co., MD, d. 1712, Prince George's Court, MD.
  6. John Prather, b. 1676, Calvert Co, MD, d. December 20, 1718, Prince Georges Co., MD.
  7. Elizabeth Prather, b. 1680, Prince Georges Co., MD, d. date unknown.
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