A Brief History of the Prichard Family in Franklin County

A brief history of the Prichard family in Franklin County

By Ingram Davidson,

Tanya Prichard Groves , and Janna Prichard Whitehead

John Prichard (12 Jun 1807 - 19 Mar 1891) was born in South Carolina and arrived in Franklin County early in the first half of the nineteenth century with his father James Prichard, Jr. According to Prichard family tradition James Prichard, Jr. rode into Meadville on his horse with young John on the back of his saddle. (James Prichard, Jr. is known to have been born in South Carolina around 1757; little is known of John Prichard’s mother.) Both James Jr. and John Prichard appear on the 1850 census in Franklin County, James Jr. at age 93. There is evidence that James Prichard’s father, James Prichard, Sr., fought in the Revolutionary War and died at the Siege of Charleston in 1780. John Prichard married Cecelia Ann Stringer (24 Apr 1827 – 8 Apr 1892), daughter of Abel Stringer and Nancy Doty Warren, of Hamburg, on 27 Feb 1845. Nancy had two Revolutionary War veterans in her family, her grandfathers Noah Stringer and Josiah Warren. Nancy was also a direct descendant of a Mayflower Compact signatory, Edward Doty. The couple had nine children: Charles Abel Prichard, John Wayland Prichard, Nannie Elizabeth Prichard, Viola Cornelia Prichard, William Lott Prichard, Quitman Prichard, Fannie C. Prichard, Clarence Seymore Prichard, and Joseph M. Prichard. Both John and Cecelia Ann Prichard are buried in Prichard/Griffing cemetery, located on Stampley Road just west of Hamburg, along with William Lott Prichard and Cecelia Ann’s father and stepmother, Abel Stringer and Elizabeth Buckley Stringer.

- Charles Abel Prichard (see below)

- John Wayland Prichard (27 Feb 1850 - ?) married Alpha L. Hawley in Franklin County. They had two children: John Hawley Prichard (19 Oct 1879 - ?), and Julia Prichard ( Jun 1890 - ?). John Hawley married Maudie (?) and had three children: Claude Prichard (abt. 1904), Robert (abt. 1906), and Annie (abt. 1908). No further information is known for Julia Prichard.

- Nannie E. Prichard (28 Jul 1852 – 17 Oct 1909) married James Benjamin McKinney (29 Feb 1848 – 20 May 1908) in Franklin County, 1873. They had five children: Patrick McKinney (13 Jan 1875), Roy William McKinney (2 Feb 1878), Nannie McKinney (11 Sep 1881), Ouida McKinney (abt. 1884), and James McKinney (abt. 1887).

- Viola Cornelia Prichard (21 Jun 1855 – 31 Dec 1918) married Lindsey Newton Anderson (27 Nov 1852 – 19 Apr 1935) on 7 Nov 1873 in Franklin County. They had nine children: John Lindsey Anderson (9 Fen 1875 – 31 Mar 1963), Olivia Cecelia Anderson (27 Nov 1876 – 1 Jan 1957), Archie Lee Anderson (abt. 1879 – abt. 1889), Arthur Wayne Anderson (21 Jan 1882 – 12 Nov 1917), William Noel Anderson (5 Sep 1885 – 12 Oct 1968), Fannie Cornelia Anderson (abt. 1889 – 1898), Bernia Virginia Anderson (abt. 1891 - ?), Viola Prichard Anderson (16 Jul 1894 – 5 Nov 1962), and Mannie C. Anderson (15 Apr 1898 – 9 Sep 1906). Descendants of William Noel Anderson and his second wife, Ruby Judson Woods, now live in Lake Charles, LA. and are actively involved in documenting the Anderson/Prichard genealogy. Viola Prichard Anderson married Alex Moore. The family lived, and raised a family, in what is now the Franklin County Funeral home. Viola was known to her family as “Nannie” and as “cud’n Nannie” to her Prichard relatives who lived across the street.

