Jonathan PRAY

                   Benn's Rhode Island Families, vol. 3, pp. 114, 275
Ballou Genealogy
Heath Record pp. 79-159
Mt. Morris Cemetery, Groveland, New York
Hammond's History, Madison, New York, p. 702
Foster Bk. 3, p. 143: Will of Deborah Wade
The Rhode Island Branch of the Pray Family,
       compiled by Marjorie Bucher Shufelt, Waterville, Ohio
Bible of John and Deborah Pray in possession of Frank Lansing Heath
Genealogical Records of John Lansing Pray, p. 158 (in possession of Frank Heath)
The History of Madison county, New York by Mrs. L.M. Hammond

       John Pray lived in Foster, Rhode Island.  He served as an Ensign in the 3rd Military Company of Rhode Island Militia and served in the Rev. War in 1780.  He became a Baptist minister and was a farmer.


       Elder John Pray was a native of Rhode Island.  His father, Jonathan was a son of Hugh Pray and Abigail Blake, who had 13 children.  At the time of John's boyhood on the farm in North Foster, the state line between Rhode Island and Connectivut ran through at their home.  Later the line was moved a distance west.  In the history of Livingston County, New York we find that John Pray left Rhode Island 1 Nov 1794 with his family and settled in Litchfield, Herkimer county where he engaged in farming.  Becoming soon discouraged with this, he went to Baleston, Saratoga County.
       Records of Rhode Island say that John Pray was Ensign of the 3rd Company State Militia in 1780 and in 1781 to 1785 inclusive, was Lieutenant.  Perry's History of Gloucester mentions John Pray as an officer during the war of the Revolution.  In 1777 John Pray was Justice of the Peace.
       Private notes from memory by Judge Emory Potter of Toledo shortly before his death says,  "Elder John Pray emigrated from Rhode Island to Richfield, Otsego, New York, bought a farm of about 200 acres on the Unadilla River where he lived.  He raised three sons, John, James and Paris.  About 1818, John left the homestead and moved to Ohio.  James took the farm and Paris was sent to Hartwick Seminary near Cooperstown, where he was educated and studied. and he was married there.
       "Elder John Pray was a (? Close) Communion Baptist and preached to a small congregation in a little log school house, baptizing his converts by immersion in the Unadilla River.  We adjoined farms and the school house was near.  My mother used to take me there, a lad of 7 or 8 years old, to attend the meetings.  I remember he used to tell a good many stories in his sermons.  His congregation was small as the county was new and sparsely populated.
       "The old Elder was a Jeffersonian democrat.  Whether he or any of his cousins were soldiers of the Revolution, I am unable to say.  The Pray family were well to do, and stood number one in the community.  His son John was about my age."

       The History of Madison county, New York by Mrs. L.M. Hammond says, "John Pray bought the farm of John Taft, lot 33 in Peterboro, sold afterward to Mr. Phipps.  Mr.John Taft's grave is in the Northwest corner of the orchard."
       On the same page, 702 we find Elder John Pray was an eccentric "six principle" Baptist Minister, well remembered by the oldest inhabitabnts for his odd speeches and peculiar ways."  He was from Rhode Island and lived with his sons John and James on the old Pray farm "to a good old age."
       "He died in 1830 leaving numerous descendants."  A plain slab stone marks his grave in the old cemetery near Peterboro, Madison, New York.
                  

                   Benns' R.I. Families, vol. 2, p. 277, vol. 3, p. 114
The Sutton Family by McKee, p. 20

Will of Jeremiah Pray -- gives estate to brothers, nieces and nephews, so evidently
       no living children
Foster Bk. p. 35
Heath Records
                  

                   Benns' R.I. Families, vol. 2, p. 277, vol. 3, p. 114
The Sutton Family by McKee, p. 20
                  

                   Benns' R.I. Families, vol. 2, p. 277, vol. 3, p. 114
The Sutton Family by McKee, pp. 20, 23
Benn's Rhode Island Families, vol. 2, p. 281
Foster Deed Bk. 5, p. 48, Deed Bk. 1, p. 722
Family records of Miss Evelyn Pray of Foster, Rhode Island
East Killingly, Connecticut Cemetery records,
                  

                   Benns' R.I. Families, Vol. 2, p. 277, Vol. 3, p. 114
Foster, Rhode Island Bk. 1, p. 342
Will of Jonathan Pray
Unpublished Pray Genealogy by John Lansing Pray (1830-1911) pp. 79, 163
The Sutton Family by McKee, p. 20
Heath Record, pp. 79, 163

Jacob Pray lived 80 years.
                  

                   Benns' R.I. Families, vol. 2, p. 277, vol. 3, p. 114
The Sutton Family by McKee, p. 20
                  

                   Benns' R.I. Families, vol. 2, p. 277, vol. 3, p. 114
The Sutton Family by McKee, p. 20

Will of Jeremiah Pray
Foster Bk. 2, p.31
Benn's Rhode Island Families, Vol. 2, p. 258
                  

                   Benns' R.I. Families, vol. 2, p. 277, vol. 3, p. 114
The Sutton Family by McKee, p. 20

Census 1790, 1800 Foster, Rhode Island
Benn's Rhode Island Families, p. 116, 283
Marriage Records of Central Village, Conn.
Union Cemetery Records, Moosup, Conn. - Foster R.I. Bk. 4, p. 172
PRAY unpublished genealogy by John Lansing (1839-1911)