Anthony Thomas Prater ¹

   Another name for Anthony was Anthony Thomas Prather.

  Research Notes:

From http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=:3143362&id=I631844425 :
Anthony was the second born son in his family. His father was very wealthy, and thus his inheritance was substantial, but it was the custom in those times to give most of the inheritance, titles, etc. to the first born son. He inherited Stanton St, Bernard Manor which is located in South central Wiltshire (near the famous Stone Henge).

His older brother Richard was the heir to most of their father's property and titles. Richard lived in Nunney Castle located in Nunney, Somerset. Richards holdings were vast, consisting of several manors (villages with all the businesses in the village), 40 farms with surfs (slaves) that lived on them, 30 farms without surfs, 4000 acres of meadow land, and approximately 300 acres of timber. Richard held the title of "Esquire" and "Lord of Nunney". Anthony was named "Trustee" of the estates when Richard died in 1580. Anthony was trustee for 6 years until Richard's son George became of age (Nunney was acquired from "Lord St. John" - Sir William Paulet).

Anthony appears to have been the black sheep in his family and was taken to court many times. The Earl of Bolingbroke, which Anthony "held" under, wrote in the court record "Anthony Prater, a troublesome man". Anthony's business dealings were often in dispute.

After his wife's death, Anthony remarried but had no other known children. He married Elizabeth (Winter) Ivye, the widow of his wife's brother, Ferndinando Ivye.

Anthony Prater received the manor of "Hook" from his younger brother Nicholis, who he claimed to be a lunatic. He kept and cared for his brother for many years and claimed ownership of "Hook" as his compensation. When Anthony's wife died, Nicholis was sent to live with their sister in London. Shortly after, he brought claim against Anthony claiming "he had regained his former health", but the court found in Anthony's favor and he retained the manor of "Hook".

Shortly after the court found in Anthony's favor, Nicholis and "others" went to Anthony's manor and stole 18 prize cows. Nothing more is recorded as to the outcome of this act.

Stanton St. Bernard Manor is located about 20 miles due South of Swindon, Wiltshire, England and about 5 miles West of the famous Stone Henge.

It is recorded that Anthony was later "Excommunicated from the Catholic Church for his 'extorsionate practices'". He died without reconsiliation.

In order for him to have a burial place in the church, Anthony must have taken the King's religion. Thus, by joining the Church of England he was able to secure his burial place in the church at Stanton St. Bernard. Anthony's tomb is in the floor of the church at his manor of Stanton St. Bernard, Wiltshire.

Anthony married Judith Ivye, daughter of Thomas Anthony Ivye and Elizabeth Mallett, about 1566 in West Kingston, Wiltshire, England. (Judith Ivye was born in 1550 in West Kingston, Wiltshire, England, died on 6 Feb 1578 in West Kingston, Wiltshire, England and was buried in West Kingston Church, Wiltshire, England.)

  Marriage Notes:

May have been married abt 1570