- William Lott Prichard (2 Mar 1858 – 2 Sep 1862) died as a young boy and is buried in Prichard/Griffing cemetery. (William Lott was named after his great uncle Lott Warren who in 1821 was admitted to the GA. state bar where he commenced practice in Dublin, Laurens County, GA. He also served in the Georgia Senate in 1830. He was solicitor general and judge of the southern circuit of Georgia 1831-1834. He moved to Americus, Georgia in 1836 and was elected as a Whig to the 26th and 27th Congresses (March 4, 1839 - March 3, 1843). He was not a candidate for re-nomination in 1842. He moved to Albany, Georgia in 1842 and was judge of the superior court of Georgia (1843-1852). He resumed the practice of his of law and died in Albany, Georgia, in 1861 and was buried in Riverside Cemetery)1.

- Quitman Prichard (22 Sep 1860 – 26 Oct 1865) also died as a young boy – no further information is contained in the Prichard family bible..

- Fannie C Prichard (22 Dec 1863 - ?) married Livingston “Lev” Herrington Byrd (18 Mar 1858 – 23 Sep 1905) on 4 Feb 1885 in Franklin County. They had five children: Annie Cornelia Byrd (Jul 1887 - ?), Mary R. Byrd ( 17 May 1889 – 6 Oct 1905), Livingston Kirby Byrd (29 Jun 1890 - ?), Mildred Louise Byrd (Jul 1899 - ?), and Millard Fillmore Byrd ( abt. 1903 - ?).

- Clarence Seymore Prichard (29 Apr 1865 - ?) – no further information is contained in the Prichard family bible.

- Joseph M. Prichard (1 Mar 1868 – 20 Sep 1935) married Ada Hall (23 Sep 1868 – 20 Mar 1948). They had four children: Mamie Marguerite Prichard (6 Jun 1889 – 26 Jun 1977), John B. Prichard (1 Jan 1891 - ?), Leon Joseph Prichard ( 13 Apr 1893 – 13 Oct 1956), and Calcote B. Prichard ( 21 Aug – 1905 – 27 Apr 1963). Mamie Prichard married Leonard James Whitehead (see Whitehead family history).

Charles Abel Prichard (5 Mar 1847 - 22 Jul 1931) was born in Meadville and married Cornelia Hybernia Byrd (7 Jul 1847 – 8 Nov 1914), daughter of Cornelius D. Byrd and Christina Herrington, on 29 Jan 1867. Charles A. Prichard saw service in the Civil War under Capt. J. T. Sessions, Co. E., Col. Powers’ Regiment, 14th Confederate Calvary, and was later transferred to Capt. Lindsey’s Scouts. He owned and farmed land in Franklin County on the Homochitto River just outside of Meadville, on what is now Bunkley Road. Charles built a home in Meadville after being elected Chancery Court Clerk of Franklin County. The family moved to the new home, returning to the farm during the Spring, Summer, and Fall to farm the Prichard land. Charles also operated a livery stable in Meadville. Charles and Cornelia had seven children: Jack Byrd Prichard, Robert Ingram Prichard, Paul Bunyan Prichard, Dollie Prichard, Lev Herrington Prichard, Cornelius Byrd Prichard, and Charles Abel Prichard, Jr. Charles Abel Prichard, Sr. is buried in the Prichard family plot in Midway Cemetery. Cornelia H. Prichard is buried in Porter cemetery next to her “baby boy”, Cornelius Prichard.

-Jack Byrd Prichard (16 Apr 1873 – 1920) married Garrah Higdon and moved north to the Mississippi delta. They had four children: Cornelia Amelia Prichard (4 Oct 1893 - ?), Bertha A. Prichard (12 Feb 1895 - ?), Clyde M. Prichard (5 Oct 1899 - ?), and Jack Byrd Prichard Jr. (abt. 1902). Today Clyde Prichard’s daughter, Ann, owns a home in Franklin County. Ann and her sister, Becky, still communicate with other Prichard family members.

