Rebecca Auxier Prater

On September 24, 1846, Rebecca Auxier married Thomas Prater, the son of John Prater Sr. and Mary Brenton. They are still living at their old home on Licking River in Magoffin County, Kentucky. They had ten children and forty-seven grandchildren, many of whom are deceased. They reared their family in the good old way, bringing them up in the fear and counsel of the Lord. Rebecca Auxier Prater was converted on May 29, 1842 and soon thereafter joined the Methodist Church. She has continued in the faith throughout her long life.Their name was one in which peace and plenty reigned and old-time hospitality was extended to all. Aunt Rebecca is truly a good woman, one of that class of whom the Bible says, "Her children shall rise up and call her blessed. Agnes Auxier 1908

Thomas and Rebecca Auxier Prater at their old homeplace on Burning Fork,
Magoffin County, Kentucky, about 1905. Grandchildren in the doorway are
Sam and Forest, the two youngest children of Wallace and Julia Prater Preston.

Near the well of the Prater home
stood the "wash rock." Its top was
hollowed out in a bowl shape and it
was used by the Prater family for
washing. During the Civil War and
before he became president, James
Garfield had his troops stationed in
Prestonsburg, Kentucky. He often
visited Thomas Prater and his brother,
John, on Burning Fork for a good home
cooked meal and he used the wash rock
to wash his hands before eating. This rock
remains in the possession of the family.
Mary Lou Preston Brown Byrd

1. Martha Prater who married David May
2. Amanda Araminta Prater who married Isaac Jefferson Ward.
3. Marietta Prater who married Sam Stamper
4. Sarah Ann Prater who married William T. Atkinson
5. John Prater who married Kate Reed
6. Samuel Washington Prater who married Laura Hoskins.
7. Louisa Prater who married Lewis Powers
8. Julia Agnes Prater who married Wallace Washington Preston.
9. William Prater who married Laura Hunt.
10. Dollie Prater who died at the age of 26.