Richard PRAY

                   B-Could be Prov.,Prov.,R.I.
M-Wife #(2) Elizabeth White, widow of Benjamin Hearndon
Sources: Prov. Vital Recds.; R.I. Families by Austin
The Rhode Island Branch of the Pray Family,
       compiled by Marjorie Bucher Shufelt, Waterville, Ohio

       Richard Pray was, according to Pope's "Pioneers of Massachusetts," the first son of Quinton and Joan Pray, and must have come to America with his parents in 1643.  Austin gives his birth as 1630, being 35 years younger that his father, Quinton, and thirteen years of age when they arrived at Lynn.
       Genealogist Lewis says that Richard went to Providence when about 22 years of age and was possibly married to Mary at that time, for "Jan 3rd 1653, with his wife Mary he purchased a lot of land of Robt. Cole, his house and home lot next to Thomas Olney's home lot and near the round."
       According to Austin, "May 25, 1655, he was appointed by the Court of commissions to keep a house of entertainment.  A convenient sign was to be set out at the most perspicacious place of said home to give notice to strangers."
       April the 15, 1656, his wife gave notice of the receipt of "six aukers of sack" and later in the same year gave notice of "nine aukers of sack."  On May 29, 1657, they received wine, and liquor also on Sept 13, 1659 "as a reward for remaining during the troublesome times with the Indians."  He shared Feb 19, 1665 in lands and drew lot no. 27. "Dec 26, 1666 he made over part of his estate to the Town Council for use of Mary and her children.  May 1st, 1667 he and wife, Mary, having petitioned the assembly for a divorce and final parting, it was not granted so far as to allow either to marry again, though they may live apart, and Nov. 6, 1672, having been presented to the assembly showing that Capt. John Green had given a bill of divorce to Mary Pray and Richard Pray, the act was discountenanced, there being no authority for any assisstant to grant a divorce.
       May 21, 1675, he deeded to his sonn John, "My dwelling home, standing at Luguassank with half purchase right of land and meadow."  "June 1668, he swore allegiance to the king."  "Aug 14, 1676 - He was one of those who stayed and went not away in King Phillip's War, and so had a share in the disposition of Indian captives, whose services were sold for a number of years."
       "April 15, 1678, he deeded son Ephraim half the tract of meadow and uplands."
       "July 11, 1679 he was taxed with Mary and son Ephraim 6s 3."
       "March 11, 1680 he petitioned the Assembly to remit sentence of General Court of Trials (in Oct 1678) against him for 10 (?) by him forfeited, being bound and not attending said court.  He pleaded God's hand upon him by sickness, and considering the poverty of the petitioned, his request was granted."
         "April 27, 1681 - His wife Mary was licensed by the Town Council to keep a public house of entertainment for the receiving of travelers and strangers, providing both for horse and man, as also to sell unto the inhabitants, beer, wine or strong liquor for a whole year.  She not to suffer any unlawful games in the house or evil rule there.  Was was to pay 20s for license, but being willing to (?) to the town for the town meeting to be kept there, the Council accepted in lieu of 20s."
       "Jan 27, 1685 - He aged 55 or thereabouts, testified that he heard Robert Cole say he had sold Valentine Whitman his share of meadow at Mashapug."
       "Jan 20, 1686 - he deeded son William a lot formerly belonging to Robert Cole, bounded partly by Lot of Thos. Olney Jr., also upland meadow on a small brook."
       "Sept 1, 1687 - was taxed 9s."
       "Oct 20, 1688 - He and wife Elizabeth, daughter of William White, and widow of Benj. Hearndean deceased (and executrix of will date dated Feb 1, 1686) deeded to her son Isaac Hearndean the homestead farm, orchard given by her late husband's will for her life."  (By tradition Elizabeth was daughter of William White of the Mayflower - she had no child by R. Pray.)
       "Same date his wife Elizabeth quit claimed all her rights to thirds of husband's lands and obliged herself to sign a more ample instrument when therein to legally required."
       "Dec 17, 1691 - He deeded son John for affection, as also considering how his said son in care towards him from time to time hath still meen manifesting of his duty unto him, 60 (?)."
       "May 7, 1692 - He sold Nathan Mowry half a purchase right, the deed being confirmed by Elizabeth, wife of Richard Pray."
       "Mar 11, 1693 - He deeded son Ephraim for love etc. 25 (?) right in the town of Providence."
       Sep 10, 1693 - Testimony of John Whipple concerning an instrument made some years since by Richard Pray wherein was made a disposition of his estate (witnessed by John Green and Edward ?Cubverly) but some time after Richard Pray and Mary his wife considering the weakness of the instrument in itself, it being in itself annulled etc., they declared it null and void and declared it should be burned and he did give for these instruments for his sons to hold land by and made deeds to some John and Ephraim, said deeds being written by John Whipple.  The disposition further says that when Mary Pray lay on her death bed, she did desire of her husband Richard Pray that he would give unto their sons william the house and lot in town where in and where on they dwelt and also the upland meadow at a small brook.
       "Dec 13, 1701 - His widow sold for 555 f (?) to Joseph Whipple, dwelling house and 10 acres being part of it, land that formerly belonged to my father, one William White (now deceased, but formerly of Providence) and bought of him by Benj. Hearndean and given to her by the last will of the latter for her life and then to son Isaac, and having been bought of Isaac Hearndean by his mother."
       The foregoing account of Richard Pray is taken from "Austin's Providence Records."

New England Historical and Genealogical Record, Vol. 52, p. 211:
       "About the same time that Richard Pray was licensed to keep a public tavern, a constable stopped at Pray's Tavern with prisoners, but prisoners were released by the interference of citizens."  Found in the Mowry Family Records.  Austin says that Richard styled himself a 'Collier'  when he gave deeds.  That was doubtless his occupation when he was at Lynn, Massachusetts with his father.

       In Austin's Families of Rhode Island, we find about the Ferner Family - Richard Pray, Providence, R.I., born 1630, married Mary who died in 1686.  He died 1693.  They had a son, John born 1659, died 9 Oct 1733, married Sarah Brown 14 Nov 1678, Smithfield, Rhode Island.  They had Catherine, born__, died 27 Nov 1728, married Hazadiah Comstock, born 16 Apr 1682, died 21 Feb 1764 at Smithfield, Rhode Island.  They had a son Gideon Comstock who married and he and his wife had Amy who married Arthur Ferner, who was the father of James Ferner, who was governor, U.S. Senator, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island, born in Providence 22 Jan 1771, died 17 Apr 1846.

       Mary, wife of Richard was doubtless a distinguished woman.  She seemed to be dissatisfied with her husband's management, and thus the license to "keep tavern" herself.  She reports handling quite a quantity of "sack."  Dr. Fisk's Early History of New England says: "In Oct 20th, 1675, Mrs. Mary Pray wrote a letter to the Commissioners urging the extermination of the Indians."  Said letter found in Massachusetts Historical Collections, 5th Series, Vol. 1, p. 105.

       Henry Ernest Woods says that Richard Pray was one of the first settlers of Providence in Rhode Island in 1652-53.  Farmer says that "Richard swore allegiance to the king in 1668."  He mentions that Richard was among the list of first settlers of Rhode Island with Roger Williams and others.

       The estate of quinton Pray was administered, inventory taken 21 (5)  1667 and administration granted to the widow, Joan.