-Robert Ingram Prichard (see below).

-Paul Bunyan Prichard (11 Feb 1877 - ? ) married Stella C. Montgomery, daughter of Harrison P. Montgomery and Manerva Herrington. They moved first to Oklahoma then to Kansas where Paul became a wheat farmer.

-Viola Hybernia (“Dollie”) Prichard (13 Feb 1879 - 7 Mar 1962) married James R. G. Hewlett, a Baptist minister, and moved to Charleston, MS. Her nephew, Charles H. (“Chuck”) Prichard was married in the Hewlett home by Dollie’s husband. Chuck’s sister, Lola Lee (“Sister”) Prichard, attended the ceremony. In later years, Charles Abel Prichard, Sr. took the train to Charleston every fall to spend the winters with his daughter Dollie until his death at the age of 84.

-Lev Herrington Prichard (19 Jul 1883 - 19 Jun 1948) was a lawyer in Meadville in the early 1900s having graduating from Mississippi College School of Law in Jackson. Lev married Louise Melton on 16 Jun 1906. They moved to Oklahoma City along with brothers Paul and Charles Abel, Jr. Lev co-founded Anderson-Prichard Oil Co. and prospered in the oil business. Lev’s descendants remain in contact with other Franklin County Prichard descendants to this day and are very active in their community.

-Cornelius Byrd Prichard (13 Sep 1886 - 26 Apr 1909) was killed at the age of 22 in Meadville by Dr. A. M. Newman at the beginning of what would become known as the Prichard/Newman feud. Cornelius is buried in Porter Cemetery along side his mother.

-Charles Abel Prichard, Jr. (16 Jan 1888 - 03 Apr 1969) married Minnie Myrtle Cygon, daughter of John Cygon and Ada Porter, also of Meadville. He too prospered in the oil business in Oklahoma along side his brother Lev. Charles and Minnie had three children: Neal Byrd Prichard, Lorain Prichard, and Betty L. Prichard.

Robert Ingram Prichard (24 Feb 1875 - 25 Feb 1946) married Ludie E. King (8 Jun 1883 – 19 Feb 1963), daughter of George Washington King and Mary Ann Short, on 10 Jan 1899. Ingram and Ludie were affectionately known in the family as Papa and Biggie. They lived in the Prichard home in Meadville until their deaths. Ludie had rheumatoid arthritis and was bed-ridden the last 10 years of her life. She probably wouldn’t have lived as long if not for having Sister there to see about her and also having a faithful maid, Nancy Brown, who took such good care of Biggie that she never even got a bedsore! Ingram and Ludie Prichard had seven children: Winnie Prichard, Edwin Prichard, Lola Lee (“Sister”) Prichard, Estelle Prichard, Robert Ingram Prichard, Jr., Charles Harrington (“Chuck”) Prichard, and Lex Stuart Prichard. Robert Ingram and Ludie Prichard are buried in the Prichard family plot in Midway Cemetery.

-Winnie Prichard died in 1904 of diphtheria at age three.

-Edwin Prichard (9 Feb 1903 – 20 Apr 1986) moved to Brookhaven where he was a tax assessor. Edwin married Ruth (?). They had one son Edwin Prichard, Jr. Edwin and Ruth are buried in the Prichard family plot in Midway Cemetery.

