I was totally amazed to receive a copy of Simon Pryor. and Susannah Morgan’s marriage bond from the original in the possession of Celia Keeling 116 Circle Dr. Bardstown, KY 40004. Celia had the actual marriage bonds in her home as the result of a transcribing project. She made a copy of that very old document and mailed it to me. The marriage bond is dated 25 August 1785! I love to see my ancestors signatures and Simon’s is perfectly clear.
Simon Pryor, Sr. served in the American Revolution and he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, General Maxfield, Colonel McFarlan, Capt Edmerson, Lieuitenant Seth Rament, that he was first drafted and joined the army in the militia of New Jersey in May 1776 and was stationed at Elizabeth Town State of New Jersey and marched from there through Pennsylvania and was at the Battle of Long Island at which place Gen Sullivan commanded at this time. He served six months in the militia of the State of New Jersey, that he afterwards volunteered for nine months in the militia of the State of New Jersey and served out the nine months under the before named officers and at the end the nine months he enlisted for three years under the same officers and served about two years and then enlisted under Capt Craig in Col Miles Regiment of Lite Horse and served in it some time and then hired a substitute, that in the whole he served in the Army upwards of five years. That he was in the battle of Monmouth, battles of Springfield, Long Island, besides some skirmishing. That he was acquainted with Genl Mifflin, Genl Lee, Genl Green, Genl Sterling, Col Ford. (From his pension application dated 27 Aug 1832)
One of the neat things on the Internet is the American Revolution Pension Applications. This is available free on Heritage Quest, through the Fort Collins Library if you have a library card. I immediately went there and found that Simon Pryor, Sr. did indeed file for a pension and even better than that — Susanna filed for a widow’s pension after he died!
When the veteran filed for his pension the primary concern was proving he served -- when the widow applied for her pension she had to prove she was married to him and often times submitted great genealogical information in fulfilling that requirement. How could I have been so lucky? Susanna submitted her family Bible pages to show her marriage, births of her and her husband and all 13 children, deaths of all that had deceased at that time — and the marriages of her children that were married at that time – including Simon, Jr! It said very plainly “Simon Pryor married Margaret Storms” and it listed their children as Hannah born 22 June 1814, John born 27 May 1816 (John is my ancestor) and Baby born 31 December 1818. Simon Jr., died 9 April 1818, eight months before the Baby was born.
Simon Pryor was the son of Andrew Pryor and Polly. Andrew died 5 February 1768 and Simon chose William Persons as his guardian after his father died. His stepmother, Lydia Littell remarried to David Flinn and removed to Ohio.
After being discharged from the Army, after the Revolution, he went to Bullitt County Kentucky, and finally to Grayson Co Kentucky. All of his thirteen children were born in Bullitt County.
Some researchers believe Susanna Morgan’s father was Charles Morgan and he and her mother were killed by Indians about 1780, and that she went to live with a married sister in Bardstown, Kentucky after their death.
In 1848 Susannah filed for a Bounty Land Warrant from the Federal Government. One of the people that swore an affidavit on her behalf was John Burnett. He says that although he was not a witness to her marriage to Simon Pryor, he was at his father’s house when the couple and their guests arrived after the marriage. The wedding feast was held at his father’s house and Susannah Pryor was his mother’s sister. He said all of the people present talked about the wedding. He also stated that Simon and Susannah Pryor lived on his father’s land for about a year after their marriage.
When Susannah died, December 22, 1861 her death record was recorded at Grayson Co Kentucky. I was fortunate to find a researcher that posted this on the Internet. It is on microfilm at Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. It says she died 22 December 1861 of old age (age 111) Born Monongahela Virginia, died Grayson Co Kentucky, marital status widow, parents names Charles M. Some say Charles is the son of Morgan Morgan of Monongalia Co Virginia but that is another case.
Simon Pryor,Sr:
Born 19 Feb 1760 in Essex County, New Jersey
Married 25 Aug 1785 in Nelson County, Kentucky to Susanna Morgan
Died 10 Feb 1842 in Grayson County, Kentucky
Susannah Morgan:
Born 10 Jun 1765 in Virginia
Died 22 Dec 1861 in Grayson County, Kentucky
There is a great deal to find out about these people, but I thank God that I have been privileged to find out this much.
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