- Lola Lee Prichard (21 May 1905 - 23 Aug 1985), being the only surviving girl of her generation, was doted upon by her father. Papa barked orders to her brothers saying: ‘saddle your sister’s horse’ and ‘draw your sister’s bath’ thus earning her the nickname “Sister”. The nickname stayed with her all of her life and is inscribed on her headstone. Sister began teaching school at the age of 16 in the rural area of Franklin County, riding her horse daily to the one-room school. She married Charles H. Crawford (31 Jan 1890 - 29 May 1944) of Somerville, TN when he arrived in Franklin County as part of the US Government’s efforts to eradicate ticks and other problems in cattle. Sister and C.H. Crawford raised beef cattle in Kirby, MS. and on Glascock Island in the Mississippi River. Her younger brother Chuck’s happiest memories was of spending summers as a teenager with Sister and her husband on Glascock Island. After her husband’s death, she remained in the family home in Meadville and cared for Biggie. Outside the home she was appointed Post Master of Franklin County and served in that capacity for many years. Sister never remarried after the death of C. H. Crawford. A life-long member of Meadville Presbyterian Church, she faithfully played the organ every Sunday. In 1960, Sister purchased a new organ for the church, which she played until her retirement in 1979. Upon retirement, she moved to Rosemark, TN. Where she lived with her niece, Gail Prichard Davidson, and her family. Sister never missed an episode of Knots Landing, The Dukes of Hazard, Dallas or Falcon Crest with her great nephews, Mark and Ingram Davidson. C. H. Crawford and Sister are buried in Midway Cemetery in Meadville.

-Estelle Prichard died in 1908 also from diphtheria, at age one.

-Robert Ingram Prichard, Jr. (18 Aug 1909 - 3 Apr 1978) moved to Jackson, MS and married Eva Novello Mayo. Ingram owned and operated the International Harvester distribution center for the State of MS and was very active in MS politics. They had one son, Robert Ingram Prichard, III, who is now a judge in Picayune, MS. Robert Ingram Prichard, Jr., known as Uncle Ing to his much beloved nieces and nephews, was always a favorite with the family children since he passed out twenty-dollar bills to all smiling faces. Robert Ingram and Novello Prichard are buried in Lakewood Memorial Cemetery in Jackson, Mississippi.

-Charles Harrington (“Chuck”) Prichard (23 Jan 1916 - 20 Sep 2005) was born in Meadville and married Doris Angeline Mitchell (9 Jan 1915 - 22 Jul 1999) on 03 June 1939. They met while both were working in Memphis, TN, and shortly thereafter spent several years employed by the Big Inch Pipeline, a war concern. Chuck was unable to enlist in World War II due to a fused ankle which had been shattered playing softball. Chuck prospered as a cotton farmer, dairy cattle farmer, beef cattle farmer and landowner. He also worked as the Bookkeeper for Hollinger’s Store in the early 1940’s. During that time he and wife Doris, Sister and her husband (known as Crawford), Lex and wife Helen all lived together with Biggie and Papa in their home in Meadville. Doris once remarked that they never had a ‘cross word’ even with all of them under one roof! In 1949, Chuck and Doris built their first home. It was located about 3 miles from Meadville City Limits. In 1956, Chuck bought the Chevrolet Dealership in Meadville. When asked in later years what he was most proud of in his life, he remarked, “Not losing my shirt in the car business, but I came mighty close!” In 1965, he sold the dealership and purchased a Dairy Farm on land that had originally been the old Prichard/Byrd Place. Upon Lola Lee (“Sister”) Prichard’s retirement as Post Master, Chuck’s wife, Doris was subsequently appointed Post Master and served in that role for many years in Meadville. They have two daughters Tanya Prichard Groves and Janna Prichard Whitehead. Chuck and Doris Prichard are buried in Midway Cemetery in Meadville.

-Lex S. Prichard (22 Apr 1922 -14 Jun 1971) was born in Jackson. He married Helen Juanita Bowlin (14 Jan 1921 - 21 May 1963) on 19 Feb 1947. Lex was drafted into the US Army during WWII. They had two daughters Gail and Sheila Prichard and one son Lex S. Prichard, Jr. Lex Prichard is buried in Prichard family plot in Midway Cemetery along with his parents and daughter Gail Prichard Davidson. Helen Bowlin Prichard is buried in Concord Cemetery along with her parents, Wiley Harrison Bowlin and Floy Ratcliff.

Today the Prichard descendants can be found in Mississippi, Tennessee, Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin. The Prichard home in Meadville is still owned by the Prichard family.

1. BIOGRAPHICAL DIRECTORY OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS